Janet Jackson – Love Will Never Do (Without You) [Throwback]

The year was 1990. After three widely acclaimed albums, countless accolades, and a worldwide movement Janet Jackson was just beginning to step into the limelight of a decades spanning career. So with a catalog as amply diverse and sustained as her’s, the choice of picking the perfect throwback is and will never result in a consensus. But that’s the beauty of Ms. Jackson’s [if you’re nasty] music, you can’t really go wrong.

With six strong singles ahead of it, “Love Will Never Do (Without You)” was the last release of Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814, a feat few dare even dream of in today’s over-saturated scene and another testament to the clout of her sonic artistry. But she, alongside famed producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, made it seem so easy.

The track is cut from the same cloth of many previous pop ballads, but the trio managed to elevate beyond the formulaic with their well-versed influences. A touch of new jack swing mixed up with swatches of dance-laden grooves integrate with Janet’s undeniable range, leaving a lasting impression other songs just can’t touch. And so, such is life when discussing the iconic sounds of this generational talent.

Remember with a stream of the video below. Oh and bonus points to director Herb Ritts for casting the much younger versions of Antonio Sabàto, Jr. and Djimon Hounsou!