THE PLEASURE PRINCIPLE

The Pleasure Principle was the sixth single from Janet Jackson’s 1986 breakthrough album Control. Released in May 1987, the song was written and produced by Monte Moir, a former keyboardist for Prince, and ex-band member of The Time. The Pleasure Principle hit Number 1 in the USA on the R&B singles chart; it made Janet the first artist to pull five Number One R&B hits from one album. What’s best remembered about this cult favorite are the lyrics and melody. Its cryptic lyrics acknowledged the demise of a bad relationship while riding in a limousine. The song was different from the usual drum-heavy beats that dominated the Control LP. The Pleasure Principle had a synthesized track to rock your body, an electric guitar to stir your soul, and Janet’s familiar voice to move your feet. It was a funky, fresh tune deep-rooted in the Minneapolis sound.

The video was a visual masterpiece--a perfect blend of music and motion designed to ensnare its target in a very specific way. You could not just listen to the song without envisioning the video; the two were intertwined. This video established Janet as a cutting-edge performer, and fueled many debates as to who was the better dancer-- Janet or Michael? From the moment the video began, you noticed Janet’s stark new look. She wore dark jeans, a stonewashed jacket and a “Mysterious” black t-shirt with a graffiti logo. Now after twenty years, a video inspired Pleasure Principle tee shirt is finally available!  Capture history by collecting this one of a kind shirt, and own a piece of Janet's innovative style.

Trivia

• Flyte Time cohorts Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis had almost no involvement with The Pleasure Principle single
• It was Barry Lather, not Paula Abdul, who choreographed The Pleasure Principle video
• This was the first video in which Janet appeared alone without any backup dancers
• For the first time, Janet and Michael would have singles on the “Billboard Hot 100” at the same time. The Pleasure Principle for Janet and I Can’t Stop Loving You for Michael.
• Janet won Best Choreography and Cinematography at the 1988 MTV Video Music Awards
• In 1988, Bobby Brown tried to woo Janet by playing the Pleasure Principle video at his RCA Records bash. It didn’t work. Brown later wed Whitney Houston.
• Janet never performed The Pleasure Principle live until her debut Rhythm Nation tour in 1990
• Jennifer Lopez claimed that after watching The Pleasure Principle video she wanted to become a dancer