THE PLEASURE PRINCIPLE (1987)

Songwriter/producer Monte Moir was the last person to know about "The Pleasure Principle" becoming the sixth single off the Control LP in the summer of 1987.  "I found out through Billboard.  It was a year and a half after the album had been out.  I had been working with Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam and by then we had parted ways.  I didn't realize it was going to be coming out as a single at all, although I had known it was getting a lot of airplay and the clubs had been playing it a lot."   The song was composed before Janet and Jam & Lewis had determined the direction of the album; Moir had submitted several songs, and "The Pleasure Principle" ultimately fit best, as its somewhat cryptic lyrics about getting out of a bad situation appealed to Janet.  The title is in fact an allusion to Freud's Pleasure Principle, defined as the human instinct to seek pleasure and avoid pain.  Recording was a quick and somewhat rushed process because the Flyte Time facility in Minneapolis was relatively new and fully-booked.  Monte Moir said of Janet: "She came in and knew the song pretty much inside out.  A lot of singers will come in and they don't study too much or do their homework or really get to know the song, and they'll be reading everything off the sheet."  When "The Pleasure Principle" hit Number 14 pop and Number 1 R&B, it made Janet the first artist to pull five Number One R&B smashes from one album.  In most territories, it was the final single from Control.

If you have a release of The Pleasure Principle which is not listed below, or with a different cover, or from a different country/territory, please let us know by visiting our Discography Submissions page or by sending the information (format, country, catalogue number, tracklisting, front cover scan/image, and any additional info) to webmaster@cravingjanet.com.  Please make sure your cover scan or image is at least 400 pixels x 400 pixels for quality purposes.  In return, you will be credited on the site.

COMPACT DISCS (CD's)

 Japan - 3'' CD-single (0049)
Promo
 1988 A&M Records, Inc.; Cat# S12Y3016

Tracklisting:
1. The Pleasure Principle (5:00)
2. When I Think Of You (3:57)
3. Let's Wait Awhile (4:38)

3'' snap-pack.  This item is identical to item 0050, except the disc has a black promo stamp around the spindle hole, and there is a red promo sticker affixed to the back of the case.

Japan - 3'' CD-single (0050)
 1988 A&M Records, Inc.; Cat# S12Y3016

Tracklisting:
1. The Pleasure Principle (5:00)
2. When I Think Of You (3:57)
3. Let's Wait Awhile (4:38)

3'' snap-pack.

UK - 5'' CD-single - The Pleasure Principle/Alright - Danny Tenaglia/Todd Terry Mixes - LIMITED EDITION (0051)
 1996 A&M Records, Inc. (AM:PM); Cat# 581 767-2

Tracklisting:
1. The Pleasure Principle (Legendary Club Mix) (8:16)
2. The Pleasure Principle (NuFlava Vocal Dub) (7:21)
3. The Pleasure Principle (Banji Dub) (7:10)
4. The Pleasure Principle (D.T.'s Twilo Dub) (9:04)
5. Alright (Tee's Club Mix) (6:22)
6. Alright (Tee's Beats) (3:25)

Slimline jewel case & picture sleeve.  Superlative Recordings Officially Certified.

VINYL SINGLES

 Australia - 12'' vinyl maxi-single (0347)
1986 A&M Records, Inc. (Festival Records); Cat# X 13283

Tracklisting:
A1. The Pleasure Principle (Long Vocal) (7:23)
A2. The Pleasure Principle (A Cappella) (4:23)
B1. The Pleasure Principle (12'' Dub) (6:59)
B2. The Pleasure Principle (7'' Vocal) (4:19)

Picture sleeve. 


Brazil - 12'' vinyl maxi-single (0052)
Promo
 1986 A&M Records, Inc.; Cat# 2801218

Tracklisting:
A1. The Pleasure Principle (4:57)
B2. The Pleasure Principle (Long Vocal) (7:28)

Picture sleeve.
 

 Canada - 12'' vinyl maxi-single (0058)
1986 A&M Records, Inc.; Cat# SP-12230

Tracklisting:
A1. The Pleasure Principle (Long Vocal) (7:23)
A2. The Pleasure Principle (A Cappella) (4:23)
B1. The Pleasure Principle (12'' Dub) (6:59)
B2. The Pleasure Principle (7'' Vocal) (4:19)

Picture sleeve. 


Japan - 7'' vinyl single (0053)
Promo
 1986 A&M Records, Inc.; Cat# 7Y3044

Tracklisting:
A1. The Pleasure Principle (4:58)
B1. Control (Edited Video Mix) (4:35)

Generic black-and-silver A&M Records promo sleeve and glossy front picture insert with lyrics on the reverse.  45 RPM.  This item is identical to item 0852, except for promo markings on the vinyl labels. 

 

 Japan - 7'' vinyl single (0852)
 1986 A&M Records, Inc.; Cat# 7Y3044
From the collection of Walter Bodenstaff

Tracklisting:
A1. The Pleasure Principle (4:58)
B1. Control (Edited Video Mix) (4:35)

Generic black-and-silver A&M Records promo sleeve and glossy front picture insert with lyrics on the reverse.  45 RPM.

Spain - 7'' vinyl single (0851)
1987 A&M Records, Inc.; Cat# 390 207-7
From the collection of Walter Bodenstaff

Tracklisting:
A1. The Pleasure Principle (The Shep Pettibone Mix) (4:19) [= 7'' Vocal]
B2. The Pleasure Principle (Dub Edit - The Shep Pettibone Mix) (5:10)

Picture sleeve.

UK - 7'' vinyl single - TEST PRESSING (0467)
Promo
1987 A&M Records, Inc.; No Cat#

Tracklisting:
A1. The Pleasure Principle (7'' Vocal) (4:19)
B2. The Pleasure Principle (Dub Edit) (5:12)

Test pressing for the UK 7'' releases (items 0056 and 0985) housed in a white die-cut sleeve with A and B side labels.
 

 UK - 7'' vinyl single (0985)
Promo
1987 A&M Records, Inc.; Cat# USADJ 604

Tracklisting:
A1. The Pleasure Principle (The Shep Pettibone Mix) (3:55) [= 7'' Vocal]
B2. The Pleasure Principle (Dub Edit - The Shep Pettibone Mix) (5:10)

Originally issued with picture sleeve.

UK - 7'' vinyl single (0056)
1987 A&M Records, Inc.; Cat# USA 604

Tracklisting:
A1. The Pleasure Principle (The Shep Pettibone Mix) (4:19) [= 7'' Vocal]
B2. The Pleasure Principle (Dub Edit - The Shep Pettibone Mix) (5:10)

Picture sleeve.

UK - 12'' vinyl maxi-single (0057)
1987 A&M Records, Inc.; Cat# USAT 604

Tracklisting:
A1. The Pleasure Principle (Long Vocal Remix) (7:28) [= Long Vocal]
B1. The Pleasure Principle (Dub Edit) (6:58) [= 12'' Dub]
B2. The Pleasure Principle (A Cappella) (4:19)

Picture sleeve.
 

 UK - 12'' vinyl maxi-single - The Pleasure Principle/Alright - Danny Tenaglia/Todd Terry Mixes - LIMITED EDITION (0877)
1996 A&M Records, Inc. (AM:PM); Cat# 581 515-1

Tracklisting:
A1. The Pleasure Principle (Legendary Club Mix) (8:15)
B1. The Pleasure Principle (NuFlava Vocal Dub) (7:21
B2. The Pleasure Principle (Banji Dub) (7:10)
C1. The Pleasure Principle (D.T.'s Twilo Dub) (9:00)
D1. Alright (Tee's Club Mix) (6:19)
D2. Alright (Tee's Beats) (3:24)

Picture sleeve.  Track C1 is mislabeled as Alright (D.T.'s Twilo Dub) on the sleeve, but is correctly labeled on the vinyl.
 

 US - 7'' vinyl single (1042)
Promo
 1986 A&M Records, Inc.; Cat# AM-2927

Tracklisting:
A1. The Pleasure Principle (7'' Vocal) (4:19)
B1. The Pleasure Principle (7'' Vocal) (4:19)

Generic multicolored A&M Records promo sleeve. 

 

US - 7'' vinyl single (0054)
Promo
 1986 A&M Records, Inc.; Cat# AM-2927

Tracklisting:
A1. The Pleasure Principle (4:58)
B1. Fast Girls (3:20)

Generic black-and-red A&M Records promo sleeve.

 
 

 US - 12'' vinyl maxi-single (0081)
Promo
1986 A&M Records, Inc.; Cat# SP-12230

Tracklisting:
A1. The Pleasure Principle (Long Vocal) (7:23)
A2. The Pleasure Principle (A Cappella) (4:23)
B1. The Pleasure Principle (12'' Dub) (6:59)
B2. The Pleasure Principle (7'' Vocal) (4:19)

Picture sleeve.  Identical to item 0059 except for a gold promo stamp on the back.

US - 7'' vinyl single (0060)
 1986 A&M Records, Inc.; Cat# AM-2927
From the collection of Jacob Steinberg

Tracklisting:
A1. The Pleasure Principle (4:58)
B1. Fast Girls (3:20)

Picture sleeve.

 
 

 US - 7'' vinyl single - REISSUE (1050)
1991 A&M Records, Inc. (Collectable Record Corp.); Cat# 75021 8676 7

Tracklisting:
A1. The Pleasure Principle (4:58)
B1. Nasty (Remix) (3:40) [= Edit Of Remix]

Generic A&M Memories sleeve.
 

 US - 12'' vinyl maxi-single - LIMITED EDITION (0134)
1986 A&M Records, Inc.; Cat# SP-12230

Tracklisting:
A1. The Pleasure Principle (Long Vocal) (7:23)
A2. The Pleasure Principle (A Cappella) (4:23)
B1. The Pleasure Principle (12'' Dub) (6:59)
B2. The Pleasure Principle (7'' Vocal) (4:19)

Picture sleeve.  Limited edition pressed on KHAKI GREEN VINYL.  Otherwise identical to item 0059.

US - 12'' vinyl maxi-single (0059)
1986 A&M Records, Inc.; Cat# SP-12230

Tracklisting:
A1. The Pleasure Principle (Long Vocal) (7:23)
A2. The Pleasure Principle (A Cappella) (4:23)
B1. The Pleasure Principle (12'' Dub) (6:59)
B2. The Pleasure Principle (7'' Vocal) (4:19)

Picture sleeve. 

 

 West Germany - 7'' vinyl single (0850)
1987 A&M Records, Inc.; Cat# 390 207-7
From the collection of Walter Bodenstaff

Tracklisting:
A1. The Pleasure Principle (The Shep Pettibone Mix) (4:19) [= 7'' Vocal]
B2. The Pleasure Principle (Dub Edit - The Shep Pettibone Mix) (5:10)

Picture sleeve.

West Germany - 12'' vinyl maxi-single (0142)
1987 A&M Records, Inc.; Cat# 392 207-1

Tracklisting:
A1. The Pleasure Principle (Long Vocal) (7:23)
A2. The Pleasure Principle (A Cappella) (4:23)
B1. The Pleasure Principle (12'' Dub) (6:59)
B2. The Pleasure Principle (7'' Vocal) (4:19)

Picture sleeve. 

CASSETTE SINGLES

 UK - Cassette single (0062)
 1987 A&M Records, Inc.; Cat# USATC 604

Tracklisting:
A1. The Pleasure Principle (Long Vocal Remix) (7:23)
A2. The Pleasure Principle (Dub Edit) (6:58) [= 12'' Dub]
A3. The Pleasure Principle (Acappella) (4:23) [= A Cappella]
B1. The Pleasure Principle (Long Vocal Remix) (7:23)
B2. The Pleasure Principle (Dub Edit) (6:58) [= 12'' Dub]
B3. The Pleasure Principle (Acappella) (4:23) [= A Cappella]

Picture sleeve. 


US - Cassette single (0061)
 1986 A&M Records, Inc.; Cat# TS2927

Tracklisting:
A1. The Pleasure Principle (7'' Vocal) (4:19)
A2. Fast Girls (3:20)
B1. The Pleasure Principle (7'' Vocal) (4:19)
B2. Fast Girls (3:20)

Picture sleeve. 

ITEMS WITHOUT IMAGES 

Format

 Country Catalogue Number Description Added By Item Number

12''

USA (1987)

SP-12300

A&M Memories picture sleeve

Tracklisting: UNKNOWN

Marcel Stenzel

1136