WHEN I THINK OF YOU (1986)

After the smash success of "Nasty," Janet was on a roll. She was the pop artist to lookout for in 1986 and kept things rolling with the euphoric dance number "When I Think of You." Released in July of 1986, the single was Janet's "summer song." It was a light, wistful diddy with a carefree quality -- in stark contrast to the heavy, industrialized funk jams which kicked off her LP. And, carved yet another first for the Jackson, her first Number 1 pop hit. The song's impressions on the charts were immediate -- hitting the pole position on Billboard's Airplay, Dance Music/Club Play, ARC Top 40 and Hot 100 charts for two consecutive weeks in the fall of that year.

"When I Think Of You" was a milestone for Janet Jackson. The single made Janet the youngest artist since Stevie Wonder to top the Billboard pop charts. She was only 19. In addition, made Janet and her older brother Michael, the only siblings in history to have solo Number 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100.

Listeners with vinyl or cassette editions of Control will notice that the tune shifts the album's ethos to the softer side of Miss Jackson. The track was on the album's Side B which largely centered on Janet's happier side, including such tunes as "He Doesn't Know I'm Alive" and her yet-to-come ballad-single "Let's Wait Awhile."

The single's memorable short film evolves from Janet's personal life. "During Control," she says, "I began to assess the place and purpose of videos. I began to see that, like songs, videos should reflect my deepest feelings and truest moods. When it came to the storylines, the costumes, the choreography and especially the choice of directors, I decided to exert my influence. By then, Rene Elizondo had become my best friend. We went to see Julien Temple's Absolute Beginners and were knocked out by the opening sequence. It was so seamless, I asked him to direct 'When I Think of You.' I loved Julien's smooth sense of cinematography."

The video itself ran like a seamless Broadway music number, from dancing policemen to comedically hot tempered neighbors, the short film was a vibrant and polychromatic display of blissful abandon. Those without a sharp enough eye wouldn't be able to pick up the fact that the video was shot in multiple takes, though it appears as if it were achieved in one. A series of cleverly assembled takes were segmented through such simple things as camera pan-aways into dark walls and flashing light bulbs.

Plus, the video began a string of highly conceptualized, Broadway-inspired short films that would later become staples of Janet's career -- "Rhythm Nation," "Alright," "If" and "All For You."

With the Number 1 success of "When I Think of You," Janet showed that the third time was definitely the charm -- not only singles-wise, but with the entire project topping the charts. It was evident that a new era had fully dawned, and Janet was taking charge for the first time. All of this was best summed up in Janet's next single, the album's theme song, Control.

"When I Think Of You" was rereleased in the UK in 1995 as part of the Design Of A Decade campaign.

If you have a release of When I Think Of You 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)

UK - 5'' CD-single - Deep Dish/Heller & Farley Mixes - LIMITED EDITION (0036) 1995 A&M Records, Inc. (AM:PM); Cat# 581 691-2 Tracklisting: 1. When I Think Of You (Deep Dish Chocolate City Mix) (9:38) 2. When I Think Of You (Deep Dish Quiet Storm Dub) (7:52) 3. When I Think Of You (Dished Out Bums) (11:22) 4. When I Think Of You (Heller & Farley Project Mix) (10:45) 5. When I Think Of You (Junior Trackhead Joint) (7:09) Slimline jewel case & picture sleeve.

UK - 5'' CD-single - The David Morales Remixes - LIMITED EDITION (0037) 1995 A&M Records, Inc. (AM:PM); Cat# 581 925-2 Tracklisting: 1. When I Think Of You (Morales House Mix '95 - Extended) (7:41) [= Extended Morales House Mix '95] 2. When I Think Of You (Drum Mix) (5:10) 3. When I Think Of You (Jazzy Mix) (10:18) 4. When I Think Of You (Crazy Love Mix) (8:44) 5. When I Think Of You (Classic Club Mix) (6:50) 6. When I Think Of You (Incredible Boss Dub) (7:12) Slimline jewel case & picture sleeve.

VINYL SINGLES