Throwback Thursday: Janet Jackson’s Control and the Album That Changed Everything

Control wasn’t just another 80s release — it was a declaration. Released on February 4, 1986, this album marked a turning point not only in Janet Jackson’s career, but in pop and R&B history. It would go on to become 14x platinum and serve as the foundation for the stellar career that followed.

More importantly, Control was Janet’s first project after stepping away from her father’s management. For the first time, she was allowed to fully express herself creatively — without guardrails. And you can hear that freedom in every record.

This album came out the same year I was born. I didn’t first hear it when it was fresh — I discovered it through my dad. Any song considered “old school” in the mid-90s was probably something I heard riding in the car with him on the way somewhere. That’s how I developed appreciation for projects released before I was old enough to understand music — or even comprehend what I was hearing.

It wasn’t until my mid to late twenties that I could intentionally revisit albums like Control and really grasp the meaning, the context, and the artistry behind them. I’ve always had a deep appreciation for 80s music and movies. Even though I didn’t experience them firsthand in their original moment, they still feel nostalgic to me. Every time I play Control, it carries a light, positive energy that feels timeless.

“Nasty” stands out as one of the most powerful moments on the album. It wasn’t just a hit — it was expressive. It felt like Janet introducing the world to her real voice, her independence, her confidence. Then there’s “When I Think of You,” arguably the album’s most recognizable track. It still holds up today, vibrant and joyful, capturing that feeling of being completely swept up in love.

The bigger picture is what makes this album truly special. Janet’s two previous albums under her father’s management didn’t resonate commercially or critically. Once she branched out and took creative control, everything changed. Control was met with critical acclaim, earning recognition from major award institutions including the Grammys, the American Music Awards, and Soul Train. It wasn’t just successful — it reset her trajectory.

This album became the blueprint for the career that followed.

Listening to it now, it’s mostly a straight-through experience. I understand that younger generations may not connect with it the same way those of us in our mid-to-late 30s and beyond might. But for anyone who truly appreciates music and wants to understand the evolution of R&B and pop — this is essential listening.

Control takes you back to a time when mainstream music carried a different kind of energy — upbeat, polished, empowering, and optimistic. It reminds you that artistry and positivity once walked hand in hand at the top of the charts.

And nearly four decades later, that still feels powerful.