Janet Jackson

Released: July 18, 1983

Songwriter: Wardell Potts Dana Meyers Barry Sarna

Producer: Foster Sylvers Jerry Weaver

[Chorus]
Don't mess up this good thing (Don't mess up this good thing)
Don't mess up this good thing (Don't mess up this good thing)

[Verse 1:]
Well, I think you've had a long time to get your act together
It's your move and I hope you do the right thing
You know I never wanna lose you
But you must learn to play the game by the rules
Show me how much my love means to you

[Chorus:]
Don't mess up this good thing (Don't mess up this good thing)
(What we have together)
Don't mess up
No baby

[Verse 2]
Well, forever may be
More time than anyone can offer
But all my time is spent in your corner
Heaven knows how much I love you
But if you think I can watch you play on me and understand it
Baby, you're taking far too much for granted

[Chorus]
Don't mess up this good thing (Don't mess up this good thing)
(What we have together)
Don't mess up this good thing (Don't mess up this good thing)
(If you still believe)
Don't mess up this good thing
Don't mess up, baby
(No one can love you better)
Don't mess up this good thing (Don't mess up this good thing)

[Verse 3]
Got to find the right words
To make you see
That you and I were meant to be

[Chorus]
Don't mess up this good thing
Don't mess it up
Don't mess up this good thing

[Bridge]
Well, forever may be more time than anyone can offer
But all my time is spent in your corner
Heaven knows how much I love you
But if you think I can watch you play on me and understand it
Baby, you're taking far too much for granted

[Chorus:]
Don't mess up this good thing (Don't mess up this good thing)
(What we have together)
Don't mess up this good thing (Don't mess up this good thing)
(If you still believe)
Don't mess up this good thing (Ooh, don't mess it up, baby)
Don't mess up this good thing (No one can love you better)
Don't mess up this good thing (Sho' don't mess it up)
Don't mess up this good thing
(I've got what you need)
Don't mess up this good thing (Don't mess up this good thing)
(What we've got together)
Don't mess up this good thing

Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an iconic R&B/pop artist who has sold over 100 million records worldwide and has amassed a number of awards in her illustrious music career.

Born in Gary, Indiana on May 16, 1966, Janet is the youngest of the Jackson family, who rose to prominence a few years after her birth when they signed with Motown Records. Janet joined the family business when she appeared on The Jacksons variety show in 1976, leading to her role as Penny Gordon in Season 5 of the CBS sitcom Good Times. She released two overlooked albums in the early 1980s—Janet Jackson (1982) and Dream Street (1984)—and continued to act during this time, appearing in Diff'rent Strokes and Fame.

The legend of Janet was created after she connected with the legendary Minneapolis production duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis to work on her seminal third album, Control. Control and her following album, 1989’s Rhythm Nation 1814, featured several #1 pop hits and made her a worldwide superstar. The trio would go on work on Janet’s subsequent hit albums, including janet., The Velvet Rope, as well as her 2015 comeback album, Unbreakable.

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Janet Jackson

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Don’t Mess Up This Good ThingJanet Jackson

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