Janet Jackson

Released: October 7, 1997

Songwriter: Jimmy Jam Terry Lewis Janet Jackson

Producer: Janet Jackson Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis

[Verse]
Hey J
It's been a long time since
I've seen you last
A half and twenty six years
(My, time is fast)
I'm well
Though I've gone through
Some deep changes in my life
It hasn't been easy
Oh no, not for me
It's been difficult at times
Sometimes I sit down and cry
And ask God, "Oh why?"
(Fair, what is?)

[Pre-Chorus]
I know how you’re feelin'
Same thing I did deal with
You're not as alone as you may feel
You see, but oh
It catches up to us fast
We have to deal with the past
I know it's painful but
There you'll find specialness
'Cause everybody needs to feel real special

[Chorus]
We need to remember
That love lies deep within ourselves
We have to want it so
It starts with us and no one else
We must learn
We're all born with specialness inside of us
I have the need to feel real special too

[Interlude]
You see, you can't run away from your pain
Because where ever you run, there you will be
You have to learn to water your spiritual garden
Then you will be free

[Pre-Chorus]
(I know how you’re feelin')
I know how you’re feelin'
(Same thing I did deal with)
Same thing I did deal with
(You're not as alone as you may feel)
You're not as alone as you may feel
You see, but oh (Ooh)
It catches up to us fast
We have to deal with the past
I know it's painful but
There you'll find specialness
'Cause everybody needs to feel real special

[Chorus]
We need to remember
That love lies deep within ourselves
We have to want it so
It starts with us and no one else
We must learn
We're all born with specialness inside of us
I have the need to feel real special too

[Outro]
Work in progress

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.

more tracks from the album

The Velvet Rope

From the album

The Velvet Rope (1997)

Janet Jackson popular songs

SpecialJanet Jackson

Janet Jackson

The Velvet Rope