Janet Jackson - What Have You Done For Me Lately (1985)
A well of inspiration.
This is not even in my top two favorite Janet Jackson music videos, but I think at times this newsletter can be educational so I picked my third favorite JJ video.
‘What Have You Done For Me Lately’ was the first in a series of incredibly theatrical MVs released for Jackson’s third studio album, Control (1986). I attempted to figure out if there was a shared narrative between all of these videos, but they’re all basically “girl has a problem, girl breaks into DANCE!” which, tbh, yeah.
This video was directed by Brian Jones and Piers Ashworth and choreographed by singer Paula Abdul, just like the others in the suite. It begins with Jackson talking to her friend about her relationship problems, to which the friend responds, “well what has he done for you lately?” Abdul’s choreography was actually a key part of why these videos became sensations and it’s hard not to see why. You can even spot Abdul sitting in the diner at the beginning of the video.
‘What Have You Done For Me Lately’ came out just four years after the birth of MTV and along with the rest of the videos, it was a sensation. I know people watching this on MTV in the 80s were definitely trying to replicate that smooth side to side snap (the Tiktok viral dance choreographers need to put some respect on Janet!).
For her, this was just the beginning of a long career of incredible music with equally incredible visuals. You can find the influence of the videos from Control across modern pop music visuals, from Ciara to Ariana Grande. I’m personally a big fan of ‘All for You’ with its animated trains and circa-2000s leather flare pants, but I have to give it to everyone gyrating in front of the painted phone on the wall, in this diner with weirdly terrible service — they were the blueprint and Janet was the moment.
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