Customer Reviews

Design of a Decade

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`Design of a decade' is Janet's career retrospective of the previous ten hit filled years. A US #3 and UK #2. An amazing collection released when she was 29 and had amassed a staggering 19 US top 10 singles, most co penned by her. The songs are however not arranged chronologically. Released in 4 different versions with slightly different track lists, this is the UK/Europe version.

Unlike quite a number of other female (especially dance) artists, Janet does not have a powerful voice. Her forte is finding catchy, funky, incredibly danceable tracks to suit her very pretty but wisp like vocals to perfection, and this collection shows just how clever that pairing is.

Opening up with the brand new track, the oriental tinged pop/R&B of `Runaway', with lyrics taking the listener on a trip around the world, and an amazing video. A US #3 and UK top 5 hit.

Next up is the razor sharp dance track `What have you done for me lately', her first US or UK top 10 (US #4 UK #3), and the lead off single from her ground breaking `Control' album. Featuring man bashing lyrics, this track inspired acts like Jody Watley (`Lookin' for a new love') and Pebbles to name a few.

`Nasty', the Prince like funk track calling for respect. `My middle name aint baby/it's Janet/Ms Jackson if you're nasty'. US#3 UK#19. Taken from `Control'.

The upbeat pop/dance number `When I think of you' was her first US #1, and a UK #10. From `Control'.

The catchy, fun filled `Escapade' which is faintly similar to `Runaway' was from the ambitious concept album `Rhythm Nation 1814', and was a US #1 and UK #17.

The sparse Prince sounding but hard hitting `Miss you much' was a US #1 and UK #22. From `Rhythm nation'.

`Whoops now' is a sunny sounding, bouncy pop number, released in the UK, it hit #10. It was a hidden track on some copies of the `Janet' CD.

The slowed down dance/funk of `Love will never do without you' with its chunky beats was a US #1. Featuring Janet sinking is a smoky lower register in the opening verses before launching into her familiar range. This was the 7th single off the `Rhythm nation' album, a record setting 7 top 5 singles off an album, a record that still stands today.

`Alright' with its epic video featuring cameos from Cab Calloway and Heavy D was a US #4. Also from `Rhythm nation' and featured here in a remix.

Next up was `The best things in life are free', a duet with Luther Vandross from the soundtrack to the movie `Mo money'. An upbeat house number, it hit #10 in the US and #2 in the UK.

`Control' was a US #5. A funk/pop song with hip hop beats and lyrics like `When I was 17/I did what people told me/Did what my father said and let my mother mould me/but that was long ago/I'm in Control'. Janet was telling us she was all grown up and taking control of her life.

`The pleasure principle' is an upbeat synth driven dance song, US #14. Taken from `Control'.

`Black cat' penned solely by Janet is head banging rock, a surprise lone change in musical direction from the `Rhythm nation' album. Another US #1 and UK #20, and featured here in a remix.

Title track `Rhythm nation' is a clunky industrial sounding funk number. US #2.

`That's the way love goes', due to contractual issues, is the sole representation from her uber sexy `Janet' album. A mellow R&B song, it was a US #1 and UK #2.

`Come back to me' (remixed here) is a ballad off the `Rhythm nation' album, a US #2. The tender ballad `Let's wait awhile' (about taking things slow in a relationship) was the 5th top 5 single off the `Control' album (US #2, UK #3), a feat that was achieved for the first time by a female, and which she surpassed on her next album.

The brand new smoldering ballad `Twenty fore play' (with a nice change in tempo midway through) closes out this superb collection from one of dance music's premier songstresses.

Full of fabulous photos of Janet from 86 to 95 (including stills from videos), a very lengthy write up (including snippets from interviews with Janet and Jam & Lewis) on the evolution of her music from 86 to 95, as well as chart statistics and numerous awards received by Janet.

Superb!

P.S. The CD cover photo is different from what is displayed here on amazon; it is a black & white shot of Janet from the bust up, smiling and looking slightly to the left.

this cd has all the hit singles from control and rhythm nation, plus two bonus tracks: whoops now (which is the hidden track on janet.) and the best things in life are free (from the mo money sound track) The best things in life are free is a very cool duet with luther vandross. All the other cd's with this song are out of print, so this is the last chance to get it! the cover of the cd has a B&W picture of janet with some fierce cleavage, in a satin shirt. you may know this picture from inside the booklet of the regular D of a D cd. I love this cd! if you want to trade rare janet stuff, email me! niesha129@hotmail.com

Janet Jackson's career over the past 20 years has been one of the most creative and interesting by any music artist. The release of her first two majorly successful records "Control" and "Rhythm Nation: 1814" in 1986 and 1989 respectively brought hit after hit in the US - with many No.1's, award wins and record-breaking sales. There was a time, although brief, when Janet was easily more successful than her much more famous brother, Michael. And so came "Design Of A Decade" in 1995. This greatest hits type collection boasts a wide range of hit singles that defined US pop culture and set new trends for the way music was made.

Many may argue that Design Of A Decade doesn't feature any material from Janet's first two very unsuccessful records ("Janet Jackson" and "DreamStreet"), but the time between the years 1986 and 1996 is, believe it or not, 10 years, so it gives us the massive hits along the way of a remarkable career. The collection charts Janet's rebellious years (Control), her political thinking years (Rhythm Nation) and her all out sexual exploration years (Janet).

Design Of A Decade begins with the 'new' song "Runaway." The song was one of two new songs on the record at the time, and is very fresh and upbeat. We are then treated to three undeniable classics, all from the "Control" album. These are "What Have You Done For Me Lately," "Nasty" and "When I Think Of You." All three songs have the trademark Janet beats, the funky and hard-hitting ones that really are nasty! The vocal arrangements are brilliant, and are perhaps the three songs which define what Janet Jackson's entire musical exploration is about - happy times, love, girl power, funk and strong opinions.

"Escapade" and "Miss You Much" are the next two songs, both of which were taken from the Rhythm Nation album - and both of which were massive US No.1's for Janet in March 1990 and September 1989 respectively! I absolutely adore both songs, and they are both definitely up there in my Top 10 for Janet's best songs ever. The former has a great upbeat mood, with lively and perky beats, while the latter has one of the most addictive and funky basslines ever with some great lyrics. "Whoops Now" is one of only two songs taken from Janet's self-titled third album, "Janet." The song is not really one of favourites because it seems too poppy for Janet's style, but then again it was a massive hit all over Europe.

The next two songs, "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" and "Alright," are another two smash hits that were taken from the Rhythm Nation album. The former is my all time favourite Janet Jackson song, which was a massive US No.1 in October 1990 and who could forget the multi-award winning video in which Janet, for the first time, wore close to nothing looking stunning in her black top and jeans? The latter is another superb song, but suffers a bit in the verses where Janet's vocals are not very clear. The final minute, however, is like a sledgehammer to the soul! That instrumental is absolutely classic. "The Best Things In Life Are Free" was Janet's biggest hit to date when it peaked at No.2 in the UK in August 1992. The song features Luther Vandross and is just a typical upbeat pop anthem.

Another two hits from the Control album follow in the form of the classics "Control" and "The Pleasure Principle." Both songs have brilliant beats and contain the message of independence that Janet has become famous for in the early years of her career. Both videos feature amazing choreography and won many awards. Yet another two massive hits from the Rhythm Nation album follow with "Black Cat" and "Rhythm Nation." The former was the second single from the album of the same name, and won the award for Best Choreography In A Video at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1990. The song has an amazing bassline and is a song about world politics. The latter was another big US No.1 for Janet in September 1990, and shows Janet at her most rockiest - something that would've been unthinkable a few years before.

Like with all Janet albums, the ballads are left until the very end. "That's The Way Love Goes" is the second of only two songs on this greatest hits collection to be taken from the "Janet" album. The song is officially Janet's biggest hit and topped the US chart for 8 weeks in May 1993. The song is a true classic, and easily one of the best R'n'B ballads of the past ten years. Many people have complained that this album didn't feature enough songs from the "Janet" album, and I have to agree. Where are amazing songs such as "Again," "Any Time, Any Place" and "If?" All three could've been added to make this collection even better.

"Come Back To Me" is another song from the Rhythm Nation album, and my favourite Janet ballad ever. The song has such an epic feeling to it, with an excellent sweeping beat. The lyrics are great and the song is just perfect to chill to. "Let's Wait Awhile" was taken from the Control album and peaked at No.3 in the UK in March 1987. The ballad is good, but not one of my favourites. Design Of A Decade closes with another new (at the time of this album's release) song in the shape of "Twenty Foreplay." The song is just not very good and is a rather disappointing end to such an excellent hits collection.

OVERALL GRADE: 10/10

All in all, any Janet Jackson fan will need Design Of A Decade in their collection. The album has songs that were massive hits in America, but not so in the UK - only seven songs on this collection made the UK Top 10. And even more shocking is the fact that Janet is still waiting for a No.1 single in the UK! She's had many Top 5 hits, but still no No.1. Despite this, most of these songs are true classics and the two new songs at the beginning and end of the album serve as great bookends to this collection. On the inlay of the record, we get a full interview with Janet from David Ritz, and a double-page on all the awards Janet has won for just her first three albums. And believe me, she's won tons!

Woah !! Janet Jackson's career over the past 20 years has been just abousolutely amazing !! (21 years to be exact) Anybody who has given this incredible album less than 5 stars, then I just can't understand why, it's amazing !! I especially got a shock when a reviewer on Amazon.co.uk said that this was a cheesy little hits collection over the past decade and titled their review BAD. You just need to listen more ... Well, this album managed #2 in the UK Top 75 and did not top the US Charts but has been highly succesful selling more than 1000 million copies around in europe (? - or around the world) but anyway, has been highly succesful. Many viewers and listeners argued that Design Of A Decade 1986 - 1996 had no releases from her flopped albums in the state, 'Janet Jackson' (her debut) and 'Dream Street' which flopped even more than her debut ! Please note that there were no singles from those 2 albums. Her 5th album 'Janet' also nearly being completely wiped out ... Here is my review.

The album 'Design Of A Decade 1986 - 1996' begins with one of the 'new' songs, at the time of the albums release, just at the end of 1995. 'Runaway' (10/10) has a fresh new upbeat and a nice chorus, and verses for that matter.This song grew up to be in my Top 10 Janet songs !! We are next treated to Three unforgetable classics from the 'Control' album. Beginning with 'What Have You Done For Me Lately' (10/10) Janet's first ever single !! Not many people release it but it was. It got up to #3 in the UK Charts spanning a 14 week period. Next is 'Nasty' (10/10) a underrated #19 in the Charts with, this time a 9 week period. Includes the Tounge (sp ?) in cheeck retort 'Janet miss jackson -if you're nasty' the whole of it being 'No my first name ain't baby, it's Janet Miss jackson' and so on (mentioned above) i love that part !! Should have been a US No 1. Next in is 'When I Think Of You' (10/10) track 4. We are treated to our first US No 1 here. A great song spanning in the Top 10 UK, infact spanning exactly at #10 and 10 weeks to. (10,10,10 - Am I confusing you ?!) So yep, this song did do very well. The next 2 songs were also US No 1's and from 'Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814'. 'Escapade' (10/10) and 'Miss You Much' (10/10) I abouslutely adore both songs but quite dissapointing positions in the UK (Escapade - #17 , 7 weeks + Miss You Much - #22 , 7 weeks) Nevertheless, I enjoy them alot !! The next track is one of the two songs from her 'express sexual feelings' album, 'Janet.' 'Whoops Now' (10/10) is a track I was so happy to have with me when I relaized It was on here. I'd heard it on the radio millions of times before and was like 'Janet sung this ?!' when i heard it was on here. A B-Side single along with 'What'll I Do' also from the 'Janet.' album. UK Chart position was #9 spanning 8 weeks. OH MY GOD !!!!!! - the next song is my all-time favourite Janet song, 'Love Will Never Do (Without You)' (11/10 !!) was another US No 1 for Janet and a great one to - but just #34 and 4 weeks on UK charts ... Must be because all people bought it in the US. The next song is 'Alright' (10/10), look at Love Will Never Do (Without You) and Escapade for information on this song. All i'm going to say is it's a great song. 'The Best Things In Life Are Free (Janet & Luther Vandross)' (10/10) is the next song. It spanned #2 on the charts and 13 weeks. I not that keen on Luther myself but this song totally made me forget I hated him !!! The next 2 songs are more unforgetable classics from Janet's 'Control' album. The title track itself ('Control') (10/10) and 'The Pleasure Principal' (10/10) Control was the only Janet song not to get in the Top 40 (UK) at #42, apart from 'Funny How Time Flies' also from the album 'Control' which didn't really have any contact to it. Control faired better in the US. For more info, see tracks 2,3 & 4. The next 2 hits are from '... 1814'. 'Black Cat' (10/10) and 'Rhythm Nation' (10/10) are wicked !! I'm lovin' the beginnig of 'Rhythm Nation' and the guitar solo on 'Black Cat' !!! Track 15 is 'That's The Way Love Goes' (10/10) the last single on here from the 'Janet.' album ... Where is 'Again, Because Of Love, If & You Want This' ? Classics like that. That's The Way Love Goes spent 10 weeks on the UK chart and it's highest chart position being No. 2. However, it managed US No 1 topping the charts for 8 Weeks !!! The next track is 'Come Back To Me' (10/10) from '... 1814'. All I can say is it's Janet's bbest ballad ever !!! The next 2 tracks are 'Let's Wait Awhile' and 'Twenty Foreplay' (another 'new' track) both worthy of 9/10 stars/points because they just ... well ... not as good as the other tracks on the album. Toppa hits collection !!!

OVERALL GRADE - 10/10

This CD is a great combination of Janet's works from a ten year span. This version includes two extra songs (which is always nice) and make it worth the extra price. Most the song are one's that most have heard before, but love. If you're a true Janet fan, then the extra tracks should be enough, but if you need a push still, then the cover should do it for you (it's completely different than the US releases', and she's completely gorgeous on it).

I had bought the VELVET ROPE and truly enjoyed and I wanted to explore some of the great janet tunes that i had heard on the radio. I was only familiar with some of the songs and when i got tickets for her tour.. i wanted to make sure that i knew all her hits.. I managed to get my sister to buy me the import *best of* in thailand and it turned out to be a great choice. Even though you are paying extra for "whoops now" (which you may have since it's the hidden track on the JANET album) and the duet dance song "best thing in life are free"... i think they are good songs to fully complete this compilation. some of the songs are edited to fit the two extra songs...like for instance... "Rythum natoin" is cut to the beginning of the song instead of the pledge intro in the US DESIGN OF A DECADE CD. so anyways.. if you wanna get the good hit.. go all out and get the import *best of*

A great review album of all of janet top 10 hits feauturing a hidden track from janet's 1993 releaase JANET. and The Best Things In Life Are Free, a B- side single note that most tracks from the 1993 release janet are neglected due to contractual reasons because the album was released under virgin while DOAD was released under her former label A&M who have no rights to her music from virggin due to the kindness of the virgin record company and janet herself that's the way love goes and whoops now are feautred great buy and alittle bit better than the u.s release due to the extra tracks 99.9/100

i use to dig Janet Jackson's stuff well especially her peak/prime era stuff from 86-95 and this hits package for me best captures Janet Jackson during her best days. tight dance Jams and some smooth slow jams. the singles still hold up for the most part. this collection was the fun and feel Good Janet Jackson and all the hits just rolled off with ease.

A good disc, as it contains most of her hits. But they could have done more! Four stars!!

Due to the fact that Janet signed with Virgin after 2 albums with A&M, this compilation that should contain all of her greatest hits of her first 10 year career, comes up pretty uncomplete.
You will find all of the singles released off her 2 first albums (including remixed or alternate versions, see BLACK CAT with an added guitar riff part or COME BACK TO ME with different arrangements), but then only THAT'S THE WAY LOVE GOES is the only track off JANET.
Fortunately there are a couple of new tunes: RUNAWAY is some kind of ethnic journey resumé in music, while TEWNTY FOREPLAY is the usual, sensual Janet's slow jam stuff.
I believe if you are a fan, you will be better off buying this import version: the cover may be not as good as the american one, but you get two extra tracks.
WHOOOPS NOW was a ghost track off JANET that was released as a single in Europe only, plus there is also a nice dancefloor duet with Luther Vandross called THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE.
I am looking forward for a new greatest hits package!