If (Janet Jackson song)

Jackson's role in the film Poetic Justice gave her the confidence to attempt edgier themes musically, commenting "I know it would shock people, but I'm not doing it for shock value. And I know there are some people that are going to say, 'No, I will not be able to accept this because this is a little girl that we saw when she was seven years old.'" She continued, "Everybody says, 'Oh, my God, you've changed so much. Is this really you?'," described to laugh before saying, "Of course it's me."[1] Virgin Records wanted the song to be janet's lead single, saying "it could have a great dance video." Jackson disagreed, deciding to release it as the album's second release.[2] The song was written by Jackson in a conference room during a label meeting.[3] Describing the process, Jackson said "Once you get into recording, it almost has a life of its own. We really got rolling when we did the song "If". Writing a song can happen any kind of way ... Jimmy [Jam] was watching a ballgame and playing around on the keyboards. I ask him to play the chords he was playing again ... "If" turned out to be funkier, gritter." Speaking about its theme, she stated "the song is about fantasizing. I've had those feelings [expressed in the song]..it's my time to share!"[3] Jackson added, "[its] about a girl who goes to a club and fantasizes about this guy: serious fantasies about the things she'd do to him if she was his girl – the positions and things like that. But she's not, so she can't, so she gets pretty frustrated in the second verse – without it being too much. It's still within good taste."[4]

"If" was acclaimed for its innovation and sonic progression, as well as its sexuality and usage of multiple genres. Patrick Corcoran from Albumism called it "a pounding, fuzzed-up, nasty-sounding track that drips with the thrill of lust at first sight."[5] David Nathan of B&S Magazine remarked that the song pulls no punches. "Listening to it and reading the lyrics Janet wrote in a Virgin Records conference room, I blush - in itself a rare occurrence."[3] BBC Radio 3's commended it as an "impressive industrial fury" based on "oral satisfaction".[6] Andrew Hammp from Billboard declared it a "rockin' dance track," with strings that "anchor the climax." The song's theme of avoiding temptation to interfere with monogamy was also noted, adding "Though Jackson lets her mind race with naughty thoughts [...], she ultimately stops herself from going after someone else's man."[7] Another editor, Larry Flick described it as a "moist, seductive teaser, wrapped in an equally sexy pop/hiphop groove." He added, "Her honey-sweet voice bounces off cyborg guitar riffing, taking the rhythm-rock vibe of her "Rhythm Nation" hit "Black Cat" to a more intense level. Tucked beneath the pleasingly crowded production is an infectious chorus and a nifty funk bassline."[8] Greg Kot from Chicago Tribune wrote, "There's a surprising, fuzzed-up guitar riff lifted from Peter Gabriel's 'Sledgehammer' that gives 'If' some punch."[9] David Browne from Entertainment Weekly exclaimed it "takes Jackson into exciting new terrain," blending her vocals with "a traffic jam in a city of cyborgs."[10] A writer for Idolator called it an "industrial dance/sex epic" in addition to "infectious and raunchy," saying "Janet Jackson's unmistakable voice is used to perfection to create an eerily tropical but beautiful track."[2][11]

"If" was also interpreted as "a swirling epic number", fusing "90s disco with guitar-rock," using a "Hendrix-lite guitar" throughout the song. Jackson's vocals were delivered at "break-neck speed, practically rapping about the salacious pleasures of her lover," while its production had "a lot of styles on display," including "distorted synth meets acoustic guitar."[12][13] Nicholas Jennings of Maclean's called the "guitar-driven" song a "standout" for its explicit lines.[14] Jon Pareles of The New York Times observed the song to open with a "screaming guitar and a chanted verse, rising to a sweet melody."[15] A reviewer said it "starts with guitar feedback" before transitioning into "a sweaty, sexy dance workout", adding it "blew us away."[16] Dave Ritz from Rolling Stone qualified it as both "subtle and bold," with Jackson's "bedroom fantasies" given "a fierce dressing-up — tough jeep beats, hard-rock guitar, and a Diana Ross & The Supremes sample — and some missed just what she was on about."[17][18] Music critic Richard Croft raved "the janet. album was a big sex-fest from beginning to end but nowhere was it hotter than ‘If’," labeling the chorus "infectious, at the same time bitchy and vulnerable, defiant and desperate." The song's sexuality was considered to accomplish "the rare thing of being feminist and feminine at the same time without compromising either," saying the song is "a big pleading love song that put her totally at the whim of the man, and a big fuck-off anthem that said “I’m here, I’m Janet freaking Jackson, but if you’re not gonna notice me then get bent”. Phrased a little differently, of course."[19] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine said its content was "impending or simply imagined", adding "the very title of which embodies that fact, is essentially about masturbation, with Janet describing what her lover's "smooth and shiny [cock]" feels like against her lips while ostensibly rubbing herself off under the covers".[20] Craig S. Semon of the Telegram & Gazette stated "the naughty seducer" to be one of Jackson's "most exciting tracks."[21] An anecdote also stated Jackson became "the sex kitten every man dreamed she would be," opposed to formerly known as "a sweet fresh faced girl singing little ditties about young love." The lyrics "purposely leaves something to the imagination," leaving one to wonder what Jackson is referring to: "Could Janet be talking about the lips, chest, or a man’s procreation stick? For freakiness’ sake, I'd like to go with the last option over everything."[22] Vibe called it "a weird masterpiece".[23]

"If" debuted at number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100.[24] It peaked at number four and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on September 28, 1993.[25] It reached number three on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and peaked atop the Hot Dance Club Play chart. It placed at number nineteen on the annual year-end chart.[26] In the US "If" sold 600,000 [27] And sold an extra 212,000 from digital download [28] bringing the song to 812,000 copies sold in the US. In Canada, the song debuted at number ninety-two[29] before peaking at number three in October. It spent a total of nineteen weeks on the chart[30] and was ranked at number twenty-five on Canada's RPM year-end chart.[31] In the United Kingdom, "If" debuted on UK Singles Chart at number twenty-three and peaked at number fourteen the following week. It spent a total of seven weeks on the chart. The song performed moderately in Europe and Oceania. The song peaked in the top ten of Sweden, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, also peaking within the top twenty in Australia.[32][33]

On April 2, 2011, the song charted at number forty-five on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Digital Songs chart.[34][35]

Jackson performed the song as a medley with "That's the Way Love Goes" at the MTV Video Music Awards on September 2, 1993.[51] She wore a leather crop top and jeans for this performance.[52] The performance was introduced by actor Christian Slater, who declared Jackson to have "the sexiest bellybutton I've ever seen" during the announcement.[53] The MTV Video Music Awards performance is often considered one of the most infamous and intricate performances of Jackson's career. Complex considered the performance among "The 25 Sexiest Moments in VMA History," commenting "when Britney and Christina were busy dealing with midterms and acne, Janet Jackson was the queen of bringing sexy to the VMA stage. Though it'd no doubt be considered tame by today's standards, Janet's exposed stomach and bra made for the hottest performance of the year."[54]

On the 1993-95 janet. World Tour, Jackson performed "If" as the opening song.[55] Lenny Stoute of the Toronto Star stated "This pelvic-thrusting, butt-wiggling, lip-licking high-energy temptress is a long way from the cute 'n' chubby girl next door of her previous Rhythm Nation tour. And she came equipped with the tough dance moves, firm muscles and seven costume changes to emphasize the difference."[56] Jet Magazine wrote, "Janet mesmerzied the crowd by opening with the hit song, 'If'."[57] It has also been performed on all of her following tours, the janet. World Tour, The Velvet Rope Tour, All for You Tour, Rock Witchu Tour, Number Ones, Up Close and Personal, Unbreakable World Tour, and the State of the World Tour. It is also included in her 2019 Las Vegas Residency Janet Jackson: Metamorphosis.

"If" was also performed at the 2009 American Music Awards as promotion for Number Ones, during a medley with "Miss You Much", "What Have You Done for Me Lately", "Make Me", and "Together Again". On the 2011 Number Ones, Up Close and Personal tour, The Boston Herald called the performance "an all-out dance onslaught," praising her ability to still perform "the same stylized dance moves from the classic 1993 video."[58][59] The Seattle Times exclaimed "As a woman who has never been afraid to strut her sexuality, her oh-no-you-didn't dance moves are always a delight. "If's" crotch grabbing and finger licking were classic Ms. Jackson (if you're nasty)", also saying this "served as reminders that dancing is sometimes as important as the songs themselves."[60][61] An additional critique declared routine "defined her career and set her apart from contemporaries, including the newer crop of performers," adding "the in-you-face-sexy "If" made it "apparent that Ms. Jackson hasn't lost a step — even at 45."[62]

In 2013, Esquire Magazine placed the song's "hypothetical" situation among their list of "Sexiest Janet Jackson songs," saying "Janet wants you but you're in another relationship and she respects boundaries (but her mind is still dirty)."[63] Rakesh Satwell of New York Magazine praised "If" as "a punch to the eardrum," declaring that it remains "as fresh as it did then" and a departure from radio trends twenty years after its release. Satwell considered the song "overwhelming" in the current mainstream landscape, in comparison to "our David Guetta glut." The song was commended as a "more impressive feat" for sounding "as it if it's from the future," in contrast to hits such as Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" and Outkast's "Hey Ya!" which glorified "musical silk of the past."[64] In a similar comparison, its overall tone was considered "ten times more effective" than Rihanna's "S&M." Additionally, Satwell considered "If" one of Jackson's defining artistic moments, with the song's "sinister" and erotic tone evoked in future releases by artists such as Rihanna and Ke$ha. Satwell expressed consistently hearing "strains of its DNA" in various songs; its fusion of varied genres was considered to inspire subsequent stylistic songs such as LCD Soundsystem's "One Touch," Rihanna's "Rockstar 101," and Aaliyah's "What If?." The orchestral sample used twice was regarded as "genius" as an "innocuous but extremely effective garnish," allowing Jackson to "seethe with intensity" over the sound of "multiple drones." Satwell considered Jackson to make a "definitive sexual statement" in a way which was "groundbreaking, indelible, and mesmerizing way," concluding "few people have ever had more rhythm and control than Janet Jackson did in the summer of 1993."[64]

The song was applauded as a "sweaty, sexy dance workout" which "still holds up" twenty years after its premiere.[16] Slant Magazine ranked it the twenty-second best song of the nineties, saying the "dance rock" song "found Miss Jackson asserting her right to have an orgasm the likes of which would dwarf your puny muscular spasms." Over filtered production suggesting "a cybernetic logjam," the song effectively "prowls, marking its prey, staking its claim," likened to Jackson "playing with your mind". The song's peak of "sweet harmonies of the bridge" plunges into "the crunching paradox of the chorus," ultimately decided to be "more metallic than carnal".[20] The track was also heralded as "a BIG-ASS song that made a mark and blazed a trail." The song's theme of "hypothetical sexual fantasies" with undertones of sadness were considered "erotic and defiant", and its production of "wailing guitar chords, insanely catchy hip-hop beats, and some of Janet’s best vocals" determined it as potentially "the most eclectic song of her entire discography."[44] Alicia Jackson of The Redefined said the song's "soft, sing-song nature" melded with "pure raunchiness" were "the gateways to who I am today," in relating the lyrics contrasted with Jackson's shy persona.[65]

Kelly Clarkson performed "If" on many dates of her All I Ever Wanted Tour.[67] Kwon Yuri of Girls' Generation performed covers of "If" during the 2011 Girls' Generation Tour. A studio version was released the following year.[68] Dance troupe A.S.I.I.D. performed a routine to "If" on an episode of America's Best Dance Crew titled "Janet Jackson Challenge". Charmaine P. Dennis of Cinema Blend commented "Everyone knows the famous hand blade/shuffle move, and the group pulls it off lovely."[69]

Electronic artist EPROM released a remix of "If" in 2011. Okayfuture described it as a "bubbly, reverb infused, deep bass remix", and Hypetrak said "Janet was one of the most influential pop albums during the early nineties. Thus, it is more than right that its standout single, "If," is still a demanded subject to reinterpretation."[70][71] Kaytranada released a remix of "If" in 2012. Okayplayer gave the remix a positive review, stating "That bumpin’ bassline, the infectious claps and overall bouncin’ nu-disco vibe... had us at hello. Rarely have we ever seen a sample done oh so right."[70]

Credits adapted from the janet. liner notes.[83]

• Janet Jackson – lead vocals, backing vocals, producer
• Jimmy Jam – producer
• Terry Lewis – producer
• Steve Hodge – mixing
• Dave Rideau – mixing
• Todd Perry – remixer
• Darryl James – remixer
• David Anthony – remixer

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics