The Velvet Rope Tracklist
“The Velvet Rope” is the sixth studio album by American singer Janet Jackson. The album was released on October 7, 1997 through Virgin Records America. Following the release of Design of a Decade: 1986–1996, Jackson became subject to a high-profile bidding war among parties including Sony Music, The Walt Disney Company, and Time Warner. Jackson renewed her contract with Virgin for $80 million, making her the world’s highest paid musical act for the second time in her career. She unveiled a new image, flaunting vibrant red hair, multiple tattoos, and acquiring facial and body piercings. Jackson also abandoned her surname, releasing material solely under her first name.
Upon experiencing an emotional breakdown, Jackson began facing a long-term case of depression, struggling with body dysmorphia, anorexia, self-hatred, and physical abuse. She developed the record as a concept album, using introspection as its theme. Its title is an allusion to an individual’s need to feel special, as well as a metaphor for emotional boundaries, in comparison to rope lines which prohibit access from spectators. Its composition addresses the politics and restraints of depression, self-worth, social networking, and domestic violence. It also encompasses themes of sadomasochism, same-sex relationships, sexual orientation and sexual questioning. It incorporates various genres, including R&B, trip hop, folk, jazz, pop and electronic music.
The Velvet Rope became Jackson’s fourth consecutive album to top the Billboard 200 and internationally, peaked within the top five of the majority of its chart entries. The album was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), with worldwide sales exceeding ten million. Six singles were released from the project, with “Together Again” being among the best-selling singles worldwide. Often referred to as her magnum opus, The Velvet Rope has been subject to acclaim and was included among Rolling Stone 's “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” and received a GLAAD Award for Outstanding Music. The album has been regarded as a template for pop artists transitioning to a darker or rebellious sound. It has also been considered to predict several trends within contemporary indie pop and a precursor to the PBR&B subgenre.
“The Velvet Rope” Q&A
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Which song on the album talks about depression?
Several songs reflect Janet’s depression during this period, most notably the introspective song “You.” But the theme also weaves through songs like “Every Time,” “Velvet Rope,” “Empty,” and “Special,” with its preceding interlude that finds Janet confessing “There’s nothing like having everything and still feeling sad.”
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What was the recording process like for the album?
The actual recording as well as what I went through leading up to it. It actually started about two years ago, in ‘95, when it really started getting really heavy and very difficult for me each and every day. Very sad, incredibly sad, and going through a lot mentally. I had to take so many breaks. I was too overwhelmed at times, it was too much for me, and I’d have to leave, go away for a week, take a break, and then come back and continue.
–via MTV (1997)
