"Love Will Never Do (Without You)" by Janet Jackson

They said it couldn't last, so we had to prove them wrong... by making an episode of Strong Songs all about Janet Jackson, Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis.

It's time to go back to the late 80s, when New Jack Swing was all the rage and a budding superstar named Janet sat down with a pair of Minneapolis producers named Jimmy and Terry to produce some of the most groundbreaking pop music of the decade. This episode takes a look at "Love Will Never Do (Without You)," one of the most complex of their collaborations, and a tune with as many stylistic left-turns as it has orchestra hits.

Written by: James Harris III and Terry Lewis

Produced by: Janet Jackson, Jam & Lewis

Album: Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814, 1989

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

“Casey Kasem’s American Top 40 intro from the 1980s, via YouTube
“Kiss” by Prince from Parade, 1986
“Walking on Broken Glass” by Annie Lennox from Diva, 1992
“Like a Prayer” by Madonna from Like a Prayer, 1989
“Control,” “Nasty,” and “When I Think of You” by Janet Jackson/Jam & Lewis from Control, 1986
"Rhythm Nation" and "Miss You Much" from Rhythm Nation 1814, 1989
Emu SP-1200 Beatmaking demonstration by Chief Rugged on YouTube
Discussion of New Jack Swing, which you can learn more about here
“Poison” by Bel Biv DeVoe from Poison, 1990
“Alice, I Want You Just For Me” by Full Force, produced by Teddy Riley on Full Force, 1985
Estelle Caswell’s Vox Earworm video about the Orchestra Hit
“The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac from Rumors, 1977

OUTRO SOLOIST: Dan Nervo

This episode's outro soloist is the fantastic Dan Nervo. Dan plays guitar in the San Francisco Bay Area in bands like Neon Velvet, and also teaches private guitar lessons. Hit him up if you want to get good at guitar: https://www.facebook.com/DanNervoGuitarLessons/

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