Janet Jackson - The Pleasure Principle (US 12") (1987)

“The Pleasure Principle” is a song recorded by American singer Janet Jackson for her third studio album, Control (1986). A&M Records released it as the sixth single from Control on May 12, 1987. Written and produced by Monte Moir, with co-production by Jackson and Steve Wiese, the song is an “independent woman” anthem about taking control of a personal relationship by refusing to settle for loveless materialism. Musically, “The Pleasure Principle” is an R&B song built around a dance beat. The photograph for the single cover was shot by David LaChapelle. The song has been included in two of Jackson’s greatest hits albums, Design of a Decade: 1986–1996 (1995) and Number Ones (2009).

In the United States, “The Pleasure Principle” debuted at number 78 on the Billboard Hot 100 on the issue dated May 23, 1987. It later reached its peak position of number 14 on August 1, 1987. It became the first single released by Jackson to miss the top-ten until “Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)” peaked at number 28 in 2001. “The Pleasure Principle” nevertheless became her fifth chart-topper on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and her third on the Dance Club Songs chart. It was ranked number 34 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Year-End chart of 1987.



Tracks:

SIDE A:
The Pleasure Principle (Long Vocal) 7:25
The Pleasure Principle (A Cappella) 4:23

SIDE B:
The Pleasure Principle (12″ Dub) 6:59
The Pleasure Principle (7″ Vocal) 4:21