Burning The Ground Exclusive 1986
“What Have You Done for Me Lately” is a song by American singer Janet Jackson from her third studio album, Control (1986). Jackson co-wrote the song with its producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. It was released on January 13, 1986, by A&M Records as the album’s lead single. After two unsuccessful albums and a management change, the singer began developing a new album. “What Have You Done for Me Lately” was originally penned for one of Jam and Lewis’s own records, but the lyrics were rewritten to convey Jackson’s feelings about her recent divorce from James DeBarge in January 1985. It revolves around a woman’s frustration with her partner in a relationship.
Critical reviews for “What Have You Done for Me Lately” were positive, with music critics believing it erased the former “pop-ingénue image” of Jackson’s first two albums, reestablishing her as an “independent woman” figure. The song has been featured in critic lists as one of the greatest songs of all time and received a nomination for Best Rhythm & Blues Song at the 1987 Grammy Awards. The song peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It also peaked at number two on the US Dance Club Songs and topped the US Hot Black Singles charts. Outside of the US, it topped the singles chart in the Netherlands and peaked within the top ten in Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
SIDE A:
What Have You Done For Me Lately (Extended Mix) 7:00
SIDE B:
What Have You Done For Me Lately (Dub Version) 6:36
What Have You Done For Me Lately (A Cappella Version) 2:20
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | What Have You Done For Me Lately | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #2 |
| 1986 | What Have You Done For Me Lately | U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary | #33 |
| 1986 | What Have You Done For Me Lately | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #2 |
| 1986 | What Have You Done For Me Lately | U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles | #1 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: A&M Records – SP-12167
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, RCAI
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Arranged By [Rhythm & Vocal Arrangers] – Janet Jackson, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis
Co-producer – Janet Jackson
Executive-Producer – John McClain
Producer –Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
Written-By – Janet Jackson, James Harris III-Terry Lewis*
NOTES:
Produced for Flyte Tyme Productions, Inc.
Original version appears on the A&M album “Control”
Printed in the U.S.A.
RCAI = RCA Records Pressing Plant, Indianapolis pressing
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable:Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Black PnP MkII
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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Excellent follow-up post from Chico DeBarge. The music video to this Janet Jackson single was played by MTV on regular rotation, it was probably my first introduction to this track.
Thanks for these mixes Paul 🙂
This album was a direct to CD purchase for me. I got my first CD player in 1986 and after this song and Nasty being huge hits for “Michael’s little sister” I heard the title cut on a “black radio” station and immediately bought the disc, probably my 2nd straight to CD purchase. Saw her in concert in KC on her first tour for RN1814 where she debuted the video for Alright as the opening act of sorts ! I was a HUGE Janet fan 1986-1994 and a casual fan afterwards… the last album was quite good actually and I… Read more »
Thanks for the awesome rip, Paul! Although this was not my first 12″ purchase, this 12″ left a permanent mark on my brain. I vividly recall opening this 12″ at a friend’s house (I was 15 and he 14) and playing each track numerous times listening to the intricacies of the mixes, especially the Dub. There are quite a few “reverse” techniques on the Dub of beats, instruments, and vocals and I still find this simple technique very productive on this Dub. This track and album introduced me to Janet who is likely my favorite artist. Thanks so much again!… Read more »
You’re welcome Fred I love hearing these kinds of factoids from my readers very cool stuff. I will look into the “Alright” single pretty sure I have it here somewhere.
Cool Post Paul…..I had Janet Jackson’s Control album on cassette and played it loads of times, I bought it in 1987.
What Have You Done For Me Lately is a fantastic video choreographed by singer Paula Abdul. I remember my parents liking the video too. Control had so many great tracks on it..
Just remembered I bought Janet Jackson’s Control in 1986 not 1987 as I bought the cassette album when the 2nd or 3rd single came out.
Paula did some great choreography in the 80s I remember she also choreographed the “Notorious” video for Duran Duran.
Duran Duran’s “Notorious” style was very similar to Steve Winwood’s “Higher Love” 1986 video which came out 4 months before “Notorious”,they were both directed by Paula Greif & Peter Kagen. Nile Rodgers was also involved in both videos.
…many thanks, Paul!
You’re welcome 🙂
I agree Paul, what a great way to start the day! I was so surprised by this especially after talking about it concerning yesterday’s post. Janet, teaming up with Jam & Lewis turned out to be a great collaboration. They gave her this street tough attitude and the beats got harder of which I became a huge fan. Even the Industrial band, Front 242 once exclaimed that urban music was using harder rhythms on its programming! I love this time in music. Thanks, once again Paul, for turning it out!!!
Jeff
You’re welcome, Jeff 🙂
Man, between this and Chico, you are crushing 1986, my friend. Even funnier since they’re both basically the same song (but I love them both).
Thank you!
You’re welcome 🙂
LOVE this song. Not much better than classic Janet. Thank you for posting, a great way to start this day!!!!
You’re welcome 🙂