NOTES:
Control is Janet Jackson's third studio album, released on March 4, 1986 by A&M Records. Widely regarded to be her breakthrough album, it is the first time that she collaborated with songwriters and record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis of Flyte Tyme Productions, beginning what would become a longtime creative relationship.

Containing autobiographical themes, it is the first time that Janet took part in the creative aspects of one of her albums by co-writing most of the songs at the encouragement of Jam and Lewis. Lyrics on the album mainly focus on changes and rebellion in her life at the time, including her recent annulment from R&B singer James DeBarge, the end of her business affairs from her father and former manager Joseph Jackson, a newly found feeling of independence, and the beginning of adulthood.

After firing her father as her manager, she hired A&M executive John McClain as her new management. McClain then introduced Janet to Jam and Lewis and encouraged them to work together.

Recorded in Jam and Lewis's hometown of Minneapolis, the album sonically fuses elements of rhythm and blues, funk, and disco. It is the first commercially successful album of her career, and is considered by many to be one of the defining albums of the 1980s.

Control is Janet's first album to reach #1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, and all five of the album's singles peaked within the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, including her first #1 song "When I Think of You." It is certified five-times platinum by the RIAA.

Original pressings of the Japanese edition of the album also contained the bonus track "Start Anew," which also had been released as a single in late 1985 in that country, prior to the album's release. Subsequent editions of the album no longer contain this extra track.

SINGLES RELEASED:
"What Have You Done for Me Lately," "Nasty," "When I Think of You," "Control," "Let's Wait Awhile," The Pleasure Principle," and "Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun)."

ALBUM CREDITS:
Janet Jackson (vocals, keyboards); Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis (various instruments, background vocals); Melanie Andrews, Lisa Keith, Hami Wave, Jerome Benton, Jellybean Johnson, Gwendolyn Traylor (background vocals); Monte Moir (drum programming, guitar, synthesizers); Greg Bouchieiz (guitar); Mark Cardenas (synthesizers); Troy Anthony (saxophone).

Producers: Janet Jackson, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Monte Moir, Spencer Bernard.

Engineers include: Steve Hodge, Steve Wiese, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Monte Moir, David Rivkin.