In an interview Jimmy Jam said they told Janet they wanted her to come up with lyrics that sounded like a tribal chant/ native American Rythm, and the next day she came back with the verses and used her voice in that low tone way. Amazing!!
Everything about this song is so GENIUS. The timeless and innovative production, provocative and clever lyrics, Janet's astounding vocal layers, the masterpiece of a video, and the iconic choreography+breakdown.
i'd like to add that janet has been playing keys since she was 7. A lot of people wonder why she is a coproducer for her songs but she has an insane musicality skillset
@@miltoncarl5405 I know that. Did you not understand what I meant?? I said they deserve “WAY” more recognition than what they have. ok amazing if they have a rock and roll hall of fame win…They need more ACKNOWLEDGEMENT for their tributes in music from the new generations… that’s what I meant. They were one of the hottest producers to put the Hits we know & love on the map that inspired some of the new gen favorite artists & samples. There are young people today, who sing the songs but don’t know who produced the hits..
I FUCKING love this song, it's one of my favorite from Janet. The Acoustic guitar is soooo 90's, the beat is incredible, and I'm obsessed with how those parts are sooo different on solo and the whole piece is ICONIC
Putting Rhythm Nation in a separate category,I will say that"If" has the greatest choreography by a female artist in a music video.QUEEN JANET FOREVER!!!
Most definitely! Everything about this song is just turned up to 11! Then throw the music video and live show on top... even the single artwork is sick 😆
Most definitely! What are some of your favourite tracks? Have a few in mind for what we could do next, but always want to do the tracks you guys want 🫶🏻
This was dope! I have a request! Can you possibly do this to Janet’s “I Get Lonely”? It’s such an intricately amazing track that I feel is often overlooked in her discography and in R&B music generally. Every time I listen to it, I hear something that I hadn’t heard before.
Now THIS we can do! Amazing song. I’m not sure when it will be (will likely do scream first) but will definitely get it done for you. And thank you for the love 🙏🏽
The first time I saw the multitracks for this song, what absolutely blew my mind was the drum samples. Like almost 10 tracks just for the beat?! Jam & Lewis are absolute mad men. & personally, Janet’s background vocals are the best in the whole music industry in my opinion. She sure does put a lot of work into those. Have you heard her song "Curtains"? Divine. Once I fell asleep to her Discipline album & I swear I could hear her background vocals in my sleep!
I feel like everyone seems prpeared to praise the backgorund vocals/arrangement, but show no love for her lead vocals. Is her voice big and powerful? No! but she has a pretty voice and she can definitiley sing. Can't we show some love for the lead vox too?
100% agree, those samples are just freakish. Was very difficult to not have a 10 minute jam session to them - and we pretty much did anyway! I don’t think I know curtains! I’ll test and listen to it before sleep. See if the background vocals make their way into my dreams ahah. If it’s not that it will just be “here we go, yeah, here we go, here we go” 😆
She’s one of my favorite artists who has some of the best background vocal stacks! The intervals she sings are so thick and lush, not to mention difficult to execute! ❤
That’s why she’s the Queen. So many singers and artists, and not just in the pop rnb world, revere her vocals and harmonies. The Vocal Bible herself, Brandy, testifies to that too.
YES!! Showing love to the Queen. I love how much you appreciate her. As you say, Janet, Jam & Lewis are so underappreciated but real ones know. All inductees of the Rock Hall. Produced some of the greatest records of all time. Great job on this!
From the first time, I heard this when I was like eight years old until this day it is still one of my favorite songs!! I’m so glad my mom had no idea what she was saying😂😂😂😂
This was the song that cemented me as a long term fan! She nailed it with this one and honestly, I've heard this been done before but you take it to another level! Thanks for sharing 🙏🏼🙌
Janet: legendary!! This is one of my favorite songs from her. So happy to hear this broken down and hearing her vocals was sublime. Thank you for doing this video!
YEAHHHHH!!!! this is easily the best janet song, the live performances on the all for you tour and velvet rope tour brought so much power to the dance, the the music within all the versions she made is always slightly unique and i love that!
This was from an era when Music production was an EPIC piece of art! When u heard a song and knew that not just anyone could even try to make this! Now music is just mundane & uninspiring because of all the “Auto-tuning”, wretched amounts of vocal comping, Vocal Align, Auto Harmonies, and all the other soulless, robotic, cold, computerized, A.i. software, non human music plugins, that have music in the non selling, un-inspirational state it’s in now! Singers don’t sing anymore!!😢 P.S. I just found your channel & subscribed!! Cheers 👍🏾
Your best video yet man! The extra time on the Guitars (not that they are real?!) was refreshing. Janet Jackson’s singing too. Most TH-camrs would just cut it all down! Thanks for my weekly dose of music 🙏
The Guitars being played on keys is just insane hey! I probably could’ve highlighted that a touch more, but the video was getting a bit tooooo long 😅 would rather just let the music speak for itself when we can! And thank you mate, I really appreciate the love. I love listening to these great songs and artists together as well, so inspiring.
Thx Sammy, great video as always! I agree that Janet doesn't get enough credit for her vocals - these harmonies are so tight and it was before autotune and pitch-correction.
Yessssss!! Been waiting for this! Those electric guitars in "If" are EVERYTHING! I love when she added it to the "If" dance break during the Velvet Rope tour. Nonetheless, this breakdown was a literal eargasm ♥. 😅
From start to finish this break down shows how rich the track really is. But might just be me being a massive fan of this song since its release. Didn’t even know about the Throb sample 🤯
Loved this! I love how half of Janet's vocals are as percussive as the tracks, and the other half are smooth and light, floating above it all. Such a great combo. What about doing "Alright" by Janet?
Thhank you for doing this .....she's my forever No 1 artist .....and this is my favourite single of all time ! Absolute GENIUS production. Thank you for seeing it too ❤
Fun little fact as someone who appreciates Janet, Jam and Lewis' work. It's not, and that's the greatest thing they do, you think it might be an instrument and all they're doing, to add to that, is using the latest keyboards (of that era) or one's they were interested in, and just using...get this, the samples.
I think I saw somewhere that the lead guitar was on a Roland JD800 synth. I have that sound but what makes it is the playing…I can tell it’s the same sound but the off the leash playing approach 😮
Such an incredible song, from every part of the production, the vocal harmonizing, and the overall song itself. Easily one of my favorite songs of all time, and my favorite music video of all time. P.S. You have a great smile!
Yea, that is absolutely insanely produced song. Jam, Lewis, and Janet are a magical combination! The way that Jimmy and Terry hear music is so dope! And so many people sleep on Janet’s musical talent is very underrated. You’ve gotta to a breakdown of Janet and MJ “Scream”! The “Scream Louder” mix on the Blood on the Dancefloor EP is insane to. Jimmy & Terry love them a good Sly Stone sample. And Scream blends so well with If!
You have done it again. Amazing video showing yours (and mine) excitement of every ingredient of this funky sensual song that was a visual delight to watch and banger to dance to. Even now in my 50s I listen to this to get my heart pumping for heavy bench press sessions at the gym.😂 . Still raunchy as hell but done with class. Keep up the Janet vids bro and your enthusiasm. From the far north on NZ ❤
Amazing Breakdown . “If samples the song “ Someday we’ll be together “ Supremes & “ Early in the Morning” by Gap Band “ This is my favorite Janet Song.
the background vocals are my absolute fave and your channel is one of the best when it comes to really isolating the vocal so that we can hear the layering and even the imperfections! love love love
The "Throb" sample was only used in the VMA stylized version of the song, and any other iteration of it that she used, like on the "Rock Witchu", "Unbreakable", "SOTW" and "TA" Tours, but its dope as hell that she DID sample herself though.
Omg I got this as a recommendation and I loooveeee this so much! Also I noticed one of my videos in the background 🔥🫶🏼 I’m so honored 💙love u videos!!!
When I tell you this is literally my favorite Janet song! I learned every word and the choreography by heart! I wore my family out listening to the song in the 90s! This made me fall in love with Janet Jackson! 😍🎶🕺 #JanetJackson #90sVibes #LoveHerMusic
Someone here mentioned that Janet played keys growing up-this makes so much sense if you consider that her vocals suggest some counterpoint elements. Had no idea her vocal layering was that intricate! She made the dissonance of some of the voices sound completely on-key and really catchy-really hard to do sometimes with pop songs. I'm honestly shocked that I don't hear about her harmonic layering in the music world,colassical musicians could take a page from this.
In an interview Jimmy Jam said they told Janet they wanted her to come up with lyrics that sounded like a tribal chant/ native American Rythm, and the next day she came back with the verses and used her voice in that low tone way. Amazing!!
Correction: Janet came up with it
One of the best pop songs, choreography and music videos ever.
They don’t do it like this anymore… 😢
Everything about this song is so GENIUS. The timeless and innovative production, provocative and clever lyrics, Janet's astounding vocal layers, the masterpiece of a video, and the iconic choreography+breakdown.
Could not agree more. If is the blueprint 🙏🏽
i'd like to add that janet has been playing keys since she was 7. A lot of people wonder why she is a coproducer for her songs but she has an insane musicality skillset
I didn’t know that. Maybe that’s why her ear is soooo good. The Jackson’s all have great ears.
Jimmy & Terry are musical geniuses!! They need WAY more recognition than what they’ve got.🙏🏾🙏🏾🔥🔥🔥
What do you mean , they have awards and in rock hall of fame which is the ultimate. They were and are always celebrated.
@@miltoncarl5405 I know that. Did you not understand what I meant?? I said they deserve “WAY” more recognition than what they have. ok amazing if they have a rock and roll hall of fame win…They need more ACKNOWLEDGEMENT for their tributes in music from the new generations… that’s what I meant. They were one of the hottest producers to put the Hits we know & love on the map that inspired some of the new gen favorite artists & samples. There are young people today, who sing the songs but don’t know who produced the hits..
I have been saying the same thing!! Highly underrated. And I need them and Janet to get back together to give us one more classic album! 💿
The Janet album is the soundtrack of my youth!
I FUCKING love this song, it's one of my favorite from Janet. The Acoustic guitar is soooo 90's, the beat is incredible, and I'm obsessed with how those parts are sooo different on solo and the whole piece is ICONIC
Putting Rhythm Nation in a separate category,I will say that"If" has the greatest choreography by a female artist in a music video.QUEEN JANET FOREVER!!!
YES!!!!! Dare I say in Janet’s top 5 of her best songs ever. So happy you did this one!
Most definitely! Everything about this song is just turned up to 11! Then throw the music video and live show on top... even the single artwork is sick 😆
I love how you separated Janets vocals. She’s so underrated as a singer!!
THE GUITAR WILL ALWAYS BE MY FAVORITE PART OF THE SONG. It’s the reason why I love this song so much
This is literally my favorite song of all time
Please do more janet material! Her vocal/creative abilities are amazing!
Most definitely! What are some of your favourite tracks? Have a few in mind for what we could do next, but always want to do the tracks you guys want 🫶🏻
@
Would love to hear “I Get Lonely” and “Come Back To Me”
This was dope!
I have a request! Can you possibly do this to Janet’s “I Get Lonely”?
It’s such an intricately amazing track that I feel is often overlooked in her discography and in R&B music generally.
Every time I listen to it, I hear something that I hadn’t heard before.
Ooooo!!! That would be DOPE!!!
Now THIS we can do! Amazing song. I’m not sure when it will be (will likely do scream first) but will definitely get it done for you.
And thank you for the love 🙏🏽
U think 😅
The first time I saw the multitracks for this song, what absolutely blew my mind was the drum samples. Like almost 10 tracks just for the beat?! Jam & Lewis are absolute mad men.
& personally, Janet’s background vocals are the best in the whole music industry in my opinion. She sure does put a lot of work into those. Have you heard her song "Curtains"? Divine. Once I fell asleep to her Discipline album & I swear I could hear her background vocals in my sleep!
Noone comes close to her in term or harmonies
I feel like everyone seems prpeared to praise the backgorund vocals/arrangement, but show no love for her lead vocals. Is her voice big and powerful? No! but she has a pretty voice and she can definitiley sing. Can't we show some love for the lead vox too?
Curtains has lush background vocals.
100% agree, those samples are just freakish. Was very difficult to not have a 10 minute jam session to them - and we pretty much did anyway!
I don’t think I know curtains! I’ll test and listen to it before sleep. See if the background vocals make their way into my dreams ahah. If it’s not that it will just be “here we go, yeah, here we go, here we go” 😆
She’s one of my favorite artists who has some of the best background vocal stacks! The intervals she sings are so thick and lush, not to mention difficult to execute! ❤
I had no idea how many vocal layers JJ created 😍
That’s why she’s the Queen. So many singers and artists, and not just in the pop rnb world, revere her vocals and harmonies. The Vocal Bible herself, Brandy, testifies to that too.
@ dude you are giving me a huge erection…. Mentally and physically too 🥵
Listen to her album Discipline
@@cecegiles7753I agree!!
How they added so much and it still sounded good a amazes
Crazy hey! It’s like jam & Lewis just bought an entire warehouse of furniture and somehow made it fit in a 1 person loft 😆
YES!! Showing love to the Queen. I love how much you appreciate her. As you say, Janet, Jam & Lewis are so underappreciated but real ones know. All inductees of the Rock Hall. Produced some of the greatest records of all time. Great job on this!
Thank you very much! Janet is just so so good, as are Jam & Lewis, it’s hard to believe at times ahah. Can’t wait to do more of their song together 😍
From the first time, I heard this when I was like eight years old until this day it is still one of my favorite songs!! I’m so glad my mom had no idea what she was saying😂😂😂😂
That is too good! Agreed... definitely grateful the verses were sung mostly in her lower register 😆😆
You and Janet totally have the same big smile!
mind you that vmas 1993 vocals she was giving pure hardcore choregraphy being executed
Facts. Absolutely killed that performance 🔥
This was the song that cemented me as a long term fan! She nailed it with this one and honestly, I've heard this been done before but you take it to another level! Thanks for sharing 🙏🏼🙌
It’s my pleasure, thank you 🫶🏼
and you’re right - the songs a hit!
Janet: legendary!! This is one of my favorite songs from her. So happy to hear this broken down and hearing her vocals was sublime. Thank you for doing this video!
Absolutely ❤️🔥❤️🔥 so glad you enjoyed, and thank you for watching! Already so keen to do the next Janet video together
@@sammymccormack_ Can't wait! I'll be staying tuned!
YEAHHHHH!!!! this is easily the best janet song, the live performances on the all for you tour and velvet rope tour brought so much power to the dance, the the music within all the versions she made is always slightly unique and i love that!
I love this! "If" is definately one of my favorite songs of all time! This is brilliant!
I couldn’t agree more, it’s a classic! And glad you loved the video, thank you for the love ❤️🔥
More Janet (and co) on the way!
Song of the summer ‘93 ❤
Insanely good, had no idea some of these sounds were buried in the mix?? Thank you for dissecting one of my favourite songs 😭
Crazy hey! And my pleasure man, thank you for watching 🙏🏽🙏🏽
This was from an era when Music production was an EPIC piece of art! When u heard a song and knew that not just anyone could even try to make this! Now music is just mundane & uninspiring because of all the “Auto-tuning”, wretched amounts of vocal comping, Vocal Align, Auto Harmonies, and all the other soulless, robotic, cold, computerized, A.i. software, non human music plugins, that have music in the non selling, un-inspirational state it’s in now!
Singers don’t sing anymore!!😢
P.S. I just found your channel & subscribed!! Cheers 👍🏾
This song is so masterfully done! So many layers, in both the production and her vocals. Queen Janet is so EPIC! #blueprint #iconic ❤
Your best video yet man! The extra time on the Guitars (not that they are real?!) was refreshing. Janet Jackson’s singing too. Most TH-camrs would just cut it all down! Thanks for my weekly dose of music 🙏
The Guitars being played on keys is just insane hey! I probably could’ve highlighted that a touch more, but the video was getting a bit tooooo long 😅 would rather just let the music speak for itself when we can!
And thank you mate, I really appreciate the love. I love listening to these great songs and artists together as well, so inspiring.
Another 10/10 Sammy!! Can always count on you to give us the best music 🔥🔥 I would love to see you make your own some day… You have star power!
Ahhh thank you man, you’re very kind!
I haven’t really talked about this too much with you guys yet, but uh, watch this space ❤️🔥
Thx Sammy, great video as always! I agree that Janet doesn't get enough credit for her vocals - these harmonies are so tight and it was before autotune and pitch-correction.
Yes!!! I love it! Now, do, "You Want This"!!!...PLEASE!!! 🥰
Yessssss!! Been waiting for this! Those electric guitars in "If" are EVERYTHING! I love when she added it to the "If" dance break during the Velvet Rope tour. Nonetheless, this breakdown was a literal eargasm ♥. 😅
From start to finish this break down shows how rich the track really is. But might just be me being a massive fan of this song since its release. Didn’t even know about the Throb sample 🤯
12:39 pretty sure Janet and MJ re-used these BVs (or took inspo) for the pre-chorus in Scream!
It is very similar
She’s amazing
You should do free zone from her velvet rope album , jam and Terry use 4 songs and her vocals created into one song !
Imagine MJ's vocals on those beats, especially the beatboxing!!! 😭😭😭 I'll never get over it!
The vocal arranging is unparalleled.
One of my favorite songs everrrrrrrrrr.
❤❤❤❤
Tksssssssss
This Is My Favourite Song Of All Time...
My Favourite Part Is The Acoustic Guitar.... Especially The Intro To The Video.
Loved this! I love how half of Janet's vocals are as percussive as the tracks, and the other half are smooth and light, floating above it all. Such a great combo. What about doing "Alright" by Janet?
Love it. Got chills listening to the guitar...
You should do Rhythm Nation next
Love this break down. Thanks
I love this song and now I even love it more, how is it possible❤ Love the passion and face expressions you make 🔥 More Janet please🤘🏽
You did an amazing job on such an iconic song!
Wooow 😊 this is also my favorite song. I have exactly the same feeling about this song. It is so great.
One of the best songs ever made. This song is iconic. You did an amazing job on this video 👍👍👍
So much love and enthusiasm Sammy… I love her music and love the gorgeous earthy colours you’ve used ❤
Thhank you for doing this .....she's my forever No 1 artist .....and this is my favourite single of all time !
Absolute GENIUS production.
Thank you for seeing it too ❤
Today years old when I learned there was a Throb sample in If 😮😂
my favorite Janet song of all time. Its packed with tracks that converge so well together, and the muffled guitar is unique.
10:44 hold on… NO WAY is that not a real guitar?? Bro’s just dropped some insane lore like it’s nothing!
Fun little fact as someone who appreciates Janet, Jam and Lewis' work. It's not, and that's the greatest thing they do, you think it might be an instrument and all they're doing, to add to that, is using the latest keyboards (of that era) or one's they were interested in, and just using...get this, the samples.
@@Ninja_Turtle319I was just gonna see the same thing about it not being a real guitar . Jimmy admitted so in his interview with Questlove
I think I saw somewhere that the lead guitar was on a Roland JD800 synth. I have that sound but what makes it is the playing…I can tell it’s the same sound but the off the leash playing approach 😮
Such an incredible song, from every part of the production, the vocal harmonizing, and the overall song itself. Easily one of my favorite songs of all time, and my favorite music video of all time.
P.S. You have a great smile!
INCREDIBLE!!!! Merci mille fois pour ce travail extraordinaire ! JANET IS THE BEST OF THE BEST ❤❤❤
That was theeeeee greatest! How on Earth did you get these!? All your videos are 🔥🔥🔥
I had no idea there were so many freaking layers in this song!
Her background vocal harmonies have always sounded so pretty... How many of us are going to listen to the actual song on repeat now ?
❤❤
Yea, that is absolutely insanely produced song. Jam, Lewis, and Janet are a magical combination! The way that Jimmy and Terry hear music is so dope! And so many people sleep on Janet’s musical talent is very underrated. You’ve gotta to a breakdown of Janet and MJ “Scream”! The “Scream Louder” mix on the Blood on the Dancefloor EP is insane to. Jimmy & Terry love them a good Sly Stone sample. And Scream blends so well with If!
Literally my theme song right now!!!
Thanks for this breakdown!!!!!!!!!!!!! My life got better when is came out!If
The 13:55 mark freaks me out. Who knew this some had all this. Total jam - literally musical art.
My favorite song by anyone ever! Thank you for this video!!!!
Ok let me turn my lights down and get relaxed and turn on my noise canceling headphones… this is gonna be a good one
Love your analysis always ❤
IF is truly one of the best pop songs ever created
You have done it again. Amazing video showing yours (and mine) excitement of every ingredient of this funky sensual song that was a visual delight to watch and banger to dance to. Even now in my 50s I listen to this to get my heart pumping for heavy bench press sessions at the gym.😂 . Still raunchy as hell but done with class. Keep up the Janet vids bro and your enthusiasm. From the far north on NZ ❤
My Favorite!!
Amazing Breakdown . “If samples the song “ Someday we’ll be together “ Supremes & “ Early in the Morning” by Gap Band “ This is my favorite Janet Song.
wow wow wow I love this so much!!
Vi todo el video!! If es una de mis canciones favoritas de todos los tiempos, es increíble el trabajo que hiciste. Wow. Felicidades!!
The "lead guitar" part (1:51 to 3:11) is actually done on a keyboard according to an interview I saw with Jimmy Jam. Great video!
My favorite Janet song and video which I don't say lightly 💜
She's soooo much more talented vocally than given credit for. Insane.
These are like chords from heaven
My favorite song of all time!
You took me on a journey. I loved everything about this. 💯🔥
You're reactions and enthusiasm are contagious and priceless 😅😊
the background vocals are my absolute fave and your channel is one of the best when it comes to really isolating the vocal so that we can hear the layering and even the imperfections! love love love
CHILLLLLSSSS. thank you for this
This is so so cool! Janet is my favourite performer of all time and I love it when people are as geeky about her as me ❤
What a BRILLIANT video!
12:40 my fav part
immediately subscribed, loved the way you broke this down! And your enthusiasm and passion for music really shines through
I love this song! 🥰
That is just pure artistry damn I’m so impressed
Absolute perfection……. Thank YOU for sharing this
8:45 OMG I never realized If sampled Throb (my favorite song by miss Janet)
Please do Throb and Black Cat next 😭😭😭😭
The "Throb" sample was only used in the VMA stylized version of the song, and any other iteration of it that she used, like on the "Rock Witchu", "Unbreakable", "SOTW" and "TA" Tours, but its dope as hell that she DID sample herself though.
Wait is the "here we go here we go" in the original song, but we can't hear it???? I thought it was just a remix. Wow so blown away
Omg I got this as a recommendation and I loooveeee this so much! Also I noticed one of my videos in the background 🔥🫶🏼 I’m so honored 💙love u videos!!!
Yesssss i remember suggesting this! Great video!
When I tell you this is literally my favorite Janet song! I learned every word and the choreography by heart! I wore my family out listening to the song in the 90s! This made me fall in love with Janet Jackson! 😍🎶🕺 #JanetJackson #90sVibes #LoveHerMusic
I waited on this one 😁
This is just too good she is gold. ❤ liked and subbed as always and your skills are amazing!😊😊
I love this song!
Love your video and how passionate you are about it.
I LOVE TJIS SONG WHAT
Someone here mentioned that Janet played keys growing up-this makes so much sense if you consider that her vocals suggest some counterpoint elements. Had no idea her vocal layering was that intricate! She made the dissonance of some of the voices sound completely on-key and really catchy-really hard to do sometimes with pop songs. I'm honestly shocked that I don't hear about her harmonic layering in the music world,colassical musicians could take a page from this.
thank you for doing this!!!
I love how wxcited about this you are!!!! Such a great video!