What Reviews Said About Janet Jackson's 'Control' Album in 1986

See how critics rated the album when it was first released

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We went through newspaper and magazine archives from 1986 to see how critics originally rated Janet Jackson's "Control" album. To do so, we organized the reviews on an ascending scale from 1–5 by using the original reviewer score or substituting for one based on the critic's enthusiasm for the album. For more information, see our formula here.

Scores Pie Chart

Level 5 Reviews

These critics loved the album.

New York Post

Tennessean

Level 4 Reviews

These critics liked the album.

Level 3 Reviews

These critics neither liked nor disliked the album.

Level 2 Reviews

These critics disliked the album.

Level 1 Reviews

These critics hated the album.

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Track-by-Track Commentary

How each track was commented on. This is about critical commentary, not just descriptions of the song.

Control

A poppin' electronic-boogie number, reminiscent of the funky pulsations that dominated Rebbie Jackson's hit "Centipede." (Carl Matthews, Dawn Magazine)

Creates good vibes as piano rhythms counter a synthesized bass line. (Jon Bream, Minneapolis Star and Tribune)

Nasty

Her sweet voice is surprisingly spunky. (Diana Valois, Morning Call)

Spunky. (Ron Rollins, Wichita Falls News)

What Have You Done for Me Lately

Catchy (Prentis Rogers, Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Shows the stamp of producers Jam and Lewis in its spare rhythm track, reinforcing the feisty choral hook. (Billboard)

Sounds like a rhythm track borrowed from a Prince album. (Larry Kelp, Tribune)

You Can Be Mine

The Pleasure Principle

Smooth. (Ron Rollins, Wichita Falls News)

When I Think of You

A pleasing, subtle middle-of-the-road arrangement. (Jon Bream, Minneapolis Star and Tribune)

He Doesn't Know I'm Alive

Lets' Wait Awhile

Sultry. (Ron Rollins, Wichita Falls News)

Tastefully arranged. (Prentis Rogers, Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Funny How Times Flies (When You're Having Fun)

A jazzy, sophisticated pillow-talk love song in French and English that evokes Sade gone electric. (Jon Bream, Minneapolis Star and Tribune)

She purrs in seductive contentment. (Diana Valois, Morning Call).

Tastefully arranged. (Prentis Rogers, Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

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