Nasty (song)

"Nasty"
U.S. and European cover
Single by Janet Jackson
from the album Control
B-side	"You'll Never Find (A Love Like Mine)"
Released	April 15, 1986 (U.S.) May 27, 1986 (UK)
Format	7" single, 12" single
Recorded	September 1985[1] Flyte Tyme Studios (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Genre	R&B, dance-pop, new jack swing
Length	4:03 (album version) 3:40 (single version)
Label	A&M
Writer(s)	James Harris, Terry Lewis, Janet Jackson
Producer	Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
Certification	Gold (RIAA)
Janet Jackson singles chronology
"What Have You Done for Me Lately" (1986) "Nasty" (1986) "When I Think of You" (1986)
Alternative cover UK cover Audio sample file info · help

"Nasty" is the second single from Janet Jackson's third studio album, Control (1986). Released in 1986, the single peaked at number three on Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and remains one of Jackson's signature songs. Paula Abdul choreographed the music video and appeared in it as well as one of Jackson's friends. The line "My first name ain't baby, it's Janet, Miss Jackson if you're nasty" became a national catchphrase. The song won for Favorite Soul/R&B Single at the 1987 American Music Awards. It ranked number 30 on VH1's 100 Best Songs of the Past 25 Years, number 45 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the 80s, and number 79 on Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Pop Songs. "Weird Al" Yankovic included the chorus in his 1986 polka medley "Polka Party!."

Background

The song was Jackson's autobiographical account of confronting abusive men who tried to force their hand on her.

The danger hit home when a couple of guys started stalking me on the street. They were emotionally abusive. Sexually threatening. Instead of running to Jimmy or Terry for protection, I took a stand. I backed them down. That's how songs like 'Nasty' and 'What Have You Done for Me Lately' were born, out of a sense of self-defense. Control meant not only taking care of myself but living in a much less protected world. And doing that meant growing a tough skin. Getting attitude.^[2]

—Janet Jackson, Rolling Stone

"Nasty" was used as the theme song for the 1990 TV drama series Nasty Boys, however, singer Lisa Keith sang it instead and the lyrics were changed to fit the show.

The song was also used as a entrance theme for the wrestling Tag Team The Nasty Boys in their AWA career.

Music video

The music video was directed by Mary Lambert and choreographed by Paula Abdul.

Live performances

Jackson has performed the song on all of her tours, Rhythm Nation 1814 Tour, janet. Tour, The Velvet Rope Tour, All for You Tour, and Rock Witchu Tour. It was also included in her current tour, Number Ones: Up Close and Personal. She has also performed it on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, American Idol 2010 finale, and the Billboard Music Awards.

Track listings

U.S., UK, and European 7" single

A. "Nasty" (Edit of Remix) – 3:40

B. "You'll Never Find (A Love Like Mine)" – 4:08

U.S. and European 12" single

Australian limited edition 12" single

A1. "Nasty" (Extended) – 6:00

B1. "Nasty" (Instrumental) – 4:00

B2. "Nasty" (A Cappella) – 2:55

U.S. and European 12" single – Cool Summer Mix Parts I and II

A. "Nasty" (Cool Summer Mix Part I) – 7:57

B. "Nasty" (Cool Summer Mix Part II) – 10:09

UK 12" single

A1. "Nasty" (Extended) – 6:00

B1. "Nasty" (Instrumental) – 4:00

B2. "You'll Never Find (A Love Like Mine)" – 4:08

Official versions/remixes

• Album Version – 4:03
• A Cappella – 2:55
• Cool Summer Mix Part I – 7:57
• Cool Summer Mix Part II – 10:09
• Edit of Remix – 3:40
• Extended – 6:00
• Instrumental – 4:00

Accolades

Organization	Country	Accolade	Year	Source
VH1	United States	100 Greatest Songs of the Past 25 Years	2003	[3]
VH1	United States	100 Greatest Songs of the 80s	2006	[4]
Rolling Stone	United States	100 Greatest Pop Songs

Charts

Chart (1986)	Peak position
Australian Singles Chart[5]	17
Austrian Singles Chart[6]	21
Belgian Singles Chart (Flanders)[7]	4
Canadian Singles Chart[8]	3
Dutch Top 40[9]	5
French Singles Chart[10]	99
German Singles Chart[11]	9
Irish Singles Chart[12]	20
New Zealand Singles Chart[6]	8
Swiss Singles Chart[6]	8
UK Singles Chart[13]	19
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[14]	3
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[14]	1
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[14]	2

End of year charts

End of year chart (1986)	Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[15]	58

Chart procession and succession

Preceded by "On My Own" by Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald

U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number-one single June 14, 1986 – June 21, 1986

Succeeded by "There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)" by Billy Ocean

References

1. ^ http://www.faqs.org/copyright/scream-by-michael-jackson-janet-jackson-james-harris-3rd/
2. ^ Ritz, David (1993-09-16). Sexual healing. Rolling Stone. pp. 38. ISSN 0035791X. http://libris.mtsac.edu:2279/ehost/detail?vid=1&hid=17&sid=07541c93-84be-44ac-9a5c-635405eb94c3%40sessionmgr2. 
3. ^ Bootie Cosgrove-Mather (2003-06-10), VH1's 100 Greatest Songs, CBS, http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/06/10/entertainment/main557973.shtml, retrieved 2011-04-16 
4. ^ [1]
5. ^ "Janet in Australia". MJJ Charts. http://www.mjjcharts.com/Aussiejanet.htm. Retrieved February 22, 2009. 
6. ^ ^{a b c} "Janet Jackson – Nasty – swisscharts.com". swisscharts.com. http://swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Janet+Jackson&titel=Nasty&cat=s. Retrieved February 22, 2009. 
7. ^ "Janet in Belgium". MJJ Charts. http://www.mjjcharts.com/BelgiumJanet.htm. Retrieved February 22, 2009. 
8. ^ "Janet in Canada". MJJ Charts. http://www.mjjcharts.com/Canadajanet.htm. Retrieved February 22, 2009. 
9. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 33–1986" (in Dutch). Radio 538. Top 40. http://www.top40.nl/index.aspx?week=33&jaar=1986. Retrieved February 22, 2009. 
10. ^ "Janet in France". MJJ Charts. http://www.mjjcharts.com/FranceJanet.htm. Retrieved February 22, 2009. 
11. ^ "Musicline.de – Chartverfolgung – Janet Jackson – Nasty" (in German). Media Control. Musicline.de. http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/title/JACKSON%2CJANET/Nasty/single. Retrieved February 22, 2009. 
12. ^ "The Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. irishcharts.ie. http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement. Retrieved February 22, 2009. 
13. ^ "Chart Stats – Janet Jackson – Nasty". The Official Charts Company. Chart Stats. http://www.chartstats.com/songinfo.php?id=13426. Retrieved February 22, 2009. 
14. ^ ^{a b c} "Janet Jackson > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p4572. Retrieved February 22, 2009. 
15. ^ http://longboredsurfer.com/charts/1986.php