Feedback (song)

Infobox Single
Name = Feedback


Artist = Janet Jackson
Album = Discipline
Released = December 29, 2007
Format = Digital download, CD, 12"
Recorded = 2007
Genre = Dance-pop, R&B
Length = 3:56 (radio edit/single version)
3:38 (album version)
Label = Island
Writer = Rodney Jerkins, Dernst Emile, LaShawn Daniels, Tasleema Yasin
Producer = D'Mile, Rodney Jerkins
Last single = "With U"
(2006)
This single = "Feedback"
(2007)
Next single = "Rock with U"
(2008)
Misc = Extra track listing
Album = Discipline
Type = studio
prev_track = "I.D. (Interlude)"
prev_no = 1
this_track = "Feedback"
track_no = 2
next_track = "Luv"
next_no = 3

"Feedback" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson. The dance-pop–R&B song was written by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Dernst Emile, LaShawn Daniels, and Tasleema Yasin, and was produced by D'Mile and Jerkins. "Feedback" was released as the lead single from Jackson's tenth studio album, "Discipline". In December 2007, the song was announced as the lead single from the album. It premiered on New York radio station Z100 on December 12, 2007, and was released as a digital download on December 29, 2007 in the United States. It was sent to radio stations across the country on January 7, 2008.

The song was generally well-received by critics, who compared it favourably with "Rhythm Nation" and "Escapade". The song was described by Jackson as a metaphor for sexual tension; the lyrical content caused public controversy. Jackson promoted the song live on various television programs within the United States. "Feedback" peaked at number 19 on the "Billboard" Hot 100, becoming Jackson's biggest hit in the US since 2001. The song peaked at number 3 in Canada, and became a top twenty hit in several other countries. The single was not as successful in Australia or Europe, failing to chart in the United Kingdom.

Jackson filmed the music video for "Feedback" with British director Saam Farahmand, and choreographer Gil Duldulao, Jr. In the video, Jackson was accompanied by 8 dancers, rehearsals took a week, and the video took two days to complete. The song also has more than a dozen official re-mixes.

Music and lyrics

Jackson departed from her usual musical style with "Feedback" in an effort to update her music. The song was written and produced by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Dernst Emile, LaShawn Daniels, Tasleema Yasin and D'Mile.Jackson, Janet. "Discipline" CD booklet.] Jackson's long time producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis did not contribute to the song or the album project.cite web |first=Andy |last=Kellman |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:w9fqxzwjldke |title=Discipline overview |publisher=allmusic |accessdate=2008-04-30] Unusually, Jackson did not write or co-write any songs on the album. [Tom Young (March 10, 2008). [http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/release/hmw6 Pop/Chart Review - Janet Jackson, Discipline] . Accessed March 28, 2008.] "Feedback" has elements of three musical genres, which include Jackson's staples of pop and R&B. The third genre, electro, along with robotic vocals described as "robo-vocals", are rarely heard in Jackson's prior music.cite web |first=Glenn |last=Gamboa |url=http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/music/ny-etdrops5590607feb26,0,3889834.column?track=rss
title=Review: Janet Jackson's latest CD 'Discipline' |publisher=Newsday |date=2008-02-26|accessdate=2008-06-05] Much like the music video, Jackson described the song as "a metaphor for sexual tension", adding, "It’s a provocative conversation that invites openness in an area where so many of us are closed off."Jackson, Janet. "The making of "Discipline" DVD - Deluxe edition.] The song contains sexually-charged lyrics such as "something heavy like a first day period" and "Strum me like a guitar, blow out my amplifier", and took up much of review coverage. [Caroline Sullivan (February 29, 2008). [http://music.guardian.co.uk/reviews/story/0,,2260760,00.html Janet Jackson, Discipline] . Accessed March 28, 2008.]

Release and reception

In July 2007, it was announced that Jackson had signed a recording contract with Universal Music Group's Island Records (under the same ownership as her first label) after her five-album deal with Virgin Records was fulfilled with the release of her album "20 Y.O.". Jackson began work on her tenth studio album, "Discipline", which was an acknowledgment of commitment, focus and dedication to her career. [cite web | last = Rodriguez | first = Jayson | coauthors = Liz Hernandez | title = Janet Jackson Shows Off Sense Of Discipline With New Album | publisher = MTV | date = 2008-02-13| url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1581513/20080213/jackson_janet.jhtml | accessdate = 2008-04-06] [cite web | last = Crosley | first = Hillary | title = Dupri: Janet Jackson Inks With Island Urban | publisher = "Billboard" | date = 2007-07-13| url = http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003611433 | accessdate = 2008-03-09]

In December 2007, the song "Feedback" was announced as the lead single from the album.cite news |first=Mariel |last=Concepcion |title='Feedback' To Precede New Janet Album |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003685115 |publisher="Billboard"|date=2007-12-13|accessdate=2007-12-14 ] "Feedback" premiered on New York radio station Z100 on December 12, 2007, and was released as a digital download on December 29, 2007 in the United States. It was sent to radio stations across the country on January 7, 2008. [cite web |url=http://www6.islandrecords.com/site/artist_newsinfo.php?page=2&artist_id=679&stf_form=1&uf_item_id=1-104558 |title= Buy "Feedback"|accessdate=2008-04-25 |publisher=Island Records] cite web |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/umusic/31098/ |title=JANET JACKSON TO RELEASE “FEEDBACK” – DEBUT SINGLE AT ISLAND DEF JAM MUSIC GROUP, IMPACTS JANUARY 7th | With Audio |accessdate=2007-12-13 |publisher=PRNewswire ] Jackson performed the song for several television promotional appearances, including "Good Morning America" and "TRL".cite web |url=http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/WinterConcert/popup?id=4346830 |title=ABC News: Jackson Releases "Discipline" |accessdate=2008-04-26 |publisher=ABC News] cite web |url=http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2008/02/27/janet-jackson-performs-feedback-live-on-trl/|title=Janet Jackson Performs "Feedback" Live on TRL|accessdate=2008-04-26 |publisher=MTV]

Critical

Critical responses to the song were mostly positive. "Billboard" described "Feedback" as a "bona fide smash" and noted that the song "features a gracious dance groove, but more so, supplies a sing along hook and distinctive melody — a funked-up 'All for You', perhaps."cite web|title=Janet Jackson: "Feedback" (Single Review)|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/content_display/reviews/singles/e3iba4068e544a5fb6cbc81a3064351ba5e|last=Taylor|first=Chuck|publisher="Billboard"|accessdate=2008-04-25] Bill Lamb, in an article for About.com, said that Jackson "may have hit a musical home run [with "Feedback"] ", and subsequently listed the song in the site's Top 100 Pop Songs for 2007.cite web|title=Janet Jackson Is Back With "Feedback"...And It's Hot!|url=http://top40.about.com/b/2007/12/12/janet-jackson-is-back-with-feedbackand-its-hot.htm|date=2007-12-12|last=Lamb|first=Bill|publisher=About.com
accessdate=2008-04-25] cite web|title=Top 100 Pop Songs of 2007|url=http://top40.about.com/od/bestandworstof2007/tp/top100songs2007.09.htm|last=Lamb|first=Bill|publisher=About.com|accessdate=2008-04-25] Digital Spy's review noted, "While 'Feedback' isn't a dance floor monster to rival, say, "Rhythm Nation" or "Escapade", it has everything you want from a Jackson single: hard-edged beats, plenty of hooks and enough attitude to compensate for her flimsy-as-cling-film voice."cite news |first=Nick |last=Levine |title=Janet: 'Feedback' |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a88267/janet-feedback.html |work=Digital Spy |accessdate=2008-04-25 ] "Rolling Stone" stated, "When Janet brags she's heavy like a first-day period ... or sings in a scrunched-up robot voice that she's so much betta than your girl, all the amateur competition should just pack up their Web cams and go home".cite web |first=Keith |last=Harris |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/janetjackson/albums/album/18311721/review/18328487/discipline |title=Discipline review |publisher="Rollingstone" |date=2008-02-21|accessdate=2008-04-30] "Slant" said that " ["Feedback"] is only a notch above "All Nite (Don't Stop)", but it possesses all the lyrical sass and club-affability that was promised with "20 Y.O." and is thus somewhat of a comeback for Janet". [Sal Cinquemani (March 28, 2008). [http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=1296 Music Review: Janet Jackson: Discipline] "Slant Magazine". Accessed March 28, 2008.]

Other reviews were negative. "The Boston Globe" described the song with sarcasm saying, "The droid-like lead track...is built of metaphors and analogies. Compared to the hard-core dirty talk of "Damita Jo" this one is poetry."cite web |first=Joan |last=Anderman |url=http://www.boston.com/ae/music/cd_reviews/articles/2008/02/26/janet_jacksons_hot_and_heavy_act_grows_old/ |title=Janet Jackson's hot and heavy act grows old |publisher=boston.com |date=2008-02-26|accessdate=2008-04-30] Much like "Discipline", the song was criticised for sexual overtones and references, and received much media coverage. [Caroline Sullivan (February 29, 2008). [http://music.guardian.co.uk/reviews/story/0,,2260760,00.html Janet Jackson, Discipline] . Accessed March 28, 2008.]

Commercial

"Feedback" debuted on the "Billboard" Hot 100 at number 84.cite web |url=http://acharts.us/song/31367 |title=Janet Jackson – Feedback – Music Charts |accessdate=2008-02-04] In its tenth chart week (and coinciding with the release of its parent album), the song rose from number 53 to number 19, its peak position, making it Jackson's 29th top 20 hit on the Hot 100 and her first such hit since "Someone to Call My Lover" in 2001.cite news |first=Fred |last=Bronson |title= Chart Beat|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/chart_beat/bonus_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003721353 |work=Billboard |date=2008-03-06 |accessdate=2008-04-25] cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.vnuArtistId=4899&model.vnuAlbumId=1104181 |title=Janet Jackson – "Billboard" Chart History |accessdate=2008-03-05 |work=Billboard] "Feedback" reached number one on the Hot Dance Club Play chart, peaked on the Hot Digital Songs Chart at number seven, and reached number 23 on the Pop 100.

On the Canadian Hot 100, "Feedback" debuted at number 48 on January 12, 2008. The same week, the song moved to number 19 on the "Billboard" Hot 100. "Feedback" moved from number 22 to number three on the Canadian Hot 100, its peak position. The song was also a top five hit in Bulgaria and Greece and a top 20 hit in New Zealand. In many countries, particularly in Europe, the song became a commercial failure. In Australia, the song reached number 50. The song reached number 47 in Austria, and 36 in France. In the United Kingdom, however, the song failed to chart.

Music video

Jackson filmed the music video for "Feedback" with British director Saam Farahmand in New York.cite web |url=http://www.partizan.com/partizan/musicvideos/?saam |title=Partizan - Music Videos - Saam |accessdate=2008-04-25] The dance routines in the video were choreographed by Gil Duldulao, Jr.cite web |url=http://justjared.buzznet.com/2008/01/08/janet-jackson-feedback-music-video/ |title=Janet Jackson - “Feedback” Music Video |accessdate=2008-04-25 |work=Just Jared ] The video premiered on BET's "106 & Park" on January 8, 2008, and was made available to view on the Yahoo! Music site the same day.cite web |url=http://www6.islandrecords.com/site/artist_newsinfo.php?page=2&artist_id=679&stf_form=1&uf_item_id=1-104572 |title=Janet Jackson official website @ IslandRecords.com - Home - "Feedback" World Premiere |accessdate=2008-04-25 |work=Island Records ] Two different versions of the video were offered for sale via iTunes Store.cite web |url=http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewVideo?id=271837866&s=143441 |title=Janet: Feedback |accessdate=2008-04-25 |work=US iTunes Store ] cite web |url=http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewVideo?id=276142530&s=143441|title=Janet: Feedback |accessdate=2008-04-25 |work=US iTunes Store ]

The deluxe edition album included a DVD entitled "The making of "Discipline". The DVD was split into five chapters, which documents the production of the album, lead music video and promotion. The third chapter shows the rehearsals of the dance routine for the "Feedback" music video.Jackson, Janet. "The making of "Discipline" DVD - Deluxe edition.] cite web |url=http://chaos.com/product/discipline_1679574_4684.html
title=DISCIPLINE (DELUXE EDITION) (CD / DVD) |publisher=chaos |accessdate=2008-05-07] The DVD reveals that the eight dancers had been practicing for over a week before they started working with Jackson. The dancers then had three days to rehearse with Jackson and a further two days to complete the video.Jackson, Janet. "The making of "Discipline" DVD - Deluxe edition.] Jackson described the video as a metaphor for sexual tension. The fourth chapter is the making of the video. Jackson told the director that she wanted a futuristic, moody concept, and he came up with the idea of jumping between planets. The final chapter shows the lead music video in its entirety.Jackson, Janet. "The making of "Discipline" DVD - Deluxe edition.] cite web |url=http://chaos.com/product/discipline_1679574_4684.html
title=DISCIPLINE (DELUXE EDITION) (CD / DVD) |publisher=chaos |accessdate=2008-05-07] cite web |url=http://sanity.com.au/product/product.asp?sku=2105213 |title=Jackson, Janet / Discipline: Collectors Edition (CD/DVD) |publisher=sanity |accessdate=2008-05-07] cite web |first= |last= |url=http://realtalkny.rawkus.com/2008/02/topic/topic/exclusives/video-janet-jacksons-discipline-listening-session/ |title=Video: Janet Jackson’s, "Discipline," Listening Session |publisher=realtalkny.rawkus.com |date=2007-02-07|accessdate=2008-05-07]

Track listing

;UK 12" Vinyl
# Main Version – 3:38
#Instrumental – 3:57
#Ralphi Rosario Electroshok Radio Mix – 3:44

;Japanese CD
# Main Version – 3:38
#Instrumental – 3:57

;Australian CD
#Single Version – 3:56
#Ralphi Rosario Electroshok Radio Mix – 3:44

;German CD
# Main – 3:59
# Ralphi Rosario Electroshok Radio Mix – 3:44
# Ralphi Rosario Electroshok Club Mix – 8:10
# Video – 4:08

Re-mixes

Thirteen official re-mixes of "Feedback" have been released which are available from mainstream music download venues:cite web |url=http://www.gracenote.com/search/album_details.php?tui_id=152512888 |title=Gracenote: Album > Janet Jackson - Feedback (Remixes) |accessdate=2008-04-25 |work=Gracenote ] cite web |url=http://ax.phobos.apple.com.edgesuite.net/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/browserRedirect?url=itms%253A%252F%252Fax.phobos.apple.com.edgesuite.net%252FWebObjects%252FMZStore.woa%252Fwa%252FviewAlbum%253Fi%253D277928436%2526id%253D277928375%2526s%253D143441 |title=Janet: Feedback (So So Def Remix) feat. Buster Rhymes, Ciara & Fabolous - Single |accessdate=2008-04-25 |work=US iTunes Store ] cite web |url=http://ax.phobos.apple.com.edgesuite.net/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/browserRedirect?url=itms%253A%252F%252Fax.phobos.apple.com.edgesuite.net%252FWebObjects%252FMZStore.woa%252Fwa%252FviewAlbum%253Fi%253D277928469%2526id%253D277928401%2526s%253D143441|title=Janet: Feedback (So So Def Remix) feat. Buster Rhymes, Ciara & Fabolous - Single |accessdate=2008-04-25 |work=US iTunes Store ]

# Jody den Broeder Club Remix – 7:18
# Jody den Broeder Radio Edit – 3:58
# Moto Blanco's Full Vocal Club Mix – 8:29
# Moto Blanco Dub – 7:48
# Moto Blanco Radio Edit – 3:57
# Ralphi Rosario Electroshok Club Mix – 8:09
# Ralphi Rosario Electroshok Radio Edit – 3:44
# Ralphi Rosario's Dirty Club – 9:39
# Ralphi Rosario's Dirty Radio Edit – 3:59
# So So Def Remix featuring Busta Rhymes, Ciara & Fabulous (Explicit) – 3:31
# So So Def Remix featuring Busta Rhymes, Ciara & Fabulous (Clean) – 3:31
# Wideboys Club Mix – 6:18
# Wideboys Radio Edit – 3:01

Personnel

*Lead vocals: Janet Jackson
*Audio mixing: Roberto "Tito" Vazquez and Rodney Jerkins
*Engineer: Josh Houghkirk
*Assistant engineers: Carlos Oyanedel
*Pro tool edits and Effects: Mike "Handz" Donaldson
*Producers: Rodney Jerkins and D.Mile
*Recorded at 2nd Floor Studios, Atlantic City, NJ, United States / SouthSide Studios, Atlanta, GA, United States

Charts

References