: The song explores the "Freudian concept" of seeking immediate gratification, applied here to a woman taking control of a relationship. It emphasizes choosing self-worth over "loveless materialism".
: The video won Best Choreography at the 1988 MTV Video Music Awards and was nominated for Best Female Video. Chart Performance and Impact Janet Jackson - The Pleasure Principle
Uniquely for the Control album, this was the only track not produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Instead, it was written and produced by , a keyboardist for the Minneapolis funk group The Time. : The song explores the "Freudian concept" of
: Choreographed by Barry Lather , the routine is famous for its intricate use of a chair and a microphone stand. Chart Performance and Impact Uniquely for the Control
While it was the only single from Control to miss the Billboard Hot 100 top 10, it was a massive success in specific categories. Janet Jackson - "The Pleasure Principle"
: The lyrics include a nod to Joni Mitchell’s "Big Yellow Taxi," a connection Jackson would later revisit by sampling Mitchell in her 1997 hit "Got 'til It's Gone".
: Critics have described its musicality as a "sonic groover" with synths that "bump like busted shock absorbers" and screeching electric guitars. The Iconic Music Video