Come Back to Me (Janet Jackson song)

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"Come Back to Me"
Single by Janet Jackson
from the album Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814
B-side
  • "Skin Game" (Parts I and II)
  • "Vuelve a mí"
ReleasedJune 18, 1990 (1990-06-18) (US)[a]
StudioFlyte Tyme (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Genre
Length5:32
LabelA&M
Songwriter(s)
  • Janet Jackson
  • James Harris III
  • Terry Lewis
Producer(s)
Janet Jackson singles chronology
"Alright"
(1990) 		"Come Back to Me"
(1990) 		"Black Cat"
(1990)
Music video
"Come Back to Me" on YouTube

"Come Back to Me" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson from her fourth studio album Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989). It was written and produced by Jackson in collaboration with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The R&B ballad talks about a lover trying to rekindle a romance that faded away a long time ago. It was released as the fifth single from the album in the United States on June 18, 1990, while in the United Kingdom, it was issued as the album's third single on January 15, 1990. Jackson also recorded a Spanish version of the song titled "Vuelve a mí".

The song received positive reviews from most music critics, who praised Jackson's sweet delivery and the song's instrumentation; it was also called a sexy and silky ballad. It became a commercial success on the charts, reaching the top three in Canada and the United States, while also reaching the top twenty in the United Kingdom. The music video for the song was directed by Dominic Sena and it was set in Paris. The romantic video features Jackson's former husband René Elizondo Jr. Jackson has performed the track in all of her tours, with the exception of The Velvet Rope Tour (1998).

Background and release[edit]

While writing for her fourth studio album, Rhythm Nation 1814, Jackson felt a lot of pressure to follow up the success of previous album, Control (1986). Jackson enlisted previous collaborators and record producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis to work with her on the album, and according to the duo, she was excited, and creative juices were flowing."[3] Jam claimed, "It was me, Janet, Terry and [executive producer] John McClain -- and Rene Elizondo also. Let me include him on the creative mix. If the ideas weren't flowing from that group of people, they weren't really being listened to." The album's concept was developed after Jackson, Jam and Lewis watched many social problems that were going on in the world on TV, such as racism, homelessness, drugs and illiteracy.[4] However, the second half of the record is composed with love songs, with "Come Back to Me" being one of them.[3]

Following "Alright", "Come Back to Me" was announced to be "Rhythm Nation"'s fifth single and it was released on June 18, 1990. Its CD single contains the B-side "The Skin Game Pt. 1", while "The Skin Game Pt. 2" is an instrumental which appears exclusively on selected releases. Jackson also recorded the song in Spanish, titled "Vuelve a mí" which also appears on selected releases.[5] In the UK, the song was released as the third single from the album, in January 1990.

Composition[edit]

"Come Back to Me" was written by Janet Jackson with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, with the latter two also serving as the song's producers. According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by EMI Music Publishing, "Come Back to Me" is in common time with an "easy ballad" tempo of 78 beats per minute, and set in the key of A♭ major, following a basic chord progression from D♭-E♭-F-G. The vocals span from the low of E♭3 to the high of B♭5.[6] Lyrically, "Come Back to Me" talks about a lover trying to recapture the rapture of a romance that blossomed and faded away a long time ago.[7] The song is a quiet storm ballad,[4] featuring chord changes and a bridge with a soaring, cinematic outro.[8]

Recording[edit]

While commenting over the song to Billboard's Kenneth Partridge, producer Jimmy Jam claimed that, "At the time we did it, it was one of my favorite songs. I loved the lyrics and the vocal on it." However, for him, "the interesting thing [...] was the live strings." He further commented:

I never heard the strings when we were doing it. We'd kept it simple, and Janet said, "It'd be great to get some strings on this." There was a guy in Minneapolis [arranger Lee Blaske] who was an incredible string guy. He arranged a lot of our string stuff. I said, "Hey, Lee, come up with a string thing for this," and he did. We loved it so much that the end of the song, it basically fades out with just the strings as the last thing you hear.[9]

Reception[edit]

Critical reception[edit]

The song received positive reviews from most music critics, who went on to praise Jackson's delivery and the strings used on the song. Alex Henderson of AllMusic praised the song, calling it a "caressing, silky ballad,"[10] while Jon Pareles of The New York Times labeled it a "glistening ballad for adult contemporary outlets.[4] Pareles also noted that it "recalls the production by Mr. Harris and Mr. Lewis for the Human League's Only Human, and "caresses the ear with overdubbed voices."[4] Wendy Robinson wrote for PopMatters that the song shows "a more reflective, dramatic side of Janet Jackson."[11] Chris Gerard of Metro Weekly went on to call it a "sexy ballad," featuring "a beautifully layered vocal by Jackson and some lovely instrumentation by Jam and Lewis."[12] Stephen McMillian of Soul Train named it a "romantic ballad" and "one of the more memorable songs during the summer of 1990."[13] Eric Henderson of Slant Magazine praised the track, writing:

"'Come Back to Me' smartly obscures Janet's nondescript pillow-talk delivery within luscious folds upon folds of gut-wrenching chord changes, topping the tragic, plunging bridge with a soaring, cinematic outro that leaves Janet speechless, admitting, 'I don't know what else to say.' It's the quintessential song in the key of heartbreak, but its despair leaves listeners properly stripped and ready to receive the pornography of 'Someday Is Tonight,' which I'm still not sure I'm old enough to listen to."[8]

Chart performance[edit]

The song reached number two on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming another top-five single from Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (the fifth at the time). It also became Jackson's first—and so far only—number-one hit on the US Adult Contemporary chart.[14] Internationally, the song became a success, reaching number 3 in Canada, while also reaching number 20 in the United Kingdom and number 21 in Ireland.[15][16][17]

Music video[edit]

Directed by Dominic Sena in November 1989, the video is set in Paris, France, where Jackson deals with a former lover leaving her, reminiscing about the good moments spent together. The male lead in the video was René Elizondo Jr., whom she would marry a year later. The video shows the Pont de Bir-Hakeim, the Eiffel Tower, the Grand Palais, the Gare d'Austerlitz, the Champs de Mars area, and the view from Montmartre, among others.[7] It appears on the video compilation Design of a Decade: 1986–1996 and was released on iTunes on May 4, 2007.[18][19]

Live performances and covers[edit]

Jackson has performed the song on most of her tours, including the Rhythm Nation 1814 Tour, janet. Tour, All for You Tour, Rock Witchu Tour, Number Ones: Up Close and Personal tour, Unbreakable World Tour, State of the World Tour and her 2019 Las Vegas Residency Janet Jackson: Metamorphosis. On the "janet. Tour", it was cut from the set list after the first leg. During the "All for You Tour" (2001-2002), Jackson performed a mellow medley of "Come Back to Me", "Let's Wait Awhile" and "Again". Denise Sheppard of Rolling Stone commented that, "Without question, [it was] one of the night's most beautiful and verklempt moments arrived out of nowhere forty-five minutes into the set. It was the first time that a break in the action occurred - no dancers, no music -- and as a close-up captured Jackson looking genuinely happy, the audience spontaneously burst into what became a five-minute standing ovation. Looking on, shocked by the sincerity of the moment, she shed sincere tears, simultaneously overwhelmed and overjoyed. 'I love you so much, Vancouver. Thank you'."[20] The February 16, 2002 final date of the tour at the Aloha Stadium in Hawaii, was broadcast by HBO, and included a performance of it. The medley was also added to the setlist at its DVD release, Janet: Live in Hawaii, in 2002.[21] On the Number Ones: Up Close and Personal tour, Jackson used a diamond-encrusted lavender gown to perform a ballad medley of "Nothing", "Come Back to Me" and "Let's Wait Awhile".[22] Annabel Ross of Sydney's "Everguide" praised Janet for "hitting some impressive high notes herself".[23]

In 1992, saxophonist Marion Meadows covered the song from his album Keep It Right There with additional vocals by Will Downing.[24] In 2008, American rapper Plies sampled the song for his single "Bust It Baby (Part 2)", which featured Ne-Yo, while Janet appears on the official remix of the song.[25]

Track listings and formats[edit]

Charts[edit]

Release history[edit]

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
United Kingdom January 15, 1990
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 A&M [1]
January 22, 1990 12-inch vinyl with poster [51]
January 29, 1990 7-inch vinyl box set [52]
February 5, 1990 12-inch vinyl (The Remixes) [53]
United States June 18, 1990
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • cassette
 [citation needed]
Japan July 21, 1990
  • Mini-CD
  • mini-album
 [54][55]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ The song was first released in the United Kingdom on January 15, 1990.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "New Singles". Music Week. January 13, 1990. p. 27.
  2. ^ Molanphy, Chris (September 27, 2019). "State of the World Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Patridge, Kenneth (September 18, 2014). "Jimmy Jam Remembers the Making of Janet Jackson's 'Rhythm Nation 1814': Exclusive Q&A". Billboard. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d Pareles, Jon (September 17, 1989). "RECORDINGS; Janet Jackson Adopts a New Attitude: Concern". The New York Times. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
  5. ^ a b Janet Jackson Come Back To Me Japan 3" CD SINGLE (113769)
  6. ^ "Janet Jackson "Come Back to Me" Sheet Music". Musicnotes. 10 October 2011. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
  7. ^ a b E. Johnson, Robert (February 1990). "Janet Jackson: A New Love, A New Nation and New Black Pride". Ebony. Vol. 45, no. 4. p. 50. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
  8. ^ a b Henderson, Eric (September 7, 2009). "Janet Jackson: Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814". Slant Magazine. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
  9. ^ Partridge, Kenneth (September 18, 2014). "Janet Jackson's 'Rhythm Nation 1814' Revisited By Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis: Track-by-Track Review". Billboard. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
  10. ^ Henderson, Alex (2008), Rhythm Nation 1814 > Overview, Allmusic, retrieved 2008-06-12
  11. ^ Robinson, Wendy. "Janet Jackson: Rhythm Nation Compilation | PopMatters". PopMatters. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
  12. ^ Gerard, Chris (September 21, 2014). "25 Years of Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814". Metro Weekly. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
  13. ^ McMillian, Stephen (September 2, 2014). "Classic Soul Album: Janet Jackson's 'Rhythm Nation 1814'". Soul Train. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
  14. ^ "Rhythm Nation 1814 > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Retrieved April 8, 2009.
  15. ^ "RPM weekly magazine". rpm. Archived from the original on October 18, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2009.
  16. ^ "The Official Charts Company – Janet Jackson – Come Back To Me". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 8, 2009.
  17. ^ a b "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Come Back to Me". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  18. ^ "Janet Jackson: Design of a Decade 1986/1996 (1996 Video)". IMDb. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  19. ^ "iTunes - Music Videos - Come Back to Me by Janet Jackson". iTunes. January 2007. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  20. ^ Shppard, Denise (July 10, 2001). "Ms. Janet Jackson Gets Nasty". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  21. ^ Janet: Live in Hawaii (VHS, DVD). Janet Jackson. Eagle Rock Entertainment. 2002.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  22. ^ "Live Review: Janet Jackson in Toronto". Winnipeg Sun. Stevenson, Jane. 2011-03-13. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  23. ^ "Janet Jackson 'Up Close and Personal', Rod Laver Arena, Nov 3 - Everguide". Everguide. Ross, Annabel. 2012-10-30. Archived from the original on 2014-04-13. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  24. ^ "Keep It Right There overview". AllMusic.
  25. ^ "Plies - Bust It Baby (Pt. 2) (Remix) ft. Ne-Yo & Janet Jackson". DJ Booth. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  26. ^ Janet Jackson Come Back To Me - Remixes UK 12" RECORD/MAXI SINGLE (12317)
  27. ^ Janet Jackson Come Back To Me UK 5" CD SINGLE (40581)
  28. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  29. ^ a b Lwin, Nanda (2000). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. p. 140. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
  30. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1341." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
  31. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 1337." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  32. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 8. February 24, 1990. p. V. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  33. ^ "Janet Jackson: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  34. ^ "Janet Jackson Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  35. ^ "Janet Jackson Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  36. ^ "Janet Jackson Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  37. ^ "Janet Jackson Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  38. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending August 25, 1990". Cash Box. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  39. ^ "'90 Top 15 Records". Radio & Records. December 14, 1990. p. 73. ProQuest 1017240511.
  40. ^ "'90 Top 15 Records". Radio & Records. December 14, 1990. p. 57. ProQuest 1017245303.
  41. ^ "'90 Top 15 Records". Radio & Records. December 14, 1990. p. 61. ProQuest 1017250230.
  42. ^ "Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1990". RPM. Vol. 53, no. 6. April 11, 2019. p. 8. ISSN 0315-5994 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  43. ^ "Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1990". RPM. Vol. 53, no. 6. December 22, 1990. p. 17. ISSN 0315-5994 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  44. ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 1990". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  45. ^ "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 1990". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  46. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1990". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  47. ^ "The Cash Box Year-End Charts: 1990 – Top 50 Pop Singles". Cash Box. December 29, 1990. Archived from the original on February 24, 2020. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  48. ^ "Top 90 of '90". Radio & Records. December 14, 1990. p. 72. ProQuest 1017240496.
  49. ^ "Top 90 of '90". Radio & Records. December 14, 1990. p. 56. ProQuest 1017245278.
  50. ^ "Top 90 of '90". Radio & Records. December 14, 1990. p. 60. ProQuest 1017250211.
  51. ^ "New Singles". Music Week. January 20, 1990. p. 57.
  52. ^ "New Singles". Music Week. January 27, 1990. p. 47.
  53. ^ "New Singles". Music Week. February 3, 1990. p. 38.
  54. ^ "カム・バック・トゥ・ミー | Janet (ジャネット・ジャクソン)" [Come Back to Me | Janet (Janet Jackson)] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  55. ^ "カム・バック・トゥ・ミー・ザ・リミックス | Janet (ジャネット・ジャクソン)" [Come Back to Me The Remix | Janet (Janet Jackson)] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
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