"If" | ||||
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Single by Janet Jackson | ||||
from the album Janet | ||||
B-side | "One More Chance" | |||
Released | July 13, 1993 | |||
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Recorded | 1992; Flyte Tyme Studios (Edina, Minnesota) |
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Length | 4:31 | |||
Label | Virgin | |||
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Janet Jackson singles chronology | ||||
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"If" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson from her 1993 fifth studio album, titled "Janet" . Written and produced by Jackson with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, with additional writing from Harvey Fuqua, John Bristol and Jackey Beavers, "If" was released as the album's second single on July 13, 1993, by Virgin Records. It fuses various genres, including dance, rock, trip hop and industrial music, with elements of hip hop and new jack swing.
The song received critical acclaim, with most critics noting Jackson's evolution into a sexual persona from her prior reserved, celibate image. It received a BMI Pop Award for Most Played Song and was also ranked among Slant Magazine's Best Singles of the '90s. It peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100, and was certified Gold by the RIAA. It also performed well in the Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
The music video portrays voyeurism, sensuality, and intense choreography, while depicting technology that was unavailable at the time, such as touch screens and web cameras. The video received various accolades, including Best Female Video and Best Dance Video at the MTV Video Music Awards, and a Billboard Award for Dance Clip of the Year. It was also voted the second best female video of the decade by Idolator. Jackson performed "If" at the MTV Video Music Awards in a medley with "That's the Way Love Goes."