Janet Jackson - The Pleasure Principle

About "The Pleasure Principle"

"The Pleasure Principle" is a song recorded by American singer Janet Jackson for her third studio album, Control (1986). A&M Records released it as the sixth single from Control on May 12, 1987. Written and produced by Monte Moir, with co-production by Jackson and Steve Wiese, the song is an "independent woman" anthem about taking control of a personal relationship by refusing to settle for loveless materialism. Musically, "The Pleasure Principle" is an R&B song built around a dance-pop beat. The photograph for the single cover was shot by David LaChapelle. The song has been included in two of Jackson's greatest hits albums, Design of a Decade: 1986–1996 (1995) and Number Ones (2009).

"The Pleasure Principle" received positive reviews from music critics and was a modest commercial success. In the United States, it peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming her first single to not reach the top-ten since "What Have You Done for Me Lately". However, the single peaked at number one on the Dance Club Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts. "The Pleasure Principle" reached the top 40 in most markets, but failed to match the international success of the previous singles from Control. It peaked at number 50 in Australia, number 35 in Canada and number 24 in the United Kingdom.

The accompanying music video for "The Pleasure Principle" was directed by Dominic Sena. It depicts Jackson entering a loft wearing a T-shirt and jeans to practice her dancing. She gives a solo dance performance while singing about the pleasure principle. The video was seen by critics as iconic and received two nominations at the 1988 MTV Video Music Awards, eventually winning one. "The Pleasure Principle" has been performed on many of Jackson's concert tours, most recently on the Janet Jackson: A Special 30th Anniversary Celebration of Rhythm Nation tour (2019). It was also performed on a few promotional appearances, including at the 2006 Billboard Music Awards. In 2008, Jackson's lingerie line was named after the song.