Janet Jackson, Nasty | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 108th edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Nasty” by musical icon, Janet Jackson.   

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 108^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Nasty” performed by Janet Jackson.

“Gimme a beat!” The most iconic, ‘nasty’ song of all is none other than “Nasty” by Janet Jackson. Cue up the iconic lyrics from the chorus:  “Nasty, nasty boys don’t mean a thing / Oh, you nasty boys.” Agreed, Janet! “Nasty” is the second track on her 1986 album, Control. The Grammy-winning R&B/pop artist wrote it with legendary songwriting and production team, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.  Besides the personality-filled lyrics and playful vocals, the keyboard riff is one of the most distinct in pop music. The percussion and drum programming featured on “Nasty” is quintessential ‘80s. A platinum-certified single, “Nasty” peaked at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, one of 27 top-10 hits.

“Nasty,” fittingly, is filled with nastiness. In the first verse, Jackson judges him hard. “Sittin’ in the movie show, thinkin’ nasty thoughts, ha / Better be a gentleman or you’ll turn me off.” Yeah, you nasty boy! In the second verse, filth doesn’t appeal to her: “I don’t like no nasty car, I don’t like no nasty food /… The only nasty thing I like is a nasty groove.” If there was concern Jackson was being high maintenance and stuck up, she dispels it in the bridge, which features one of the most famous lyrics of the song:

“I’m not a prude (no)

I just want some respect (that’s right)

So close the door if you want me to respond (ooh, ooh yeah)

‘Cause privacy is my middle name

My last name is control

No, my first name ain’t baby

It’s Janet, Miss Jackson if you’re nasty.”

Can you say, ICONIC! There is a nasty breakdown section that only ups the ante and sheer excellence of “Nasty”.

Janet Jackson // Control // A&M // 1986

Janet Jackson, Nasty: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 108 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; A&M; OpenClipart-Vectors, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]