Nothing (Janet Jackson song)
"Nothing" | ||||
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Single by Janet Jackson | ||||
from the album Why Did I Get Married Too? (Motion Picture Soundtrack) | ||||
Released | March 23, 2010 | |||
Recorded | 2010 | |||
Genre | R&B | |||
Length | 3:25 (edit) 4:09 (soundtrack) | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Janet Jackson singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Nothing" on YouTube |
"Nothing" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Janet Jackson. It was released on March 23, 2010 by A&M Records and So So Def Recordings as a soundtrack single from the film Why Did I Get Married Too?, which starred Jackson. The song was later included on Jackson's compilation album Icon: Number Ones. It was written by Jackson, Johntá Austin, Bryan-Michael Cox and Jermaine Dupri and produced by Jackson, Cox, and Dupri. Initially titled "Trust in Me", the song was written about the different character's personas and emotions in the film.
"Nothing" received mostly positive reviews from
Background
"Nothing" is about the characters in the movie; I tried to write at least one verse for each couple. I think the fans can relate because, if you look at the characters, there is something in one - or, as in my case, many of them, that you can relate to...In that way, music and movies are very similar; you relate to the story when you experience them, and that is what makes it powerful."[1]
— Janet Jackson on the concept of "Nothing"
"Nothing" was composed by Janet Jackson, Johntá Austin, Bryan-Michael Cox and Jermaine Dupri and produced by Jackson, Cox, and Dupri. It was released on March 30, 2010 as the theme for Why Did I Get Married Too?, which starred Jackson. It was released as a stand-alone single in addition to appearing on the Why Did I Get Married Too? soundtrack, and was later included on Jackson's Icon: Number Ones compilation.[2] "Nothing" was strongly considered for a nomination for "Best Original Song" at the 83rd Academy Awards, but ultimately was not nominated.[3][4]
On February 11, 2010 Jackson revealed the song's title on her official
Music supervisor Joel C. High, who recruited artists to appear on the film's soundtrack, commented "we were lucky to have Janet involved, especially at a time where she was going through a lot. We were basically finished with the picture when she told Tyler she wanted to write something. It's a strong love song [...] and is our big end title finish."[8] Co-producer Jermaine Dupri also spoke about the song, revealing "We had to do this record in like three days to get it into this movie – it was a last minute thing that her and Tyler [Perry] talked about." Dupri also added "You haven't heard Janet sound like this in a long time and I think the song is perfect for the movie. It's a really good record."[9][10]
Promotion
To promote the song and film, Janet held a contest on her official website titled "Janet's Everything for Nothing Experience", which allowed the winner to receive a personally autographed copy of her
Critical reception
"Janet Jackson, by virtue of coming from the same DNA pool as Michael, and by virtue of having grown up singing with him, likely finds it very natural to sing in a manner that sounds very similar to that of her late brother’s effeminate voice. And frankly, she’s one of the few people in the world who has a right to sound that much like Michael. She’s at this point the de facto representative of the Jackson clan, and the closest thing we have remaining in terms of his legacy."
— Beatweek Magazine on Janet's vocals sounding similar to Michael Jackson's in "Nothing"[13]
Music video
Jackson shot the
Live performances
Jackson made a surprise appearance on the ninth season finale of American Idol to perform a medley of "Nothing" and "Nasty" after joining the contestants to perform a rendition of her hit ballad "Again".[citation needed] MTV expressed that Jackson provided the audience with waves of heartfelt emotion as she sang "Nothing".[21] Zap2it stated that the performance of "Nothing" was moving.[22] Neon Limelight stated that Jackson "brought the crowd to its feet.[23]
The song was also performed at the
Track listing
- "Nothing" – 3:25
Charts
Chart (2010) | Peak position |
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US Hot Adult R&B Airplay[28]
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15 |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[29] | 58 |
References
- ^ Alive Magazine, April 2010, page 56
- ^ "Janet - Janet Jackson - Number Ones - Icon". Janetjackson.com. August 25, 2010. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "A&M/UMe Gathers Eleven Number One Hits of Superstar Janet Jackson Plus Her Recent iTunes Chart Topper, 'Nothing'". PR News Wire. August 25, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Randy Newman, Janet Jackson, John Legend, Chris Martin in Oscar Song Race - TheWrap". The Wrap. December 15, 2010. Archived from the original on December 18, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Twitter / JanetJackson: The song is called 'Nothing.'". Twitter. February 11, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Janet – Janet releases 'Nothing' from Why Did I Get Married Too?". Janetjackson.com. April 1, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ a b "Janet Jackson makes something out of 'Nothing' - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. December 7, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ 6 Questions with Joel C. High. Billboard. April 3, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Jermaine Dupri Says New Janet Jackson Song Is 'A Good Record'". MTV. February 18, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ Justin T. Stewart (March 15, 2010). "Jermaine Dupri and Janet Jackson Reunite For 'Why Did I Get Married Too'". HipHopWired. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "JANET - Contest". Janetjackson.com. July 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Twitter / JanetJackson: Thank u for all the love on ..." Twitter. March 30, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Janet Jackson shows she's the only one allowed to sound like Michael Jackson". Beatweek Magazine. May 27, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Janet Jackson Sings 'Nothing,' Gets 'Nasty' On 'American Idol' - Music, Celebrity, Artist News - MTV.com". MTV. May 30, 2010. Archived from the original on September 18, 2013. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Janet Jackson, 'Nothing' — Video Premiere". AOL Music. April 2, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Janet Jackson, 'Nothing (Behind the Scenes)' — Video Exclusive". AOL Music. March 26, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ a b "Janet Jackson "Nothing" Video: Heavy On The Singing, Light On The Nasty - Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on Idolator.com". Idolator. April 2, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Janet Jackson's new video for 'Nothing': Watch here - The Music Mix - EW.com". Entertainment Weekly. April 2, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Twitter / JanetJackson: Today I'm working on the video ..." Twitter. March 24, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Behind the Scenes of Janet Jackson's New Music Video - Today's News: Our Take - TVGuide.com". TV Guide. April 7, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ Josh Wigler (May 28, 2010). "Janet Jackson Sings 'Nothing,' Gets 'Nasty' On 'American Idol'". MTV. Archived from the original on September 18, 2013. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "American Idol' season finale: Janet Jackson goes from 'Nothing' to 'Nasty' - Zap2it". Zap2it. May 27, 2010. Archived from the original on September 20, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Video: Janet Jackson Performs "Nothing" And "Nasty" On American Idol Finale - Neon Limelight". Neon Limelight. May 27, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "TV One To Broadcast Essence Music Festival 2010 - News One". News One. August 21, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Janet Jackson: The Number Ones Up Close And Personal Tour Live At Mohegan Sun on March 16 (Concert Review)". MuuMuse. March 18, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Nothing (From "Why Did I Get Married Too?") – Single by Janet Jackson". iTunes Store (US). 23 March 2010. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ^ Janet Jackson - Nothing (CD) at Discogs
- ^ https://www.billboard.com/artist/janet-jackson/chart-history/r%26b/hip-hop-airplay
- ^ https://www.billboard.com/artist/janet-jackson/chart-history/r%26b/hip-hop-songs