by Tracy Heck

Created on: June 08, 2008

Janet Jackson grew up in the shadow of her famous brothers but in 1986 with the release of her wildly successful Control album Janet finally carved out a place of her own in the music world. Since then she has sold over 100 million albums worldwide and continues to be one of the top female pop artists in the world. Earlier this year she released her tenth studio album Discipline, which quickly hit number one on the Billboard charts. Here are ten of my favorite Janet Jackson songs:

10. I Want You (from the album Damita Jo)-A genuinely sweet Motown-influenced love song. The song has a great laid back groove with background strings that build to a amazing climax. Janet wrote this one for boyfriend Jermaine Dupri and she manages to convey the many emotional highs and lows that one experiences when they are in love. "It's like a see-saw when it comes to your love. Boy when you're up this girl is down and I just can't figure it out."

9. Rock With U (from the album Discipline)-Janet's latest single is a futuristic electronic dance track that can't help but get you moving. "Strobe lights make everything sexy, yeah. Shadows dancing on the wall (Do you see me?) I wanna rock with you." The lyrics of this one are pretty simplistic but the great beat and Janet's soft voice make the song work.

8. Again (from the album janet)-A moving emotional ballad; this is Ms. Jackson at her most sentimental. The lyrics are so raw that one can't help but be drawn into the story of running into an old flame only to discover that your feelings for said person are as strong as ever. "Kinda late in the game and my heart is in your hands. Don't you stand there and then tell me you love me and leave me again."

7. Because of Love (from the album janet)-A bouncy love song that leaves listeners with a good feeling. It's easy to feel the joy radiating from Janet's voice. "I'll never feel alone again boy. Cause your love makes me feel so secure. You got me singin'."

6. If (from the album janet)-The song that started Janet's move from the girl next door to every male's sexual fantasy. The combination of hip hop beats with a rock flair was unlike anything Janet had ever put out and it came became the centerpiece of her subsequent sexual revolution tracks. "How many times I lay in bed excited over you. I closed my eyes and thought of us a hundred different ways. I've been there so many times I wonder how about you?"

5. Black Cat (from the album Rhythm Nation 1814)-The only true rock song in Janet's catalogue,

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