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Black Cat
Rock · 1989 · 10 tracks

Black Cat

Janet Jackson

1989 · Corton

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Black Cat represents the most aggressive and sonically jarring moment in Janet Jackson's late-eighties output. While the rest of its parent album focused on social consciousness and industrial-tinged pop, this single dives headfirst into hard rock.

It is built on a foundation of massive, gated-reverb drums and a snarling guitar riff that feels more at home in a stadium than a dance club. The energy is relentless, pushing Janet into a vocal register that is uncharacteristically raspy and commanding, shedding her usual breathy intimacy for something far more predatory and dangerous.

Tracklist · 10 Tracks
01
Black Cat
4:31
02
Black Cat (video mix/short solo)
4:34
03
Black Cat (video mix/long solo)
4:51
04
Black Cat
4:51
05
Black Cat (3 Snaps Up 7″ version)
4:28
06
Black Cat (Funky 7″ version)
4:44
07
Black Cat (3 Snaps Up 12″ version)
7:34
08
Black Cat (Funky 12″ version)
5:46
09
Black Cat (3 Snaps Up 12″ dub)
6:14
10
The 1814 Megamix: Alright / Escapade / Rhythm Nation / Miss You Much
7:24
Moments Worth Listening For
the moment the distorted guitar riff first tears through the mechanical drum beat
the bridge where janet's vocals shift from a whisper to a gritty commanding growl
the extended guitar solo in the 3-way mix that pushes the track into pure heavy metal territory
the rhythmic breakdown where the percussion mimics the stalking movement of a predator
Where This Album DepartsEach spoke is a trait. The orange shape shows where this album pulls away from — or holds to — the rest of the artist’s catalogue. Tap for more.

How does Black Cat sound next to the rest of Janet Jackson's catalogue?

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This album stays in step with the catalogue across the board — no axis departs enough to be worth its own note. Hover the dots to see where each one sits.

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