Where to begin discussing Janet Jackson’s mere wisp of a new single, ”Call on Me” (click here to listen)? Three things: 1) The vocals are so vacant and fluttery they make ”Again” sound like a Celine Dion power ballad. 2) The song completely lacks a discernible hook or memorable lyric. 3) Nelly essentially hijacks what was supposed to be Janet’s big radio comeback.
But the worst part: The blogfather is all up in my grill about it.
Thablogfatha: What’s up, Slezak?
Firstnameaintbaby: Janet let me down again.
Theblogfatha: Again?!
Firstnameaintbaby: Mmm-hmm.
Thablogfatha: Well, what’s up with this diva? Do you really like her that much?
Firstnameaintbaby: Yes, Mickey, I love her, she is fine, she sings a lot of nice things for me.
Thablogfatha: I know she used to sing nice stuff for you, but what has she sung for you late-leeeee?
(Insert jaunty Paula Abdul choreography here.)
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Wow, that is bad. I really, REALLY hate to say this, but the new Paris Hilton song is 10 times better than this! The production is terrible, the vocals are thinner than usual… it sounds like a background texture that should have a more powerful and interesting melody going over the top of it. Is this the work of Jimmy and Terry? If so, it’s time to part ways, Janet. The well is dry. Find some new collaborators!
I guess I’m the only one who likes it! Sounds better than Beyonce’s new song!
Paris Hilton’s song will be a sleeper hit of the summer (but Gnarlz Barkley’s “Crazy” will be THE song we all hum). Janet and Madonna’s bubblegum pop are — in the 21st C — somewhat dated, no?
This is not going to be a comeback like mariah or madonna. Its too bad really. What is she thinking?
ok, to the point : as a single on it’s own, not the worst song. as a janet song, mediocre. as a “big comeback single”, no way. but did WE call it the big comeback or did SHE? if we did, then it’s our problem. it may just be the “teaser” single with better things to come. we all know the first single usually isn’t the strongest, they save that for the second single, which comes out like the day before the CD drops. anyway, it wasn’t that bad, but it did seem like it was nelly’s song. i’m still happy to have ms. jackson back
Slezak, I listened to the leak last night and I immediatly thought of you. This song IS bad; and your point about Nelly hijacking the song is right on!
I’m going to go GAY crazy! There is NO new song out there for the “girls” to go nuts over! What are we going to do?
I’m sticking with the Paul Oakenfold and Britney Murphy’s single – Pussycat something or other.
Janet needs to get some new help, her boyfriend and the Jam twins are OLD.
I am so dissapointed, this sounds like crap… To me it sounded like a Kelly Rowland reject. If this is the best that Janet and Jermaine can do, they should keep the relationship strictly personal and leave the business out of it.
I’m still seething over this song. Janet, this is the 3rd time in a row that you’ve disappointed. Your last great single was All For You. All Night was a winner too but wrapped in that terrible Damita Jo album, who could stand to buy it. Plus, you released it as a second single after that other terrible slow song you released first. What’s up with you girl?
Does anyone even remember Damita Jo, I’m surprised I do?
Ok, all you Janet haters… Give it up! I happen to like the Janet’s new song and Nelly’s presence on it as well. No, Janet is not Celine Dion and thank God for that. Janet has a very sexy soft rhythmic voice and she doesn’t need to make dogs howl to entertain us. Janet has always been a better uptempo singer aka Rihanna. Rihanna’s unfaithful really shows that she is not a power voice either though when she is singing uptempo songs it’s hard to discern that. Anway, everyone reacted to the same way to That’s The Way Love Goes and it turned out to be big hit. However, I’m not going to be hater like yall were to Janet just be patient and hope Janet gives what we want.
I like this single, it is a nice slow song to bob your head to. As far as a comeback single….Janet never fell off. Her last album was very good. She got NO help on MTV or radio to play her songs and her true fans bought her music. Janets albums are always terrific and I have no doubt that this one will be as well. Cant wait for the tour.
HAHA I loved the “she sings a lot of nice things for me” comment.
As far as the song is concerned – ho hum. What else is out there? I’m dissapointed with everyone’s offerings this summer. The only songs I care about at the moment are “SOS” and “Promiscuous.” Hopefully Janet’s got some other hot songs on the album.
C’mon, Damita Jo was not that bad! too bad I am at work and can’t listen to this…no speakers
I have to admit, her breathy vocals are getting a little old…but I will reserve judgement until I hear it!
The song is good, and it does sound better than Beyonce’s new single with all the screeching. The single will be a hit. When will you all realize that Janet doesn’t have anything prove. It’s good to hear her again.
This was definetly not a good single to start off with for her 20 Years Later Album. It sounds like every other lame ass rap/sung collaboration out there in the last 4 years. Thank god there was no lame ass sample of an old song (that I know of correct me please if i’m wrong) I am a huge Janet Fan and this is the most boring thing she has ever had to offer this song is like a filler or even one of her many so called Interludes. Not a good way to start off a comeback at all hopefully the remixes are wayyyyy better.
Paul U, be greatful that you’re at work with no speakers! This song stanks! Think of your most favorite up beat Janet song and replace it with a slow beat in the back – that’s how disappointing this is.
me
Yeah, she may speak in english, but latelys he is singing in some alien language. Its so low and inaudible I dont even think a dog can pick up what she’s saying. If it wasnt for nelly I doubt this song would even be getting any kind of press. It sucks so badly. Sorry Janet, No Mariah like comeback for you.
….I am not taking any advice from someone who likes the paris hilton or brittany murphy song…
Call on me…love it!
OK, wow. First of all, never compare Janet to Paris Hilton. The song is not the best. But It’s Like That, Mariah’s first single off of Mimi didn’t get that much radio play either. Janet could release a second single closer to the album release date which is is still almost three months away. And is anyone here a real Janet fan, because I am. I love her. And Damita Jo, was not that bad of an album. Take out the dirty songs in the middle and it’s a serviceable album. If it weren’t for the Super Bowl “incident”, “My Baby” the song with Kanye could have been huge. Give this song a chance.
….this magazine long ago abandoned janet….so any opinions here don’t really go unbiased…sorry mr. slezak…bad judgement on your part…but there is still hope for you:)
another song with ANOTHER BORING repetitive 2-4 bar pattern. example, new christina, new nelly furtado, basically anything produced by Timbaland, or all the other HOT producers of the moment. whatever happened to song structure? jeez, these songs must take like 5 minutes to make. also, can we PLEASE get rid of the guest rapper/producer duets. if you can call them that. nelly’s uh and yeah and whoa does not add any HOTNESS to the song no matter what they think. there. done.
Nothing but Haters. Shewt, if it wasn’t for JANET, There would be No Mariah, No Beyonce and who effin cares about Paris Hilton… she’s a talentless girl who is only famous because she’s rich. Big deal.
Just wait when Janet’s album comes out and stomps B-day outta the water, us true Janet fans will be the ones saying I told you so.
Madonna is not dated!
Janet is not dated! She simply doesn’t kiss ass to sell records like mariah carey!!!!!
i agree with that statement. I am done with pop songs that require a rap break to sell the song. It’s a 20th century tactic and it should be placed in musical historical context and abadoned a.s.a.p.
I’m a huge Janet fan, but I have to agree that I was terribly underwhelmed by this single. I could see it maybe as a third or fourth release, but with all of the hype surrounding her comeback, this track just fell flat for me. I’m already not a huge fan of Nelly (this seems like an attempt to create a “Dilemma” part 2) and the beat goes nowhere. While I’m excited to hear the new album come Fall, I do hope they release something else that has some merit as a “comeback” single.
I have heard Beyonce, Xtina, and Ciara. Janet’s new song is better than any of them, in my opinion.
Umm.
I don’t like this song either. I DO like Janet though. I was hoping for something more up-beat and fun. This is kinda.. boring and.. the song just stinks. I also don’t like Nelly. So, that’s another part of it. Oh well, I’m sure Janet’s next single will be more fun. This song is a big thumbs down for me.
For whomever said they wont take advice from someone who likes a song with Brittany Murphey… have you even heard the song? It’s a dance song, but wow.. Brittany can really sing. I love it.
well I happen to like the song a lot and I cant stand janet Jackson I caught it at the beginning I guess and I didnt know who it was until the dj told me and I have to say Im impressed she is going a different unexpected direction than Beyonce who I am a FAN of but Im highly dissappointed in that rediculous single. but anyway like the single Janet has a long way to grow on me but I would buy this single if they just released it as a single.
Well I love Janet and its not a great song but its not a terrible one either. The Album is coming out Sept. 26th 2006, Im more than sure that the second single is going to be better…its a good marketing strategy. I was a bit disappointed because I wanted something huge as the 1st single (“Miss You Much” or “That’s the way love goes” kinda stuff) but “Call of Me” is not a bad song.
Finally the Christina/Beyonce battle can end
There is no way that either could be called worse than this piece of crap
I read a Jet article when Janet was getting all fiesty at the current r&b girls claiming they learned everthing from her and that they all copy. So what does she do to bring it? She puts out the most radio starved single of her life, that just pleads to be like we belong together. janet is officially over.
gosh, janet tries to throw out a perfect, laid-back summer jam, and she’s being ridiculed for it! you can’t look at this song as a “comeback” or “music-defying”…you just need to get lost in the jammin’ beat and janet’s beautiful harmonies and enjoy it! GOOD JOB JANET! It’s BEAUTIFUL!