• The Subject: “Control” (Single Release)
• Release Date: October 17, 1986 (Single #4)
• The Hardware: 7” Edit, 12” Extended Mix, and the “Video Mix”
• The Milestone: The fourth consecutive Top 5 hit that proved the Control era wasn’t just a lucky streak—it was a takeover

While the Control album (released in February ’86) set the stage, the “Control” single (released eight months later) was the victory lap. By October, Jackson wasn’t just the baby of the family; she was the reigning Queen of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. This specific release took the sprawling 6-minute album opener and chiseled it into a 3:26 radio masterpiece that prioritized the Minneapolis Overdrive.

Continuing our Control series, “Control” the single is the next file in our library.

RELATED: [THE FILES] 006 Janet Jackson: 40 Years of Control

The Hardware: Engineering the “Video Mix”

The single release is famous for its “Video Mix,” a version that differs significantly from the album’s steady groove.

• The 7” Edit vs. The Album Version: To make the song radio-ready, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis tightened the LinnDrum LM-2 programming. They cut the long atmospheric intro and went straight for the “brittle” handclaps. The single version emphasizes the Yamaha DX7 brass stabs, giving the song a sharper “bite” that cut through 1986 FM radio static.
• The Distortion Secret: Jimmy Jam famously revealed that the “Control” single sounds “frantic” because an engineer walked out on them mid-session. They ended up recording the tracks “in the red” (overloading the console), which gave the percussion on the single a natural, gritty distortion that digital remasters still struggle to replicate in 2026.
• The B-Side: Depending on your region, the 7” featured “Fast Girls” or “Pretty Boy,” two tracks that leaned even further into the Minneapolis funk sound, making the single a must-own “hardware” piece for completionists.

The Visuals

The “Control” single was accompanied by a nearly 10-minute long-form music video directed by Mary Lambert. Make no mistake, this was just promo from Jackson; it was a short film that literalized the “Story about control.”

• The Standoff: The video’s scripted intro—Jackson arguing with her parents before storming out to her own concert.
• The Olympic Auditorium: The concert footage was filmed at the Grand Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, capturing a raw, unpolished energy that contrasted with the heavily polished videos of her peers.
• The Paula Abdul Connection: This was the single that cemented the Jackson/Abdul partnership. The sharp, military-precision choreography seen in the “Control” video has since become the template for the female pop performances that have followed.

The Verdict: The Fourth Pillar of a Perfect Streak

While the Control album provided the manifesto, the “Control” single provided the statistical proof of a takeover. By peaking at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, it became Jackson’s fourth consecutive Top 5 hit from the same project—a feat that was virtually unheard of for a female artist in 1986.

In short, “Control” proved that Jackson’s new sound wasn’t just a club fad; it was a commercial juggernaut. It transformed the “Minneapolis Sound” from a regional experiment into the gold standard for global pop success. When Jackson sang “I’ve got my own mind,” the charts definitely agreed.

Lyrics:

[Intro]
This is a story about control
My control
Control of what I say
Control of what I do
And this time, I’m gonna do it my way (My way)
I hope you enjoy this as much as I do
Are we ready?
I am
‘Cause it’s all about control (Control)
And I’ve got lots of it

When I was seventeen, I did what people told me, uh
I did what my father said, and let my mother mold me
But that was long ago, I’m in

Control
Never gonna stop
Control
To get what I want
Control
I like to have a lot
Control
Now I’m all grown up (Ah)

First time I fell in love, I didn’t know what hit me
So young and so naive, I thought it would be easy
But now I know I’ve got to take

Control
Now I’ve got a lot
Control
To get what I want
Control
Never gonna stop
Control
Now I’m all grown up
Now I’m all grown up

Jam, woo-woo
Rebel, that’s right
I’m on my own, I’ll call my own shots
Thank you

Got my own mind
I wanna make my own decisions
When it has to do with my life, my life
I wanna be the one in control

So let me take you by the hand and lead you on this dance
Control is what I’ve got, because I took a chance
I don’t wanna rule the world, just wanna run my life (Ooh)
So make your life a little easier
When you get the chance, just take

Control (Ooh-ooh)
Now I’ve got a lot (Ooh)
Control
To get what I want (Oh)
Control
I’m never gonna stop
Control
Now I’m all grown up (Ooh)

Free at last
Out here on my own
Ooh-ooh-ooh, yeah, hee
Now control this, uh

Control
That’s right
Control
Career moves
Control
I do what’s right for me
Control
And me wants to groove, is that okay?
Yeah
Ooh, control

I’ve got my own mind
Ooh, baby
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I’ve got my own mind
Wanna make my own decisions
When it has to do with my life
I wanna be the one in control

Hop to it
I’m in control and I love it
Hahahaha, that’s right
Control
Now I’ve got a lot
Control
Now I’m all grown up
I’m in control (Uh)
I’m in control (Ah)
I’m in control (Uh)
Don’t make me lose it

Featured Photo: A&M Records

RELATED: [THE FILES] 006.3 | Janet Jackson – When I Think of You (1986)

RELATED: [THE FILES] 006.2: Janet Jackson – “Nasty” (1986)

RELATED: [THE FILES] 006.1 40 Years of Janet Jackson’s “What Have You Done for Me Lately”

Author Bio

Jael Rucker is the founder of Decked Out Magazine. She has previously worked as the Associate Commerce Editor at PureWow, focusing on analytics and trends to pitch stories and optimize articles that build and engage their audience. Her work has also been seen in Footwear News and WWD. Prior to 2024, she was the style and pop culture editor at ONE37pm for over three years, contributing numerous product reviews, brand profiles and fashion trend reports, which included interviewing Steph Curry, Snoop Dogg and more.