Feedback by Janet Jackson Lyrics Meaning – The Sonic Exploration of Confidence and Control
Lyrics
Light skin, dark skin, my Asian persuasion
I got them all, that’s why these girls out here hatin’
‘Cause I’m sexy
Do you like my style?
Yeah, that sexy, sexy, sexy
Like how I get down
Yeah, that sexy, sexy, sexy
You can work me out
Yeah, that sexy, sexy, sexy
Let me show you how
Yeah, that sexy, sexy, sexy
So here’s my demonstration, a peep show
Tonight my body’s an exhibition, baby
Though it’s on display, don’t be scared to
Touch it, it’s hands on
So come and get it, babe
Strum me like a guitar, blow out my amplifier
When you hear some feedback, keep going take it higher
Crank it up, give it to me, come on
Crank it up, give it to me, come on
I’m gonna feedback, feedback, oh
Feedback, feedback, oh
Crank it up, give it to me, come on
Crank it up, give it to me, come on
I’m gonna feedback, feedback, oh
Feedback, feedback, oh
Light skin, dark skin, my Asian persuasion
I got them all, that’s why these girls out here hatin’
‘Cause I’m sexy
Do you like my style?
Yeah, that sexy, sexy, sexy
Like how I get down
Yeah, that sexy, sexy, sexy
You can work me out
Yeah, that sexy, sexy, sexy
Let me show you how
Yeah, that sexy, sexy, sexy
Before we go any more further
Let me put you up on a secret, baby
I got novelties so appeasing
Feed my fetish please
Satisfy me, babe
Strum me like a guitar, blow out my amplifier
When you hear some feedback, keep going take it higher
Crank it up, give it to me, come on
Crank it up, give it to me, come on
I’m gonna feedback, feedback, oh
Feedback, feedback, oh
Crank it up, give it to me, come on
Crank it up, give it to me, come on
I’m gonna feedback, feedback, oh
Feedback, feedback, oh
You like it how I work my spine
Got you feeling all hypnotized (hypnotized)
Got a body like a CL5
Make a- wanna test drive, but I’m so on fire
Flyer than a pelican, find another chick better than
I don’t see her (I don’t see her)
‘Cause my swag is serious
Something heavy like a first day period so
Strum me like a guitar, blow out my amplifier
When you hear some feedback, keep going take it higher
Crank it up, give it to me, come on
Crank it up, give it to me, come on
I’m gonna feedback, feedback, oh
Feedback, feedback, oh
Strum me like a guitar, blow out my amplifier
When you hear some feedback, keep going take it higher
Crank it up, give it to me, come on
Crank it up, give it to me, come on
I’m gonna feedback, feedback, oh
Feedback, feedback, oh
Crank it up, give it to me, come on
Crank it up, give it to me, come on
I’m gonna feedback, feedback, oh
Feedback, feedback, oh
Feed, feedback-back (back)
Feed, feedback-back (oh)
Back-back (back)
Feedback, feedback, feedback
(Back, back, back, back, back)
Bask in the realm of Janet Jackson’s 2008 electro-pop odyssey ‘Feedback’—a song pulsating with assertive energy and seductive bravado. Janet invites listeners into a provocative world where rhythm meets desire, and every beat is an opportunity for emancipated expression.
The electronica-infused track from her tenth studio album, ‘Discipline’, ‘Feedback’ resonates with both futuristic soundscapes and classic pop sensibilities. From sultry innuendos to empowering declarations, the song’s lyrics offer a deep dive into themes of self-assurance, sexual autonomy, and the electrifying exchange between artist and audience.
Tuning Into Confidence: The Anthem of Empowerment
At its core, ‘Feedback’ is a testament to confidence, and Jackson’s lyrics assert her dominance in the pop pantheon. Phrases like ‘I got them all, that’s why these girls out here hatin’ ’cause I’m sexy’ aren’t just a showcase of self-love, but a bold pronouncement of her place in the spectrum of desire and competitive artistry.
Janet’s use of ‘Asian persuasion’ and discussions on skin color transcend mere visual aesthetics; it’s a boundary-defying recognition of her appeal across multiple demographics. This creates a lyrical tapestry rich with inclusivity and the celebration of a universal sex appeal.
Peep Show Personas: The Theatrics of Seduction
‘So here’s my demonstration, a peep show,’ Janet coos, likening her performance to an intimate exposé. ‘Feedback’ beckons listeners into a space where Janet’s ‘body’s an exhibition,’ dismantling taboos, and inviting touch, quite literally hands-on interaction, bridging the gap between artist and spectator.
The concept of a ‘show’ extends beyond mere performance to signify control over one’s presentation and image. It’s a masterful take on how celebrities often manage their public personas like art—meticulously curated and staged for consumption.
Sound and Sensuality: The Metaphor of Musical Ecstasy
‘Strum me like a guitar, blow out my amplifier,’ Jackson commands, using the imagery of musical instruments as a metaphor for the body’s response to touch and intimacy. The feedback loop created between performer and audience is both a literal sound effect and a symbolic representation of mutual stimulation.
The continual drive to ‘take it higher’ echoes the thrumming energy of the song, the pulsating bassline functioning as the heartbeat of the track. It’s this escalation of energy that mirrors the intimacy Jackson describes—a growing crescendo of passion that the song invites listeners to feel viscerally.
The Hidden Meaning: Oscillating Between Control and Vulnerability
Beneath the thumping beat and steamy lyrics lies a deeper subtext. While commanding attention and interaction, Jackson also reveals a vulnerability inherent in being ‘on display.’ The ‘feedback’ sought is not just acclaim or arousal; it’s also validation, a human need that resonates with every artist.
The title ‘Feedback’ thus serves a dual purpose—it’s the desired reaction from her audience, but also a commentary on the relationship between artist and public. Her request for ‘feedback’ is a metaphor for the need to be heard, understood, and appreciated, thematically resonating with our digital age’s obsession with instant reaction.
Memorable Lines: Power Dynamics in the Forefront
‘Flyer than a pelican, find another chick better than / I don’t see her’—Janet’s lyrics here are an unapologetic assertion of superiority. By positioning herself as incomparable, she isn’t just acknowledging her strengths; she’s also challenging the status quo that often pits women against each other in the entertainment industry.
Moreover, her statement ‘Something heavy like a first day period’ boldly underscores the fact that power and femininity are not mutually exclusive. With such raw and unfiltered lines, Jackson reinforces the notion that commanding authority and sexual power can coexist with the inherent realities of womanhood.
