Got ’til It’s Gone by Janet Jackson Lyrics Meaning – The Poignant Lesson in Appreciating the Present
Lyrics
The one about me
Oh, yeah
I like this one (uh, what?)
Uh, uh, like Joni says (what?)
Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s (uh)
Don’t it always seem to go (uh, uh)
That you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s (uh, uh)
Don’t it always seem to go (uh, uh)
That you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s (uh, uh)
Uh (uh), uh (uh)
That you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone (what?)
Have a feeling, now believing that you (yeah)
Were the one I was meant to be with (uh, uh, uh)
Oh, how I’m wishing, thinking, dreaming (uh, what?)
‘Bout you and the love (uh, uh, what?)
How’d I ever let you get away?
Got ’til it’s gone (uh, uh, uh, uh)
Got ’til it’s gone
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone? (Uh, uh, what?)
Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone? (Uh, uh, what?)
Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone? (What?)
(Joni Mitchell never lies)
You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone (what?)
If I could turn back the hands of time (yeah, mhm-mhm)
Make you fall in love, in love with me again (uh)
So would you give me another chance to love (uh, uh, uh, uh)
To love you, love you the right way? No games (uh, what? Uh, uh)
Got ’til it’s gone (uh, what? Here you go again)
Got ’til it’s gone (what? What? What?)
Joni Mitchell never lies
Don’t it always seem to go (what?)
That you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone? (Uh)
Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone? (Uh-uh, uh-uh, uh)
Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got ’til- (two, one two, yo)
(Let me just fuck with it for a minute)
That you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone? (What?)
Now you realizing when them nights go long, right?
Campaign for me to stay when you know that I’m gone, right?
You act all wild when I tell you to settle (settle down)
I was working ’round the clock, but your girls want to meddle (I heard)
Talk about (you know I’m sayin’? I heard)
“I heard he swims with this chick on the beach” (that you were on the beach)
That was out with the tide but my love you impeach (impeach)
Now you looking at the walls, head in hands, cold jonesin’
Ringing my house, hanging up and imposing
Now why you wanna go and do that love, huh?
Now why you wanna go and do that and do that, huh?
Now why you wanna go and do that love, huh?
Now why you wanna go and do that and do that, huh?
Now why you wanna go and do that love, huh?
Now why you wanna go and do that and do that, huh?
Now why you wanna go and do that love, huh?
Now why you wanna go and do that (and do that and do that and do that)
Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone? (Yeah, yeah)
Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone? (You never ever realize)
Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone? (Uh)
(Now look at you, Joni Mitchell never lies)
That you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone?
Uh-uh-uh, uh-uh, uh-uh-uh
Uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-uh, uh-uh
Yo, do you feel that?
Uh-uh
Uh-uh
You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone (mh-mh, mh-mh, mh-mh)
You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone
Dust
In the grand tapestry of Janet Jackson’s illustrious career, ‘Got ’til It’s Gone’ stands out as a beacon of reflective wisdom. With its mesmerizing blend of hip-hop infused beats and a haunting sample of Joni Mitchell’s ‘Big Yellow Taxi,’ this track is an aural tapestry weaving the pensive threads of regret and the ephemeral nature of love and life itself.
The song is a departure from the upbeat tempo that her fans might expect, opting instead for a more subdued, contemplative vibe. It’s a testament to Jackson’s versatility and keen sense of musical exploration. But beyond its surface, ‘Got ’til It’s Gone’ harbors a universal truth, one that we’ve struggled with since the dawn of time—the value of a moment once it has passed.
The Nostalgic Invocation of Joni Mitchell
As the refrain ‘Joni Mitchell never lies’ reverberates through the song, it evokes a sense of trust in the timeless wisdom shared across generations. Janet pays homage to Mitchell’s original lyrical sentiment, echoing the bittersweet truth that the importance of what we hold dear often comes into focus only when it slips from our grasp.
This nostalgic undercurrent serves as a bridge connecting different eras of music, reminding listeners that regardless of the shifting landscape of genres, the core emotions in songwriting remain deeply relatable.
Regret and Longing: The Song’s Emotional Core
In ‘Got ’til It’s Gone,’ Janet Jackson crafts a narrative of reminiscence and remorse. Each verse unfolds a story of missed opportunities and the yearning to reverse time. The lyrics speak to the soul’s deepest regrets—wanting to ‘make you fall in love, in love with me again’ and pondering the loss that came from letting a cherished one ‘get away.’
Her voice carries a weight of emotion that emphasizes the gravity of her insights, elevating the track from mere entertainment to a profound emotional experience.
Dissecting the Chorus: A Familiar Refrain with a Fresh Twist
‘Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone?’—this line, seamlessly integrated from Mitchell’s ‘Big Yellow Taxi,’ serves as the anthem’s recurring mantra. Yet, Jackson’s interpretation is layered, integrating modern beats and hip-hop elements, conveying timelessness through contemporary sound.
The potent combination of an iconic melody with fresh interpretation underscores the song’s relevance, resonating with audiences who may not have been born when Mitchell first articulated this wisdom.
The Hidden Meaning: A Commentary on the Music Industry
While at first glance the lyrics seem to lament a personal loss, a deeper dive reveals commentary on the music industry itself. Janet, like Joni before her, subtly critiques a system that often doesn’t recognize the value of art until it’s commodified or, worse, lost to time.
The creative process, the passion of the artist, and the often-unappreciated journey reflect on the transient nature of success and recognition in the music business, making the song an existential meditation on appreciation and presence.
Memorable Lines That Define an Era
‘Got ’til It’s Gone’ is rife with memorable lines that have defined an era and have been etched into the consciousness of music lovers. As Jackson narrates, ‘If I could turn back the hands of time,’ listeners are transported through their own reminiscence, their own what-ifs.
These lines capture the quintessence of yearning for what once was—an eternal theme that never loses relevance. Jackson’s ability to capture and convey such universal feelings is what has cemented her as an icon in the hearts of her audience.
