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| studio = Flyte Tyme (Edina, Minnesota)
| studio = Flyte Tyme (Edina, Minnesota)
| venue =
| venue =
| genre = <!-- DO NOT ADD GENRES UNLESS THEY ARE SOURCED. -->
| genre = [[Funk]]<!-- DO NOT ADD GENRES UNLESS THEY ARE SOURCED. -->
| length = {{plainlist|
| length = {{plainlist|
* 4:50 (US version)
* 4:50 (US version)
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"Twenty Foreplay" was written and produced by Jackson alongside Jam and Lewis.<ref name=liner/> It was recorded at Flyte Tyme Studios in [[Edina, Minnesota]], by Steve Hodge, who also [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixed]] the track. Instrumentation on the song includes [[guitar]] by Mike Scott, [[drums]] by [[Stokley Williams|Stokley]], [[violin]]s by Caroline Daws, Brenda Mickens, Helen Foli, Dick Massman, Laurie Hippen, Julia Persitz, Andrea Een, and Liz Sobieski, [[viola]] by Alice Preves and Hasan Sumen, [[cello]] by Josh Koestenbaum and Laura Sewell, [[bass (instrument)|bass]] by Greg Hippen, [[flute]] by Ken Holmen, and [[String instrument|strings]] arranged and conducted by Lee Blaske. Jam and Lewis play all other instruments present on the song.<ref name=liner/> "Twenty Foreplay" was [[Mastering (audio)|mastered]] by [[Bob Ludwig]] at Gateway Mastering in [[Portland, Maine]], along with all other tracks present on ''Design of a Decade: 1986–1996''.<ref name=liner/>
"Twenty Foreplay" was written and produced by Jackson alongside Jam and Lewis.<ref name=liner/> It was recorded at Flyte Tyme Studios in [[Edina, Minnesota]], by Steve Hodge, who also [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixed]] the track. Instrumentation on the song includes [[guitar]] by Mike Scott, [[drums]] by [[Stokley Williams|Stokley]], [[violin]]s by Caroline Daws, Brenda Mickens, Helen Foli, Dick Massman, Laurie Hippen, Julia Persitz, Andrea Een, and Liz Sobieski, [[viola]] by Alice Preves and Hasan Sumen, [[cello]] by Josh Koestenbaum and Laura Sewell, [[bass (instrument)|bass]] by Greg Hippen, [[flute]] by Ken Holmen, and [[String instrument|strings]] arranged and conducted by Lee Blaske. Jam and Lewis play all other instruments present on the song.<ref name=liner/> "Twenty Foreplay" was [[Mastering (audio)|mastered]] by [[Bob Ludwig]] at Gateway Mastering in [[Portland, Maine]], along with all other tracks present on ''Design of a Decade: 1986–1996''.<ref name=liner/>


Musically, "Twenty Foreplay" has an unusual structure, as it does not contain a [[Hook (music)|hook]].<ref name="rosen"/><ref name=musicweek/> It starts as a "tender" [[ballad (music)|ballad]] before changing to a mid-tempo "bump and grind".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vh1.com/news/96viu0/janet-jackson-50-greatest-songs|title=Ranked: Janet Jackson's 50 Greatest Songs Of All Time|date=May 16, 2016|accessdate=July 17, 2023|publisher=[[VH1]]}}</ref> Danyel Smith of ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]'' noted that its "suggestive [[funk]] interlude" keeps with the spirit of ''Janet'' (1993).<ref name="Vibe"/> The title is a [[word play|play]] on the word "[[foreplay]]" and "[[24/7|24 hours a day]]",<ref>{{cite web|author=Mercy|url=https://soulbounce.com/2015/10/soulbounces-class-of-1995-janet-jackson-design-of-a-decade-19861996/|title=SoulBounce’s Class Of 1995: Janet Jackson 'Design Of A Decade: 1986/1996'|date=October 30, 2015|accessdate=July 12, 2023|work=[[Soul Bounce]]}}</ref> and contains "over-the-top" lyrics, which finds Jackson singing directed to her boyfriend: "Tell me do you want the blindfold / Tell me what you like".<ref name="Entertainment Weekly"/> On the liner notes of ''Design of a Decade: 1986–1996'', biographer [[David Ritz]] wrote that the track "infuses the melody with a lethal combination of carnal heat and emotional sensitivity".<ref name=liner/> The singer told [[VH1]] that "Twenty Foreplay" was a "kind of a sweet and sour thought" for her when she thinks about what the song is about, and she hears "the sadness in it and remember the sadness".<ref>{{cite web|last=Juzwiak|first=Rich|url=http://blog.vh1.com/2008-02-12/exclusive-interview-making-babies-with-janet-jackson/|title=Exclusive Interview: Making Babies With Janet Jackson|publisher=[[VH1]]|date=February 12, 2008|access-date=January 4, 2014|archive-date=February 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202184405/http://blog.vh1.com/2008-02-12/exclusive-interview-making-babies-with-janet-jackson/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The US version of "Twenty Foreplay" is lengthier than the international version, which was edited in order to fit two more songs on the international release of ''Design of a Decade: 1986–1996''.<ref name=liner/><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Design of a Decade: 1986–1996|others=Janet Jackson|year=1995|type=European CD album booklet|publisher=A&M Records|id=540 400-2}}</ref>
Musically, "Twenty Foreplay" has an unusual structure, as it does not contain a [[Hook (music)|hook]].<ref name="rosen"/><ref name=musicweek/> It is a [[funk]] song which starts as a "tender" [[ballad (music)|ballad]] before changing to a mid-tempo "bump and grind".<ref name=guardian>{{cite journal|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/260881024/|title=Reviews|work=[[The Guardian]]|page=31|date=March 2, 1996|accessdate=August 6, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vh1.com/news/96viu0/janet-jackson-50-greatest-songs|title=Ranked: Janet Jackson's 50 Greatest Songs Of All Time|date=May 16, 2016|accessdate=July 17, 2023|publisher=[[VH1]]}}</ref> Danyel Smith of ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]'' noted that its "suggestive funk interlude" keeps with the spirit of ''Janet'' (1993).<ref name="Vibe"/> The title is a [[word play|play]] on the word "[[foreplay]]" and "[[24/7|24 hours a day]]",<ref>{{cite web|author=Mercy|url=https://soulbounce.com/2015/10/soulbounces-class-of-1995-janet-jackson-design-of-a-decade-19861996/|title=SoulBounce’s Class Of 1995: Janet Jackson 'Design Of A Decade: 1986/1996'|date=October 30, 2015|accessdate=July 12, 2023|work=[[Soul Bounce]]}}</ref> and contains "over-the-top" lyrics, which finds Jackson singing directed to her boyfriend: "Tell me do you want the blindfold / Tell me what you like".<ref name="Entertainment Weekly"/> On the liner notes of ''Design of a Decade: 1986–1996'', biographer [[David Ritz]] wrote that the track "infuses the melody with a lethal combination of carnal heat and emotional sensitivity".<ref name=liner/> The singer told [[VH1]] that "Twenty Foreplay" was a "kind of a sweet and sour thought" for her when she thinks about what the song is about, and she hears "the sadness in it and remember the sadness".<ref>{{cite web|last=Juzwiak|first=Rich|url=http://blog.vh1.com/2008-02-12/exclusive-interview-making-babies-with-janet-jackson/|title=Exclusive Interview: Making Babies With Janet Jackson|publisher=[[VH1]]|date=February 12, 2008|access-date=January 4, 2014|archive-date=February 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202184405/http://blog.vh1.com/2008-02-12/exclusive-interview-making-babies-with-janet-jackson/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The US version of "Twenty Foreplay" is lengthier than the international version, which was edited in order to fit two more songs on the international release of ''Design of a Decade: 1986–1996''.<ref name=liner/><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Design of a Decade: 1986–1996|others=Janet Jackson|year=1995|type=European CD album booklet|publisher=A&M Records|id=540 400-2}}</ref>


==Reception==
==Reception==
"Twenty Foreplay" received positive reviews from [[Music journalism|music critics]]. Elysa Gardner from ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]'' saw the track as a "lush romantic ballad";<ref name="Vibe">{{cite journal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_CsEAAAAMBAJ&q=Janet%20Jackson%20Design%20of%20a%20Decade&pg=PA110|title=Revolutions|last=Gardner|first=Elysa|journal=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]|access-date=February 6, 2023|date=November 1995|volume=3|issue=9|page=110|archive-date=November 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105152922/https://books.google.com/books?id=_CsEAAAAMBAJ&q=Janet+Jackson+Design+of+a+Decade&pg=PA110|url-status=dead}}</ref> similarly, ''[[Music Week]]'' described it as a "pleasant, slinky ballad",<ref name=musicweek>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-03-09.pdf|first=|last=|title=Reviews|magazine=Music Week|date=March 9, 1996|page=12|accessdate=August 12, 2021}}</ref> while ''[[Music & Media]]'' stated that despite the "infectious beat", the song "comes across as quite mellow due to its lingering vocals and wandering melodies".<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-04-06.pdf|title=M&M Music – New Releases – Singles|date=April 6, 1996|accessdate=July 27, 2023|work=[[Music & Media]]|page=12|volume=13|issue=14}}</ref> Gil L. Robertson IV from ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]]'' noted that the song "aptly showcase[s] Jackson's continued evolution as a strong and highly-focused adult performer."<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Robertson IV|first=Gil L.|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1995/CB-1995-10-28.pdf|title=Pick of the Week|date=October 28, 1995|accessdate=July 26, 2023|magazine=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]]|volume=59|issue=9|page=11}}</ref> On the liner notes of ''Design of a Decade: 1986-1996'', David Ritz called "Twenty Foreplay" a "smoldering ballad, one of those Janet Jackson lovemaking rhapsodies that seem to stop the hands of time".<ref name=liner/> [[AllMusic]] senior editor [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]], while reviewing the album, felt that "Runaway" and "Twenty Foreplay" felt like "genuine hits, not tacked-on filler" on the album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/design-of-a-decade-1986-1996-mw0000179388|title=Janet Jackson - Design of a Decade: 1986-1996|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|authorlink=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=July 26, 2023}}</ref> On a contrary note, ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''{{'}}s Paul Verna felt that the inclusion of both tracks on the compilation "gives the collection extra sizzle, and suggests that Jackson's already lofty star is still on the rise."<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Verna|first=Paul|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mw4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA79|title=Reviews & Previews|date=October 21, 1995|accessdate=July 26, 2023|magazine=Billboard|page=79|volume=107|issue=42}}</ref> Paul Marsh from ''[[The San Francisco Examiner]]'' wrote that "Runaway" and "Twenty Foreplay" were not "that adventurous, but they're solid", complementing that "if they were white of more bohemian, Jackson-Jam-Lewis might have been a hot modern rock band."<ref>{{cite newspaper|last=Marsh|first=Paul|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/461881661/|title=Janet rises above other Jacksons|date=October 15, 1995|accessdate=February 5, 2023|newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]]|page=32|url-access=subscription}}</ref> For [[David Browne (journalist)|David Browne]] of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'', the track shows "how much more confident a singer Jackson has become", but felt that it finds her "still working overtime to show us she's an honest-to-God grown-up".<ref name="Entertainment Weekly">{{cite web|last=Browne|first=David|authorlink=David Browne (journalist)|url=https://ew.com/article/1995/10/06/design-decade-19861996/|title=Design of a Decade 1986/1996|date=October 6, 1995|accessdate=February 6, 2023|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref>
"Twenty Foreplay" received positive reviews from [[Music journalism|music critics]]. Elysa Gardner from ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]'' saw the track as a "lush romantic ballad";<ref name="Vibe">{{cite journal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_CsEAAAAMBAJ&q=Janet%20Jackson%20Design%20of%20a%20Decade&pg=PA110|title=Revolutions|last=Gardner|first=Elysa|journal=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]|access-date=February 6, 2023|date=November 1995|volume=3|issue=9|page=110|archive-date=November 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105152922/https://books.google.com/books?id=_CsEAAAAMBAJ&q=Janet+Jackson+Design+of+a+Decade&pg=PA110|url-status=dead}}</ref> similarly, ''[[Music Week]]'' described it as a "pleasant, slinky ballad",<ref name=musicweek>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-03-09.pdf|first=|last=|title=Reviews|magazine=Music Week|date=March 9, 1996|page=12|accessdate=August 12, 2021}}</ref> while ''[[Music & Media]]'' stated that despite the "infectious beat", the song "comes across as quite mellow due to its lingering vocals and wandering melodies".<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-04-06.pdf|title=M&M Music – New Releases – Singles|date=April 6, 1996|accessdate=July 27, 2023|work=[[Music & Media]]|page=12|volume=13|issue=14}}</ref> Gil L. Robertson IV from ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]]'' noted that the song "aptly showcase[s] Jackson's continued evolution as a strong and highly-focused adult performer."<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Robertson IV|first=Gil L.|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1995/CB-1995-10-28.pdf|title=Pick of the Week|date=October 28, 1995|accessdate=July 26, 2023|magazine=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]]|volume=59|issue=9|page=11}}</ref> On the liner notes of ''Design of a Decade: 1986-1996'', David Ritz called "Twenty Foreplay" a "smoldering ballad, one of those Janet Jackson lovemaking rhapsodies that seem to stop the hands of time".<ref name=liner/> [[AllMusic]] senior editor [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]], while reviewing the album, felt that "Runaway" and "Twenty Foreplay" felt like "genuine hits, not tacked-on filler" on the album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/design-of-a-decade-1986-1996-mw0000179388|title=Janet Jackson - Design of a Decade: 1986-1996|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|authorlink=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=July 26, 2023}}</ref> On a contrary note, ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''{{'}}s Paul Verna felt that the inclusion of both tracks on the compilation "gives the collection extra sizzle, and suggests that Jackson's already lofty star is still on the rise."<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Verna|first=Paul|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mw4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA79|title=Reviews & Previews|date=October 21, 1995|accessdate=July 26, 2023|magazine=Billboard|page=79|volume=107|issue=42}}</ref> Paul Marsh from ''[[The San Francisco Examiner]]'' wrote that "Runaway" and "Twenty Foreplay" were not "that adventurous, but they're solid", complementing that "if they were white of more bohemian, Jackson-Jam-Lewis might have been a hot modern rock band."<ref>{{cite newspaper|last=Marsh|first=Paul|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/461881661/|title=Janet rises above other Jacksons|date=October 15, 1995|accessdate=February 5, 2023|newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]]|page=32|url-access=subscription}}</ref> For [[David Browne (journalist)|David Browne]] of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'', the track shows "how much more confident a singer Jackson has become", but felt that it finds her "still working overtime to show us she's an honest-to-God grown-up".<ref name="Entertainment Weekly">{{cite web|last=Browne|first=David|authorlink=David Browne (journalist)|url=https://ew.com/article/1995/10/06/design-decade-19861996/|title=Design of a Decade 1986/1996|date=October 6, 1995|accessdate=February 6, 2023|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> In a review for the single, the staff of ''[[The Guardian]]'' stated, " Whoever taught sweet little Janet the art of double entendre must despair at the monster they created".<ref name=guardian/>


Although ''Billboard''{{'}}s Fred Bronson predicted "Twenty Foreplay" to reach the top 10 on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart, extending Jackson's record as the second female artist with the most consecutive top 10 singles, the song was unable to enter the chart or the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]] due to the lack of a commercial release.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Bronson|first=Fred|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Zw4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA122|title=Maverick Takes It To Top With Alanis|date=October 7, 1995|accessdate=July 27, 2023|work=Billboard|page=122|volume=107|issue=40}}</ref> However, the single managed to enter the [[Pop Airplay|Mainstream Top 40]] and [[R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay]] at numbers 36 and 32, respectively.<ref name=popsongs/><ref name=hiphopairplay/> It achieved similar success in Canada, where it peaked at number 27 on the ''[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]'' singles chart on the week dated May 2, 1996.<ref name=canada/> The single reached number 29 in Australia and spent five weeks on the chart,<ref name=australia/> while peaking at number 38 in New Zealand, charting for a sole week.<ref name=nzl/> In the United Kingdom, "Twenty Foreplay" debuted at number 22 on the [[UK Singles Chart]] for the week ending April 5, 1996, becoming Jackson's first single not to reach the top 20 since "[[Love Will Never Do (Without You)]]" (1991).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/42628/janet/|title=Janet Jackson|accessdate=July 27, 2023|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]}}</ref> It was present on the chart for six weeks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/janet-jackson-twenty-foreplay/|title=Twenty Foreplay|accessdate=July 27, 2023|publisher=Official Charts Company}}</ref> However, it fared better on the [[UK R&B Singles and Albums Charts|UK R&B Chart]], peaking at number five.<ref name=UKrandb/> The track attained lower success in other countries in Europe, peaking at number 31 in Scotland,<ref name=scotland/> number 41 in the Netherlands,<ref name=dutch/> and number 74 in Germany.<ref name=germany/>
Although ''Billboard''{{'}}s Fred Bronson predicted "Twenty Foreplay" to reach the top 10 on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart, extending Jackson's record as the second female artist with the most consecutive top 10 singles, the song was unable to enter the chart or the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]] due to the lack of a commercial release.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Bronson|first=Fred|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Zw4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA122|title=Maverick Takes It To Top With Alanis|date=October 7, 1995|accessdate=July 27, 2023|work=Billboard|page=122|volume=107|issue=40}}</ref> However, the single managed to enter the [[Pop Airplay|Mainstream Top 40]] and [[R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay]] at numbers 36 and 32, respectively.<ref name=popsongs/><ref name=hiphopairplay/> It achieved similar success in Canada, where it peaked at number 27 on the ''[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]'' singles chart on the week dated May 2, 1996.<ref name=canada/> The single reached number 29 in Australia and spent five weeks on the chart,<ref name=australia/> while peaking at number 38 in New Zealand, charting for a sole week.<ref name=nzl/> In the United Kingdom, "Twenty Foreplay" debuted at number 22 on the [[UK Singles Chart]] for the week ending April 5, 1996, becoming Jackson's first single not to reach the top 20 since "[[Love Will Never Do (Without You)]]" (1991).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/42628/janet/|title=Janet Jackson|accessdate=July 27, 2023|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]}}</ref> It was present on the chart for six weeks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/janet-jackson-twenty-foreplay/|title=Twenty Foreplay|accessdate=July 27, 2023|publisher=Official Charts Company}}</ref> However, it fared better on the [[UK R&B Singles and Albums Charts|UK R&B Chart]], peaking at number five.<ref name=UKrandb/> The track attained lower success in other countries in Europe, peaking at number 31 in Scotland,<ref name=scotland/> number 41 in the Netherlands,<ref name=dutch/> and number 74 in Germany.<ref name=germany/>
Line 49: Line 49:
===Music video===
===Music video===
[[File:DorothyD.jpg|thumb|right|170px|Jackson's visual on the music video was inspired by actress [[Dorothy Dandridge]] (''pictured'')]]
[[File:DorothyD.jpg|thumb|right|170px|Jackson's visual on the music video was inspired by actress [[Dorothy Dandridge]] (''pictured'')]]
The music video for "Twenty Foreplay" was directed by Keir McFarlane.<ref name=dvd/> Jackson's look on the video was inspired by actress [[Dorothy Dandridge]], who she idolized and had expressed interest in portraying on a biographic film;<ref>{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Liz|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-06-04-ca-43153-story.html|title=Janet Jackson as Dandridge?|date=June 4, 1993|accessdate=July 26, 2023|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> [[MTV News]] considered the video a virtual audition for the role.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/tw7hz6/whitney-houston-to-take-on-christie-love|title=Whitney Houston To Take On 'Christie Love'|date=April 9, 1997|accessdate=July 26, 2023|publisher=[[MTV News]]}}</ref> The video was shot in [[black-and-white]] and features the singer as a film actress living the glamorous [[Classical Hollywood cinema|Hollywood]] life such as attending a movie premiere and a press conference, intercut with footage of her singing on the backlot of a movie set. Jim Farber of the ''[[New York Daily News]]'' pointed out that Jackson had never "gone for the high-toned glamour she apes here", and felt that she "glows like [[Marilyn Monroe]] at her leggy peak", writing that "her efforts to be seen as timeless couldn't be more transparent. But the clip's haute fashion sense and cool photography impress".<ref>{{cite journal|last=Farber|first=Jim|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/475106688|title=Video Stars Are Out|date=January 21, 1996|accessdate=July 26, 2023|work=[[New York Daily News]]|page=12|url-access=subscription}}</ref> The video was released commercially on the two-CD + DVD compilation ''[[Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits-]]'' (2022).<ref name=dvd>{{cite AV media notes|title=Japanese Singles Collection: Greatest Hits|author=Janet Jackson|year=2022|type=Liner notes|publisher=[[Universal Music Group]]|id=UICY-16086|location=Japan|url=https://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=798665|via=Eil.com|access-date=July 26, 2023}}</ref>
The music video for "Twenty Foreplay" was directed by Keir McFarlane.<ref name=dvd/> Jackson's look on the video was inspired by actress [[Dorothy Dandridge]], who she idolized and had expressed interest in portraying on a biographic film;<ref>{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Liz|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-06-04-ca-43153-story.html|title=Janet Jackson as Dandridge?|date=June 4, 1993|accessdate=July 26, 2023|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> [[MTV News]] considered the video a virtual audition for the role.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/tw7hz6/whitney-houston-to-take-on-christie-love|title=Whitney Houston To Take On 'Christie Love'|date=April 9, 1997|accessdate=July 26, 2023|publisher=[[MTV News]]}}</ref> The video was shot in [[black-and-white]] and features the singer as a film actress living the glamorous [[Classical Hollywood cinema|Hollywood]] life such as attending a movie premiere and a press conference, intercut with footage of her singing on the backlot of a movie set. Jim Farber of the ''[[New York Daily News]]'' pointed out that Jackson had never "gone for the high-toned glamour she apes here", and felt that she "glows like [[Marilyn Monroe]] at her leggy peak", writing that "her efforts to be seen as timeless couldn't be more transparent. But the clip's haute fashion sense and cool photography impress".<ref>{{cite journal|last=Farber|first=Jim|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/475106688|title=Video Stars Are Out|date=January 21, 1996|accessdate=July 26, 2023|work=[[New York Daily News]]|page=12|url-access=subscription}}</ref> On a contrary note, the staff of ''The Guardian'' wrote, "Avoid seeing the video; it'll never be as good as the one in your head".<ref name=guardian/> The video was released commercially on the two-CD + DVD compilation ''[[Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits-]]'' (2022).<ref name=dvd>{{cite AV media notes|title=Japanese Singles Collection: Greatest Hits|author=Janet Jackson|year=2022|type=Liner notes|publisher=[[Universal Music Group]]|id=UICY-16086|location=Japan|url=https://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=798665|via=Eil.com|access-date=July 26, 2023}}</ref>


===Live performances===
===Live performance===
Jackson sang "Twenty Foreplay" live for the first time on her 2017 [[State of the World Tour]]. Accompanied by two back-up singers, the singer performed the song while sitting on a stool dressed in a loose denim jacket, sweatpants and a flannel shirt tied around her waist. Andrew Barker from ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' magazine said it showcased "perhaps the boldest of her three costume changes" during the show. Analyzing Jackson's voice during the performance, he deemed it strong, although it "isn't always the most layered of instruments, but it has a softness and a lilting sweetness that she managed to emphasize while still projecting well enough to cut through the clatter".<ref>{{cite news|last=Barker|first=Andrew|url=https://variety.com/2017/music/concert-reviews/concert-review-janet-jackson-at-the-hollywood-bowl-1202584369/|title=Concert Review: Janet Jackson at the Hollywood Bowl|date=October 9, 2017|accessdate=December 26, 2017|newspaper=Variety}}</ref>
Jackson sang "Twenty Foreplay" live for the first time on her 2017 [[State of the World Tour]]. Accompanied by two back-up singers, the singer performed the song while sitting on a stool dressed in a loose denim jacket, sweatpants and a flannel shirt tied around her waist. Andrew Barker from ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' magazine said it showcased "perhaps the boldest of her three costume changes" during the show. Analyzing Jackson's voice during the performance, he deemed it strong, although it "isn't always the most layered of instruments, but it has a softness and a lilting sweetness that she managed to emphasize while still projecting well enough to cut through the clatter".<ref>{{cite news|last=Barker|first=Andrew|url=https://variety.com/2017/music/concert-reviews/concert-review-janet-jackson-at-the-hollywood-bowl-1202584369/|title=Concert Review: Janet Jackson at the Hollywood Bowl|date=October 9, 2017|accessdate=December 26, 2017|newspaper=Variety}}</ref>


Revision as of 20:07, 6 August 2023

"Twenty Foreplay"
Single by Janet Jackson
from the album Design of a Decade: 1986–1996
ReleasedDecember 5, 1995 (1995-12-05)
RecordedJuly–August 1995
StudioFlyte Tyme (Edina, Minnesota)
GenreFunk
Length
  • 4:50 (US version)
  • 4:26 (international version)
LabelA&M
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Janet Jackson
  • Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
Janet Jackson singles chronology
"Runaway"
(1995) 		"Twenty Foreplay"
(1995) 		"Got 'til It's Gone"
(1997)
Music video
"Twenty Foreplay" on YouTube

"Twenty Foreplay" is a song by American singer-songwriter Janet Jackson from her first greatest hits album, Design of a Decade: 1986–1996 (1995). Written and produced by Jackson and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis as one of the two new songs on the album, it was sent to radio stations in the United States as the album's second single on December 5, 1995, while being issued as the third single on March 25, 1996 in the United Kingdom, by A&M Records. The title is a play on the word "foreplay" and "24 hours a day", and has an unusual musical structure, containing "over-the-top" lyrics which find Jackson singing to a boyfriend.

"Twenty Foreplay" received positive reviews from music critics, and was unable to enter the Billboard Hot 100 or the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts in the United States due to the lack of a commercial release. Overseas, it achieved moderate success commercially, reaching the top 40 in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The song's black-and-white music video was directed by Keir McFarlane, and features Jackson visually inspired by actress Dorothy Dandridge, living the glamorous Hollywood life. "Twenty Roleplay" was only performed on the State of the World Tour in 2017.

Background and composition

In 1991, Jackson fulfilled her contract with A&M Records, signing a multimillion-dollar contract with Virgin Records estimated between $32 million and $50 million, making her the highest paid recording artist at the time.[1][2] Her fifth studio album, titled Janet, was released in May 1993, selling 14 million copies worldwide.[3] As Jackson's contract with Virgin included a clause giving her the option to leave the label during this time, she returned to A&M in order to release Design of a Decade: 1986–1996, her first compilation album. According to A&M president Al Cafaro, no new songs would be released, but "Runaway" and "Twenty Foreplay" were included as new tracks, being recorded in July and August 1995 with Jackson's longtime collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.[4] The former was relesed as the lead single from the project, reaching number three on the US Billboard Hot 100.[5] "Twenty Foreplay" was sent to radio stations in the United States as the second single on December 5, 1995,[6][7] and was commercially released in the United Kingdom as the third single from the compilation on March 25, 1996, by A&M Records.[8]

"Twenty Foreplay" was written and produced by Jackson alongside Jam and Lewis.[9] It was recorded at Flyte Tyme Studios in Edina, Minnesota, by Steve Hodge, who also mixed the track. Instrumentation on the song includes guitar by Mike Scott, drums by Stokley, violins by Caroline Daws, Brenda Mickens, Helen Foli, Dick Massman, Laurie Hippen, Julia Persitz, Andrea Een, and Liz Sobieski, viola by Alice Preves and Hasan Sumen, cello by Josh Koestenbaum and Laura Sewell, bass by Greg Hippen, flute by Ken Holmen, and strings arranged and conducted by Lee Blaske. Jam and Lewis play all other instruments present on the song.[9] "Twenty Foreplay" was mastered by Bob Ludwig at Gateway Mastering in Portland, Maine, along with all other tracks present on Design of a Decade: 1986–1996.[9]

Musically, "Twenty Foreplay" has an unusual structure, as it does not contain a hook.[4][10] It is a funk song which starts as a "tender" ballad before changing to a mid-tempo "bump and grind".[11][12] Danyel Smith of Vibe noted that its "suggestive funk interlude" keeps with the spirit of Janet (1993).[13] The title is a play on the word "foreplay" and "24 hours a day",[14] and contains "over-the-top" lyrics, which finds Jackson singing directed to her boyfriend: "Tell me do you want the blindfold / Tell me what you like".[15] On the liner notes of Design of a Decade: 1986–1996, biographer David Ritz wrote that the track "infuses the melody with a lethal combination of carnal heat and emotional sensitivity".[9] The singer told VH1 that "Twenty Foreplay" was a "kind of a sweet and sour thought" for her when she thinks about what the song is about, and she hears "the sadness in it and remember the sadness".[16] The US version of "Twenty Foreplay" is lengthier than the international version, which was edited in order to fit two more songs on the international release of Design of a Decade: 1986–1996.[9][17]

Reception

"Twenty Foreplay" received positive reviews from music critics. Elysa Gardner from Vibe saw the track as a "lush romantic ballad";[13] similarly, Music Week described it as a "pleasant, slinky ballad",[10] while Music & Media stated that despite the "infectious beat", the song "comes across as quite mellow due to its lingering vocals and wandering melodies".[18] Gil L. Robertson IV from Cashbox noted that the song "aptly showcase[s] Jackson's continued evolution as a strong and highly-focused adult performer."[19] On the liner notes of Design of a Decade: 1986-1996, David Ritz called "Twenty Foreplay" a "smoldering ballad, one of those Janet Jackson lovemaking rhapsodies that seem to stop the hands of time".[9] AllMusic senior editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine, while reviewing the album, felt that "Runaway" and "Twenty Foreplay" felt like "genuine hits, not tacked-on filler" on the album.[20] On a contrary note, Billboard's Paul Verna felt that the inclusion of both tracks on the compilation "gives the collection extra sizzle, and suggests that Jackson's already lofty star is still on the rise."[21] Paul Marsh from The San Francisco Examiner wrote that "Runaway" and "Twenty Foreplay" were not "that adventurous, but they're solid", complementing that "if they were white of more bohemian, Jackson-Jam-Lewis might have been a hot modern rock band."[22] For David Browne of Entertainment Weekly, the track shows "how much more confident a singer Jackson has become", but felt that it finds her "still working overtime to show us she's an honest-to-God grown-up".[15] In a review for the single, the staff of The Guardian stated, " Whoever taught sweet little Janet the art of double entendre must despair at the monster they created".[11]

Although Billboard's Fred Bronson predicted "Twenty Foreplay" to reach the top 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, extending Jackson's record as the second female artist with the most consecutive top 10 singles, the song was unable to enter the chart or the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs due to the lack of a commercial release.[23] However, the single managed to enter the Mainstream Top 40 and R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay at numbers 36 and 32, respectively.[24][25] It achieved similar success in Canada, where it peaked at number 27 on the RPM singles chart on the week dated May 2, 1996.[26] The single reached number 29 in Australia and spent five weeks on the chart,[27] while peaking at number 38 in New Zealand, charting for a sole week.[28] In the United Kingdom, "Twenty Foreplay" debuted at number 22 on the UK Singles Chart for the week ending April 5, 1996, becoming Jackson's first single not to reach the top 20 since "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" (1991).[29] It was present on the chart for six weeks.[30] However, it fared better on the UK R&B Chart, peaking at number five.[31] The track attained lower success in other countries in Europe, peaking at number 31 in Scotland,[32] number 41 in the Netherlands,[33] and number 74 in Germany.[34]

Promotion

Music video

Jackson's visual on the music video was inspired by actress Dorothy Dandridge (pictured)

The music video for "Twenty Foreplay" was directed by Keir McFarlane.[35] Jackson's look on the video was inspired by actress Dorothy Dandridge, who she idolized and had expressed interest in portraying on a biographic film;[36] MTV News considered the video a virtual audition for the role.[37] The video was shot in black-and-white and features the singer as a film actress living the glamorous Hollywood life such as attending a movie premiere and a press conference, intercut with footage of her singing on the backlot of a movie set. Jim Farber of the New York Daily News pointed out that Jackson had never "gone for the high-toned glamour she apes here", and felt that she "glows like Marilyn Monroe at her leggy peak", writing that "her efforts to be seen as timeless couldn't be more transparent. But the clip's haute fashion sense and cool photography impress".[38] On a contrary note, the staff of The Guardian wrote, "Avoid seeing the video; it'll never be as good as the one in your head".[11] The video was released commercially on the two-CD + DVD compilation Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits- (2022).[35]

Live performance

Jackson sang "Twenty Foreplay" live for the first time on her 2017 State of the World Tour. Accompanied by two back-up singers, the singer performed the song while sitting on a stool dressed in a loose denim jacket, sweatpants and a flannel shirt tied around her waist. Andrew Barker from Variety magazine said it showcased "perhaps the boldest of her three costume changes" during the show. Analyzing Jackson's voice during the performance, he deemed it strong, although it "isn't always the most layered of instruments, but it has a softness and a lilting sweetness that she managed to emphasize while still projecting well enough to cut through the clatter".[39]

Track listings and formats

UK CD single[40]
  1. "Twenty Foreplay (Slow Jam International Edit)" – 4:26
  2. "The Pleasure Principle (Legendary Radio Mix)" – 4:17
  3. "Alright (CJ Radio)" – 3:52
  4. "The Pleasure Principle (Legendary Club Mix)" – 8:15
European CD single[41]
  1. "Twenty Foreplay (Slow Jam International Edit)" – 4:26
  2. "Runaway (Jam & Lewis Street Mix Edit)" – 3:23
  3. "Runaway (Jam & Lewis Ghetto Mix)" – 4:54
  4. "Twenty Foreplay (Slow Jam Video Edit)" – 4:50
Remixes CD single[42]
  1. "Twenty Foreplay (Radio Club Mix Edit)" – 3:42
  2. "Twenty Foreplay (Junior's Jungle Club Mix)" – 9:56
  3. "Twenty Foreplay (Radio Club Mix)" – 5:02
  4. "Runaway (G-Man's Hip Hop Mix)" – 4:14

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the Design of a Decade: 1986–1996 liner notes.[9]

  • Janet Jackson — vocals, songwriter, producer
  • James Harris III — songwriter, producer, instruments
  • Terry Lewis — songwriter, producer, instruments
  • Mike Scott — guitar
  • Stokley — drums
  • Caroline Daws — violin
  • Brenda Mickens — violin
  • Helen Foli — violin
  • Dick Massman — violin
  • Laurie Hippen — violin
  • Julia Persitz — violin
  • Andrea Een — violin
  • Liz Sobieski — violin
  • Alice Preves — viola
  • Hasan Sumen — viola
  • Josh Koestenbaum – cello
  • Laura Sewell – cello
  • Greg Hippen – bass
  • Ken Holmen – flute
  • Lee Blaske – strings
  • Steve Hodge — recording, mixing
  • Bob Ludwig — mastering

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "Twenty Roleplay"
Chart (1996) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[27] 29
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[26] 27
Canada CHR (The Record)[43] 27
Germany (GfK)[34] 74
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[44] 12
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[33] 41
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[28] 38
Scotland (OCC)[32] 31
UK Singles (OCC)[45] 22
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[31] 5
UK Airplay (Music Week)[46] 50
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[24] 36
US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)[25] 32
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[47] 29
US CHR/Pop (Radio & Records)[48] 35
US CHR/Rhythmic (Radio & Records)[49] 28
US Urban (Radio & Records)[50] 15
US Urban AC (Radio & Records)[51] 15

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Twenty Foreplay"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States December 5, 1995
A&M [6][7]
United Kingdom March 25, 1996 CD single [8]

References

  1. ^ "The Biggest Brother-Sister Stars in Show Business History". Ebony. Vol. 46, no. 10. August 1991. p. 40.
  2. ^ Goldberg, M. (May 2, 1991). "The Jacksons score big". Rolling Stone. p. 32. ISSN 0035-791X.
  3. ^ Morris, Chris (May 17, 2018). "Looking Back at Janet Jackson's Innovative 'janet.' 25 Years Later". Variety. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Rosen, Craig (September 2, 1995). "New Set Traces Janet's 'Decade' with Hits, More". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 35. pp. 10, 114. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  5. ^ "Janet Jackson Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  6. ^ a b "CHR/Pop: Selected New Releases" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1123. December 1, 1995. p. 33. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  7. ^ a b "CHR/Rhythmic: Selected New Releases" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1123. December 1, 1995. p. 39. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  8. ^ a b "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. March 23, 1996. p. 31. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g Design of a Decade: 1986–1996 (US CD album booklet). Janet Jackson. A&M Records. 1995. 31454 0399 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ^ a b "Reviews" (PDF). Music Week. March 9, 1996. p. 12. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  11. ^ a b c "Reviews". The Guardian: 31. March 2, 1996. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  12. ^ "Ranked: Janet Jackson's 50 Greatest Songs Of All Time". VH1. May 16, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  13. ^ a b Gardner, Elysa (November 1995). "Revolutions". Vibe. 3 (9): 110. Archived from the original on November 5, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  14. ^ Mercy (October 30, 2015). "SoulBounce's Class Of 1995: Janet Jackson 'Design Of A Decade: 1986/1996'". Soul Bounce. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  15. ^ a b Browne, David (October 6, 1995). "Design of a Decade 1986/1996". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  16. ^ Juzwiak, Rich (February 12, 2008). "Exclusive Interview: Making Babies With Janet Jackson". VH1. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  17. ^ Design of a Decade: 1986–1996 (European CD album booklet). Janet Jackson. A&M Records. 1995. 540 400-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ^ "M&M Music – New Releases – Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 13 (14): 12. April 6, 1996. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  19. ^ Robertson IV, Gil L. (October 28, 1995). "Pick of the Week" (PDF). Cashbox. Vol. 59, no. 9. p. 11. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  20. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Janet Jackson - Design of a Decade: 1986-1996". AllMusic. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  21. ^ Verna, Paul (October 21, 1995). "Reviews & Previews". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 42. p. 79. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  22. ^ Marsh, Paul (October 15, 1995). "Janet rises above other Jacksons". The San Francisco Examiner. p. 32. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  23. ^ Bronson, Fred (October 7, 1995). "Maverick Takes It To Top With Alanis". Billboard. 107 (40): 122. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  24. ^ a b "Janet Jackson Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  25. ^ a b "Janet Jackson Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  26. ^ a b "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1738." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  27. ^ a b "Janet Jackson – Twenty Foreplay". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  28. ^ a b "Janet Jackson – Twenty Foreplay". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  29. ^ "Janet Jackson". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  30. ^ "Twenty Foreplay". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  31. ^ a b "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  32. ^ a b "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  33. ^ a b "Janet Jackson – Twenty Foreplay" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  34. ^ a b "Janet Jackson – Twenty Foreplay" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  35. ^ a b Janet Jackson (2022). Japanese Singles Collection: Greatest Hits (Liner notes). Japan: Universal Music Group. UICY-16086. Retrieved July 26, 2023 – via Eil.com.
  36. ^ Smith, Liz (June 4, 1993). "Janet Jackson as Dandridge?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  37. ^ "Whitney Houston To Take On 'Christie Love'". MTV News. April 9, 1997. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  38. ^ Farber, Jim (January 21, 1996). "Video Stars Are Out". New York Daily News: 12. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  39. ^ Barker, Andrew (October 9, 2017). "Concert Review: Janet Jackson at the Hollywood Bowl". Variety. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  40. ^ Twenty Foreplay (UK CD single liner notes). Janet Jackson. A&M Records. 1996. 581 511-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  41. ^ Twenty Foreplay (European CD single liner notes). Janet Jackson. A&M Records. 1996. 581 317-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  42. ^ Twenty Foreplay (German CD single liner notes). Janet Jackson. A&M Records. 1996. 581 467-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  43. ^ Lwin, Nanda (2000). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. p. 140. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
  44. ^ "week 9 (2 maart 1996)" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  45. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  46. ^ "Top 50 Airplay Hits" (PDF). September 24, 1995. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  47. ^ "Janet Jackson Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  48. ^ "CHR/Pop Top 50". Radio & Records. February 2, 1996. p. 33. ProQuest 1017285139.
  49. ^ "CHR/Rhythmic Top 50". Radio & Records. February 2, 1996. p. 39. ProQuest 1017285309.
  50. ^ "Songs Reaching the Top 15 1996". Radio & Records. December 13, 1996. p. 46. ProQuest 1017298435.
  51. ^ "Songs Reaching the Top 15 1996". Radio & Records. December 13, 1996. p. 48. ProQuest 1017298567.
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