“If” may be my favorite song of hers. Then there’s “Runaway” and “Doesn’t Really Matter“. Oh, and I can’t forget about “Every Time” or “Escapade” or “I Get So Lonely“. Honestly, choosing my favorite Janet Jackson song is difficult. I love all of them. I love her.
Every video she put out, every song she recorded, every piece of choreography, I know it. When I was little, I’d put on shows for my parents and sisters. At these shows, I’d perform the latest Janet Jackson dance moves I saw on BET or MTV.
I was fascinated by her. I wanted to be her background dancer, or just a part of her entourage. So, when my husband surprised me with Janet Jackson concert tickets last Christmas I was stunned. Amazed. Excited.
On the night of the concert I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was my first time at a show in many, many years. I didn’t know if my body would be able to endure the crowds, the late night, and the hustle and bustle of it all.
But all of that anxiousness disappeared the minute we stepped in line to enter State Farm Arena. We got in, hopped in line to purchase concert shirts. I got Janet, my husband got Ludacris.
I’ve lived in Atlanta for over twenty years and the night of the concert was the first time I felt like I was a part of the city.
Ludacris hopped on state and I sang right along with him. All the songs that I hadn’t heard in forever came back to my remembrance. I was at home.
Then, the queen entered the stage. I lost my mind. I stepped out of myself and just stared at her in shock. She was there. On stage. In front of me. The person I had watched on TV all of my life was occupying the same space as I was.
The concert was fantastic. She sang all the songs I know and love. I stood on chairs, danced with strangers and screamed until I lost my voice.
Janet, Ms. Jackson, did her thing during that 2 hour performance and I couldn’t be happier.