Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
This is a track that was recorded for the scheduled Scandal album, which was later changed to 1989’s Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814. It was released as the B-side to the album’s lead single “Miss You Much.”
The song is about Janet’s father, Joe Jackson.
[Verse 1]
As a child, I missed a lot of love I never had
And daddy, he was distant
Never there to hold my hand
Never bought the things he'd always promise to give me
Mother made up for him always watching over me
Days would go by and we would never see his face
In my mind, I'd wonder "Does he have another place?"
If and when he'd come in he would always be upset
All the kids were scared, his looks alone would be a threat
[Chorus]
Now that you are older and you begin to see
Family's important to be there if you need
Father never taught us these things mom said to me
Now the table's turned, so tell me
You need me
[Post-Chorus]
Tell me
Just admit
You need me
[Verse 2]
Daddy daddy dearest, what is it you want from me? (Tell me)
I won't turn my back on you the way you did with me
Now you try to give, I'm always reaching out to grab
I'll give you what I can, but I can't give what I don't have
[Chorus]
Mother lends a shoulder, to cry on if you need (Mother lends a shoulder)
But are you there for mother when she needs your company?
(When she needs your company)
Father never taught us, these things mom said to me (Father never taught us)
Now the table's turned, so tell me
You need me
[Breakdown]
Tell me
Tell me
Tell me
Tell me
Say
You need me
[Bridge]
If you realize we need each other
We would be a closer family
I need you, yeah (You need me)
I need you
And you know that
Say (Tell me)
You need me (Tell, tell)
Tell me
[Chorus]
(Now that you are older)
Now that you are older and you begin to see
Family's important to be there if you need
Father never taught us, no, no never taught us
Just admit
You need me
[Breakdown]
Tell me that you need me (Now that you are older)
Tell me that you love me (Now that you are older)
Tell me that you need me (Now that you are older)
Just admit
Say
You need me
[Chorus]
Now that you are older and you begin to see
Family's important to be there if you need
Father never taught us these things mom said to me
(Father never taught)
Now the table's turned, so tell me you need me
Mother lends a shoulder to cry on if you need
But are you there for mother when she needs your company?
Are you there for mother?
Are you there for mother?
Are you there for mother?
Father never taught us these things mom said to me
Just admit
You need me
You Need Me was written by Janet Jackson & Terry Lewis & Jimmy Jam.
You Need Me was produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.
Janet Jackson released You Need Me on Mon Aug 28 1989.