"Black Cat" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson, released as the sixth single from her fourth studio album, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989). The song was written by Jackson, who produced it with Jellybean Johnson. In a departure from her standard of industrial-based dance-pop, "Black Cat" is a hard rock, pop rock, dance-rock, heavy metal and glam metal song with arena rock influences. Its lyrics speak of substance abuse and gang violence. It was the final song recorded for the album, after Jackson, along with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, composed its main riff when desiring a rock song to complete the record.
"Black Cat" was first released in Australia on June 25, 1990, then was issued worldwide throughout the rest of 1990. It was well received among critics, who praised Jackson's "maximum advantage" vocals and her seamless foray into the hard rock genre. It was a commercial success, reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 as well as the top 10 on the charts in Australia, Canada, Norway, and South Africa, among other countries, while peaking at number 15 in the United Kingdom, where it was the highest-charting single from the album. It was certified gold in the United States and Australia.
Its music video, directed by Wayne Isham, was filmed during Jackson's Rhythm Nation World Tour 1990. It used an "in-concert" theme, splicing Jackson with images of a black panther. Jackson performed "Black Cat" at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards, in a "fiery rendition" of the song in which she conveyed "feline" choreography, and also on the Rhythm Nation World Tour 1990, which drew media attention for its usage of illusionary magic, concluding with Jackson forced into a cage before transformed into a live panther.
"Black Cat" received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. It also earned Jackson a BMI Pop Award for Most Played Song. "Black Cat" has been cited as an influence by numerous artists and it has been covered by such artists as Warmen, Britney Spears, and Nanne Grönvall.
Background "Black Cat" was written by Jackson and produced by Jackson with Jellybean Johnson. It was a departure from her prior material, being her first sole writing credit and the first time she had worked with producers other than Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis since the release of Control. The song was a stark contrast for Jackson, transitioning from her customary style of industrial-based dance-pop to the heavy metal and hard rock genre. Jackson considered it a natural transition, having grown up listening to artists such as Led Zeppelin, Def Leppard, and Mötley Crüe. She previously attempted the pop rock genre on "Come Give Your Love to Me", a single from her self-titled debut album. Jackson stated, "I'm very proud of 'Black Cat', which is the first song I've ever written on my own, as well as co-produced." It became the last song recorded for the album, upon Jackson desiring a rock-influenced song to complete the record. "Black Cat" is also the only pop song to be mixed by German metal engineer Michael Wagener, who is known for his work with many hard rock and heavy metal bands in the late 1980s.
Jackson's idea for "Black Cat" was based on a warning to a rebel involved in substance abuse, in addition to the consequences of drug addiction. Its composition compares the theme to the folklore superstitions of cats having nine lives and black cats foreshadowing a negative omen or misfortune. She also related its title to the bold nature of a panther, saying, "I have always felt some kind of connection between myself and a panther. They're not afraid of anything, they're willing to take on anything–that's the way I feel about my work." Regarding its development, she said, "I was getting dressed and ready to go to the studio. The television was on - some commercials and other stuff. I just started humming a melody. I don't know why and it kept sticking in my head. So I put it down on tape." She later recalled Jam and Lewis saying "they thought it was something that might work." Jackson was heavily involved in the song's production, stating:
Recording After playing a piano riff and singing the melody for Jimmy Jam, they recorded a rough vocal track. Jam stated, "She sang me the melody, and then asked "well, what do you think it needs?" I said, Nothing. Go write some lyrics, it's fine", adding, "She had a bunch of different melodies, so we picked the two melodies that worked best." Jam and Lewis chose to forego its production, deciding another producer should execute the song: "We stay away from things we can't do. It's not like, 'We've got to do this, and it's got to be our way.' We're going for the best way." Jam contacted Jellybean Johnson to develop the song with Jackson and help her produce it. Johnson recalled, "She first played the groove for me on piano... I thought it would be cool if I could make Janet sound like a heavy metal queen. I knew the rest of them thought I was out of my mind, but I got a friend to play the guitars. I put toms and cymbals on it. Terry played bass and some sparse keyboards, and it was there." In addition to Johnson, guitarist Dave Barry was asked to contribute after previously providing guitar on "You Can Be Mine" from Jackson's prior album. Barry stated, "I wanted it to be authentic rock and roll. I rocked it out, then Janet and I got together to do the vocals. Janet is a very nice, warm person, and she was receptive to my ideas." Jackson sang the song in an alternate tone, quickly adjusting her vocals in a single take. Johnson described, "One night I told her I wanted her to sound like a rock and roll queen on it–she usually uses one of her other voices .. this, you wanted to be funky, but more rocked out. She did it in one or two takes." Jam added, "I tried to get her to sing a couple of the other vocals in her natural [voice] with kind of an edge on it; she [initially] didn't like the way her voice sounded, but for 'Black Cat', that was exactly what was needed."
Alternate versions
In the album version of "Black Cat", the majority of the guitar riffs are played by David Barry, including the introduction, main riff, as well as a thematic solo. Barry subsequently became Jackson's touring guitarist and tour director. John McClain, former A&R executive for A&M Records, provided the slide guitar, while Jellybean Johnson provided the funky riff that punctuates the song. Terry Lewis contributes on bass guitar. Several remixes incorporate a guitar solo by Jesse Johnson or alternate production from various guitarists. The radio edit and "Video Mix" of "Black Cat" features Nuno Bettencourt of Extreme on additional rhythm guitar. An extended version with a longer guitar solo appeared on Jackson's Design of a Decade: 1986–1996 compilation, while an alternate version with a shortened solo is included on Number Ones. It was mixed by German recording engineer Michael Wagener, who had not previously worked with any pop acts and was approached due to Jackson's desire to "cross over into hard rock." Upon collaborating, Bettencourt said Jackson was "sweet" and "beautiful", jokingly expressing his desire to marry her. In return for Bettencourt's contribution, Jackson was speculated to provide the spoken line "Did you say your prayers? Don't forget to put your tooth under the pillow" on the song "Money (In God We Trust)" from Extreme's sophomore album, Pornograffiti.
The "Guitar Mix" features Vernon Reid of Living Colour. Reid stated, "'Black Cat' was one of my favorite tracks on Rhythm Nation. I had the song and learned the parts, the structure of it, and just went in and did it. I think we used the second take. I just wanted to get into that arena thing. It's meant to sound really big." Jesse Johnson provided a guitar solo which was not used for the album version, but is featured in each of its remixes. The remixes have the added component of live drumming performed by Derek Organ of Switch, showcasing more of a heavy metal feel in the extended solo and double kick drums. Both versions omit the panther roar introduction and vocal refrain closing from the album edit.
Lemmy Kilmister of Motörhead intended to record a version of "Black Cat" with Jackson, but was prohibited. Kilmister stated, "I wanted to do a version of 'Black Cat' with her, but Sony wouldn't let me. You could tell from the video that she was having a good time, that this loud rock music is what she really wanted to be doing. I love that fuckin' song.. Great fuckin' song that but the record company wouldn't let it be possible." Kilmister later revealed Jackson as his most desired collaboration and planned to record a new version with her for his unreleased solo album Lemmy & Friends, saying "I want to get Janet Jackson to do this great lost single called 'Black Cat'." Dave Navarro recorded an additional opening and riffs throughout the version performed on Jackson's Rock Witchu Tour, appearing on screens during the rendition. Navarro previously collaborated with Jackson when remixing "What'll I Do" with the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Composition
"Black Cat" is a hard rock, pop rock, dance-rock, heavy metal and glam metal song with arena rock influences. Jackson's vocals are performed in an alternate tone from her standard technique, described as "visceral" while displaying aggression. Her delivery was also called "feline"-esque and "raking" with a "frisky muscularity". The song uses a driving rock tempo composed in the key of E minor with Jackson's vocals ranging from G3 to E5. It has a sequence of E5–A5–B5 as its chord progression during its chorus, using E5 during the verses and B5–A5 during its bridge. It opens with a panther growl and cowbells before transitioning into a "scorching" guitar solo, its intensity likened as between Robert Palmer's "Simply Irresistible" and Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water" by The New York Times. Its instrumentation was thought to make the song a "headbanger" and successful crossover into the metal genre.'
Critical reception
"Black Cat" received positive reception from critics, who placed heavy emphasis on Jackson's foray into hard rock. Chuck Campbell of The News Journal called it her "most intriguing track", saying "Miss Jackson relishes the role of a rocker with unexpected fervor." It was also considered a notable contrast from the "sweet and lovable Janet" of singles such as "Miss You Much", "Love Will Never Do (Without You)", and "Escapade", transitioning to an "edgier front." Whitney Pastorek of Entertainment Weekly stated, "Most hair metal bands would have paid a lifetime in spandex to come up with that guitar line, and then Janet goes and melds it with her funky-fresh backup singers and suddenly you can dance to it — and believe you me, it is not easy to make You're gonna die into a danceable lyric." Elysa Gardner of Vibe said it "rocks with a frisky muscularity", while author W.K. Stratton praised its "thundering bass." Jon Pareles of The New York Times commended its "grimy" and "guitar-driven" approach, which "unleashes a guitar riff somewhere between the Robert Palmer hit 'Simply Irresistible' and Deep Purple's 'Smoke on the Water'." Daniel Durchholz of Amazon stated it "burns the place down with a fierce burst of hard rock", while The Sentinel called it a "dance/rock winner." Andy Kellman of AllMusic considered it a "headbanger" with a "hot, distorted lead guitar break, while Alex Henderson applauded Jackson's vocals as used to their "maximum advantage", declaring it a "pop/rock smoker." Similarly, Logo commended her delivery as it became "less breathy and gets more visceral", displaying aggression. MTV News added Jackson "wailed like a total tigress" throughout the song.