When I Think of You

"When I Think of You"
"When I Think of You"
	Cover art for most 7-inch vinyl releases
Single by Janet Jackson
from the album Control
B-side	"Pretty Boy"; "Come Give Your Love to Me";
Released	July 28, 1986
Recorded	1985
Studio	Flyte Tyme, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Genre	Dance-pop; R&B; synth-funk;
Length	3:56
Label	A&M
Songwriter(s)	James Harris III; Terry Lewis;
Producer(s)	Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
Janet Jackson singles chronology
Music video
	"When I Think of You" on YouTube

"When I Think of You" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson from her third studio album, Control (1986). It was released on July 28, 1986, as the album's third single. Composed by songwriters and record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the song is about a person who finds relief and fun in a lover. It was Jackson's first number-one single on the US Billboard Hot 100, and also peaked at number 10 in the United Kingdom.

Pitchfork included the song on their "The 200 Best Songs of the 1980s" list at number 48.^[1]

The song was resurrected in 1995 when released on two limited-edition CD single formats in the United Kingdom, one containing remixes by Deep Dish and Heller & Farley, and the other containing remixes by David Morales. That same year these remixes were included on certain releases of "Runaway". "When I Think of You" has been included in each of Jackson's greatest hits albums: Design of a Decade: 1986–1996 (1995), Number Ones (2009) and Icon: Number Ones (2010).

Commercial performance

"When I Think of You" became Jackson's first number-one single on the US Billboard Hot 100, spending two weeks atop the chart, keeping Glass Tiger's "Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone)" from reaching the top.^[2] After "When I Think of You" reached number one, it made Jackson and her brother Michael Jackson the first, and only siblings to both have solo number-one singles on the Hot 100. It also reached number three on the Hot Black Singles chart (making it the only single from the Control album that did not top the R&B chart) and number one on the Hot Dance Club Play chart in 1986. "When I Think of You" was the 32nd biggest Hot 100 single of 1986, as well as the 47th biggest Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs single of 1986 and the 22nd biggest Hot Dance Club Play single of 1986.

Music video

The music video for "When I Think of You" finds Jackson going around a neighborhood. Each location she visits has the same mysterious man in different costumes saying a brief statement to her and then vanishing as she turns around. The director of "When I Think of You", Julien Temple, would later direct Jackson's "Alright" video. Some scenes were staged by Hollywood choreographer Michael Kidd.^[3] The video was choreographed by Paula Abdul.

The video uses an edit of the 12-inch dance remix version of the song instead of the album version.

In February 2007, the video was made available on the iTunes Store. Jackson would later repeat the same type of format for her video "Rock with U" from 2008's Discipline.

Live performances

Jackson has performed the song on all of her tours, Rhythm Nation 1814 Tour, Janet World Tour, The Velvet Rope Tour, All for You Tour, Rock Witchu Tour, Number Ones: Up Close and Personal, Unbreakable World Tour, and State of the World Tour. Jackson included the song at her 2019 Las Vegas residence Janet Jackson: Metamorphosis. It was also included on her special concert series Janet Jackson: A Special 30th Anniversary Celebration of Rhythm Nation in 2019. In 2023, Jackson performed the song on her Janet Jackson: Together Again tour.

Track listings

US 7-inch single

"When I Think of You" – 3:56
"Pretty Boy" – 6:32

UK 7-inch single

"When I Think of You" – 3:56
"Come Give Your Love to Me" – 5:03

US 12-inch single

"When I Think of You" (Dance Remix) – 6:12
"When I Think of You" (Instrumental) – 4:00
"When I Think of You" (Extra Beats) – 2:00
"When I Think of You" (Dub/A capella) – 3:15

Remixes

Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis mixes

"When I Think of You" (Dance Remix) – 6:12
"When I Think of You" (Dub/A capella) – 3:15
"When I Think of You" (Extra Beats) – 2:00

Deep Dish mixes

"When I Think of You" (Deep Dish Chocolate City Mix) – 9:35
"When I Think of You" (Deep Dish Quiet Storm Dub) – 7:52
"When I Think of You" (Deep Dish Dished Out Bums) – 11:22

Heller & Farley mixes

"When I Think of You" (Heller & Farley Project Mix) – 10:46
"When I Think of You" (Heller & Farley Project Mix - UK Edit) – 6:58
"When I Think of You" (Junior Trackhead Joint) – 7:08

David Morales mixes

"When I Think of You" (Morales Extended House Mix '95) – 7:43
"When I Think of You" (Morales House Mix '95) – 4:33
"When I Think of You" (Morales House Mix '95 - 12-inch UK Edit) – 6:22
"When I Think of You" (Morales House Mix '95 - 7-inch UK Edit) – 3:30
"When I Think of You" (Morales Crazy Love Mix) – 8:45
"When I Think of You" (Morales Crazy Love Mix - UK Edit) – 7:08
"When I Think of You" (Morales Classic Club Mix) – 6:57
"When I Think of You" (Morales Jazzy Mix) – 10:19
"When I Think of You" (Morales Drum Mix) – 5:10
"When I Think of You" (Morales Incredible Boss Dub) – 7:12

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1986)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[4]	53
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[5]	8
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[6]	6
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)^[7]	7
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)^[8]	22
Ireland (IRMA)^[9]	10
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[10]	3
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[11]	2
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[12]	23
Panama (UPI)^[13]	4
UK Singles (OCC)^[14]	10
US Billboard Hot 100^[15]	1
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[16]	10
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)^[17]	1
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)^[18]	3
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[19]	3
US Cash Box Top 100^[20]	1
West Germany (GfK)^[21]	36

Year-end charts

Chart (1986)	Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[22]	55
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[23]	58
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[24]	52
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[25]	18
US Billboard Hot 100^[26]	32
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)^[27]	22
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)^[28]	24
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[29]	47
US Cash Box Top 100^[30]	28

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)^[31]	Platinum	1,000,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

^ "The 200 Best Songs of the 1980s". Pitchfork. August 24, 2015. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
^ "Janet Jackson Scored Her First No. 1 Hit 28 Years Ago With 'When I Think of You'". Billboard.
^ Tobias, Patricia Eliot (December 24, 2007). "Michael Kidd, Choreographer, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. pp. 150–151. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
^ "Janet Jackson – When I Think of You" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0751." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 8819." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
^ "European Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 3, no. 40. October 11, 1986. p. 13. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – When I Think of You". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 41, 1986" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
^ "Janet Jackson – When I Think of You" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
^ "Janet Jackson – When I Think of You". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
^ "Exitos en América Latina". La Opinión. November 24, 1986. p. 10. Retrieved May 4, 2025 – via Google Books.
^ "Janet Jackson: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
^ "Janet Jackson Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
^ "Janet Jackson Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
^ "Janet Jackson Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
^ "Janet Jackson Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
^ "Janet Jackson Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
^ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending October 18, 1986". Cash Box. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Janet Jackson – When I Think of You" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
^ "Jaaroverzichten 1986 – Singles" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
^ "Top 100 Singles of '86". RPM. Vol. 45, no. 14. December 27, 1986. p. 5. ISSN 0315-5994 – via Library and Archives Canada.
^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1986" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1986" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 1986". Billboard. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
^ "Dance Club Songs – Year-End 1986". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 16, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
^ "1986 The Year in Music & Video – Top Dance Sales Singles/Albums". Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 52. December 27, 1986. p. Y-26. ISSN 0006-2510 – via Google Books.
^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1986". Billboard. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
^ "The Cash Box Year-End Charts: 1986 – Top 100 Pop Singles". Cash Box. December 27, 1986. Archived from the original on January 30, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
^ "American single certifications – Janet Jackson – When I Thing of You". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 15, 2022.

[1] "The 200 Best Songs of the 1980s". Pitchfork. August 24, 2015. Retrieved February 13, 2018.

[2] "Janet Jackson Scored Her First No. 1 Hit 28 Years Ago With 'When I Think of You'". Billboard.

[Times_obit-3] Tobias, Patricia Eliot (December 24, 2007). "Michael Kidd, Choreographer, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved February 15, 2014.

[4] Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. pp. 150–151. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.

[sc_Flanders_Janet_Jackson-5] "Janet Jackson – When I Think of You" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 2, 2020.

[sc_Canadatopsingles_-6] "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0751." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 2, 2020.

[sc_Canadaadultcontemporary_-7] "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 8819." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 17, 2020.

[8] "European Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 3, no. 40. October 11, 1986. p. 13. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.

[sc_Ireland2_-9] "The Irish Charts – Search Results – When I Think of You". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 2, 2020.

[sc_Dutch40_-10] "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 41, 1986" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 2, 2020.

[sc_Dutch100_Janet_Jackson-11] "Janet Jackson – When I Think of You" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 2, 2020.

[sc_New_Zealand_Janet_Jackson-12] "Janet Jackson – When I Think of You". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 2, 2020.

[13] "Exitos en América Latina". La Opinión. November 24, 1986. p. 10. Retrieved May 4, 2025 – via Google Books.

[sc_UKsinglesbyname_Janet_Jackson-14] "Janet Jackson: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 17, 2020.

[sc_Billboardhot100_Janet_Jackson-15] "Janet Jackson Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2020.

[sc_Billboardadultcontemporary_Janet_Jackson-16] "Janet Jackson Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2017.

[sc_Billboarddanceclubplay_Janet_Jackson-17] "Janet Jackson Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2017.

[sc_Billboarddancesales_Janet_Jackson-18] "Janet Jackson Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2020.

[sc_Billboardrandbhiphop_Janet_Jackson-19] "Janet Jackson Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2017.

[20] "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending October 18, 1986". Cash Box. Retrieved February 17, 2020.

[sc_West_Germany_Janet_Jackson-21] "Offiziellecharts.de – Janet Jackson – When I Think of You" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.

[22] "Jaaroverzichten 1986 – Singles" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved February 17, 2020.

[23] "Top 100 Singles of '86". RPM. Vol. 45, no. 14. December 27, 1986. p. 5. ISSN 0315-5994 – via Library and Archives Canada.

[24] "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1986" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 17, 2020.

[25] "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1986" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved February 17, 2020.

[26] "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 1986". Billboard. Retrieved February 17, 2020.

[27] "Dance Club Songs – Year-End 1986". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 16, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2020.

[28] "1986 The Year in Music & Video – Top Dance Sales Singles/Albums". Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 52. December 27, 1986. p. Y-26. ISSN 0006-2510 – via Google Books.

[29] "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1986". Billboard. Retrieved February 17, 2020.

[30] "The Cash Box Year-End Charts: 1986 – Top 100 Pop Singles". Cash Box. December 27, 1986. Archived from the original on January 30, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2020.

[United_StatesJanet_JacksonWhen_I_Thing_of_YousingleCertRef-31] "American single certifications – Janet Jackson – When I Thing of You". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 15, 2022.

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v t e Janet Jackson
Albums Singles Videography Filmography Awards and nominations
Studio albums	Janet Jackson Dream Street Control Rhythm Nation 1814 Janet. The Velvet Rope All for You Damita Jo 20 Y.O. Discipline Unbreakable
Compilation albums	Design of a Decade: 1986–1996 Number Ones Icon: Number Ones Japanese Singles Collection
Remix albums	Control: The Remixes Janet Remixed
Video releases	Rhythm Nation 1814 The Velvet Rope Tour: Live in Concert Live in Hawaii From Janet to Damita Jo
Tours	Rhythm Nation World Tour 1990 Janet World Tour The Velvet Rope Tour All for You Tour Rock Witchu Tour Number Ones, Up Close and Personal Unbreakable World Tour State of the World Tour A Special 30th Anniversary Celebration of Rhythm Nation Together Again
Residencies	Metamorphosis Las Vegas
Related articles	Jackson family René Elizondo Jr. Janet Jackson as a gay icon Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show (controversy) True You Malfunction: The Dressing Down of Janet Jackson Janet Jackson (documentary TV series)
Category

v t e Janet Jackson singles
Albums discography Singles discography Videography Awards and nominations
Janet Jackson	"Young Love" "Come Give Your Love to Me" "Say You Do"
Dream Street	"Don't Stand Another Chance" "Two to the Power of Love" "Fast Girls" "Dream Street"
Control	"What Have You Done for Me Lately" "Nasty" "When I Think of You" "Control" "Let's Wait Awhile" "The Pleasure Principle" "Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun)"
Rhythm Nation 1814	"Miss You Much" "Rhythm Nation" "Escapade" "Alright" "Come Back to Me" "Black Cat" "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" "State of the World"
Janet	"That's the Way Love Goes" "If" "Again" "Because of Love" "Any Time, Any Place" "Throb" "You Want This" "Whoops Now" / "What'll I Do"
The Velvet Rope	"Got 'til It's Gone" "Together Again" "I Get Lonely" "Go Deep" "You" "Every Time"
All for You	"Doesn't Really Matter" "All for You" "Someone to Call My Lover" "Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)" "Come On Get Up"
Damita Jo	"Just a Little While" "I Want You" "All Nite (Don't Stop)" "R&B Junkie"
20 Y.O.	"Call on Me" "So Excited" "With U"
Discipline	"Feedback" "Rock with U" "Luv" "Can't B Good"
Unbreakable	"No Sleeep" "Burnitup!" "Unbreakable" "Dammn Baby"
Other songs	"And On and On" "Scream" "Runaway" "Twenty Foreplay" "Ask for More" "Megamix 04" "Make Me" "Nothing" "Made for Now"
As featured artist	"Diamonds" "Making Love in the Rain" "2300 Jackson Street" "The Best Things in Life Are Free" "Luv Me, Luv Me" "What's It Gonna Be?!" "Girlfriend/Boyfriend" "Feel It Boy" "Don't Worry" "We Are the World 25 for Haiti"
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