25 iconic songs produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis

Janet Jackson had something to prove on her third album, Control. She teamed up with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on the entire project and took the Billboard charts by storm with “What Have You Done For Me Lately.” On the track, Janet realizes her partner isn’t treating her right. It’s an empowerment anthem that people shouldn’t settle for anything less than what they want or deserve in a relationship.

When Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis worked with Usher on “U Remind Me,” it was slightly different creative territory for them. Whenever the duo works with artists, they typically write and produce a track, but on “U Remind Me,” they only handled the production. The song is about Usher seeing a woman he’s interested in but realizing he can’t pursue her because she reminds him of an ex-girlfriend. In addition to “U Remind Me,” Jam and Lewis worked on other 8701 tracks such as “Can U Help Me” and “How Do I Say.”

New Edition’s “Can You Stand The Rain” presents a contrast: a relationship is running smoothly, but the protagonist asks his partner if they will still be around during the troubling times. At the beginning of the song, birds are chirping, which represents a sunny day, but as the song progresses, the sounds of thunderstorms represent the bad days. The group sings, “Sunny days, everybody loves them / Tell me, baby, can you stand the rain.”

When Michael Jackson created “Scream” alongside his sister, Janet, it was his first time working with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. At the time, the duo was already known for helping to elevate Janet's sound. While the song contains elements of rock and R&B, “Scream” was the perfect track for the King of Pop to tell the media to quit lying on his name.

Cherrelle and Alexander O’Neal may have released “Saturday Love” back in 1985, but it still goes down as one of the best R&B duets in music history. The track is about past lovers seeing each other again and realizing their feelings are still present. The song reached No. 2 on the Billboard R&B chart.

There was once a time in R&B when artists weren’t afraid to beg and plead for love. Boyz II Men were notorious for showing their vulnerability with a four-part harmony on their hit ballad “On Bended Knee.” On the track, they sing from the perspective of a man apologizing to his lover for any wrongdoing, with hopes of getting their relationship back on good terms. “On Bended Knee” ended up replacing the group’s previous single “I’ll Make Love To You” at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Mary J. Blige’s 2001 hit “No More Drama” easily catches a listener’s attention with the sample of “Nadia’s Theme,” known as the theme song from The Young and The Restless. On the track, Mary stresses how she wants to rid herself of people causing her any pain, hurt, or drama. She’s ready to be happy and to feel good about herself. The bridge is the star of the track, as Mary’s emotions are felt even more with a choir backing her up.

If there was a track encouraging people to stay positive despite troubles, Sounds of Blackness’ debut single “Optimistic” should easily be on the list. Life will always throw curveballs, but it’s crucial to push through. Like the hook says, “You can win as long as you keep your head to the sky.” In 2017, Chance the Rapper brought new life to the song with the #OptimisticChallenge.

In 1999, Chante Moore released her third album, This Moment Is Mine, which was led by “Chante’s Got a Man.” The track tells the story of Chante hearing a friend wanting to give up on love because her man doesn’t treat her right. Chante rebukes her friend’s claim that all men are the same because she has a man at home who treats her right. Chante is head over heels with her man and wants the world to know. 

When Janet Jackson released her 1993 album janet., fans saw an edgier side of the singer’s music and image. It was evident on the album’s second single, “If.” Janet details seeing a man in a club and erotically fantasizing about him. On the hook, she sings, “If I was girl, oh the things I’d do to you / I’d make you call out my name, I’d ask who it belongs to.”

After Usher worked with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on 8701, he teamed up with them again on his magnum opus Confessions. “Bad Girl” is a deep album cut but a fan favorite that could’ve easily been a single. The funky guitar-driven track tells the story of Usher desiring to be with a girl and getting a little naughty later in the evening. 

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis stepped into the gospel world when they worked with Yolanda Adams on her single “Open My Heart.” The piano-driven track has Yolanda detailing about feeling lost in life and opening her heart to receive God’s guidance and help.

On Janet Jackson’s fourth album, Rhythm Nation 1814, the singer wanted to reflect lyrically on more political and societal issues. This theme was evident in the second single, "Rhythm Nation." She encourages listeners to unite, change for the future, and protest social injustice to have a better life.

In 1997, Mary J. Blige released her third album, Share My World. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis were the masterminds behind a couple of songs on the album, including “Everything.” Driven by a sample of The Stylistics’ 1979 hit “You Are Everything,” the song finds Mary reflecting on finding a lover that helps to better her life.

In 1987, trumpeter Herb Alpert released Keep Your Eyes on Me. The final single was “Making Love In The Rain,” a collaboration alongside Lisa Keith and Janet Jackson. It was nearly 35 years later when R&B sensation H.E.R. sampled the track for her hit single "Damage."

A few years after boy band New Kids On The Block disbanded, group member Jordan Knight ventured into a solo career. He worked with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on his self-titled debut, which was led by the single “Give It To You.” The upbeat track begins centered around carnival circus music before transitioning to beatboxing elements and a quick tempo change on the hook. Robin Thicke added his songwriting prowess and additional background vocals to the song.

By the time Johnny Gill released his hit single “Rub You The Right Way,” the new jack swing genre was taking over the R&B world. Known as one of Gill’s most iconic tracks, it tells the story of how one can sexually please their lover.

The game of life includes realizing you don’t know how good you have it until it’s no longer in your possession. On “Got 'Til It’s Gone,” Janet Jackson reflects on letting the love of her life get away — someone she still reminisces and dreams about.

New Edition’s “If It Isn’t Love” is a timeless record and one of the group’s most notable songs in their discography. Group member Ralph Tresvant takes the protagonist role of denying the love he has for an ex-girlfriend but questions if his feelings are valid if she’s constantly on his mind.

Force MDs' second album Chillin’ featured “Tender Love.” The piano-driven ballad had the group longing to be close to their lovers. The single peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Ballads are where Boyz II Men have always shined. “4 Seasons of Loneliness” was the lead single on Evolution. The song details the story of a man who misses a past relationship and the hardship of starting something new with someone else. In addition to the smooth production, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis immaculately use the hook to metaphorically describe one’s feelings as different seasons.

“Thank God I Found You” was the closing track on Mariah Carey’s Rainbow album. The vocals between Mariah Carey, Joe, and 98 Degrees work perfectly as the track tells the feelings of one who’s thankful to God for finding the person they want to spend the rest of their life with. The track became Carey’s 15th No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100.

When R&B group New Edition first split up, Ralph Tresvant decided to venture into a solo career. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis had already worked with the group, so it was only fitting that the duo assisted Tresvant with his debut single “Sensitivity.” On the track, Tresvant tells a potential lover that she needs a man who’s sensitive and cares — someone like him.

Mya’s single “Free” is about expressing independence and confidence — traits that should easily catch someone's eye. The production within "Free" beams with elements reminiscent of '70s and '80s R&B, making it a fun, catchy, funky dance record. 

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are musical masterminds, especially when it comes to their work with Janet Jackson. They bring the fun to Janet's hit single "All For You," which samples "The Glow of Love" by Change. Janet shows her flirty side on the track as she gives a glimpse into her dating life and details how some guys may feel intimidated, but she encourages them to still make a move.