Janet Jackson - If

About "If"

"If" is a song by American singer-songwriter Janet Jackson from her fifth album, Janet (1993). Jackson co-wrote and co-produced "If" with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, with Harvey Fuqua, John Bristol and Jackey Beavers receiving songwriting credits for the sampling of their composition "Someday We'll Be Together", performed by Diana Ross & the Supremes. "If" was released as the album's second single on July 13, 1993, by Virgin Records. It fuses various genres, including rock, trip hop and industrial music, with elements of new jack swing and hip hop.

"If" received critical acclaim, with most critics noting Jackson's evolution into a sexual persona from her prior reserved, celibate public image. It received a BMI Pop Award for Most Played Song and was also ranked among Slant Magazine's "Best Singles of the 1990s" list. It peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. It also performed well in Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

The accompanying music video for "If", directed by Dominic Sena, portrays voyeurism, sensuality and intense choreography, while depicting technology that was unavailable at the time, such as touch screens and web cameras. The video received various accolades, including Best Female Video and Best Dance Video at the MTV Video Music Awards, and a Billboard Award for Dance Clip of the Year. It was also voted the second best female video of the decade by Idolator. Jackson performed "If" at the MTV Video Music Awards in a medley with "That's the Way Love Goes", in addition to several of her concert tours.