That's the Way Love Goes

Released on April 20, 1993, as the lead single from her fifth studio album Janet, the track arrived with a deliberate shift away from high-energy dance-pop toward a mature, sensual sound. Written by Jackson alongside Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the song interpolated the bassline from James Brown's 1965 hit Sex Machine, adding credits for Fred Wesley and John "Jabo" Starks to the composition. The resulting mid-tempo groove featured breathy vocals and smooth synthesizers that conveyed romantic desire without explicit content.

Critics praised the production quality and Jackson's intimate vocal delivery, noting how the track captured modern romance without relying on frantic early 90s pop energy. The music video directed by Wayne Isham premiered in May 1993, utilizing black-and-white visuals to emphasize themes of solitude and longing. This visual aesthetic complemented the moody atmosphere of the recording and helped solidify the song's reputation as a timeless classic. [edit]