I Get Lonely

Scores & Rankings

Details

Music Video

The accompanying music video for "I Get Lonely" was directed by Paul Hunter and choreographed by Tina Landon. It premiered on MTV & BET in March 1998.[15] Similar to other videos and imagery from The Velvet Rope, the video took a more artistic approach, blending Jackson's trademark sex appeal and choreography with the song's theme of loneliness and isolation. The video was later included on the video compilation DVD included with the special edition of Jackson's All for You album.[16] and on the video compilation From Janet to Damita Jo: The Videos.[17] An alternate music video for the "TNT Remix" with Blackstreet was also released, showing new scenes of Jackson performing the song with the group on a platform setting in between the video's original scenes.[15] The music video received positive reception. MTV News commented, "Anyone who has seen Janet Jackson's latest video for "I Get Lonely" is well acquainted with the singer's physical attributes".[18] Erotic Revolutionaries: Black Women, Sexuality, and Popular Culture author Shayne Lee remarked that Janet's "eroticism intensifies" within the video, saying "In the video for 'I Get Lonely' Janet rips open her shirt exposing a black lace bra and continues dancing as she sings about needing to resolve her loneliness".[19] King magazine also commented on Jackson's physical attributes, stating "You might think she's just dressed like a sexy-ass private eye, but wait for it...wait for it..blaow! The twins come out to play, and they ain't playing fair".[20] Uproxx commented "God bless Janet Jackson for this song and also the cleavage shot in the video. She'll always remain one of the OG sex symbols", also revealing "years later, it still holds up quite well".[10] SoulBounce praised Jackson's new style of "full, vibrant red hair", also calling her appearance "easily the most stunning" of all her prior video looks, continuing to say "Armed with a collection of perfectly fitting pant suits, ample cleavage and undeniable sex appeal", Janet "embodies the passion, beauty and grace of the Velvet Rope era".[21] The video additionally received nominations for "Sexiest Music Video of the Year" at the VH1 Video Music Awards and "Best R&B Music Video" at the Lady of Soul Music Awards. Live performances Janet performed "I Get Lonely" at Europe's TMF Awards, the Soul Train Music Awards, and an acoustic version of the song at The Rosie O'Donnell Show.[22] It was later performed on Jackson's The Velvet Rope Tour, Rock Witchu Tour,Number Ones: Up Close and Personal tour, and Unbreakable World Tour with a review from the New York date of the latter tour calling "I Get Lonely" a "classic" that received "the most love of the night" from the audience.[23] Jackson also included the song on her 2017 State of the World Tour in a medley with Dammn Baby and on the second leg of the tour in 2018, it was included in a medley with "Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun)" and "Any Time, Any Place". Jackson also included the song on her 2019 Las Vegas residency Janet Jackson: Metamorphosis as well as her 2024–2025 Janet Jackson: Las Vegas residency. Legacy Australian pop singer Sam Sparro confirmed his "I Wish I Never Met You" video, released 2012, was inspired by Janet's "I Get Lonely" video.[24][25] Kelly Rowland's performances of "Motivation" on both The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and the 2011 BET Awards were inspired by the performance, outfit, and choreography of Jackson's "I Get Lonely". Yahoo! Music interviewed Rowland, who confirmed the performance was inspired by Jackson, which "was considered by many to be the highlight of the night".[26] Idolator said Rowland stole the show with her "Janet Jackson inspired number".[27] The Round Table observed "Rowland segued into a mini dance breakdown reminiscent of Janet Jackson's 'I Get Lonely'" towards the end of her performance of the song on The Tonight Show.[28] "I Get Lonely" is mentioned in a chapter of Vincent Tolliver's novel Baptized: A Novel.[29] Dance group SoReal Cru performed a choreographed routine to "I Get Lonely" during the "Janet Jackson Challenge" episode of America's Best Dance Crew. Cinema Blend commented on the tribute, saying "SoReal Cru tries to balance provocation with artistic merit in order to do Janet justice."[30] In 2009 dance troupe Choreo Cookies performed a routine to "I Get Lonely" at the "World of Dance" tour

Notes

Chart History (20 weeks)