Call On Me (Janet Jackson Song) - Background and Writing

Background and Writing

After the infamous Superbowl XXXVIII incident, Janet released her 2004 album, Damita Jo. The added media exposure led to a high chart debut, but no hit singles. So, Jackson decided to step away from the spotlight announced in late 2004, starting to work on a new album project in the coming year, involving her then-fiancé, record producer Jermaine Dupri, who was comissioned to executive produce the project - in addition to a number of other hit producers. She embarked to create a modern record, while returning to the music and sound that made her famous: dance, in the vein of her hit album, Control. Producer Jimmy Jam revealed that while recording the album, Janet became more confident with her writing ability, doing the bulk of the writing. He also commented, "We're all kind of back in there doing it again together, which I really enjoy." It's the physical nature of sitting in the same room and really hashing it out. It's like, 'You're not going to leave until we have a lyric,' so it's fun." Janet and Jimmy Jam both agreed that the reason the addition of Jermaine Dupri molded so well into their trio, was because Jermaine was such a fan of Jam and Lewis' work and vice versa.

During the sessions, Call on Me was written. For the song, Janet revealed that Nelly and Jermaine had been in the studio alone working together, and came up with the record on their own. They called Janet up, played it for her over the phone, and asked if she wanted to record it. Jackson obliged. On the song, Jermaine Dupri said, "It's a duet between her and Nelly. It's the jump-off. We don't just have a record that's just a Nelly and Janet record. I believe this record is gonna be one of the biggest records on radio this year. Outside of who it is, it's a well-put-together song." Dupri also commented about working with Nelly, saying:

"Nelly, I try to do what I do with my friends. Me and him had just come off the success of 'Grillz' at the time I made this record. He was the person on my mind. "Especially since Janet only made records, not to disrespect Q-Tip or Heavy D, but as far as popular rappers in this day and time, Busta Rhymes was the only one. We was trying to go to the radio and not do the typical R&B featured record. I was trying to be more creative and find somebody who can do melody as well as rap on the record. Nelly don't really rap on this song, he's singing. He has that different style. That's kind of what the record is. We see that enough: R&B with a rapper feature. That's why I call this a duet as opposed to a feature."