Janet Jackson - "Can't Be Stopped" (1997)

[lucy88]

Could have sworn there was a thread for this, but I can't find it. I guess it wouldn't hurt to create this one.

It's the hidden track that comes after "Special"  from "The Velvet Rope" album. I actually have a funny story on how I first knew about it. I actually didn't know about it till a couple years later after the album initially came out. I remember always wondering why did the minutes kept on going after "Special". I would always stopped the CD after "Special" because I had simply thought that was the final track. One day, I did decided not to stop the CD when "Special" had finished. I started hearing these this strange sound...and I was like "What the hell"? . It was then I made a surprising discovery about "Can't Be Stopped" and had instantly loved it. As much as I think "Special" has a great meaning behind it, "Can't Be Stopped" has the much stronger lyrics overall, IMO. I love the funk elements and how centralizes around self-love/black empowerment like the black power movement in the 60s.





I also think that Ralph Tresvant's "Who's The Mack" sounds very similar to "Can't Be Stopped".

[Dreams]

Don't let nobody tell you you ain't strong enough! 💪



I love this song. Very empowering.

[Jazzy]

I like it. I agree it's a better song than "Special".

[jenglisbe]

Does this sample Marvin's "What's Going On" at all? There is one layer that sounds a lot like that one.

Anyway I agree this is a better closer than "Special." The production of "Special" doesn't match the album to me, whereas "CBS" does.

[bat1990]

This is fun and catchy. I like "Special" even if it's a schmaltzy cliche but it ends so abruptly. Perhaps they should've just used this track.

[jenglisbe]

Jan 12, 2022 13:31:24 GMT -5 bat1990 said:

This is fun and catchy. I like "Special" even if it's a schmaltzy cliche but it ends so abruptly. Perhaps they should've just used this track.

What about ending with this one and then have "Special" as the hidden track? Best of both worlds tbh.

[Ginger Spice]

I like it a lot. Given how many deep cuts she performed on the State of the World Tour, it would be neat to see her pull this one out in the future.

I wish they would separate the track on streaming.

[back2blk]

Can't be Stopped is superior to Special for me, in every way. Like, I'll be fine if I never listen to Special again.