On this day in music history: May 15, 1993 - “That’s The Way Love Goes” by Janet Jackson hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 8 weeks, also topping the R&B singles chart for 4 weeks on May 8th, and topping the Club Play chart for 1 week on June 26th. Written by Janet Jackson, James Harris III, and Terry Lewis, it is the sixth pop and ninth R&B chart topper for the youngest member of the Jackson musical family. After almost ten years recording for A&M Records, which produce four albums including the multi-platinum selling “Control” and “Rhythm Nation 1814”, Janet Jackson’s contract with the label will expire in 1991. During that time she will be approached by Virgin Records founder Richard Branson that will offer her a deal she will be unable to refuse. Jackson will sign a deal with the label estimated to be worth between $32 - 50 million. At the time it will make her the highest paid artist in the history of the music industry (until her brother Michael signs a new deal with Sony for $65 million). With the deal signed, Janet will get right to work with her longtime collaborators, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. One of the first things the duo will give the singer is demo tape for the track that will become “That’s The Way Love Goes”. Based around a sample of James Brown’s classic “Papa Don’t Take No Mess”, at first Janet isn’t particularly enthused by it. But by the time she returns to Minneapolis after Christmas in January of 1993, she will have a dramatic change of mind about it. She’ll also come up with idea of writing the lyrics with a more sultry tone, rather than the original theme of love gone wrong. Once they submit the album, Virgin is initially hesitant to release the laid back, down tempo track as the first single, preferring the song “If”. However, Jackson is adamant that “That’s The Way” be released first, and they will comply with her wishes. Issued on April 12, 1993, the single is an immediate smash. Entering the Hot 100 at #14 on May 1, 1993, it will rocket to the top of the chart two weeks later, becoming her most successful single ever. “That’s The Way Love Goes” will also win a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1994, and is certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

On this day in music history: May 15, 1993 - “That’s The Way Love Goes” by Janet Jackson hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 8 weeks, also topping the R&B singles chart for 4 weeks on May 8th, and topping the Club Play chart for 1 week on June 26th. Written by Janet Jackson, James Harris III, and Terry Lewis, it is the first single from “janet.”, Janet’s fifth studio album and her first release for new label Virgin Records. Based around a sample of James Brown’s classic “Papa Don’t Take No Mess”, Virgin is initially hesitant to release the laid back, down tempo track as the first single, preferring the song “If” instead. However, Jackson is adamant that “That’s The Way” be released first. Issued on April 12th, the single is an immediate smash, entering the Hot 100 at #14 on May 1st, it will rocket to #1 two weeks later, becoming her biggest single ever. “That’s The Way Love Goes” will also win a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1994.