Nasty Lyrics

[Intro]
Gimme a beat

[Verse 1]
Sittin' in the movie show, thinkin' nasty thoughts, ha
Better be a gentleman or you'll turn me off
That's right, let me tell it

[Chorus]
Nasty, nasty boys don't mean a thing (Huh)
Oh, you nasty boys
Nasty, nasty boys don't ever change (Huh)
Oh, you nasty boys

[Verse 2]
I don't like no nasty car, I don't like nasty food
Ooh, ooh yeah
The only nasty thing I like is a nasty groove (Ha)
Will this one do? Uh-huh, I know, sing

[Chorus]
Nasty, nasty boys don't mean a thing (Huh)
Oh, you nasty boys
Nasty, nasty boys don't ever change (Huh)
Oh, you nasty boys
Nasty, nasty boys, give me a nasty groove (Huh)
Oh, you nasty boys
Nasty, nasty boys, let me see your nasty body move (Huh)
Oh, you nasty boys
[Post-Chorus]
I could learn to like this
Listen up

[Bridge]
I'm not a prude (No)
I just want some respect (That's right)
So close the door if you want me to respond (Ooh, ooh yeah)
'Cause privacy is my middle name
My last name is control
No, my first name ain't baby
It's Janet, Miss Jackson if you're nasty


[Chorus]
Nasty, nasty boys don't mean a thing
Oh, you nasty boys
Nasty, nasty boys don't ever change (Huh)
Oh, you nasty boys
Nasty boys don't mean a thing
Oh, you nasty boys don't mean a thing to me (Uh)
Nasty, don't mean a thing (Uh)
Oh, you nasty boys (Uh)

[Post-Chorus]
I love this part
[Breakdown]
Hey, who's that thinkin' nasty thoughts? (Nasty boys)
Who's that in that nasty car? (Nasty boys)
Who's that eatin' that nasty food? (Nasty boys)
Who's jammin' to my nasty groove? (Nasty boys)
Ladies?

[Outro]
Nasty boys don't mean a thing
Oh, you nasty boys

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About

Genius Annotation

“Nasty” is the third single released from Control and was created in response to street harassment that she encountered from some “nasty boys”. The song is a funky dance track with some hard-hitting drums and became a signature song for Miss Jackson. The single is certified gold and peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, while topping the R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.

The music video was choreographed by Paula Abdul—who also appeared in the video herself—and the song won an American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Single in 1987. The song was included on the Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Pop Songs.

In an interview with Rolling Stone in 1993, Janet talked about being harassed by men in the streets of Minneapolis while recording Control:

“The danger hit home when a couple of guys started stalking me on the street. They were emotionally abusive. Sexually threatening. Instead of running to Jimmy or Terry for protection, I took a stand. I backed them down. That’s how songs like ‘Nasty’ and ‘What Have You Done for Me Lately’ were born, out of a sense of self-defense. Control meant not only taking care of myself but living in a much less protected world. And doing that meant growing a tough skin. Getting attitude.”

Producer Jimmy Jam also recounted the song’s inspiration in a 2016 interview with Red Bull Music Academy:

We went to this club one time and there were some guys kind of bothering her. We left her by herself, and we figured she would be OK. We kept an eye on her. She figured it out on her own. She came back over to us and she asked, “Why didn’t you guys help me?” We responded, “Help you out? You’re here. You’re fine. Everything is good.” She said, “Yeah. I guess I am. I’m cool.” We replied, “Yeah. You’re good. You didn’t need us.” And then she said to us, “Those guys were saying nasty things to me. I don’t like nasty boys.” We were like, “OK! So let’s write about it.” This was the spirit of the record.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

Credits
Assistant Recording Engineer
Recording Engineer
Mixing Engineer
Mastering Engineer
Co-Producer
Drum Programmer
Recorded At
Flyte Tyme Studios (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Release Date
February 4, 1986
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