Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis: Top 50 Songs

Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Top 50 Songs

Jimmy Jam was born James Samuel Harris III on 6/6/1959 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Terry Lewis was born 11/24/1956 in Omaha, Nebraska. The two met while in high school in Minneapolis. In 1981, they joined The Time and toured as Prince’s opening act. Click here to see other best-of lists from performers and here to see other best-of lists from songwriters and/or producers. A year later, they began their journey toward record production and songwriting when they met music executive Dina R. Andrews of SOLAR Records. They began working with the S.O.S. Band, Cherelle, and Alexander O’Neal. They got their big break when they produced Janet Jackson’s 1986 Control album and ended up regularly collaborating with her.

Awards:

Top 50 Songs Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards. DMDB Top 1%: 1. Janet Jackson “That’s the Way Love Goes” (1993) 2. Boyz II Men “On Bended Knee” (1994) DMDB Top 2%: 3. Janet Jackson “Miss You Much” (1989) 4. Janet Jackson “All for You” (2001) 5. Janet Jackson “Nasty” (1986) DMDB Top 5%: 6. Janet Jackson “Love Will Never Do Without You” (1989) 7. Janet Jackson “Again” (1993) 8. Janet Jackson “Escapade” (1989) 9. Janet Jackson “Together Again” (1997) 10. The Human League “Human” (1986) DMDB Top 10%: 11. Michael Jackson & Janet Jackson “Scream” (1995) 12. Janet Jackson “Control” (1986) 13. Janet Jackson “Rhythm Nation” (1989) 14. Johnny Gill “Rub You the Right Way” (1990) 15. Janet Jackson “Doesn’t Really Matter” (2000) 16. Janet Jackson “What Have You Done for Me Lately” (1986) 17. New Edition “If It Isn’t Love” (1988) 18. Ralph Tresvant “Sensitivity” (1990) 19. Janet Jackson “Come Back to Me” (1989) 20. Janet Jackson “When I Think of You” (1986) 21. Janet Jackson “Any Time, Any Place” (1993) 22. Janet Jackson “If” (1993) 23. Mary J. Blige “No More Drama” (2001) 24. Janet Jackson “Someone to Call My Lover” (2001) DMDB Top 20%: 25. Karyn White “Romantic” (1991) 26. Mariah Carey with Joe & 90 Degrees “Thank God I Found You” (1999) 27. Boyz II Men “4 Seasons of Loneliness” (1997) 28. Janet Jackson “Let’s Wait Awhile” (1986) 29. The Time “Jerk Out” (1990) 30. Janet Jackson “Runaway” (1995) 31. Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson with Bell Biv DeVoe & Ralph Tresvant “The Best Things in Life Are Free” (1992) 32. The Force MD’s “Tender Love” <1985) 33. Lionel Richie “Don’t Wanna Lose You” (1996) 34. Herb Alpert with Janet Jackson & Lisa Keith “Diamonds” (1987) 35. Janet Jackson “Alright” (1989) DMDB Beyond the Top 20%: 36. Janet Jackson “Because of Love” (1993) 37. The S.O.S. Band “Just Be Good to Me” (1983) 38. The Human League “I Need Your Loving” (1986) 39. Janet Jackson “You Want This” (1993) 40. Janet Jackson with Q-Tip & Joni Mitchell “Got ‘Til It’s Gone” (1997) 41. Alexander O’Neal “Fake” (1987) 42. Herb Alpert with Lisa Keith “Making Love in the Rain” (1987) 43. Janet Jackson with Blackstreet “I Get Lonely” (1997) 44. Alexander O’Neal “All True Man” (1991) 45. Janet Jackson with Missy Elliott, P. Diddy, & Carly Simon “Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)” (2001) 46. Mya “Free” (2000) 47. Mariah Carey “Never Too Far” (2001) 48. Alexander O’Neal & Cherelle “Never Knew Love Like This” (1988) 49. Janet Jackson “State of the World” (1989) 50. Morris Day “Fishnet” (1988) Resources and Related Links: DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Jimmy Jam DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Terry Lewis Dave’s Music Database: “Best-of Lists for Performers” Dave’s Music Database: “Best-of Lists for Songwriters and/or Producers” First posted 5/15/2022.