Every Time (song)

Composition

"Every Time" is a ballad which lyrically delves on the protagonist's fear of love.

Critical response

Billboard magazine's review was positive, stating, "'Every Time' ranks with (Jackson's) most memorable ballads, such as "Let's Wait Awhile" and "Again," calling on the things that make Janet so effective with this type of delicate material: Her voice quivers with emotion as she practically whispers about the promise and fear of an imminent romance, while steadfast writer/producer team Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis wrap her vocal around a beautiful and sensuous chorus. This song sounds so perfect with the more civil pace of fall, it's an easy decision across the board, at top 40, AC, and R&B. Absolutely destined to be one of her greats."

Andrew Le from Renowned for Sound website, called the song "tender, angelic", and also commented that it was "far superior than the overrated, soppy saccharine Again, as it has an even better piano hook and more intimate vocal performance".

Chart performance

The single performed poorly on international charts, peaking at number fifty-two in Australia, number sixty-seven in Germany, and number ninety-five in France. In the U.S. it failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number twenty-five on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.

Music video

The accompanying music video was filmed in the then-new Therme Vals spa in Vals, Graubünden, in the Swiss Alps, with direction by Matthew Rolston in association with Howard Schatz, an expert in underwater photography. It was premiered on October 5, 1998 on HBO, just prior to Romeo + Juliet at 8:00 p.m., and was subsequently exhibited twice a day leading up to the broadcast of the concert special for The Velvet Rope Tour one week later. The music video shows Jackson partially nude in several water. A strong theme of green is seen in the video through lighting, the fabric surrounding Janet's body and her contact lenses. Shadows, camera tricks, and a piece of fabric are used to keep her inexplicitly nude. Through the whole video, she is seen on the water. The video was featured on the limited bonus-DVD edition of 2001's All for You as well as the 2004 DVD From Janet to Damita Jo: The Videos.

Britney Spears' "Everytime" has been compared to Jackson's video for "Every Time", with a critic noting, "The original pop queen Janet bared all in a blue lagoon for her “Every Time” video. A little less glam, Britney’s tub scene in her “Everytime” video proved dark foreshadowing into her troubled world." Rihanna's "Stay" music video was also compared to both Spears and Jackson's "Everytime" videos, saying "Rihanna isn’t the first pop star to brood in a bathtub. Janet Jackson and Britney Spears also bared their emotion immersed in water".

Track listings

1. "Every Time" (album version) – 4:17

1. "Every Time" (album version) – 4:17
2. "Every Time" (Jam & Lewis Disco Remix) – 4:10
3. "Accept Me" – 4:07

1. "Every Time" (album version) – 4:17
2. "Every Time" (Call Out Hook) – 0:21

1. "Every Time" (album version) – 4:17
2. "Every Time" (Jam & Lewis Disco Remix) – 4:10
3. "Every Time" (Jam & Lewis Disco Remix Instrumental) – 4:10

1. "Every Time" (album version) – 4:17
2. "I Get Lonely" (Jason's Special Sauce Dub) – 6:44
3. "I Get Lonely" (The Jason Nevins Radio Remix) – 3:13

Official versions