Chart Rewind: Janet Jackson’s ‘Escapade’ Made Its Hot 100 Debut This Week in 1990

This week, we’re taking an escapade to 1990 to celebrate the timeless Janet Jackson classic of the same name.

By the start of 1990, Janet Jackson had not only seen her fourth studio album, 1989’s ‘Rhythm Nation 1814,’ become the second consecutive Billboard 200 chart-topper of her career but it had also cranked out two Hot 100 top 2 hits – ‘Miss You Much‘ (#1 peak) and ‘Rhythm Nation (the song)’ (#2 peak).

Proof of the continued popularity of the era was served just a week after the latter reached its height on the tally because her next hit was already loading. This week 33 years ago ‘Escapade‘ – the third single from ‘RN’ (and Janet’s first of the 90’s) – made a splash on the Hot 100 as the week’s top debut (entering at #37).

It wouldn’t even be two months before the Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis-produced cut soared to #1 thanks to steady sales and domination at radio – both aided by a high-octane, choreography-laden music video directed by Peter Smillie.

Despite being a fan favorite in Jackson’s prized discography, the era did not see ‘Escapade’ gain like recognition from top industry honors (i.e. GRAMMYs). But, record books list it as her third Hot 100 chart-topper, the third of a record-setting string of seven top 5 singles released from one album, and the third top 10 hit of a yet-unbroken string of 18 consecutive top 10 singles (spanning 1989-2001).

Look below to see who joined Jan in the top 40 this week in 1990.

Hot 100 This Week in 1990

Hot 100 This Week

Click here to see this week’s full Hot 100 recap via the updated TGJ Chart Check.