"Black Cat" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson, released as the sixth single from her fourth studio album, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989). The song was written by Jackson, who produced it with Jellybean Johnson. In a departure from her standard of industrial-based dance-pop, "Black Cat" is a hard rock, pop rock, dance-rock, heavy metal and glam metal song with arena rock influences. Its lyrics speak of substance abuse and gang violence. It was the final song recorded for the album, after Jackson, along with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, composed its main riff when desiring a rock song to complete the record.
"Black Cat" was first released in Australia on June 25, 1990, then was issued worldwide throughout the rest of 1990. It was well received among critics, who praised Jackson's "maximum advantage" vocals and her seamless foray into the hard rock genre. It was a commercial success, reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 as well as the top 10 on the charts in Australia, Canada, Norway, and South Africa, among other countries, while peaking at number 15 in the United Kingdom, where it was the highest-charting single from the album. It was certified gold in the United States and Australia.
Its music video, directed by Wayne Isham, was filmed during Jackson's Rhythm Nation World Tour 1990. It used an "in-concert" theme, splicing Jackson with images of a black panther. Jackson performed "Black Cat" at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards, in a "fiery rendition" of the song in which she conveyed "feline" choreography, and also on the Rhythm Nation World Tour 1990, which drew media attention for its usage of illusionary magic, concluding with Jackson forced into a cage before transformed into a live panther.
"Black Cat" received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. It also earned Jackson a BMI Pop Award for Most Played Song. "Black Cat" has been cited as an influence by numerous artists and it has been covered by such artists as Warmen, Britney Spears, and Nanne Grönvall.
Background
"Black Cat" was written by Jackson and produced by Jackson with Jellybean Johnson. It was a departure from her prior material, being her first sole writing credit and the first time she had worked with producers other than Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis since the release of Control. The song was a stark contrast for Jackson, transitioning from her customary style of industrial-based dance-pop to the heavy metal and hard rock genre. Jackson considered it a natural transition, having grown up listening to artists such as Led Zeppelin, Def Leppard, and Mötley Crüe. She previously attempted the pop rock genre on "Come Give Your Love to Me", a single from her self-titled debut album. Jackson stated, "I'm very proud of 'Black Cat', which is the first song I've ever written on my own, as well as co-produced." It became the last song recorded for the album, upon Jackson desiring a rock-influenced song to complete the record. "Black Cat" is also the only pop song to be mixed by German metal engineer Michael Wagener, who is known for his work with many hard rock and heavy metal bands in the late 1980s.
Jackson's idea for "Black Cat" was based on a warning to a rebel involved in substance abuse, in addition to the consequences of drug addiction. Its composition compares the theme to the folklore superstitions of cats having nine lives and black cats foreshadowing a negative omen or misfortune. She also related its title to the bold nature of a panther, saying, "I have always felt some kind of connection between myself and a panther. They're not afraid of anything, they're willing to take on anything–that's the way I feel about my work." Regarding its development, she said, "I was getting dressed and ready to go to the studio. The television was on - some commercials and other stuff. I just started humming a melody. I don't know why and it kept sticking in my head. So I put it down on tape." She later recalled Jam and Lewis saying "they thought it was something that might work." Jackson was heavily involved in the song's production, stating: