I remember when...

...I published my first post on Set List.  I was excited for the topic - sharing an article I wrote on the no longer Associated Content about what my top 10 favorite Duran Duran songs would be.  I do not recall that list now although I imagine the mix would be classics and highlights from the Red Carpet Massacre concert way back in May 2008.  I did not really know what I was doing as I wrote.  I was just driven by passion.  And then I hovered over the Publish button.  

What was going to happen next?  What were my words going to look like?  Well, at the time they were black and in a terrible font but hey I was new.

What would the experience of blog publication be like?  Would anyone know I exist or would I jam to music on my own?

I got initial feedback about the text color against the custom template color.  I took the advice seriously and that is how I landed on Georgia Bold.

A few followers trickled in and that made me eager to keep going.  They have sadly all stepped back but the memories of when they were active and keeping in touch remain.

I did keep going that first month.  I kept going that first year.

Increasing views kept me going.  The constant hum of new topics kept me going.  A growing love kept me going.  A passion for Set List is it flamed my heart and truly kept me going.

I slowed down here and there.  For a brief time, I only published once.  Yet when I realized what I was potentially walking away from, I came back with strong intent - to realize the love a global audience had for some random person's personal website.  

I do not remember my first post back.  The publishing setup was different.  The number of followers I gained did not change.  My writing style did, though.  I took to research-based more than relaxed style to be informative rather than narrative.  This bent is not wild with potential income but is a format I enjoy.  I will admit to missing my narrative voice and will try to bring it back when I can.  The Publish button.  The Publish button did not change and now I click it without thought because each post is a proud addition to a blog once out of curiosity now a desired career.

Professionals don't use the word "blog" as it somehow connotates tacky writing.  Of course these professionals have gone to publish books, courses, job boards, collaborations, and much more.  I am not such a professional.  I am just a blogger.  And I am okay with that.

I became a blogger with the first post I published on Set List.  

And I have never looked back.

Duran Duran - All You Need Is Now

Dear Set List readers and passersby,

I am taking a much needed break to gather my emotions and heal my mental state.  Just the one day but a needed one day.

In 2010, "All You Need Is Now" was Duran Duran's biggest hit and the album itself was quite successful.  I remember promoting their project as part of being a fan club member.

In memory of those early moments, enjoy the song and video below.

See you tomorrow.

February by Janet Jackson

In honor of February's Black History Month, I am noting music's pop icons throughout history.  Where noted from time to time or once in Set List's lifetime, these artists are always worth highlighting for their contributions to the industry and society's pop culture.  As icons, the successes and honors garnered are profoundly impressive and worthy of their talent.  Their early years are reflections of who they are, where they have come from, and what they offer to their own careers and the impact on intrigue and interest.

Interest.  With that said, she has been noted from time to time on Set List and today, always, deserves a spotlight.  

Janet Jackson

Janet Damita Jo Jackson

b. May 16, 1966

American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer

Genres considered - R&B, Pop, New Jack Swing

(Jackson family - Janet is the tenth and youngest child.)

Known for provocative records and choreography

In her rise to fame, Janet Jackson broke gender and racial barriers.

Successes -

- 10 No. 1 singles on Billboard Hot 100 (also made by brother, Michael Jackson)

- Record for the most consecutive Top 10 singles on Billboard Hot 100 by a female artist - 18

- Only artist in Billboard history with 7 singles from one album reach the Top 5

- One of the world's best-selling music artists with over 100 million records sold worldwide

- The launch of Janet's own record label, Rhythm Nation (following the 2004 controversary failure).

- Together Again Tour (2023-2024) - Highest grossing of her career

Awards -

5 Grammy Awards

11 Billboard Music Awards

11 American Music Awards

Honors -

- Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

- 8 Guinness World Records

- No. 7 on Billboard's Hot 100 All-Time Top Artists (2008)

- Second most successful dance club artist (Billboard, 2016)

- MTV Icon

- Award of Merit (American Music Award honor)

- Humanitarian Award

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 2019

Discography

Filmography

Life and Career

1966 - 1985 : Early life and career beginnings

- The Jacksons

- Good Times, A New Kind of Family, Diff'rent Strokes

- Signed with A&M Records at age 15 through Janet's father, Joseph Jackson

- Janet Jackson 

Debut (1982)

- Dream Street (1984)

1986 - 1988 : Control

- Janet ended business relations with her family "...and get out from under my father..."

Control 

1986

3rd album

No. 1 Billboard 200

Over 10 million copies sold

"...remarkably nervy and mature..."

Top 5 singles -

- "What Have You Done for Me Lately," "Nasty," "When I Think of You," "Control," & "Let's Wait Awhile"

Themes of empowerment

The music videos immediately influenced MTV and her role in pop culture.

1989 - 1992 : Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814

- Rhythm Nation 1814

4th album (1989)

- Socially conscious theme of unity

- No. 1 on Billboard 200

- Over 12 million copies sold worldwide (highest selling of 1990)

- Only album with 7 Top 5 singles on the Hot 100

- 15 Billboard Awards (record)

- Rhythm Nation World Tour 1990

Most successful debut tour in history

"Rhythm Nation Scholarship" established by Janet

1992 - "Queen of Pop"

1993 - 1996 : Janet, Poetic Justice, and Design of a Decade

- Janet (5th album)

No. 1 on Billboard 200

Over 14 million copies sold worldwide

"That's the Way Love Goes" & "Again" - No. 1 Hot 100

Expressed sexual maturity

- Poetic Justice

Film debut

"Again" - Golden Globe & Academy Award nominations for Best Original Song

- "Scream" collab with brother, Michael (1995)

In response to media scrutiny

The music video - "Most Expensive Music Video Ever Made" at $7 million & set a Guinness World Record ... Grammy Award in 1996

- Design of a Decade: 1986-1996

Compilation album

No. 3 Billboard 200

1997 - 1999 : The Velvet Rope

6th album (1997)

Reflected experiences with depression and anxiety

Theme of intrinsic need to belong

Considered more sexually explicit than Janet

Established Janet as a gay icon for themes of homosexuality and stance against homophobia

No. 1 on Billboard 200

Over 8 million copies sold worldwide

"Together Again"

- 8th No. 1 on Hot 100

- "on par with Elton John, Diana Ross, and the Rolling Stones"

- 6 million copies sold worldwide (one of the best-selling singles of all time)

"I Get Lonely"

- No. 3 on Hot 100

- Grammy Nomination

- 18th consecutive Top 10 hit 

Only female artist to achieve this record

Surpassed only by Elvis Presley and the Beatles

The Velvet Rope: Live in Madison Square Garden

- HBO special

- over 15 million viewers

- Emmy Award

2000 - 2003 : Nutty Professor II: The Klumps and All for You

- Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (July 2000)

Janet's second film 

"Doesn't Really Matter" for the soundtrack - 9th No. 1 on Hot 100

- All for You

7th album (2001)

No. 1 on Billboard 200

Upbeat dance style

"All for You" lead

- First week audience of 70 million

- No. 1 Hot 100 ... Top 10 in 11 countries

- Grammy Award

2004 - 2005 : Super Bowl XXXVIII controversary and Damita Jo

Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show

"wardrobe malfunction" - Justin Timberlake & Janet

The accidental exposure of her right chest left an iconic imprint in pop culture and the entertainment industry.  Repercussions - Janet was not allowed to attend the 2004 Grammy Awards (although Timberlake was).  She stepped back from a project set to portray singer and activist Lena Horne.

Damita Jo

- 8th album

- Reviews based more on the Super Bowl incident than the album

- Blacklisted from radio and music channels

- Ban lasted through Janet's following two albums

- "...The high-ups are still pissed at her, and this is a punitive measure..." - Viacom senior executive

- Otherwise predicted to outsell her previous release with singles thought to perform "extremely well"

- Nonetheless, Janet received career honors including:

Legend Award (Radio Music Awards)

Inspiration Award (Japan Video Music Awards)

Lifetime Achievement Award (Soul Train Music Awards)

"Favorite Female" (Teen Choice Awards)

Artistic Achievement Award (100 Black Men of America organization) - 
"...an individual's worth can't be judged by a single moment in that person's life..." - in response to criticism for the honor

2006 - 2007 : 20 Y.O. and Why Did I Get Married?

2008 - 2009 : Discipline and Number Ones

During this time, Janet's brother Michael died.  In tribute, she performed "Scream" at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.

2010 - 2014 : Film projects and True You

True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself 

Self-help book released in February 2011

2015 - 2019 : Unbreakable, touring and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

2020-present : Documentaries and Together Again Tour

Janet Jackson documentary (January 2022)

Together Again Tour (2023)

Janet Jackson: Family First documentary (2023)

Artistry

Legacy

(Wikipedia)

I am well aware of Michael Jackson on Set List.  Thriller after all.  By extension, Janet Jackson has come up or at least I think.  In certainty, this entry seals her name in Set List history.  

Where his name is cemented in social and pop culture, Janet takes her cue in thematic messages shared through songs reached by the millions on a global scale.  Her lyrics range from intimate tones to social tones to advocacy tones and while suggestive over time, her maturity is long praised by critics.  The rightly deserved honors she has received surely bypass one incident made by a human being.  I personally will always associate the concept of blacklisting with 1940s and 1950s political climate, not the Super Bowl and music.

As I delved into her history, I realized that Janet Jackson is unique away from the Jackson Family and her profound talent was discovered through herself and her own voice.  

Never accept control.

Never back down.

Never give up.

February by Janet Jackson

The Look of Love

February Romance

Background

"The Look of Love" was composed by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.  Where intended to be an instrumental, Hal David later added lyrics. 

The song was introduced as an instrumental version by American jazz saxophonist, Stan Getz, in 1966. 

The song was introduced with lyrics by English pop singer, Dusty Springfield, in 1967.

The song was notably featured in the 1967 James Bond film, Casino Royale.  This feature earned a Best Original Song Academy Award nomination in 1968.

Other recordings include Scott Walker (in 1969), Sergio Mendes (in 1966), and Diana Kroll (in 2001).

"The Look of Love" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008.

(Wikipedia)

Soapbox Journey - Send Her My Love

On the surface, "Send Her My Love" is a sweet love song with haunting lyrics of a once precious relationship.  At least that is my take.

On the literal surface, "Send Her My Love" as a title is the theme of this debut edition of Soapbox Journey.  

I am a conservative blue gal.  I was born in blue and raised in blue.  I live forever in blue.  I know those in red and we do not always agree but we get along for the sake of a healthy debate.  I vote blue but respect red...

...I fought for blue in my own way, email signature after email signature.  My heart had faith.  The peaceful transition of power did not.

Was blue going to behave?  "Nope" and kept walking.

Red.  The inaugural speech laid out four years in a snapshot.  Snapshot plans were set in place.  The Gulf of America (which America?).  Set up detention centers and go live with arrests quickly filling planes for deportation.  An alligator Alcatraz?  Families separated.  

Red.  Tariffs.  White House host to foreign leaders.  Brutal bullying of those...you know who he is and we stand with him.  A facade love story with Russia.  A real exit from allies with determined threats.

Red.  The cabinet.  The appointees.  The inner circle.  Determined threats to look pretty on film?

Red.  ICE.  Determined threats to determined reality.

Los Angeles.  Chicago.  Nationwide.

Minneapolis.  The murders that should not have happened.  The growing unrest...

...to the fragile protection of democracy.

Democracy is fighting back.  Millions nationwide with thousands per city taking over and blocking streets.  Millions globally, including our precious London.  New York PD bullying back, ripping off masks, exposing the hell everyone - red and blue - needs to realize and combat.

Recall probable cause and judicial warrants, to name a few constitutional requirements?

I am a conservative blue.  I am a loud Democrat for my country, my family's country, my extended family living in a more welcoming time when America's melting pot meant something positive and hopeful.

I am a bulldog American that will not tolerate policies promoting upheaval because he does not want elections, impeachment, trial, conviction, and imprisonment.

"Ice Ice Baby" is not our nation's anthem.  "The Star Spangled Banner" is the anthem of the United States of America.  To hell or high water we must remain united or otherwise break, this time by blue v. red, not north v. south.

Until then, send her - the United States of America - my love.

This is my soapbox journey.  (I am sorry to bring you in, Journey.)

Happy Birthday, Mike Campbell

Michael Wayne Campbell

b. February 1, 1950

American guitarist and vocalist

Former member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Co-wrote such songs as "Refugee," "Here Comes My Girl," "You Got Lucky," and "Runnin' Down a Dream"

Mike Campbell served as a session guitarist and songwriter for such artists as Don Henley's "The Boys of Summer" and "The Heat of the Matter" & Stevie Nicks's solo work.

Campbell and New Zealand singer, Neil Finn, joined Fleetwood Mac on their world tour in 2018-2019.

At the end of the tour, Mike Campbell created his own band, the Dirty Knobs.  As of 2024, they have released three albums.

Mike Campbell is listed at No. 79 on Rolling Stone's Top 100 Guitarists (November 2011)

Mike Campbell was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002 as a member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Discography

(Wikipedia)

In conclusion...

I was unable to gather a larger amount of history and background covering Mike Campbell.  However what I have to offer here impressively speaks on its own.  He worked with Tom Petty for several decades before moving on to side projects and solo work.  And he is still rocking.  Therefore, I will conclude this post on that note.

Happy Birthday, Mike Campbell.

January 2026 Set List

January 2026

Set List

1.  Happy Birthday

2.  Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

3.  Winter Wonderland

4.  Frosty the Snowman

5.  Sleigh Ride

6.  Baby, It's Cold Outside

7.  I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm

8.  Cold Weather Blues

9.  Silent Night

10.  Winter Marches On