On this day in music history: March 22, 1986 - “What Have You Done For Me Lately” by Janet Jackson hits #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart for 2 weeks, also peaking at #4 on the Hot 100 on May 17, 1986. Written by James Harris III, Terry Lewis and Janet Jackson, it is the first R&B chart topper for the youngest member of the musical Jackson family. “Lately” is the last song recorded for the album, and is written after A&M A&R exec John McClain requests “another funky, uptempo track” from the production duo. The idea for what becomes “What Have Done For Me Lately” comes out of a conversation that producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have with Janet, during the recording sessions for the album “Control”. Jam & Lewis come up with the keyboard and bass line parts, while Jackson writes the lyrics. Released as the single from Jackson’s breakthrough album “Control” in late January of 1986, it immediately takes off on the R&B charts and quickly crossover to pop radio. “Lately” is the first of five number one R&B singles that are spun off of “Control”. In 1987, comedian Eddie Murphy quotes from the song in the live concert film “Raw”, when talking about relationships between men and women. “What Have You Done For Me Lately” is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.