Written and produced by Jackson and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the ballad was released as the album's third single on October 12, 1993, by Virgin Records, and talks about the reconnection with an old lover.

Originally an experimental sound Jam and Lewis was considering for the album, they did not give the song serious contemplation until the film producers from Poetic Justice requested a ballad for the soundtrack.

Some praised it as a highlight from the Janet album and a classic, while other critics responded negatively to its sentimental lyrical content.

[1][2] Jackson's then-husband René Elizondo Jr. directed a music video for the song, which was released in two versions: one with and one without scenes from Poetic Justice.

The song was covered by How to Dress Well for his second album, Total Loss and sampled by Iyaz on his 2010 single, "Solo".

"[4] "Again" was originally an experimental sound the production duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis was considering for the album.

The song is in a moderate tempo of 64 beats per minute with the chord progression being set like C–G–Am–F–C–Dm7/G in the first verse and C–E–Am7–D9 in the chorus.

He added, "Her evocative voice is swathed in grand piano lines and quasi-orchestral strings that will thrill ardent fans at top 40 radio.

Melancholy lyrics are icing on a sweet musical cake that millions will want to taste.

"[12] In a "classic track-by-track review", another Billboard editor, Andrew Hampp, remarked, "By the time Jackson pleas at the song's close, seemingly choking back tears, "Cause I've fallen in love with you again," it's hard not to get misty even after countless listens.

[14] John Martinucci from the Gavin Report described it as "a tender love song that definitely tugs on the heart strings.

"[17] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine called it "the most treacly, saccharine ballad Janet has ever recorded, complete with the kind of teary breakdown one might expect from her brother.

[19] The song topped the Billboard charts for two weeks in December 1993, being certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

[19] "Again" was covered by How to Dress Well and appeared as a bonus track on his 2012 album Total Loss, which was also inspired by Janet's "The Velvet Rope".