Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814
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| Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 | |||||
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| Studio album by Janet Jackson | |||||
| Released | September 7, 1989 | ||||
| Recorded | 1989 | ||||
| Genre | R&B, pop, new jack swing, rock | ||||
| Length | 64:32 | ||||
| Label | A&M | ||||
| Producer | Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Janet Jackson, Jellybean Johnson, John McCain | ||||
| Professional reviews | |||||
| Janet Jackson chronology | |||||
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| Singles from Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 | |||||
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Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (commonly referred to as Rhythm Nation 1814 or Rhythm Nation) is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Janet Jackson, released in September, 1989 by A&M Records. The successor to Jackson's breakthrough album Control (1986), Rhythm Nation 1814 became her second consecutive album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200, as well as the second album of her career to be co-written by producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. It is the first album on which Jackson shares production credits with Jam and Lewis as well as first-time collaborator and producer Jellybean Johnson. Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 was executively produced by John McCain.
Departing from themes present in Control, such as independence, personal freedom and sexual abstinence, Rhythm Nation 1814 explores universal concerns, such as poverty, injustice, substance abuse and illiteracy. As a recurring theme, love and personal relationships are also present in the albums content.
The album became the best-selling album of 1990 in the US. It is the only album in history to score number one hit singles on the Billboard Hot 100 in three different calendar years. Rhythm Nation 1814 is also the only album in history to achieve seven top five hits from a single album. The album spent four weeks at number one on the Billboard 200 and 35 consecutive weeks within the top five. It spent a total of 108 weeks in the charts. In 1992, the RIAA certified Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 6x Platinum.
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[edit] Background
Following the commercial and critical success of her 1986 hit album, Control, Jackson was motivated to continue songwriting and took a larger role in the creative production of her new album.[1] Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 became a concept album addressing social ills - in addition to topics of love and relationships. Originally, executives at A&M wanted Jackson to expand on the ideas presented on Control, but she was not willing to compromise her artistic integrity and thus created a socially themed basis for her next album. Jackson's pledge became the overall theme of the album; "We are a nation with no geographic boundaries, bound together through our beliefs. We are like-minded individuals, sharing a common vision, pushing toward a world rid of color-lines."[2] The pledge was supported by a creed, "Music, Poetry, Dance, Unity".[2] 1814 referred to the year "The Star Spangled Banner" was written;[3] in addition, 'R' is the 18th letter of the alphabet and 'N' the 14th, hence 1814.[4]
[edit] Production
The album was produced by Jimmy Jam (James Harris III) and Terry Lewis, with co-production credit given to Jackson. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis also penned or co-wrote the songs with Janet Jackson, as well as arranging and programming the music, and playing much of the instrumental tracks. The song "Black Cat" was written solely by Jackson, and produced by Jellybean Johnson, who (like Jam and Lewis) had also been a former member of the Time. A&M executive John McCain served as the album's executive producer. On the album's interior, Jackson dedicated her album to her mother, Katherine Jackson.
[edit] The film
In 1989, while the album was being finalised, Jackson was approached by record company executives to promote the record. The original idea was to do a live TV special to show off the new songs, but Janet resisted the idea on the basis of quality control (she thought the idea was 'cheesy'). An alternative way of promotion, the short film, was suggested. Together with director Dominic Sena, producer (and soon-to-be husband) Rene Elizondo and a team of dancers and choreographers, Jackson created the Rhythm Nation 1814 Film, featuring four songs from the album. Shot in black & white, the film tells the story of BJ and Kickdrum, two young aspiring musicians who are friends with Jackson. While Jackson entertains her friends at a warehouse, Kickdrum slowly sinks into a life of crime, until BJ is eventually killed, prompting him to seek comfort in Jackson. Four songs were featured- a club version of "Black Cat", "Miss You Much", "The Knowledge" and "Rhythm Nation". The video was well received by critics who compared it to her brother Michael Jackson's Moonwalker, although it did not sell as well.
[edit] Singles, Lyrical content and imagery
Jackson's personal concerns are expressed in songs "State of the World" and "The Knowledge", which deal with poverty and racism.[1] At track seven (the interlude titled "Let's Dance"), Jackson states "Get the point? Good. Let's dance", at which point the album converts to a series of love and dance songs until track 16- "Black Cat" - which speaks of substance abuse. Jackson's image was changed into a more serious look, with stark black and white cover art and a dimly lit photo of her dressed in a black pseudo-military outfit.
[edit] Release
The album was released by A&M Records on LP, chrome cassette and compact disc, demonstrating the label's expectation of broad appeal. A companion video compilation was also issued on both VHS and Laserdisc. Complete lyrics were included in the album. All tracks were recorded and mixed in Minnesota. On Tuesday, April 24, 2007, iTunes added all of Jackson's A&M-era albums to their music library.
[edit] Track listing
[edit] CD
- "Interlude: Pledge" – 0:47
- "Rhythm Nation" (Janet Jackson, James Harris III, Terry Lewis) – 5:31
- "Interlude: T.V." – 0:22
- "State of the World" (Jackson, Harris, Lewis) – 4:48
- "Interlude: Race" – 0:05
- "The Knowledge" (Harris, Lewis) – 3:54
- "Interlude: Let's Dance" – 0:03
- "Miss You Much" (Harris, Lewis) – 4:12
- "Interlude: Come Back Interlude" – 0:21
- "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" (Harris, Lewis) – 5:50
- "Livin' in a World (They Didn't Make)" (Harris, Lewis) – 4:41
- "Alright" (Jackson, Harris, Lewis) – 6:26
- "Interlude: Hey Baby" – 0:10
- "Escapade" (Jackson, Harris, Lewis) – 4:44
- "Interlude: No Acid" – 0:05
- "Black Cat" (Jackson) – 4:50
- "Lonely" (James Harris III, Terry Lewis) – 4:59
- "Come Back to Me" (Jackson, Harris, Lewis) – 5:33
- "Someday Is Tonight" (Jackson, Harris, Lewis) – 6:00
- "Interlude: Livin'...In Complete Darkness" – 1:07
- In 1990, A&M Records released The Rhythm Nation Compilation, which contained all videos of the Rhythm Nation singles. In 2002, it was re-released with the accompanying CD.
[edit] Vinyl
- "Interlude: Pledge" – 0:47
- "Rhythm Nation" – 4:38
- "State of the World" – 4:53
- "The Knowledge" – 4:01
- "Miss You Much" – 3:53
- "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" – 5:48
- "Livin' in a World (They Didn't Make)" – 4:36
- "Alright" – 5:27
- "Escapade" – 4:48
- "Black Cat" – 4:50
- "Lonely" – 4:59
- "Come Back to Me" – 5:32
- "Someday Is Tonight" – 6:01
- "Interlude: Livin'...In Complete Darkness" – 1:06
[edit] B-sides
- "You Need Me"
- "Skin Game, Pt. 1"
- "Vuelve a Mi" (Come Back to Me) (Castillian Version)
- "1814 Megamix"
[edit] Legacy
The album was the first in history to generate seven top-five Billboard hits from one album. The album's numerous hit singles were accompanied by more conceptual video versions. The title track "Rhythm Nation" won the 1989 Grammy Award for Best Long Form Music Video.
[edit] Charts, sales and certification
| Chart | Peak[5] | Certification[5][6] | Sales[5][6] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worldwide | 12,250,000[7] | ||
| U.S. Billboard 200 | 1 (4 weeks) | 6× platinum | 6,100,000 |
| U.S. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums | 1 (3 weeks) | ||
| UK Albums Chart | 4 | Platinum | 425,000 |
| Japan | 1 | 2× platinum | 500,000 |
| South African Albums Chart | 1 | 5× platinum | 250,000 |
| Australian Albums Chart | 1 | 3× platinum | 210,000 |
| Italian Albums Chart | 1 | 2× platinum | 100,000 |
| Dutch Albums Chart | 2 | 2× platinum | 60,000 |
| Canadian Albums Chart | 7 | 4× platinum | 400,000 |
| Swiss Albums Chart | 23 | Gold | 25,000 |
| French Albums Chart | 25,000 | ||
| New Zealand Albums Chart | Platinum | 15,000 | |
| Swedish Albums Chart | 24[8] |
[edit] Samples
- Rhythm Nation samples "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" performed by Sly & the Family Stone
[edit] Music Awards
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[edit] RIAA
- U.S. 6x Platinum (#1 for 4 weeks), but should now be 8X Platinum according to Nielsen SoundScan sales.
[edit] References
- Strong, Martin Charles. The Great Rock Discography: Complete Discographies Listing Every Track Recorded by More Than 1200 Artists. Canongate U.S., 2004. ISBN 1841956155
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ a b Strong, Martin (2004). The Great Rock Discography: Complete Discographies Listing Every Track. Canongate U.S., 749. ISBN 1841956155.
- ^ a b Aletti, Vince (1998-10-19). Rhythm Nation 1814: Janet Jackson: Review: Rolling Stone. Rolling Stone. Retrieved on 2008-06-07.
- ^ Hyatt, Wesley (1999). The Billboard Book of Number One Adult Contemporary Hits. Billboard Books. ISBN 0823076938.
- ^ Huey, Steve (2008). Janet Jackson. All Music Guide. MTV. Retrieved on 2008-06-07.
- ^ a b c [1] retrieved November 6, 2007
- ^ a b MJJ charts retrieved November 6, 2007
- ^ Jermaine
- ^ Swiss charts Accessed November 6, 2007
| Preceded by Dr. Feelgood by Mötley Crüe |
Billboard 200 number-one album October 28 - November 24, 1989 |
Succeeded by Storm Front by Billy Joel |
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