Rhythm Nation
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| “Rhythm Nation” | |||||
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| Single by Janet Jackson from the album Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 |
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| B-side | "Rhythm Nation" (Instrumental) |
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| Released | October 1989 (UK) October 24, 1989 (U.S.) |
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| Format | 7" single, 12" maxi single | ||||
| Genre | R&B, pop, new jack swing, funk | ||||
| Length | 5:30 | ||||
| Label | A&M | ||||
| Writer(s) | Janet Jackson, James Harris III, Terry Lewis | ||||
| Producer | Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis | ||||
| Certification | Gold (RIAA) | ||||
| Janet Jackson singles chronology | |||||
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| Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 track listing | |||||
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| Design of a Decade 1986/1996 track listing | |||||
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"Rhythm Nation" is the second single from American R&B/pop singer Janet Jackson's fourth studio album, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989).
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[edit] Song information
The song became the second of the historic seven top five singles released off the Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 album. Jackson composed the lyrics while Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis composed the music, which featured a sample from Sly & the Family Stone's 1969 song "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)". The song preached racial unity and harmony among nations and in promise of "looking for a better way of life" and a way to stop "social unrest and injustice". The song became as famous for its countdown in both the song and the video as it was for its message. It peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs during late 1989 and early 1990. It was also the song that preceded Justin Timberlake's "Rock Your Body" which what would unfold into the infamous Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy.
The song inspired the name of English DJ Trevor Nelson's BBC Radio 1 show "Rhythm Nation". Nelson told Jackson this during their 1998 interview which aired on the same show. The show also spawned several compilation albums under the same name.
[edit] Music video
The famous black-and-white military-inspired dance video was directed by Dominic Sena. It was the finale in the Rhythm Nation 1814 Film. The video is famous for its high octane choreography in an abandoned factory. The "Rhythm Nation" video won awards for the MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography, was nominated for Best Dance Video, and received the MTV Video Vanguard Award in 1990. "Rhythm Nation" ranked thirty-seven on VH1's Greatest 100 Videos and forty-four on MTV: 100 Greatest Videos Ever Made.
The video also features a young Tyrin Turner.
During MTV's first ever mtvICON in 2001, singers Pink, Mýa, and Usher paid tribute to Jackson. Each paying tribute by performing dance moves from Jackson's earlier hits including "Pleasure Principle", "Miss You Much", and "Alright". At the end of the performance they all gathered together and performed "Rhythm Nation".
[edit] Awards
Billboard Music Awards:
- 1990 - Director's Award (Black/Rap), "Rhythm Nation"
- 1990 - Billboard/Tanqueray Sterling Music Video Award for Artistic Achievement, "Rhythm Nation"
BMI Pop Awards
- 1990 - "Rhythm Nation"
MTV Video Music Awards
- 1990 - Best Choreography in a Video, "Rhythm Nation"
Soul Train Awards:
- 1990 - Best R&B/Urban Contemporary Music Video, "Rhythm Nation"
[edit] Charts
| Chart (1989) | Peak position |
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| Australian ARIA Singles Chart | 3 |
| Belgian Singles Chart | 24 |
| Canadian Singles Chart | 2 |
| German Singles Chart | 83 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 22 |
| UK Singles Chart | 23 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 2 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Singles & Tracks | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | 1 |
| U.S. ARC Weekly Top 40 | 1 |
[edit] Official versions and remixes
- Album Version – 5:31
- LP Version – 4:42 (appears on the Japanese maxi CD)
- Design of a Decade US Edit – 5:58
- Design of a Decade International Edit – 4:27
- House Nation Groove – 6:45
- Instrumental – 4:44
- Rhythm Mix – 4:48
- 7" CHR Remix – 4:06
- 7" Edit – 4:28
- 7" House Nation Edit – 4:23
- 7" United Mix Edit – 4:34
- 12" House Nation Mix – 8:07
- 12" United Dub – 6:11
- 12" United Mix – 6:35
| Preceded by "Love on Top of Love" / "Killer Kiss" by Grace Jones |
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play number-one single December 23, 1989 – January 6, 1990 |
Succeeded by "Two to Make It Right" by Seduction |
| Preceded by "Tender Lover" by Babyface |
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Songs number-one single January 13, 1990 |
Succeeded by "I'll Be Good to You" by Quincy Jones featuring Ray Charles and Chaka Khan |
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