About The Song
“Rhythm Nation” is a song by American singer Janet Jackson, released as the second single from her fourth studio album, Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989). It was written and produced by Jackson, in collaboration with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Jackson developed the song’s concept in response to various tragedies in the media, deciding to pursue a socially conscious theme by using a political standpoint within upbeat dance music. In the United States, it peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Hot Black Singles and Dance Club Songs charts. It also peaked within the top 40 of several singles charts worldwide. “Rhythm Nation” received several accolades, including BMI Pop Awards for “Most Played Song”, the Billboard Award for “Top Dance/Club Play Single” and a Grammy nomination for Jackson as “Producer of the Year”. It has been included in two of Jackson’s greatest hits collections, Design of a Decade: 1986–1996 (1995) and Number Ones (2009).
The music video for “Rhythm Nation” was directed by Dominic Sena and choreographed by Jackson and a then-unknown Anthony Thomas. It served as the final segment in Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814 film. It portrays rapid choreography within a “post-apocalyptic” warehouse setting, with Jackson and her dancers adorned in unisex military attire. It was filmed in black-and-white to portray the song’s theme of racial harmony. Jackson’s record label attempted to persuade her against filming the video, but upon her insistence it became “the most far-reaching single project the company has ever attempted.” The video received two MTV Video Music Awards for “Best Choreography” and “Best Dance Video.” Jackson also won the Billboard Award for “Best Female Video Artist” in addition to the “Director’s Award” and “Music Video Award for Artistic Achievement.” The Rhythm Nation 1814 film won the Grammy Award for Best Long Form Music Video. The video’s outfit was inducted into the National Museum of Women in the Arts and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, where its hand-written lyrics are also used in the museum’s class on female songwriters.
Artists such as Sleigh Bells, Jamie Lidell, and Kylie Minogue have cited the song as an influence, while artists including Lady Gaga, Peter Andre, OK Go, Mickey Avalon, Usher, Keri Hilson, and Britney Spears have referenced its music video. Beyoncé, Cheryl Cole, Rihanna and Ciara have also paid homage to its outfit and choreography within live performances. It has inspired the careers of choreographers such as Darrin Henson and Travis Payne. Actors including Kate Hudson, Michael K. Williams, and Elizabeth Mathis have studied its music video, with its choreography also used in the film Tron: Legacy. It has been covered by Pink, Crystal Kay, and Girls’ Generation and has also been performed on Glee, The X Factor USA, and Britain’s Got Talent.
Video
Lyrics
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Bass, bass, bass, bass
Nasty
Three
With music by our side to break the color lines
Let’s work together to improve our way of life
Join voices in protest to social injustice
A generation full of courage, come forth with me
People of the world today, are we looking for a better way of life? (Sing!)
We are a part of the rhythm nation
People of the world unite
Strength in numbers, we can get it right, one time (sing it up!)
We are a part of the rhythm nation
This is the test, no struggle, no progress (lend)
Lend a hand to help your brother do his best
Things are getting worse, we have to make them better
It’s time to give a damn, let’s work together (come on now)
People of the world today, are we looking for a better way of life? (Sing!)
We are a part of the rhythm nation
People of the world unite
Strength in numbers, we can get it right, one time (sing it up!)
We are a part of the rhythm nation
People of the world today, are we looking for a better way of life? (One time)
We are a part of the rhythm nation
People of the world unite
Strength in numbers, we can get it right, one time (we can)
We are a part of the rhythm nation
Bass, bass, bass, bass
Bass, bass, bass, bass, bass
Bass, bass, bass, bass, nasty (come on)
Bass, bass, bass, bass (nasty)
sing it, people, say it, children
Sing it if you want a better way of life
(We are the nation) sing it, people, say it, children
Sing it if you want a better way of life
Nasty
Nasty
Nasty
Ba-ba-ba-ba-bass
Ba-ba-ba-ba-bass
Nas-nasty, nasty, nas-nasty
Nas-nasty, nasty, nas-nasty
Everybody sing
People of the world today, are we looking for a better way of life? (Sing!)
We are a part of the rhythm nation
People of the world unite
Strength in numbers, we can get it right, one time (sing it up!)
We are a part of the rhythm nation
People of the world today, are we looking for a better way of life? (Sing!)
We are a part of the rhythm nation
People of the world unite
Strength in numbers, we can get it right, one time (sing it up!)
We are a part of the rhythm nation
rhythm nation sing it for me
(Rhythm nation)
Rhythm nation sing it, sing it for the people
Sing it for the children
Rhythm nation sing it
Sing it for the babies
Sing it for the neighbor
Sing it for the children
Sing it for the babies
Sing it for the people
Sing it for the children
Sing it for the babies
Sing it for the-, sing it for the-, sing it for the nation (rhythm nation)