Jump to content

Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Rhythm Nation (album))
For the accompanying film, see Rhythm Nation 1814 (film).

Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814
A young woman photographed in black and white wears an all-black, military-styled uniform accented by silver-plated accessories. A spotlight shines on her face. To her left reads the text "Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814".
Studio album by
Janet Jackson
ReleasedSeptember 19, 1989
RecordedSeptember 1988 – May 1989
StudioFlyte Tyme (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Genre
Length64:34
LabelA&M
Producer
Janet Jackson chronology
Control: The Remixes
(1987) 		Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814
(1989) 		Janet
(1993)
Janet Jackson video chronology
Rhythm Nation 1814
(1989) 		The Rhythm Nation Compilation
(1990) 		Janet
(1994)
Singles from Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814
  1. "Miss You Much"
    Released: August 21, 1989
  2. "Rhythm Nation"
    Released: October 23, 1989
  3. "Escapade"
    Released: January 8, 1990
  4. "Alright"
    Released: March 4, 1990
  5. "Come Back to Me"
    Released: June 18, 1990
  6. "Black Cat"
    Released: August 28, 1990
  7. "Love Will Never Do (Without You)"
    Released: October 2, 1990
  8. "State of the World"
    Released: February 6, 1991

Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (also simply known as Rhythm Nation 1814 or Rhythm Nation) is the fourth studio album by American singer Janet Jackson, released on September 19, 1989, by A&M Records. Although label executives wanted material similar to her previous album, Control (1986), Jackson insisted on creating a concept album addressing social issues. Collaborating with songwriters and record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, she drew inspiration from various tragedies reported through news media, exploring racism, poverty, and substance abuse, in addition to themes of romance. Although its primary concept of a sociopolitical utopia was met with mixed reactions, its composition received critical acclaim. Jackson came to be considered a role model for youth because of her socially conscious lyrics.

As with Control, recording for Rhythm Nation 1814 took place at Lewis and Jam's Flyte Tyme Studios in Minneapolis, Minnesota where they worked in seclusion with Jackson to complete the album. Noted for its use of sampling and utilizing heavily swung synthesized percussion throughout its production, the record encompasses a variety of musical styles, such as new jack swing, hard rock, pop, dance and industrial music. Songs range from mechanized dance rhythms to soft balladry, giving it appeal across multiple radio formats. It is the only album in the history of the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart to have seven commercial singles peak within the top five positions. It is also the first album to produce number one hits on the chart in three separate calendar years, beginning with "Miss You Much" in 1989, "Escapade" and "Black Cat" in 1990, and culminating with "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" in 1991.

Rhythm Nation 1814 became Jackson's second consecutive album to top the Billboard 200 and was certified 6× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It became the best-selling album of 1990 in the United States and has sold an estimated 12 million copies worldwide.[2][3] Due to its innovative production and lyrical exploration, critics have come to regard it as the pinnacle of Jackson's artistic achievement. Music scholars note the record garnered her a level of cross-cultural appeal unmatched by industry peers. Considered a "landmark" album, it has also been cited as an influence in the works of numerous music artists, setting stylistic trends in the years following its release.

Visuals in music videos and live performances further elevated Jackson's superstardom. The 30-minute Rhythm Nation 1814 film, a film depicting two aspiring musicians whose lives are disrupted by substance abuse, aired on MTV to promote the album. Jackson's Rhythm Nation World Tour 1990 became the most successful debut concert tour by a recording artist at the time. She was regarded as a fashion icon, with various attire from the album's promotional tour and music videos being emulated by youth. Jackson received nine Grammy Award nominations, becoming the first woman to be nominated for Producer of the Year and winning Best Long Form Music Video for Rhythm Nation 1814. Jackson received the MTV Video Vanguard Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her significant contributions to popular culture. Her handwritten lyrics to the album's title track "Rhythm Nation" as well as her militaristic uniform for its music video have been preserved by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2021, the Library of Congress announced it selected the album for preservation in the National Recording Registry as part of the class of 2020, deeming it "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

Background

[edit]

Following the critical and commercial breakthrough of her third studio album Control (1986), Jackson was motivated to take a larger role in her album's creative process.[4] According to Billboard's Hottest Hot 100 Hits (2002), A&M Records requested she record an album similar to Control. It was rumored that label executives suggested a concept album titled Scandal, which would have centered on her personal and family life.[5] However, Jam later denied the claim that Scandal was ever suggested, although he confirmed there was encouragement to produce a "Control II".[6] Jackson opposed the idea of a direct sequel to Control, stating "that's what I didn't want to do. I wanted to do something that I really believed in and that I really felt strong about."[7] She was initially criticized for choosing to dedicate the album's theme to social consciousness, but remained committed.[8] Jam stated that her inspiration came primarily from watching CNN and other news sources. In particular, her reaction to the Stockton playground murders led to recording "Livin' in a World (They Didn't Make)", "Rhythm Nation" and "State of the World".[5]

While discussing the origin of the title "Rhythm Nation", Jackson stated she first uttered the phrase during a conversation with her producers. "I thought it would be great if we could create our own nation" adding that it would be "one that would have a positive message and that everyone would be free to join."[5] She based the idea on the prevalence of various youth groups and organizations that are formed as a means of creating a common identity. The usage of the number "1814" represents the year the national anthem "The Star-Spangled Banner" was written.[9][10] Rolling Stone emphasized the core concept is further explored in the album's opening pledge (the first track of the recording), which states: "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."[11] Several critics noted that "R" (Rhythm) and "N" (Nation) are the eighteenth and fourteenth letters of the alphabet, though Jackson said this was coincidental.[5]

Jackson's primary goal for the record was to reach a younger audience who may have been unaware of what it means to be socially conscious individuals. She expressed: "I wanted to capture their attention through my music."[7] She was influenced by other musical acts such as Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Tracy Chapman, and U2, although she felt their music appealed primarily to adults who were already invested in social change.[12] She also stated, "I'm not naive—I know an album or a song can't change the world. I just want my music and my dance to catch the audience's attention" hoping it would motivate people to "make some sort of difference".[13]

Composition and production

[edit]

Rhythm Nation 1814 was recorded over a period of seven months.[13] Its production took place at Flyte Tyme studios in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with majority of the album being recorded in the winter of 1988. According to Jam, he, Lewis and Jackson chose to isolate themselves to compose the record. No one from A&M Records was invited to the studio to observe and label executives complied with their request.[14] The trio co-authored six of the album's songs: "Rhythm Nation", "State of the World", "Alright", "Escapade", "Come Back to Me" and "Someday Is Tonight". Five of the six remaining songs for the record, "The Knowledge", "Miss You Much", "Love Will Never Do (Without You)", "Livin' in a World (They Didn't Make)" and "Lonely" were penned by Jam and Lewis, while "Black Cat" was written solely by Jackson. She co-produced the album with Jam and Lewis, while John McClain served as executive producer; the song "Black Cat" was produced by Jellybean Johnson.

The LP was produced primarily through use of synthesizers and drum machines.[15] Prior its recording, Jam and Lewis had begun to update their equipment for Flyte Tyme studios, experimenting with different types of drum machines and keyboards. While Control had been recorded primarily using the LinnDrum machine, songs for Rhythm Nation 1814 were mostly recorded using the E-mu SP-1200, which was more commonplace for hip hop music at the time. The Oberheim OB-8 analog synthesizer, as well as those made by Sequential Circuits, were also used for mixing and recording. The only equipment utilized for the recording of Control that was also used for producing Rhythm Nation 1814 was the Ensoniq Mirage keyboard.[14] The instrumental tracks for "Miss You Much", "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" and "Escapade" were among the first to be recorded, considered to be follow-ups to the "beat-heavy, catchy songs" that Jackson, Jam and Lewis crafted on Control which "defined the punch and power of 1980s dance and pop music."[14][16]

'Rhythm Nation'
"Rhythm Nation" features use of sample loop and a triplet swing beat, while vocals for the song are alternatively sung in octaves or rapped in spoken verse. The song is built upon a sample of "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" by Sly and the Family Stone.
"Black Cat"
The hard rock song "Black Cat" was a notable departure from Jackson's usual sound. It was recorded using a mixture of rockman and Marshall amplifier for a heavy metal effect.
Problems playing these files? See media help.

Jam noted it was commonplace for Jackson to sing her vocals with the base track first and then have the rest of the song built around it in order to make her voice the center of the piece.[17] "Janet did all of her background vocals and not just the lead vocals. The idea with her has always been that she does all of her own vocals, so that it's totally a Janet record."[14] On the title track "Rhythm Nation", her vocals range from B♭3 to A5, climaxing within its middle eight.[18] Musicologist Richard J. Ripani observed the album and title track showcased the variety of contemporary R&B styles, making "use of elements across the R&B spectrum, including use of a sample loop ("Rhythm Nation" samples "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" by Sly and the Family Stone), triplet swing, rapped vocal parts and blues notes (D naturals and G naturals)."[19] This style of music, known as new jack swing, was immensely popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Though officially credited to the production techniques of Teddy Riley, Ripani theorized Riley was influenced by Jackson's 1986 single "Nasty", which also features a distinctive triplet swing. Jon Pareles observed the album's diversity catered to a wide variety of radio formats, including pop, quiet storm, Adult contemporary and mainstream rock.[20] "Black Cat" was a stand-out for the record, not only for being composed exclusively by Jackson, but for its stark departure from her general style of music, delving into hard rock. While Jellybean Johnson was elected to produce it, Dave Berry was recruited to play guitar for the song. It was recorded using a mixture of Rockman and Marshall amplifier to give the song a heavy metal sound.[17]

The sequencing of the record's track list was done strategically, starting with songs that lyrically depict societal injustices and ending with those that explore love, relationships and sexuality. This decision also factored into the album's artwork and marketing, giving it an overt black and white militant imagery.[14] Jam explained that "[t]he idea of putting 'Rhythm Nation', 'State of the World' and 'The Knowledge' as the first three songs on the record really set the tone as to what the record was. Then to have the segue after that where she says, 'Get the point? Good. Let's dance ...' and then go into 'Miss You Much', that was purposely done."[21] He also stated that the safer marketing strategy for the project would have been "a beautiful colored picture of Janet on the cover" with Escapade as its title, starting the track listing with "Miss You Much", "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" and "Escapade", and ending it with "Livin' in a World (They Didn't Make)", "The Knowledge" and "Rhythm Nation" but noted that despite being the same collection of songs, the alternate sequencing and imagery would not have had the same impact.[14] Of its lyrical themes, Kate Kelly stated the album "reveals a social conscience speaking of getting an education, avoiding drugs, and feeding the homeless. All this might seem a little heavy for dance music or pop radio, but Jackson fuses her concepts with driving dance energy that hits the hearts of those hitting the dance-floor."[22] Andrew Barker of Variety described it as "a quasi-concept album whose opening three songs directly addressed crime, the crack epidemic, racism, homelessness and youth illiteracy — not exactly a recipe for a party. And yet the record was somehow even more successful than Control, generating a then-record seven top-five singles."[21]

Promotion and videography

[edit]
See also: Rhythm Nation 1814 (film)
Jackson performing the album's lead single, "Miss You Much", during her 2008 Rock Witchu Tour.

Upon the release of the album's lead single "Miss You Much", A&M Records issued a press release for the record, announcing social themes to "run throughout much of the material".[23] Jackson performed "Rhythm Nation" on several television shows internationally, including Top of the Pops and a Royal Variety Performance.[24] She also performed a controversial rendition of "Black Cat" at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards in which she tore open her snapped blouse; although this was routine for performances of the song in concert, it was considered to have "ushered in a new age of sexual spontaneity" for the singer and viewed as the first "shocking" performance of her career.[25][26]

A thirty-minute short film, Rhythm Nation 1814, was produced as a visual companion for the album. Referred to as a "telemusical", the storyline incorporates three separate music videos: "Miss You Much", "The Knowledge", and "Rhythm Nation".[27] Jackson and director Dominic Sena developed the screenplay, which centers around two boys whose dreams of pursuing music careers are destroyed through substance abuse and drug trafficking.[28] Sena referred to the film as the "1814 Project", attempting to keep the public unaware that Jackson was filming on the streets of Los Angeles.[28] The project had a budget of $1.6 million, and was aired on MTV prior to the album's release.[27][29] A&M co-founder Jerry Moss stated that the decision to film the composite videos all at once for Rhythm Nation 1814 regardless of budget was "a brilliant way to go" allotting Jackson more time to focus her attention elsewhere.[30]

Parallel Lines: Media Representations of Dance (1993) observed that in Rhythm Nation 1814, Jackson represents a "modern good fairy" attempting to guide troubled youth to a more positive way of life. Each of the three segments serve a different purpose, beginning with affinity and companionship in "Miss You Much", followed by anger and frustration in her rooftop solo and ending with "Rhythm Nation", in which Jackson and her dancers "have become a uniformed, formidable army, whose controlled energetic moves and shouts project a disciplined resolution to inspire others through dance and music."[31] Their group dynamic visually depicts a gender neutral equality, with Jackson "performing asexually and anonymously in front of, but as one of the members of the group."[32] It is also noted that the success of the film is not only the final product, but in the commercial and social implications of its development. In selecting an unknown street dancer, Anthony Thomas, to develop her choreography, "Janet Jackson secures a threefold achievement: she satisfies the dictates of the commercial pop music industry by creating a dance image which is significantly different from her earlier work; she demonstrates that, despite fame, she is still in touch with contemporary youth pop culture and its fashions; and finally, she [utilizes], not the dance traditions of Hollywood musical ... but the work of a young black man whose training is outside the institutions of Western theatre and clearly an Afro-American cultural expression of the late 1980s."[31] The film received positive reception. Jefferson Graham in USA Today commented that "she dances up a storm in the moody black-and-white video's three songs ... and plays the role of a mystical figure to young kids."[29] Jon Pareles remarked that "[it] juxtaposes her dance routines with grim urban imagery and a plot line about drugs versus dreams."[20] It was also released on VHS and LaserDisc. Jackson received two MTV Music Video Award nominations for "Best Dance Video" and "Best Choreography" for "Rhythm Nation" at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards, winning the latter.[33]

Five other music videos were produced to promote the album's singles. While the video for "Black Cat" was taken from live footage of Jackson's concerts, those for "Escapade" and "Alright" utilized a Broadway-influenced production. The video for "Alright" was an homage to choreographer Michael Kidd, who was asked to participate in the project and also featured appearances by the flash dancing Nicholas Brothers, actress Cyd Charisse and bandleader Cab Calloway.[34] An extended version of the video also features rapper Heavy D.[35] The somber video for "Come Back To Me" was filmed near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.[36] Similarly, "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" was a notable departure from the typically elaborate choreography associated with Jackson's other videos, focusing on her as an individual rather than as a part of a dancing troupe.[37] Featuring appearances by Antonio Sabàto Jr. and Djimon Hounsou, the sandy beach setting exemplifies director Herb Ritts "signature style through use of graceful movements, bold contrasts, and wide-open spaces."[38] The music video is also regarded as the origin of what would later become Jackson's sexually overt persona, freely displaying her legs, torso and cleavage, as well as touching her own bare skin and Sabàto Jr.'s in a sensual manner. In Present Tense: Rock & Roll and Culture (1992), Anthony DeCurtis states that "[t]he video celebrates hedonism and voyeurism; there are languorous displays of Jackson's body in ripped jeans and brief top, and of several muscular male bodies, black and white, with bare arms, and chests."[39] She received the MTV Video Vanguard Award in 1990, regarded as MTV's highest honor for artists whose videography has significantly impacted pop culture.[40]

A video compilation, titled The Rhythm Nation Compilation, was released on VHS and LaserDisc on November 29, 1990, and has been certified two-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of 200,000 units.[41] Excluding "State of the World", it includes the music videos for all the album's singles, including the extended cut for "Alright", as well as a prologue and epilogue.[42][43]

Rhythm Nation World Tour 1990

[edit]
Main article: Rhythm Nation World Tour 1990
Jackson's Rhythm Nation World Tour 1990 set a record for the fastest sell-out of Japan's Tokyo Dome.

The Rhythm Nation World Tour 1990 was Jackson's debut concert tour. Described as "an elaborately choreographed spectacle", it aimed to recreate the award-winning, innovative music videos of Rhythm Nation 1814 and those of its predecessor, Control.[44] Anthony Thomas served as the tour's main choreographer, while Chuckii Booker became its musical director and opening act.[45][46] She was assisted by a team of eleven musicians, five back-up singers, and six dancers.[47] Jackson's total production and staging reportedly cost $2 million.[48] In addition to Jackson's choreography, the tour was reported to portray "dazzling lighting effects and pyrotechnics", as well as illusionary magic, in which Jackson was transformed into a leopard on stage.[49]

Writing for Time magazine, Jay Cocks observed the show to integrate "sleek high tech and smooth dance rhythm into an evening of snazzy soul with a social conscience."[50] Chris Willman of the Los Angeles Times remarked that Jackson's choreography "represents the pinnacle of what can be done in the popping 'n' locking style—a rapid-fire mixture of rigidly jerky and gracefully fluid movements."[51] Several critics noted Jackson lip synced portions of the show, in a similar fashion to her contemporaries.[52] Jon Pareles commented, "most lip-synched shows are done by video-era pop performers whose audiences are young and television trained. They fill arenas to enjoy a spectacle like what they saw on television—the dancing ... the stage effects and incidentally the songs."[53] Michael MacCambridge considered it a "moot point" stating, "Jackson was frequently singing along with her own pre-recorded vocals, to achieve a sound closer to radio versions of singles."[54]

The tour became the most successful debut concert tour in history, with an attendance of over two million.[55] It also set a record for the fastest sell-out of Japan's Tokyo Dome, selling out within seven minutes.[56] Jackson became the only female artist other than Madonna to fill arenas at the time.[57] It was ranked the fifth most successful tour of 1990, making her the only female artist to place within the top ten.[58] It also solidified her reputation as a fashion icon, as fans imitated her "Rhythm Nation" outfit and regalia.[59] Ebony magazine reported "hoards of teen girls were imitating her distinctive look—black quasi-military long jackets, black tight-tight pants, and big white shirts."[60] Joel Selvin of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote "the 23-year-old has been making smash hit records for four years, becoming a fixture on MTV and a major role model to teenage girls across the country."[61] Over $450,000.00 in proceeds from the tour's Madison Square Garden show were used to establish the Rhythm Nation scholarship program.[62] The annual scholarship awards $5,000.00 to students majoring in performing arts and communications at United Negro College Fund member colleges and universities.[63] William Allen, then-executive vice president of the UNCF, remarked: "Jackson is a role model for all young people to emulate and the message she has gotten to the young people of this country through the lyrics of 'Rhythm Nation 1814' is having positive effects."[64]

Singles

[edit]
Jackson performing the album's title track, "Rhythm Nation", during her 2011 Number Ones, Up Close and Personal tour.

Rhythm Nation 1814 produced a record-setting seven top five hit singles on the Billboard Hot 100.[65] With lead single "Miss You Much", along with "Escapade", "Black Cat" and the album's final single "Love Will Never Do (Without You)", it also yielded four number one hits. "Miss You Much" topped the chart for four weeks.[66] It also topped the Hot Dance Club Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts.[67] The single was certified platinum by the RIAA.[68] It also reached number two in Canada and New Zealand, one in Japanese airplay and South Africa, twelve in Australia, the top fifteen in Belgium and the Netherlands, the top twenty in Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland, and twenty-two on the United Kingdom singles chart, as well as charting in Brazil.[69][70] According to Radio & Records, "Miss You Much" was the biggest airplay hit of the year.[13] It sold over four million copies worldwide, and became the year's second-best selling single behind Phil Collins's "Another Day in Paradise".[71][72]

"Rhythm Nation" peaked at number two, behind "Another Day in Paradise".[73] It peaked atop Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Dance Club Songs. The single was certified gold by the RIAA.[67][68] It reached number six in Canada, two in Japanese airplay and South Africa, eleven in the Netherlands, fifteen in Belgium, the top twenty of New Zealand and Sweden, and the top twenty-five of Switzerland, Poland, and the United Kingdom.[69][70] "Escapade" topped the Hot 100, as well as the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Dance Club Songs.[67] It was certified gold in May 1990.[68] It reached number one in Canada and Japanese airplay, four in South Africa, ten in Sweden and Belgium, thirteen in the Netherlands, seventeen in the United Kingdom, and twenty-three in Germany.[69][70] The single version of "Alright" featuring additional vocals from rapper Heavy D peaked at number four on the Hot 100 and Hot Dance Club Songs, while reaching number two on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[67] It was certified gold in June 1990.[68] It reached number six in Canada, three in South Africa, and one in Japanese airplay.[69][70] "Come Back to Me" peaked at number two on the Hot 100. It reached number three in Canada, as well as number one in Japanese airplay and South Africa, and the top twenty in Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.[69][70]

"Black Cat" topped the Hot 100 and received gold certification.[17][68] It reached number four in Canada and three in Japanese airplay, five in Norway, six in Australia, the top ten in Sweden, France, and Switzerland, the top fifteen in the United Kingdom, the top twenty in Belgium, and twenty-one in the Netherlands.[69][70] "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" was released as the album's seventh and final commercial single. It reached number one on January 19, 1991, topping the chart for one week. It reached number one in Canada and Japanese airplay, and two in South Africa.[17][69][70] The single was certified gold by the RIAA.[68] Lastly, "State of the World" was issued solely for radio airplay, making it ineligible to chart.[74] It reached number five on the Hot 100 Airplay (Radio Songs) chart.[67] Billboard noted it likely would have been the album's eighth top five hit if a commercial product had been distributed.[74]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[75]
Chicago Tribune[76]
The Guardian[77]
Los Angeles Times[78]
NME6/10[79]
Pitchfork9.0/10[80]
Q[81]
Rolling Stone[11]
Slant Magazine[82]
The Village VoiceA−[83]

The album received generally positive reviews, with a mixed reaction to Jackson's social and political themes.[4] Dennis Hunt of the Los Angeles Times called it "intriguing" and diverse, ranging from "social commentary to lusty, sensual tunes, from dance music to songs laced with jazz and Brazilian textures."[78] Vince Aletti of Rolling Stone likened Jackson's themes to a politician, "abandoning the narrow 'I' for the universal 'we' and inviting us to do the same."[11] Aletti complimented Jackson's balance of "despair with optimism, anger with hope", incorporated within its theme of social progress.[11] Andy Ellis-Widders of Keyboard considered it "a powerful statement on racial integration, social accountability, and personal integrity."[84] In his review for The Boston Globe, Steve Morse compared its success to that of Aerosmith and Billy Joel, declaring it "a dance record with a ruthlessly frank social conscience that addresses drugs, homelessness, illiteracy and teen runaways. She's reached far beyond dance music's fluffy image to unite even serious rockers and rappers who usually look the other way."[28] Michael Snyder of the San Francisco Chronicle considered it a worthy successor to Jackson's previous album Control, adding "a little sociopolitical substance" as she "bounces between the two extremes of romance and generalized, politically correct topicality."[85]

Writing for The New York Times, Jon Pareles viewed Rhythm Nation 1814 as having been "thoroughly calculated" for massive commercial success, noting that, as with Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon (1973) and Guns N' Roses' Appetite for Destruction (1987), consumers might find that "[b]uying the album can mean endorsing an attitude ... the album becomes a cause without a rebellion."[20] Pareles commended its musicality and vocals, stating "[t]he tone of the music is airless, sealing out imprecision and reveling in crisp, machine-generated rhythms; Ms. Jackson's piping voice, layered upon itself in punchy unisons or lavish harmonies, never cracks or falters."[20] Robert Christgau wrote in his review for The Village Voice, "Her voice is as unequal to her vaguely admonitory politics as it was to her declaration of sexual availability, but the music is the message."[83]

In 1990, the album earned Grammy Award nominations for "Best Female R&B Vocal Performance" and "Best Rhythm & Blues Song" for "Miss You Much", and "Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist" and "Best Long Form Music Video" for "Rhythm Nation", winning the latter award at the 32nd Annual Grammy Awards. Jackson was also nominated for "Producer of the Year, Non-Classical", becoming the first woman to be nominated for the award.[86][87] The following year, Jackson received nominations for "Best Female Rock Vocal Performance" for "Black Cat", in addition to "Best Rhythm & Blues Song" and "Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female" for "Alright" at the 33rd Annual Grammy Awards.[88]

Retrospective reviews continue to assess the album favorably. Eric Henderson of Slant Magazine declared the album a "masterpiece".[82] Henderson also praised its diversity, stating: "She was more credibly feminine, more crucially masculine, more viably adult, more believably childlike. This was, of course, critical to a project in which Janet assumed the role of mouthpiece for a nationless, multicultural utopia."[82] Though referring to Jackson's voice as "wafer-thin", Alex Henderson of AllMusic applauded Jackson's spirit and enthusiasm, praising the album's numerous "gems".[75] Henderson regarded it "an even higher artistic plateau" than her prior album, adding: "For those purchasing their first Janet Jackson release, Rhythm Nation would be an even wiser investment than Control—and that's saying a lot."[75] Alexis Petridis of The Guardian described the album as a more "grandiose" counterpart to Control, "tough, funky and driving – the second of a perfect pair."[77]

Accolades

[edit]
Organization Country Award Year Ref.
Parents' Choice Foundation United States Parents' Choice Award 1989 [89]
American Music Awards Favorite Dance Artist, Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist, Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist, Favorite Dance Single ("Miss You Much"), Favorite Soul/R&B Song ("Miss You Much") 1990– 91 [90][91]
Billboard Music Awards Top Hot 100 Singles Artist of the Year, Top Selling Album of the Year, Top Selling R&B Album of the Year, Top Selling R&B Albums Artist of the Year, Top Selling R&B Artist of the Year, Top Dance Club Play Artist of the Year, Top Hot Dance 12" Singles Sales Artist of the Year 1990 [92]
Billboard's Tanqueray Sterling Music Video Awards Best Female Video Artist, Black/Rap, Best Female Artist, Dance, Director's Award, Black/Rap (Rhythm Nation 1814), Director's Award, Dance ("Alright"), Tanqueray Sterling Music Video Award for Artistic Achievement (Rhythm Nation 1814 Film) [93]
MTV Music Video Awards Best Choreography ("Rhythm Nation"), Video Vanguard Award [40]
Grammy Awards Best Music Video, Long Form (Rhythm Nation 1814 Film) [94]
Rolling Stone "Women Who Rock: The 50 Greatest Albums of All Time" — #26 2002 [95]
Quintessence Editions Ltd. United Kingdom 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die 2003 [96]
Rolling Stone United States The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time — #275 2003 [97]
Rolling Stone The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time — #277 2012 [98]
Rolling Stone The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time — #339 2020 [99]
Entertainment Weekly The 100 Best Albums of the Past 25 Years — #54 2007 [100]
Slant Magazine "Best Albums of the '80s" — #43 2012 [101]
Spin "The 300 Best Albums of the Past 30 Years (1985–2014)" — #54 2014 [102]
Pitchfork "The 200 Best Albums of the 1980s" — #30 2018 [103]
Cleveland.com "The 80 Greatest Albums of the 1980s by Rock Hall Inductees" (ranked 58) 2020 [104]

Commercial performance

[edit]

The album debuted at number twenty-eight on the Billboard 200 and eighty-seven on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, eventually reaching the number one position on both charts.[105] It topped the Billboard 200 for four consecutive weeks, selling three million copies within the first four months of its release.[13] It sold an additional 1.10 million through BMG Music Club.[106] In November 1989, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the album gold.[107] It was certified double platinum by the end of the year and ultimately certified sixfold platinum by the RIAA.[107] It emerged as the best selling album of 1990 in the territory.[17] As of September, 2014, the album has sold over 7 million copies in the US.[108]

Internationally, the album reached number one in Australia, where it was certified double platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), and South Africa.[69] In Canada, it entered the top five and was certified platinum.[109] The album peaked at number four on the United Kingdom albums chart, receiving a platinum certification. It also entered the top ten of Japan and New Zealand, where it was certified double platinum and gold. It reached the top twenty-five of Sweden, as well as the top thirty in the Netherlands and Germany. It also received gold certifications in Switzerland and Hong Kong.[110] It has sold an estimated 12 million copies worldwide.[2] The Rhythm Nation 1814 video compilation and its reissue were each certified double platinum in United States.[111]

Legacy

[edit]

The commercial success of Rhythm Nation 1814 was an unexpected achievement for mainstream pop music. Although Jackson was told focusing her album's theme on social consciousness would negatively impact sales, it was "a prediction soon proved wrong when the album was certified multi-platinum" and subsequently topped the pop, R&B and dance music charts.[12] In She Bop II: The Definitive History of Women in Rock, Pop and Soul (2003), Lucy O'Brien wrote that contrary to A&M's fear that the album would underperform, its multi-platinum sales pushed Jackson to a level of superstardom rivaling her brother Michael, calling it a "personal manifesto" and regarding it as a female counterpart to Marvin Gaye's What's Going On (1971).[112] Timothy E. Scheurer, author of Born in the USA: The Myth of America in Popular Music from Colonial Times to the Present (2007), wrote that the album "may remind some of Sly Stone prior to There's a Riot Going On and other African-American artists of the 1970s in its tacit assumption that the world imagined by Dr. King is still possible, that the American Dream is a dream for all people."[113] It made history as the only album to generate seven top-five hits on the Billboard Hot 100, surpassing Michael Jackson's Thriller (1982) and Bruce Springsteen's Born in the U.S.A. (1984), which each have seven top ten hits.[65][114] It is also the first album to achieve number one hits in three separate calendar years, with "Miss You Much" in 1989, "Escapade" and "Black Cat" in 1990, and "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" in 1991.[115] This feat would subsequently be matched by The Weeknd's After Hours in 2021.[116] Additionally, it is one of only nine albums—alongside Michael Jackson's Bad (1987), Saturday Night Fever: The Original Movie Sound Track (1977), Whitney Houston's Whitney (1987), George Michael's Faith (1987), Paula Abdul's Forever Your Girl (1989), Mariah Carey's self-titled debut (1990), Usher's Confessions (2004) and Katy Perry's Teenage Dream (2010)—to produce a minimum of four number ones.[117]

Jackson singing "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" during her 2015–16 Unbreakable World Tour. The song became the final of seven top five singles released from Rhythm Nation 1814.

Aside from its commercial performance, the album's composition has continued to receive acclaim for its sonic innovation. Upon its 25th anniversary, music critic and scholar Joseph Vogel observed that when viewed "as a complete artistic statement, Rhythm Nation 1814 was a stunning achievement. It married the pleasures of pop with the street energy and edge of hip-hop."[65] Kyle Anderson of Entertainment Weekly asserted the record "has barely aged—it sounds as rich and vital as it did when it was first released, and stylistically as contemporary as anything on the Billboard charts."[118] Anderson also underscores that it pioneered several musical trends, citing records by pop and R&B artists including Rihanna, Pink, Beyoncé, Frank Ocean, Gwen Stefani, The Weeknd, Lady Gaga, Jhené Aiko, Miguel, Christina Aguilera, FKA Twigs, and Tinashe that have exhibited similarities to the "landmark" album.[118] Its single for "Alright" featuring Heavy D made Jackson the first pop artist to team with a rapper, "setting the trend for future pop and hip-hop collaborations."[119] Additionally, "Black Cat" set a precedent for female pop stars segueing into glam metal.[118] The album notably influenced Michael Jackson's Dangerous (1991) and HIStory (1995), the latter of which features the sibling's duet "Scream", produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.[120] Its impact also extends to indie and alternative rock music, with School of Seven Bells,[121] A Sunny Day in Glasgow,[122] and Alexis Krauss of Sleigh Bells citing the album as an influence in their work.[123] MTV's Brenna Ehrlich remarked: "From Beyoncé ... to Britney Spears to Robyn to Sleigh Bells, the influence of Jackson's game-changer of a record is still rippling through the radio waves (or SoundCloud waves) today."[124]

Janet Jackson's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Jackson's handwritten lyrics to "Rhythm Nation" have been preserved by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "Women Who Rock" exhibit, which Kathryn Metz describes as "the perfect platform to talk about song structure" for the museum's "Women Who Rock: Songwriting and Point of View" course, in which students analyze music written by female songwriters.[125] The Hall has also preserved her military styled "Rhythm Nation" uniform.[126] Rolling Stone observed the song's music video "set the template for hundreds of videos to come in the Nineties and aughts."[127] Mike Weaver remarked the "innovative, one-of-a-kind, funk-and-groove choreography was unlike anything seen in the history of pop music."[128] Although music historian Ted Gioia considered the song to be an "awkward chant" he commented that "Rhythm Nation" became "one of the most riveting videos of the era, a kind of sensual steampunk for MTV viewers."[129] In 1990, Jackson received MTV's Video Vanguard Award for her contributions to the art form.[130] That same year, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in recognition of her impact on the recording industry and philanthropic endeavors, including her Rhythm Nation Scholarship fund.[131] With her contractual obligations to A&M fulfilled in 1991, she signed with Virgin Records for an unprecedented multimillion-dollar deal, becoming the world's highest paid musician at the time.[132]

Sal Cinquemani noted her popularity had eclipsed Michael Jackson's, "as she would continue to do for more than a decade".[133] Music scholars John Shepherd and David Horn wrote that as a crossover artist on the pop and R&B charts, she emerged "the most dominant female performer of the 1980s" behind Whitney Houston.[15] Dan Rubey observed that she presented herself as a role model for black women and as a creative intellect whose work advocated the advancement of black people.[39] Joseph Vogel stated that her rising popularity towards the end of the decade was important for several reasons, "not the least of which was how it coincided with (and spoke to) the rise of black feminism".[65] At a time when radio airplay and MTV primarily catered to white rock musicians, her album and its predecessor garnered widespread critical acclaim alongside other "unprecedented breakthroughs" by black women—including Alice Walker's The Color Purple (1982), Toni Morrison's Beloved (1987) and Patricia Hill Collins's Black Feminist Thought (1990)—musically capturing the spirit of the movement and presenting an alternate model on both womanhood and feminism to that of Madonna. Regarding her diverse appeal among youth, he also stated: "Janet didn't have the vocal prowess of Whitney Houston, or the poetic subtlety of Kate Bush; she didn't have Annie Lennox's penchant for the avant-garde or Madonna's predilection for shock. But none of these artists achieved the cross-racial impact (particularly on youth culture) of Janet. And none of them had an album like Rhythm Nation 1814."[65]

'I had this great epiphany
And Rhythm Nation was the dream
I guess next time, I'll know better'

"Shoulda Known Better", Unbreakable

Jackson herself would comment on the album's legacy on her 2015 album Unbreakable. In the song "Shoulda Known Better", she reflects on her optimistic wish that Rhythm Nation 1814 could have profoundly changed the world, noting that there are many, deeper issues to fix and that broad strokes aren't enough. The chorus includes the line, "Cause I don't want my face to be / That poster child for being naive"; and Rhythm Nation's title is referred to as "an epiphany", with Jackson mentioning that "next time, I'll know better". Album co-producer Jimmy Jam told the BBC: "When you're young, you feel like: 'I can change the world! I'm going to lead the revolution!' And then you look 25 years later and you go: 'OK, I should have known better. The same problems still exist but there's a different way to go about tackling it. It still involves mobilising people, but I can't do it by myself.' It's just a wiser, more mature look at the reality of trying to make a positive change, a social change."[134] In 2021, the Library of Congress announced it had selected Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 for preservation and inducted it into the National Recording Registry.[135] The album is one of 25 recordings inducted into the registry's class of 2020 that are considered to be "audio treasures worthy of preservation for all time based on their cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation's recorded sound heritage."[136]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by and produced by Janet Jackson, James Harris III, and Terry Lewis, except where noted

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Interlude: Pledge"  0:47
2."Rhythm Nation"  5:31
3."Interlude: T.V."
  • Harris
  • Lewis
 0:22
4."State of the World"  4:48
5."Interlude: Race"
  • Harris
  • Lewis
 0:05
6."The Knowledge"
  • Harris
  • Lewis
 3:54
7."Interlude: Let's Dance"
  • Harris
  • Lewis
 0:03
8."Miss You Much"
  • Harris
  • Lewis
 4:12
9."Interlude: Come Back"
  • Harris
  • Lewis
 0:21
10."Love Will Never Do (Without You)"
  • Harris
  • Lewis
 5:50
11."Livin' in a World (They Didn't Make)"
  • Harris
  • Lewis
 4:41
12."Alright"  6:26
13."Interlude: Hey Baby"
  • Harris
  • Lewis
 0:10
14."Escapade"  4:44
15."Interlude: No Acid"
  • Harris
  • Lewis
 0:05
16."Black Cat"
  • Jackson
4:50
17."Lonely"  4:59
18."Come Back to Me"  5:33
19."Someday Is Tonight"  6:00
20."Interlude: Livin'...In Complete Darkness"
  • Harris
  • Lewis
 1:07
Total length:64:34
Original vinyl release[137]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Interlude: Pledge"  0:47
2."Rhythm Nation"  4:38
3."State of the World"  4:53
4."The Knowledge"
  • Harris
  • Lewis
 4:01
5."Miss You Much"
  • Harris
  • Lewis
 3:53
6."Love Will Never Do (Without You)"
  • Harris
  • Lewis
 5:48
7."Livin' in a World (They Didn't Make)"
  • Harris
  • Lewis
 4:36
8."Alright"  5:27
9."Escapade"  4:48
10."Black Cat"
  • Jackson
  • Jackson
  • Johnson
4:50
11."Lonely"  4:59
12."Come Back to Me"  5:32
13."Someday Is Tonight"  6:01
14."Interlude: Livin'...In Complete Darkness"
  • Harris
  • Lewis
 1:06
Total length:61:19
UK cassette two[138]
No.TitleLength
1."Miss You Much" (Shep's house mix) 
2."You Need Me" (B-side to "Miss You Much") 
3."Skin Game" (B-side to "Come Back to Me") 
4."The 1814 Megamix" (full version) 
5."Come Back to Me" (instrumental) 
The Rhythm Nation Compilation video[42]
No.TitleDirector(s)Length
1."Prologue"Dominic Sena3:16
2."Miss You Much"Sena5:27
3."Rhythm Nation"Sena4:53
4."Escapade"Peter Smillie5:04
5."Alright" (extended version)Julien Temple9:05
6."Come Back To Me"Sena5:43
7."Black Cat"Wayne Isham5:23
8."Love Will Never Do (Without You)"Herb Ritts5:38
9."Epilogue"Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris1:42

Notes

  • The original vinyl release does not list the interludes as separate tracks, they are instead located at the beginning of the next track.

Personnel

[edit]
  • Janet Jackson – lead vocals, keyboards, background vocals, producer, arranger
  • Herb Alpert – trumpet, horn, brass
  • Julie Ayer – violin
  • Stephen Barnett – conductor
  • Steve Barnett – conductor
  • David Barry – electric and 12-string guitar
  • Lee Blaske – arranger
  • Chris Brown – bass
  • Carolyn Daws – violin
  • Hanley Daws – violin
  • David Eiland – programming
  • Rene Elizondo – background vocals
  • Richard Frankel – art direction, cover design
  • Brian Gardner – mastering at Bernie Grundman Mastering, Hollywood, CA
  • Johnny Gill – percussion, special effects, finger snaps
  • James Greer – background vocals
  • Guzman (Constance Hansen & Russell Peacock) – photography
  • Steve Hodge – background vocals, engineer, mixing at Flyte Tyme Studio D, Edina, Minnesota
  • Peter Howard – cello
  • Jimmy Jam – percussion, piano, drums, keyboards, programming, producer
  • Jellybean Johnson – guitar, drums, vocals, background vocals, producer
  • Jesse Johnson – guitar
  • Lisa Keith – background vocals
  • Kathy Kienzle – harp
  • Joshua Koestenbaum – cello
  • Jamila Lafleur – background vocals
  • Terry Lewis – bass, percussion, arranger, background vocals, producer
  • Tshaye Marks – background vocals
  • John McClain – background vocals, executive producer
  • Tamika McDaniel – vocals
  • Tarnika McDaniel – background vocals
  • John McLain – guitar, background vocals
  • Shante Owens – background vocals
  • Amy Powell – vocals
  • Randy Ran – background vocals
  • Nicholas Raths – guitar, classical guitar
  • Sonya Robinson – background vocals
  • Clarice Rupert – background vocals
  • Warlesha Ryan – background vocals
  • Tamas Strasser – viola
  • John Tartaglia – viola
  • Reshard Taylor – background vocals
  • Romuald Tecco – concert master
  • Anthony Thomas – background vocals
  • Hyacinthe Tlucek – concert master
  • Steve Wilson – background vocals

Charts

[edit]

Certifications and sales

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[160] 2× Platinum 140,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[161] Platinum 100,000^
Hong Kong (IFPI Hong Kong)[162] Gold 10,000*
Japan (RIAJ)[164] Gold 500,000[163]
Netherlands (NVPI)[165] Gold 50,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[166] Gold 7,500^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[167] Gold 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[168] Platinum 300,000^
United States (RIAA)[169] 6× Platinum 7,000,000[108]
Summaries
Worldwide — 12,000,000[2]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.


Certifications for The Rhythm Nation Compilation (video)
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[170] Platinum 100,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Pitchfork Staff (September 10, 2018). "The 200 Best Albums of the 1980s". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 25, 2023. Producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis spun Jackson a dark, almost metallic blend of intense funk...
  2. ^ a b c Kreps, Daniel (September 20, 2019). "Janet Jackson Releases Massive 'Rhythm Nation 1814' Remix Collection". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 20, 2019. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  3. ^ Norment, Lynn (April 2008). "Don't Call It A Come Back". Ebony. Johnson Publishing Company: 74. ISSN 0012-9011.
  4. ^ a b Martin Strong (2004), The Great Rock Discography: Complete Discographies Listing Every Track, Canongate U.S., p. 749, ISBN 978-1-84195-615-2
  5. ^ a b c d Fred Bronson (2002), Billboard's Hottest Hot 100 Hits, Watson-Guptill, p. 362, ISBN 978-0-8230-7738-0
  6. ^ Kenneth Patridge (September 18, 2019), "Jimmy Jam Opens Up About the Making of Janet Jackson's 'Rhythm Nation 1814'", Billboard, archived from the original on December 16, 2021, retrieved June 12, 2021
  7. ^ a b Robert E. Johnson (November 6, 1989), "Janet Jackson Turns Serious: 'It's Nice To Laugh, But Don't Be The Joke'", Jet, vol. 77, no. 5, pp. 60–62, ISSN 0021-5996
  8. ^ Ritz, David (March 1990). "Janet's Nation". Essence.
  9. ^ "Newsmakers", Houston Chronicle, p. 2, February 18, 1990, ISSN 1074-7109
  10. ^ "SHORT TAKES: 'Rhythm Nation: 1814' Explained", Los Angeles Times, February 6, 1990, archived from the original on October 31, 2020, retrieved October 27, 2020
  11. ^ a b c d Aletti, Vince (October 19, 1989), "Rhythm Nation 1814", Rolling Stone, ISSN 0035-791X, archived from the original on August 20, 2018, retrieved June 12, 2008
  12. ^ a b Gillian G. Gaar (2002), She's a Rebel: The History of Women in Rock & Roll, Seal Press, p. 325, ISBN 978-1-58005-078-4
  13. ^ a b c d Jefferson Graham (December 15, 1989), "Janet in command; Jackson rules her own 'Nation'; Highlights of a rhythmic life", USA Today, p. 1.D, ISSN 0734-7456
  14. ^ a b c d e f Chris Williams (September 19, 2014), Key Tracks: Jimmy Jam on Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814, Red Bull Music Academy, archived from the original on June 30, 2015, retrieved July 11, 2015
  15. ^ a b John Shepherd; David Horn (2012), Continuum Encyclopedia of Popular Music of the World Volume 8: Genres: North America, A&C Black, pp. 353, 375, ISBN 978-1-4411-6078-2
  16. ^ Jeffrey H. Wallenfeldt (2010), Black American Biographies: The Journey of Achievement, Rosen Publishing, p. 290, ISBN 978-1-61530-137-9
  17. ^ a b c d e Fred Bronson (2003), The Billboard Book of Number One Hits, Billboard Books, pp. 752, 770, ISBN 978-0-8230-7677-2
  18. ^ Janet Jackson 'Rhythm Nation' Sheet Music – Download & Print, Musicnotes, March 30, 2009, archived from the original on December 26, 2014, retrieved July 1, 2014
  19. ^ Richard J. Ripani (2006), The New Blue Music: Changes in Rhythm & Blues, 1950–1999, University Press of Mississippi, pp. 131–132, 152–153, ISBN 978-1-57806-862-3
  20. ^ a b c d Pareles, Jon (September 17, 1989), "Janet Jackson Adopts a New Attitude: Concern", The New York Times, p. A.31, ISSN 0362-4331, archived from the original on July 30, 2017, retrieved February 9, 2017
  21. ^ a b Andrew Barker (May 23, 2013), "Janet Jackson: Beyond the Velvet Rope", Variety, archived from the original on December 13, 2014, retrieved July 25, 2014
  22. ^ Kate Kelley (March 14, 1990), "Janet Jackson Fuses social concepts in song, dance", Beaver County Times, p. C.8
  23. ^ Gliatto, Tom (August 16, 1989), "Lifeline", USA Today, p. 1.D, ISSN 0734-7456
  24. ^ "WORLD Celebrities react to the death of Queen Elizabeth II: Elton John, Mick Jagger, Helen Mirren and many more". CBS News. September 9, 2022. Archived from the original on September 9, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  25. ^ "MTV Video Music Awards – 1990 – Highlights, Winners, Performers and Photos from the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards". MTV. Archived from the original on February 19, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
  26. ^ "10 Amazing, Shocking Unscripted Moments From '90s MTV – Flavorwire". Flavorwire.com. May 8, 2013. Archived from the original on April 29, 2014. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
  27. ^ a b Westbrook, Bruce (September 17, 1989), "Janet Jackson has a winner with 'Rhythm Nation'", The New York Times, p. 31
  28. ^ a b c Morse, Steve (November 20, 1989), "Changing Her Tune Janet Jackson's New Conscience", Boston Globe, p. 30, ISSN 0743-1791
  29. ^ a b Graham, Jefferson (September 14, 1989), "Janet takes control again in new video", USA Today, p. 1.D, ISSN 0734-7456
  30. ^ Eric Weisbard (2014), Top 40 Democracy: The Rival Mainstreams of American Music, University of Chicago Press, p. 149, ISBN 978-0-226-89618-2
  31. ^ a b Stephanie Jordan; Dave Allen (1993), Parallel Lines: Media Representations of Dance, Indiana University Press, pp. 67–70, ISBN 978-0-86196-371-3
  32. ^ Helmi Järviluoma; Pirkko Moisala; Anni Vilkko (2003), Gender and Qualitative Methods, SAGE Publications, p. 92, ISBN 978-0-7619-6585-5
  33. ^ "MTV Video Music Awards nominees", Austin American-Statesman, p. 5, September 5, 1990
  34. ^ Judy Mitoma; Elizabeth Zimmer; Dale Ann Stieber (2013), Envisioning Dance on Film and Video, Routledge, p. 16, ISBN 978-1-135-37644-4
  35. ^ "Janet Jackson Tour Continues To Set Records", Jet, 78 (6): 54, May 21, 1990, ISSN 0021-5996
  36. ^ Robert E. Johnson, "Janet Jackson: A New Love, A New Nation and New Black Pride", Ebony, vol. 45, no. 4, p. 50, ISSN 0012-9011
  37. ^ "Janet Jackson Reveals Another Side In New Video", Jet, 79 (9): 36, December 10, 1990, ISSN 0021-5996
  38. ^ Herb Ritts; Paul Martineau; James Crump (2012), Herb Ritts: L.A. Style, Getty Publications, p. 8, ISBN 978-1-60606-100-8
  39. ^ a b Anthony DeCurtis; Jeff Calder; Anthony DeCurtis; Mark Dery; Paul Evans; Glenn Gass; Trent Hill; Michael Jarrett; Alan Light; Greil Marcus; Robert Palmer; Robert B. Ray; Dan Rubey; David R. Shumway; Martha Nell Smith; Paul Smith (1992), Present Tense: Rock & Roll and Culture, Duke University Press, pp. 261, 258, ISBN 978-0-8223-8222-5
  40. ^ a b Francesca Chapman (September 7, 1990), "Sinead Takes MTV's Top Video Award", Philadelphia Daily News, p. 65
  41. ^ "JANET JACKSON RHYTHM NATION - Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  42. ^ a b Janet Jackson (1990). The Rhythm Nation Compilation (VHS). A&M Video. 75026 1737 3.
  43. ^ Johnson, Connie (November 25, 1990), "Janet Jackson 'The Rhythm Nation Compilation'", Los Angeles Times, p. 62, ISSN 0458-3035
  44. ^ "Music features: A Million Miles Of Music Your Complete Guide To The Tours Of Summer Summer Music Preview", Entertainment Weekly, p. 32, June 1, 1990
  45. ^ Morse, Steve (March 22, 1990), "Janet Jackson Running the Show", Boston Globe, p. 10, ISSN 0743-1791
  46. ^ Adrianson, Doug (March 9, 1990), "Janet Jackson: Rhythm Nation Tour expected to be 'bad'", Ottawa Citizen, p. D.1, ISSN 0839-3222
  47. ^ Anderson, John (January 14, 1990), "Pop Notes", Newsday
  48. ^ Wilker, Deborah (March 2, 1990), "Jackson's Action Turns Miami into Rhythm City", Sun Sentinel, p. 12.A
  49. ^ "Jackson Cans Cat". The Pittsburgh Press. King, Peter B. August 12, 1990. p. 29.
  50. ^ Jay Cocks (May 28, 1990), "Dancing on the Charts", Time, p. 87, ISSN 0040-781X, archived from the original on November 26, 2010, retrieved May 19, 2011
  51. ^ Willman, Chris (April 23, 1990), "Pop Music Review Janet Jackson's Dance of Community", Los Angeles Times, p. 1, ISSN 0458-3035
  52. ^ Gundersen, Edna (May 25, 1990), "Style Over Sound:Pop stars take canned music on tour", USA Today, p. 1.D
  53. ^ Pareles, Jon (July 10, 1990), "Are Laws Needed On Canned Music At Live Shows?", The New York Times, p. C.13, ISSN 0362-4331
  54. ^ MacCambridge, Michael (July 6, 1990), "A lesson in 'Control' // Janet Jackson delivers precise, sparkling show", Austin American-Statesman, p. B.8
  55. ^ Jaynes, Gerald David (2005), Encyclopedia of African American Society, SAGE Publications, p. 565, ISBN 0-7619-2764-6
  56. ^ "Janet Jackson Announces Rock Witchu Tour", Live Nation, PR Newswire, 2008, archived from the original on June 13, 2008, retrieved June 13, 2008
  57. ^ "Jackson's Encore Hits, Misses". Sun Sentinel. Walker, Deborah. July 14, 1990. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  58. ^ Morse, Steve (January 4, 1991), "Neil Young has a date at the Garden", Boston Globe, ISSN 0743-1791
  59. ^ Kirk McKoy (April 27, 1990). "Dress Rehearsal: Fans of Janet Jackson Pay Homage to Her by Showing Up at Concerts in Look-Alike Clothes". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  60. ^ "The Biggest Brother-Sister Stars in Show Business History", Ebony, vol. 46, no. 10, p. 40, ISSN 0012-9011
  61. ^ Selvin, Joel (April 30, 1990), "Just Wholesome Glitz From Janet", San Francisco Chronicle, p. F1
  62. ^ "Janet Jackson End 'Rhythm Nation Tour, Donates Over 1/2 Million To Fund Education Projects", Jet, vol. 79, no. 13, p. 57, ISSN 0021-5996
  63. ^ "Rhythm Nation/Janet Jackson Scholarship". petersons.com. July 22, 2015. Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  64. ^ "Names In The News Janet Jackson Benefit Concert", Los Angeles Times, p. 9, February 5, 1990, ISSN 0458-3035
  65. ^ a b c d e "The Nation That Janet Jackson Built". The Atlantic. Vogel, Joseph. September 15, 2014. Archived from the original on September 18, 2014. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  66. ^ David A. Jasen (2002), A Century of American Popular Music: 2000 Best-Loved and Remembered Songs (1899–1999), Taylor & Francis, p. 133, ISBN 978-0-415-93700-9
  67. ^ a b c d e allmusic – Rhythm Nation 1814 > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles, AllMusic, 2008, archived from the original on October 31, 2011, retrieved August 29, 2010
  68. ^ a b c d e f Rhythm Nation 1814 – Singles Certifications, Recording Industry Association of America, November 3, 1989, archived from the original on September 24, 2015, retrieved June 13, 2008
  69. ^ a b c d e f g h Craig Halstead (2003), Jackson Number Ones
  70. ^ a b c d e f g Song artist 32 – Janet Jackson, Tsort.info, archived from the original on July 24, 2014, retrieved August 30, 2014
  71. ^ Glen Levy (June 18, 2009), ""Miss You Much" by Janet Jackson", Time, archived from the original on June 28, 2009, retrieved March 8, 2012
  72. ^ "Top Selling Albums and Singles 1989", Time, June 18, 2009, archived from the original on March 5, 2012, retrieved March 8, 2012
  73. ^ Craig Halstead; Chris Cadman (2003), Jacksons Number Ones, Authors On Line, pp. 28, 126, ISBN 978-0-7552-0098-6
  74. ^ a b Fred Bronson (November 13, 2008), "Chart Beat: 'Change Is Gonna Come,' Rihanna, Janet", Billboard, archived from the original on September 14, 2014, retrieved July 25, 2014
  75. ^ a b c Henderson, Alex, Rhythm Nation 1814 – Janet Jackson, AllMusic, archived from the original on June 14, 2012, retrieved June 12, 2008
  76. ^ Kot, Greg (September 28, 1989), "Janet Jackson: Rhythm Nation (A & M)", Chicago Tribune, ISSN 1085-6706, archived from the original on November 16, 2018, retrieved September 23, 2017
  77. ^ a b Petridis, Alexis (July 25, 2019), "Janet Jackson album reissues review – proof that more than one Jackson ruled", The Guardian, archived from the original on February 1, 2022, retrieved April 24, 2021
  78. ^ a b Hunt, Dennis (September 17, 1989), "Jackson Gets Thoughtful", Los Angeles Times, "Calendar" section, p. 62, ISSN 0458-3035, archived from the original on August 14, 2020, retrieved August 29, 2010
  79. ^ Fadele, Dele (September 30, 1989), "Janet Jackson: Rhythm Nation 1814", NME, p. 44, ISSN 0028-6362
  80. ^ Shepherd, Julianne Escobedo (October 9, 2016), "Janet Jackson: Rhythm Nation 1814", Pitchfork, archived from the original on October 9, 2016, retrieved October 10, 2016
  81. ^ Bradley, Lloyd (October 1989), "Janet Jackson: Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814", Q, no. 37, ISSN 0955-4955, archived from the original on March 19, 2013, retrieved August 29, 2010
  82. ^ a b c Henderson, Eric (September 7, 2009), "Review: Janet Jackson, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814", Slant Magazine, archived from the original on March 26, 2019, retrieved November 11, 2009
  83. ^ a b Christgau, Robert (December 26, 1989), "Consumer Guide", The Village Voice, ISSN 0042-6180, archived from the original on March 17, 2015, retrieved October 14, 2014
  84. ^ Jam & Lewis: Hot House & Serious Soul With The Magicians Of Minneapolis. Widders-Ellis, Andy. May 1990. p. 26. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  85. ^ Snyder, Michael (November 5, 1989), "Janet Jackson Still in Control / New Album "Rhythm Nation' is a worthy successor to smash LP", San Francisco Chronicle, p. 44
  86. ^ "Grammy Award nominees listed", Tulsa World, p. 8.C, January 12, 1990, ISSN 8750-5959
  87. ^ Grien, Paul. "The Producer Of The Year Category Turns 40". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on April 24, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  88. ^ "Jones, Hammer, Jackson Top Grammy Nominees", Jet, vol. 79, no. 15, p. 56, January 28, 1991
  89. ^ Snow, Shauna (November 13, 1989), "Pop/Rock", Los Angeles Times, p. 2, ISSN 0458-3035
  90. ^ "18th American Music Awards". Rockonthenet.com. Archived from the original on September 25, 2008. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  91. ^ "17th American Music Awards". Rockonthenet.com. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  92. ^ Britt, Bruce (November 30, 1990), "Yet another award show // 'Billboard' magazine jumps in", Austin American-Statesman, p. 4
  93. ^ "Janet Jackson Tops Music Video Awards", Billboard, vol. 102, no. 47, p. 6, November 24, 1990
  94. ^ Grammy Winners Search, The Recording Academy, 2008, archived from the original on July 29, 2013, retrieved October 2, 2009
  95. ^ "Women Who Rock: The 50 Greatest Albums of All Time", Rolling Stone, October 31, 2002, archived from the original on March 20, 2014, retrieved January 22, 2016
  96. ^ 1001 Series, Quintessence Editions Ltd., 2003, archived from the original on November 19, 2010, retrieved November 15, 2009
  97. ^ "The RS 500 Greatest Albums of All Time – Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814", Rolling Stone, archived from the original on May 17, 2013, retrieved September 28, 2012
  98. ^ "500 Greatest Albums of All Time: Janet Jackson Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814", Rolling Stone, May 31, 2009, archived from the original on September 12, 2012, retrieved September 28, 2012
  99. ^ "500 Greatest Albums of All Time: Janet Jackson Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814", Rolling Stone, September 22, 2020, archived from the original on January 30, 2021, retrieved January 12, 2021
  100. ^ "The New Classics: Music", Entertainment Weekly, June 18, 2007, archived from the original on July 13, 2015, retrieved June 29, 2008
  101. ^ "Best Albums of the '80s", Slant Magazine, March 5, 2012, archived from the original on October 12, 2014, retrieved March 8, 2012
  102. ^ "The 300 Best Albums of the Past 30 Years (1985–2014)", Spin, May 11, 2014, archived from the original on April 26, 2016, retrieved July 31, 2015
  103. ^ "The 200 Best Albums of the 1980s", Pitchfork, September 12, 2018, archived from the original on September 14, 2018, retrieved July 31, 2015
  104. ^ "The 80 greatest albums of the 1980s by Rock Hall Inductees". Cleveland.com. March 19, 2020. Archived from the original on March 22, 2020. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  105. ^ "Rhythm Nation 1814 – Janet Jackson". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 21, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
  106. ^ David Barry (February 18, 2003), Shania, Backstreet, Britney, Eminem And Janet Top All Time Sellers, Music Industry News Network, archived from the original on August 17, 2009, retrieved August 1, 2012
  107. ^ a b Rhythm Nation 1814 – Album Certification, Recording Industry Association of America, November 11, 1989, archived from the original on September 24, 2015, retrieved August 29, 2010
  108. ^ a b "Janet Jackson: The Most Significant Female Artist of the '80s". The Atlantic. September 15, 2014.
  109. ^ "Gold & Platinum > Search Results". Canadian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  110. ^ Album artist 115 – Janet Jackson, Tsort.info, archived from the original on August 6, 2014, retrieved August 30, 2014
  111. ^ Rhythm Nation 1814 – Video Certification, Recording Industry Association of America, November 11, 1989, archived from the original on September 24, 2015, retrieved August 29, 2010
  112. ^ Lucy O'Brien (2003), She Bop II: The Definitive History of Women in Rock, Pop and Soul, A&C Black, p. 297, ISBN 978-0-8264-3529-3
  113. ^ Timothy E. Scheurer (2007), Born in the USA: The Myth of America in Popular Music from Colonial Times to the Present, University Press of Mississippi, p. 224, ISBN 978-1-934110-56-0
  114. ^ Caryn Rose (June 4, 2014), Bruce Springsteen's 'Born In The U.S.A.' at 30: Classic Track-By-Track Album Review, Billboard, archived from the original on June 8, 2014, retrieved July 19, 2015
  115. ^ Bronson, Fred (December 21, 2007), "Chart Beat Chat – "A 'CLUMSY' TRIP"", Billboard, archived from the original on September 13, 2014, retrieved March 17, 2008
  116. ^ Trust, Gary. "The Weeknd & Ariana Grande's 'Save Your Tears' Soars to No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Billboard Media, LLC. Archived from the original on May 9, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  117. ^ Gary Trust (May 31, 2015), Ask Billboard: Is Taylor Swift's '1989' the Next 'Teenage Dream'?, Billboard, archived from the original on June 2, 2015, retrieved July 15, 2015
  118. ^ a b c "Janet Jackson's 'Rhythm Nation 1814': Still dancing and dreaming 25 years later". Entertainment Weekly. Anderson, Kyle. September 19, 2014. Archived from the original on September 21, 2014. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  119. ^ Tamara El (May 24, 2014). "Happy Birthday To The Overweight Lover Heavy D". The Source. Archived from the original on July 29, 2014. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  120. ^ Jean-Pierre Hombach (2010), Michael Jackson: King Of Pop, Lulu, pp. 145–146, ISBN 978-1-4716-2322-6
  121. ^ "AN INTERVIEW WITH BENJAMIN CURTIS OF SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS". Baeblemusic.com. March 6, 2012. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  122. ^ "A Sunny Day in Glasgow". Pitchfork Media. Cohen, Ian. June 20, 2014. Archived from the original on June 20, 2014. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  123. ^ "Alexis Krauss of Sleigh Bells Chats With Glamour About New Album Bitter Rivals and Her Pop-Culture Obsessions". Glamour. Woods, Mickey. October 8, 2013. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  124. ^ Brenna Ehrlich (November 15, 2014), 1989 Vs. 1989: How Does Taylor Swift Stack Up Against Janet Jackson?, MTV, archived from the original on June 27, 2015, retrieved July 18, 2015
  125. ^ Kathryn Metz (November 28, 2012), A Bright Rhythm Nation, rockhall.com, archived from the original on July 22, 2015, retrieved July 16, 2015
  126. ^ Gil Kaufman (March 25, 2019), New Rock Hall of Fame Exhibit Spotlights 2019 Inductees, Billboard, archived from the original on May 11, 2021, retrieved May 11, 2021
  127. ^ "Rolling Stone Readers Pick Their 10 Favorite Dancing Musicians". Rolling Stone. July 14, 2011. Archived from the original on October 11, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  128. ^ Mike Weaver; Colleen Hart (2011), Sweat, Tears, and Jazz Hands: The Official History of Show Choir from Vaudeville to Glee, Hal Leonard Corporation
  129. ^ Ted Gioia (2015), Love Songs: The Hidden History, Oxford University Press, p. 249, ISBN 978-0-19-935757-4
  130. ^ Jessie Carney Smith (1996), Notable Black American Women, Book 2, VNR AG, p. 325, ISBN 978-0-8103-9177-2
  131. ^ "Janet Jackson Gets Star On Hollywood Walk Of Fame", Jet, vol. 78, no. 4, pp. 60–61, May 7, 1990, ISSN 0021-5996
  132. ^ "Janet Jackson Signs Lucrative Contract", The New York Times, p. C.13, March 12, 1991, ISSN 0362-4331
  133. ^ Cinquemani, Sal (November 19, 2009), "Janet Jackson: Number Ones", Slant Magazine, archived from the original on December 16, 2021, retrieved November 19, 2009
  134. ^ Savage, Mark (October 2, 2015), "Janet Jackson: The stories behind the songs", BBC, archived from the original on October 2, 2015, retrieved November 8, 2015
  135. ^ "Complete National Recording Registry Listing". Library of Congress. Archived from the original on March 9, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  136. ^ Chris Willman (March 24, 2021). "National Registry Adds 25 Records: Janet Jackson, Nas, Kermit the Frog, Marlo Thomas, Jackson Browne, FDR and More". Variety. Archived from the original on March 26, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  137. ^ Janet Jackson (1989). Rhythm Nation 1814 (LP). A&M Records. SP-3920.
  138. ^ Janet Jackson (1989). Rhythm Nation 1814 (Cassette). A&M Records. AMAC 3920.
  139. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Janet Jackson – Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814". Hung Medien.
  140. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 9087". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
  141. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Janet Jackson – Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
  142. ^ "European Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  143. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Janet Jackson". Sisältää hitin – 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 111. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  144. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Janet Jackson – Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts.
  145. ^ Hogaku Album Rankings Week 4 April 1990, Oricon, archived from the original on October 23, 2012, retrieved January 2, 2011
  146. ^ "Charts.nz – Janet Jackson – Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814". Hung Medien.
  147. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Janet Jackson – Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814". Hung Medien.
  148. ^ "Janet Jackson | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart.
  149. ^ "Janet Jackson Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  150. ^ "Janet Jackson Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  151. ^ "RPM Top 100 Albums of 1989". RPM. Archived from the original on December 31, 2013. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  152. ^ "Year End Charts – Year-end Albums – The Billboard 200". Billboard. Johnson Publishing Company. November 6, 1995. Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2011.
  153. ^ "RPM Top 100 Albums of 1990" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 53, no. 6. December 22, 1990. p. 12. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 28, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  154. ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1990". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  155. ^ "Year End Charts – Year-end Albums – The Billboard 200". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 1, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2011.
  156. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1990". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  157. ^ "ARIA End of Year Albums Chart 1991". ARIA. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 4, 2011. Retrieved January 16, 2011.
  158. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1991". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  159. ^ "Greatest of All Time — Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. November 12, 2015. Archived from the original on October 1, 2016. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
  160. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1991 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  161. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Janet Jackson – Rhythm Nation 1814". Music Canada. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
  162. ^ "IFPIHK Gold Disc Award − 1990". IFPI Hong Kong. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
  163. ^ "Japanese music's share comes to just over 30 %". Focus Japan. Japan External Trade Organization. 1990. Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2021. After Janet Jackson did a series of TV spots for Japan Airlines last year , her Rhythm Nation 1814 album sold more than 500,000 copies , a huge total for a foreign artist
  164. ^ "Japanese album certifications – ジャネット・ジャクソン – リズム・ネイション 1814" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 1990年04月 on the drop-down menu
  165. ^ "Dutch album certifications – Janet Jackson – Rhythm Nation 1814" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved September 15, 2018. Enter Rhythm Nation 1814 in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1994 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  166. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Janet Jackson – Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  167. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  168. ^ "British album certifications – Janet Jackson – Rhythm Nation 1814". British Phonographic Industry.
  169. ^ "American album certifications – Janet Jackson – Rhythm Nation 1814". Recording Industry Association of America.
  170. ^ "American video certifications – Janet Jackson – Rhythm Nation Compilation". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Janet_Jackson%27s_Rhythm_Nation_1814&oldid=1261491989"