Rhythm Nation 1814

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Rhythm Nation 1814 is Janet Jackson's fourth studio album and was released on 18 and 19 September 1989 on A&M Records. The record company wanted a follow-up to Control, but she wanted to make a concept album about social problems. With Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis she worked at Flyte Tyme Studios in Minneapolis on tracks about racism, poverty and drug use, alongside love. Her inspiration came from the news, including the shooting at a schoolyard in Stockton. The title names the year in which The Star-Spangled Banner was written.

The sound combines new jack swing, hard rock, pop and industrial influences, with many samples and strongly swinging synthesizer drums. There are mechanical dance rhythms and soft ballads. Miss You Much, Escapade, Black Cat and Love Will Never Do (Without You) went to number one in the United States. It was the best-selling album of 1990 there. Critics see it as her artistic peak.

Listening

Track list

1. 1Interlude: Pledge0:48Apple Music ↗
2. 2Rhythm Nation5:31Apple Music ↗
3. 3Interlude: T.V.0:22Apple Music ↗
4. 4State of the World4:48Apple Music ↗
5. 5Interlude: Race0:05Apple Music ↗
6. 6The Knowledge3:53Apple Music ↗
7. 7Interlude: Let's Dance0:04Apple Music ↗
8. 8Miss You Much4:12Apple Music ↗
9. 9Interlude: Come Back Interlude0:21Apple Music ↗
10. 10Love Will Never Do (Without You)5:50Apple Music ↗
11. 11Livin' In a World (They Didn't Make)4:41Apple Music ↗
12. 12Alright6:27Apple Music ↗
13. 13Interlude: Hey Baby0:10Apple Music ↗
14. 14Escapade4:44Apple Music ↗
15. 15Interlude: No Acid0:05Apple Music ↗
16. 16Black Cat4:51Apple Music ↗
17. 17Lonely4:59Apple Music ↗
18. 18Come Back to Me5:33Apple Music ↗
19. 19Someday Is Tonight6:01Apple Music ↗
20. 20Interlude: Livin'...In Complete Darkness1:08Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗