Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814

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Untitled

Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (commonly referred to as Rhythm Nation 1814) is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Janet Jackson, released on September 7, 1989 by A&M Records. Rhythm Nation 1814 is the second album of Jackson's career to be co-written and produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Jackson also shares production credits with long-term collaborator Jellybean Johnson and executive producer John McClain.

Departing from themes of independence present in Jackson's 1986 breakthrough album Control, Rhythm Nation 1814 is a concept album based on social injustice; romance, a recurring theme in Jackson's music, is also present in the album's content. Capitalizing off the rise of new jack swing, the album incorporates R&B, soul, funk and jazz, as well as use of sample loop and triple swing. Rhythm Nation 1814 became Jackson's second consecutive album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 and emerged as the best-selling album of 1990 in the United States.

Its seven commercial singles, "Miss You Much", "Rhythm Nation", "Escapade", "Alright", "Come Back to Me", "Black Cat", and "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" all peaked within the top five on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Rhythm Nation 1814 subsequently became the only album in history to score seven top five hit singles and the only album to ever achieve number one hit singles in three separate calendar years (1989-1991). In 1992, the Recording Industry Association of America certified Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 6x platinum.

Background

Following the commercial and critical success of her 1986 number one hit album, Control, Jackson was motivated to continue songwriting and took a larger role in the creative production of her new album.[1] While protest songs were commonplace among rap artists in the late 1980s, the concept was rare with in other genres.[2] Following in the footsteps of rap music, Jackson aspired to create a concept album addressing politics and social ills -racism, crime, poverty, substance abuse, homelessness, illiteracy - 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 substituted her concept for theirs.[3] The album's title was a composite of Jackson's pledge, "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"[4] and its supporting creed, "Music, Poetry, Dance, Unity".[4] 1814 referred to the year "The Star Spangled Banner" was written;[5] in addition, 'R' is the 18th letter of the alphabet and 'N' the 14th, hence Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814.[6]

Production

The album was produced by James "Jimmy Jam" Harris III and Terry Lewis, with co-production credit given to Jackson.[7] A&M executive John McCain served as the album's executive producer.[7] Complete lyrics were included in the album. All tracks were recorded and mixed at Flyte Tyme productions studio in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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.[7] The background vocals for "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" and "Miss You Much", both penned by Jam and Lewis, were recorded prior to Jackson recording the lead vocals.[8] 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; it was the final song to be recorded on the album.[9] On the album's interior, Jackson dedicated the album to her mother, Katherine Jackson.

Music

Template:Sound sample box align right Template:Multi-listen start Template:Multi-listen item Template:Multi-listen item Template:Multi-listen end Template:Sample box end Rhythm Nation 1814 (as well as its predecessor Control) was one of the primary albums that used the full spectrum of R&B musical techniques known as new jack swing, which emerged during the mid-1980s. The use of sample loop, triple swing, rap vocals and blues notes are present in the album's title-track "Rhythm Nation".[10] "Rhythm Nation" samples a single measure of "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" performed by Sly & the Family Stone, which became the basic background loop for the song.[10] Vocals for the single are alternatively sung in octaves or rapped in spoken verse; a trend which became commonplace in R&B music by the mid-1990s. The song presented the overall theme of the albums message, with Jackson urging "a generation full of courage" to "break the color lines."

The albums soulful dance-pop songs included "Escapade" and "Love Will Never Do (Without You)", while the Prince inspired "Miss You Much" and "Alright" mixed R&B with funk;[11] the later sampling Lyn Collins' "Think (About It)" (1972). "Escapade" was inspired by Martha & the Vandellas 1965 single "Nowhere to Run", which Jackson originally intended to remake, but instead choose to record a new song with a similar feel after a suggestion from producer Jimmy Jam.[12]

"Black Cat" departed from Jackson typical musical style, being the sole rock production of the album.[13] Jackson was inspired to write a song about a young man who was suffering from substance abuse and asked Jimmy Jam for his assistance in writing the chorus and verse.[13] Once the initial track was established, Jam suggested Jackson speak to Jellybean Johnson to produce the song as he was a "closet rock-and-roller."[13] Johnson later confirmed his love of heavy metal guitar and agreed to produce the song.[13] Johnson asked David Barry, who had worked on Jackson's previous album Control, to play guitar for "Black Cat".[13] To give the song a heavy metal feel, it was recorded using a mixture of rockman and Marshall amplifier.[13]

Reception

Critical

Rhythm Nation 1814 received predominately positive reviews for its musical content, with a mixed reaction on Jackson's choice to dedicate the album to social and political issues.[1] David Hiltbrand comments that "Jackson's heart may be in the right place -- she's against all the bad, hurtful stuff in a vague, Tinker Bell sort of way," but asserts her music had not improved from her previous hit album Control.[14] Alex Henderson of Allmusic criticizes Jackson's "wafer-thin" voice, but comments that her soul, spirit and enthusiasm makes up for the limits of her vocal range on the numerous political and non-political "gems" throughout the album.[15] Henderson credits Rhythm Nation 1814 as "an even higher artistic plateau" than Control and comments to anyone interested in purchasing an album by Jackson for the first time that "Rhythm Nation would be an even wiser investment than Control -- and that's saying a lot."[15] Vince Aletti of Rolling Stone magazine likens Jackson to a politician, "abandoning the narrow I for the universal we and inviting us to do the same".[16] Aletti compliments Jackson's political resolve and musical accompaniment as she "[balances] despair with optimism, anger with hope, in the currently fashionable formula," without forgetting social progress is a result of hard work.[16]

Commercial

Rhythm Nation 1814 debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[17] On November 11, 1989 the Recording Industry Association of America certified Rhythm Nation 1814 gold, denoting 500,000 unit shipments.[18] This number quickly rose to a platinum certification, denoting 1,000,000 units and 2x platinum by the end of the year. On February 19, 1990, the RIAA certified Rhythm Nation 1814 3x platinum. This number rose again later that year as the album was certified 4x multi-platinum on May 5, 1990 and 5x platinum on December 14, 1990.[18] On November 19, 1992 Rhythm Nation 1814 was certified 6x platinum.[18]

Release and promotion

The album was released by A&M Records on LP, chrome cassette and compact disc, demonstrating the label's expectation of broad appeal.[19] A companion video compilation was also issued on both VHS and Laserdisc.[20] On April 24, 2007, iTunes added all of Jackson's A&M-era albums to their music library.

Singles

The album's lead single "Miss You Much" became the first of four to reach number one of the Billboard Hot 100. The single hit number one on October 21, 1989 and topped the chart for thirteen weeks, selling over one million copies.[21] The RIAA originally certified the single gold and then platinum on November 3, 1989.[22] The album's second single and title-track "Rhythm Nation" peaked at number two on the Hot 100, kept from the number one position by Phil Collins "Another Day in Paradise".[23] The single was certified gold by the RIAA on January 16, 1990.[18] "Escapade" became the second single to top the Hot 100 at number one and was certified gold on May 11, 1990.[24] "Alright" peaked at number four and certified gold on June 5, 1990, while "Come Back to Me" hit number two.[25]

"Black Cat" reached number one on October 27, 1990, six weeks after its debut on September 15, 1990 and certified gold on November 13, 1990.[13][26] "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" became the seventh and final single to be released off the album on November 6, 1990 and rose to number one on January 19, 1991, topping the chart for one week.[8] The single was certified gold on February 12, 1991.[27] "State of the World" was released on radio airplay but not as a commercial single, as A&M executives felt the album would garner high sales if there was a song receiving airplay that was not commercially available.[8]

Videography

The "Rhythm Nation" music video, shot in black and white, was filmed in a "bleak industrial setting" with Jackson and her dancers dressed in military outfits to represent a sense of community and unity.[28] Rhythm Nation won the 1989 Grammy Award for Best Long Form Music Video.[9] The music video for "Alright", directed by Julian Temple, embodies classic Hollywood musicals, as Jackson portrays a 1950s woman dressed in drag.[28] An homage to Michael Kidd's opening sequence in the 1950 Broadway production of Guys and Dolls, Jackson requested Kidd co-create the music video.[29] Jackson and many of her male cast members appear dressed in Guys and Dolls-style pen-striped zoot suits.[28]

Rhythm Nation 1814 Tour

Main article: Rhythm Nation 1814 Tour

The "Rhythm Nation 1814 Tour" was Jackson's first world concert tour in support of a studio album. Described as "an elaborately choreographed spectacle", the tour aimed to re-create the award winning, visually innovative music videos of Rhythm Nation 1814's numerous hit singles and that of its predecessor, Control.[30] The debut concert in Miami, FL on March 1 1990 sold out prior to the performance.[30] The first international concert, which took place in Tokyo, Japan, sold out the Tokyo Dome within seven minutes; a record for the fastest sellout in the history of the Dome.[31] The "Rhythm Nation 1814 Tour", with an attendance of over two million patrons, remains the most successful debut tour by any recording artist.[32]

Legacy

The album was the first in history to generate seven top-five Billboard hits from one album.[8] Rhythm Nation 1814 became the only album in history to score number one hits in three separate calendar years; "Miss You Much" in 1989, "Escapade" and "Black Cat" in 1990, and "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" in 1991.[33] The album's success placed Jackson on par with several entertainers, including elder brother Michael Jackson and Madonna.[34]

Her 1989 Rhythm Nation album was the boldest and most successful pop attempt to combine social commentary, celebration, and state-of-the-art dance funk since her brother Michael's efforts to be Bad.[35]

The 1000th issue of Entertainment Weekly dated July 4, 2008 celebrates the new classics: the 1000 best movies, TV shows, albums, books, etc. from 1983 to 2008. In "The Classics: Music" category, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814, is listed at number 54 on the Top 100 Best Albums of the past 25 years.[36] The album is also ranked number 275 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Track listings

Personnel

Charts positions

Album

Chart Peak
U.S. Billboard 200 1[17]
UK Albums Chart 4
Japanese Albums Chart 1
South African Albums Chart 1
Australian Albums Chart 1
Italian Albums Chart 1
Dutch Albums Chart 2
Canadian Albums Chart 7
Swiss Albums Chart 23
French Albums Chart
New Zealand Albums Chart
Swedish Albums Chart 24 [37]

Singles

Year Single Chart Peak position
1989 "Miss You Much" Billboard Hot 100 1[38]
1989 "Rhythm Nation" Billboard Hot 100 2[38]
1990 "Escapade" Billboard Hot 100 1[38]
1990 "Alright" Billboard Hot 100 4[38]
1990 "Come Back to Me" Billboard Hot 100 2[38]
1990 "Black Cat" Billboard Hot 100 1[38]
1990 "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" Billboard Hot 100 1[38]
1991 "State of the World" Billboard Hot 100 Airplay 5

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b Strong, Martin (2004). The Great Rock Discography: Complete Discographies Listing Every Track. Canongate U.S. p. 749. ISBN 1841956155.
  2. ^ Bogdanov, Vladimir (2002). All Music Guide to Rock: The Definitive Guide to Rock, Pop, and Soul. Backbeat Books. p. 570. ISBN 087930653X. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |co-authors= ignored (help)
  3. ^ Cocks, Jay (1990-05-28), Dancing on the charts, vol. 135, Time, p. 87, ISSN 0040-781X {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  4. ^ a b Aletti, Vince (1998-10-19). "Rhythm Nation 1814: Janet Jackson: Review: Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2008-06-07. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  5. ^ Hyatt, Wesley (1999). The Billboard Book of Number One Adult Contemporary Hits. Billboard Books. ISBN 0823076938. {{cite book}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ Huey, Steve (2008). "Janet Jackson". All Music Guide. MTV. Retrieved 2008-06-07.
  7. ^ a b c "Rhythm Nation 1814 > Credits". Allmusic. 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-29.
  8. ^ a b c d Bronson, Fred (2003). The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits. Billboard Books. ISBN 0823076776.
  9. ^ a b Halstead, Craig (2003). Jacksons Number Ones. Authors On Line. p. 28. ISBN 0755200985. {{cite book}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help) Cite error: The named reference "Jacksons Number Ones" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  10. ^ a b Ripani, Richard J. (2006). The New Blue Music: Changes in Rhythm & Blues, 1950-1999. Univ. Press of Mississippi. pp. 152–153. ISBN 1578068622.
  11. ^ Hawkins, Stan (2004), Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Popular Musicians Since 1990, vol. 1, Gale, pp. 321–323, ISBN 9780028657998
  12. ^ Bronson, Fred (2003). Billboard's Hottest Hot 100 Hits: Top Songs and Song Makers, 1955 to 2000. Watson-Guptill. p. 365. ISBN 0823077381.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g Bronson, Fred (2003). The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits. Billboard Books. p. 770. ISBN 0823076776.
  14. ^ Hiltbrand, David (1989-11-20), Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814, vol. 32, People Weekly, p. 39 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  15. ^ a b Henderson, Alex (2008). "Rhythm Nation 1814 > Overview". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  16. ^ a b Aletti, Vince (1989-10-19). "Janet Jackson: Rhythm Nation 1814: Music Reviews: Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2008-06-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ a b "Rhythm Nation 1814". Billboard charts. Allmusic. 2006. Retrieved 2008-06-13.
  18. ^ a b c d "Rhythm Nation 1814". gold and platinum. Recording Industry Association of America. 1989-11-11. Retrieved 2008-06-07.
  19. ^ "Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814". Billboard. 1989. Retrieved 2008-06-13. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  20. ^ "Rhythm Nation 1814/Rhythm Nation Compilation". google. 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-29.
  21. ^ Jasen, David A. (2002). A Century of American Popular Music: 2000 Best-Loved and Remembered Songs (1899-1999). Taylor & Francis. p. 133. ISBN 0415937000.
  22. ^ "Miss You Much". gold and platinum. Recording Industry Association of America. 1989-11-03. Retrieved 2008-06-13.
  23. ^ Halstead, Craig (2003). Jacksons Number Ones. Authors On Line. p. 104. ISBN 0755200985. {{cite book}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ "Escapade". gold and platinum. Recording Industry Association of America. 1990-05-11. Retrieved 2008-06-13.
  25. ^ "Alright". gold and platinum. Recording Industry Association of America. 1990-05-11. Retrieved 2008-06-13.
  26. ^ "Black Cat". gold and platinum. Recording Industry Association of America. 1990-05-11. Retrieved 2008-06-13.
  27. ^ "Love Will Never Do (Without You)". gold and platinum. Recording Industry Association of America. 1990-05-11. Retrieved 2008-06-13.
  28. ^ a b c Tasker, Yvonne (1998). Working Girls: Gender and Sexuality in Popular Cinema. Routledge. p. 186. ISBN 0415140048.
  29. ^ Mitoma, Judy (2002). Envisioning dance on film and video. Routledge. p. 16. ISBN 0415941717. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |co-authors= ignored (help)
  30. ^ a b Music features: A Million Miles Of Music Your Complete Guide To The Tours Of Summer Summer Music Preview, Entertainment Weekly, 1990-06-01, p. 32 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  31. ^ "Janet Jackson Announces Rock Witchu Tour". Live Nation. PR Newswire. 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-13.
  32. ^ Sonder, Mark (2003-12-18). "Janet Jackson to perform at halftime show". Mark Sonder Productions. Retrieved 2008-06-13. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  33. ^ Bronson, Fred (2007-12-21). "Chart Beat Chat". A 'CLUMSY' TRIP. Billboard. Retrieved 2008-03-17. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  34. ^ Kramarae, Cheris (2000). Routledge International Encyclopedia of Women: Global Women's Issues and Knowledge. Routledge. p. 1408. ISBN 0415920914. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  35. ^ Vincent, Rickey (1996). Funk: the music, the people, and the rhythm of the one. Macmillan. p. 284. ISBN 0312134991. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  36. ^ "The New Classics: Music". Entertainment Weekly. 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-29. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  37. ^ Swiss charts Accessed November 6, 2007
  38. ^ a b c d e f g "Rhythm Nation 1814 > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". Allmusic. 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-29.

References

  • Bogdanov, Vladimir. Woodstra, Chris. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. All Music Guide to Rock: The Definitive Guide to Rock, Pop, and Soul. Backbeat Books, 2002. ISBN 087930653X
  • Bronson, Fred. Billboard's Hottest Hot 100 Hits: Top Songs and Song Makers, 1955 to 2000. Watson-Guptill, 2003. ISBN 0823077381
  • Bronson, Fred. The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits. Billboard Books, 2003. ISBN 0823076776
  • Halstead, Craig. Cadman, Chris. Jacksons Number Ones. Authors On Line, 2003. ISBN 0755200985
  • Jasen, David A. A Century of American Popular Music: 2000 Best-Loved and Remembered Songs (1899-1999). Taylor & Francis, 2002. ISBN 0415937000
  • Kramarae, Cheris. Spender, Dale. Routledge International Encyclopedia of Women: Global Women's Issues and Knowledge. Routledge, 2000. ISBN 0415920914
  • Ripani, Richard J. The New Blue Music: Changes in Rhythm & Blues, 1950-1999. Univ. Press of Mississippi, 2006. ISBN 1578068622
  • Strong, Martin Charles. The Great Rock Discography: Complete Discographies Listing Every Track Recorded by More Than 1200 Artists. Canongate U.S., 2004. ISBN 1841956155

External links

Preceded by U.S. Billboard 200 number-one album
October 28 1989 – November 18 1989 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Australian ARIA Albums Chart number-one album
February 3 - February 9 1991
February 17 - March 9 1991 		Succeeded by
Souvenir - The Ultimate Collection
by Billy Joel
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