Rhythm Nation
When people meet me in real life, a question I’m often asked is, “Jamie, just what is your favorite Janet Jackson song?” Having given it some considerable thought, I’d have to say that “Rhythm Nation” is my favorite Janet Jackson song. “Why?” you may ask. I say, “Why not?”
Rhythm Nation is a song with a social conscience.
With music by our side
To break the color lines
Let’s work together
To improve our way of life
Join voices in protest
To social injustice
A generation full of courage
Come forth with me
How can you not get with that?
Rhythm Nation is a song that you can shake your ass to. In fact, the best part of RN is the funky ass-shaking beat. It is certainly of “Crazy In Love” caliber…or should I say “Crazy In Love” is of “Rhythm Nation” caliber. That funky synth-bell thing they play during the chorus and at the end is pretty fresh (doo-doo-doo-duh, doh-duh) too. To boot, few videos beat “Rhythm Nation“ in sheer “people all getting behind me in straight lines while we all do the same dance“-ness. No. No they don’t.
The Rhythm Nation Era was not Janet at her hottest (that would be the next album with that dude holding her boobs – werd), but I think it was probably her at her musical best. I couldn’t really get with the black private military style gear plus baseball cap that everyone was wearing in the video either. Wasn’t that a fashion trend for about a month or two after that? Yeech. You can’t say Janet isn’t hot during this era, because she at this point is emerging from the baby fat Janet era, but she’s a mere shell of the Janet hottiness that is to come.
In summation, “Rhythm Nation” is my favorite Janet Jackson song because of its magical combination of social commentary + phat beats + that synth-bell thinger + “people all getting behind me in straight lines while we all do the same dance“-ness + post baby fat – (private military gear + baseball cap).
I have to agree with you, but would like to not that you forgot -the earring with the key hanging from it. That was way dumb.
I don’t know. Maybe those pants didn’t have pockets and she didn’t have anywhere else to put her keys. On the other hand, she could easily have lost an eye with all that dancing.
That was back in the old days before we had "wardrobe malfunctions."
I think it’s a testiment to her hottness that her brother is trying harder and harder to look like her. After all she is the normal-looking Jackson.
That was when she could expose her breasts without false pretense!
interesting that people are asking you what your favorite Janet Jackson song it. That is a good song with an awesome video (Rhythm Nation). I do like her janet cd the best. Of course, I saw the janet tour in concert. was awesome. Sad her brother has gone freaky, because he is majorly talented. PS saw you were listening to B.E.P. Isn’t that Hey Mama song catchy?
I’m definitely not asking you your favorite Janet song. In fact, I’m more likely to ask you your favorite DK, X or Minutemen song but then again they don’t do slickly packaged and hyped videos so I wouldn’t expect you to know who they are…
Oh yeah, and they are socially aware. Go figure!
I couldn’t agree with Scotty G more!
Right on, yo!
wtf?