It's time to give a damn (Rhythm Nation)
Push for progress in society
Hi all,
Thank you for joining me for today’s song, “Rhythm Nation” by Janet Jackson from her 1989 album “Rhythm Nation 1814”. If you’d like to hear the song before you read about it, I’ve included a YouTube video below the article. For Japanese students, vocabulary words in bold are provided in Japanese below. TOEIC (PBT) 450+, Eiken 2, CEFR B1.
Did you know you can listen to each article of “Social Issues in Song” on the Substack App? Download the app here:
(402 words)
Janet Jackson's song "Rhythm Nation" is about bringing people together to make the world a better place. The song encourages everyone to work as a team to fight against unfairness and to help others. The lyrics talk about breaking down the barriers, such as race, that separate us. They emphasize the importance of standing up against social problems. Jackson believes that if we all come together and support each other, we can create positive change.
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
The chorus of the song, "We are a part of the rhythm nation," is a message for everyone to unite.
People of the world today
Are we looking for a better way of life?
We are a part of the rhythm nation
People of the world unite strength in numbers
We can get it right one time
We are a part of the rhythm nation
The idea of a "rhythm nation" suggests that people, despite their differences, can come together through music and shared goals. Jackson reminds us that when we join forces, we become stronger, and together, we can make things right. The song's lively beat reflects the energy and determination needed to push for progress in society.
This is the test, no struggle, no progress
Lend a hand to help your brother do his best
Jackson also talks about how important it is to act now, especially with lines like "Things are getting worse, we have to make them better." She urges people to care (give a damn) about what’s happening in the world and to work together to fix it.
Things are getting worse, we have to make them better
It's time to give a damn, let's work together, come on now
Rhythm nation
Sing it for the babies
When Jackson says, "sing it for the babies," she’s asking us to think about how our actions today will affect children in the future.
Sing it for the neighbor
Sing it for the children
Sing it for the babies
Sing it for the people
Sing it for the children
Sing it for the babies
Sing it for the nation
Rhythm nation
This song calls everyone to work towards a fair and just world for today and for the coming generations.
Question:
What is your favorite line in this song?
Vocabulary
encourage 奨励する
unfairness 不公平
barrier 障壁
emphasize 強調する
improve 改善する
injustice 不正
forth 前進する (forward)
unite 団結する
lively 活発に
push 推進する
struggle 闘争
urge 促す
coming generations 次世代 (Note: “the coming ~” means something that is going to happen. Ex: Who do you think will win in the coming election?)
Photos: Unsplash
This is one of my favorite songs, and certainly one of my favorite Janet songs. It’s been in my workout playlist for years. It’s got an amazing tempo and beat, and the lyrics are so empowering. I even got my niece into JJ and she listens now too.
Funny story: my husband was a high school TESOL and English teacher some years before we met. One time he approached a female student who had on headphones and a CD player/walkman. When he went to take the unit from her, she scowled at him and said, “don’t mess with Janet!” 😆
It’s become one of my favorite things to say both to him and to anyone around me when a Janet song comes on. She was the Queen well before the likes of Beyoncé, in my opinion.
Thank you Louise for another easy to understand explanation of a vaguely familiar song that I must have heard several times but without a slightest understanding of its lyrics and meaning. I don't know how old this song is, but when it was released I was much younger and I didn't even try to understand the meaning of the song. I only understood the rhythm or beat (and maybe harp dance on MTV). Today I watched the music video after reading your explanation, hoping that I hear the lyrics. To my shock and embarrassment, I didn’t hear most of them (after studying English for so many years). But with the help of transcription, I was able to read and understand what they sing. Enjoying songs based on sound, rhythm, melody, beat (as if listening to instrumental music) is okay, but understanding what they say when listening is much better. Thank you, Louise.
Mitsuru