Farr Side: The message from Jackson’s landmark album has proven to stand the test of time

It’s rather difficult to listen to the likes of Rihanna, Beyonce, or any other modern R&B divas and not hear a little of Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation 1814” masterpiece. The music and message from Jackson’s landmark album has proven to stand the test of time. That theory was proven again an again while working on some home improvement projects.

“Rhythm Nation 1814” turns 35 this year. How can that be? I can remember the very first time I heard the album’s first single, “Miss You Much.” I was blown away by Ms. Jackson. It was hot!

It’s hard to think that a single album can do so much, but with “Rhythm Nation 1814” the possibilities were infinite.

“Control” made Janet a thriving pop star, but “Rhythm Nation 1814” turned her into a massive global icon. Some would even say that the album was just as good as anything her brother Michael Jackson had ever released. That might be pushing things, but nonetheless, I was impressed.

The album had it all – a fresh sound, a deep message, and a track list that just killed the radio airwaves. It’s barely aged the more I come to think of it. It’s every bit as contemporary today as it was 35 years ago. Let’s see if anything from Rihanna or Beyonce will be able to do that.

Janet collaborated with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for the concept album, having already saw success with the pair on her breakthrough “Control” record.

The album evoked a strong social consciousness theme involving acceptance and change, something that could have caused it to tank at the time. But, luckily, for Janet, it proved otherwise.

The album was full of short interludes between tracks, often educating the listener. As the album played, you could see how they all tied the album together. I distinctly remember the album’s opening 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.”

The message was clear – Janet Jackson meant business this time. “Rhythm Nation” spawned eight top 10 singles including the No. 1’s “Miss You Much,” ‘Love Will Never Do (Without You),” “Black Cat,” and “Escapade.” The singles’ “Rhythm Nation” and “Come Back To Me” both reached No. 2 while “Alright” peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Can you imagine the hype had all those singles topped the charts? They almost did and that would have been a record not even Michael could have topped, let alone Katy Perry some 22 years later with her “Teenage Dream” album.

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As stimulating as the songs from “Rhythm Nation” were, so were the revolutionary videos. The cutesy-side of Janet had given way to a fresher, more sexier starlet than we had seen before from her.

I’ve appreciated Janet’s music throughout the years, but for me, “Rhythm Nation” remains one of my go-to albums when I want to get lost in some music – or better yet, dive into to home remodeling projects. It’s pure pop perfection at it’s finest – even 35 years later.

David T. Farr is a Journal Correspondent. Email him at farrboy@hotmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation 1814” masterpiece