The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time
475. Janet Jackson, 'Rhythm Nation'
WRITER(S):James Harris, Janet Jackson, Sly Stone, Terry Lewis
Jackson’s socially conscious Number Two hit came together late in the sessions for her blockbuster LP Rhythm Nation 1814. Co-producer Jimmy Jam recalled being in the studio and “switching between MTV and CNN. Watching music videos on one side and watching atrocities on the other. Somehow they all merged together. The idea for ‘Rhythm Nation’ was you can dance, but we can also do something more intelligent.” When Jam heard Sly and the Family Stone’s “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” at a restaurant, he raced to the studio to sample it.
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-all-time-1224767/janet-jackson-rhythm-nation-3-1224862/