The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Bass, bass, bass, bass
Nasty
Three
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
People of the world today
Are we looking for a better way of life? (Sing)
We are a part of the rhythm nation (woo)
People of the world unite
Strength in numbers, we can get it right one time (sing it up)
We are a part of the rhythm nation
This is the test
No struggle, no progress (lend)
Lend a hand to help
Your brother do his best
Things are getting worse
We have to make them better
It's time to give a damn
Let's work together, come on, now
People of the world today
Are we looking for a better way of life? (Sing)
We are a part of the rhythm nation
People of the world unite
Strength in numbers, we can get it right one time (sing it up)
We are a part of the rhythm nation (everybody)
People of the world today
Are we looking for a better way of life? (Sing)
We are a part of the rhythm nation
People of the world unite
Strength in numbers, we can get it right one time (sing it up)
We are a part of the rhythm nation (everybody)
Bass, bass, bass, bass
Bass, bass, bass, bass
Bass, bass
Bass, bass
Bass, bass, bass
Bass, bass
Sing it people, sing it children (rhythm nation)
Sing it if you want a better way of life
Sing it people, sing it children (rhythm nation)
Sing it if you want a better way of life
Nasty
Nasty
Nasty
Bass, bass, bass, bass
Bass, bass, bass, bass
Nas-nas-nasty
Nas-nas-nasty
Everybody sing it
People of the world today
Are we looking for a better way of life? (Sing)
We are a part of the rhythm nation (woo)
People of the world unite
Strength in numbers, we can get it right one time (sing it up)
We are a part of the rhythm nation (rhythm)
People of the world today
Are we looking for a better way of life? (Sing)
We are a part of the rhythm nation (woo)
People of the world unite
Strength in numbers, we can get it right one time (sing it up)
We are a part of the rhythm nation (rhythm)
Rhythm nation
Rhythm nation
Rhythm nation
Rhythm nation
Rhythm nation
Rhythm nation
Rhythm nation
Bass, bass, bass, bass
Nasty
Three
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
People of the world today
Are we looking for a better way of life? (Sing)
We are a part of the rhythm nation (woo)
People of the world unite
Strength in numbers, we can get it right one time (sing it up)
We are a part of the rhythm nation
This is the test
No struggle, no progress (lend)
Lend a hand to help
Your brother do his best
Things are getting worse
We have to make them better
It's time to give a damn
Let's work together, come on, now
People of the world today
Are we looking for a better way of life? (Sing)
We are a part of the rhythm nation
People of the world unite
Strength in numbers, we can get it right one time (sing it up)
We are a part of the rhythm nation (everybody)
People of the world today
Are we looking for a better way of life? (Sing)
We are a part of the rhythm nation
People of the world unite
Strength in numbers, we can get it right one time (sing it up)
We are a part of the rhythm nation (everybody)
Bass, bass, bass, bass
Bass, bass, bass, bass
Bass, bass
Bass, bass
Bass, bass, bass
Bass, bass
Sing it people, sing it children (rhythm nation)
Sing it if you want a better way of life
Sing it people, sing it children (rhythm nation)
Sing it if you want a better way of life
Nasty
Nasty
Nasty
Bass, bass, bass, bass
Bass, bass, bass, bass
Nas-nas-nasty
Nas-nas-nasty
Everybody sing it
People of the world today
Are we looking for a better way of life? (Sing)
We are a part of the rhythm nation (woo)
People of the world unite
Strength in numbers, we can get it right one time (sing it up)
We are a part of the rhythm nation (rhythm)
People of the world today
Are we looking for a better way of life? (Sing)
We are a part of the rhythm nation (woo)
People of the world unite
Strength in numbers, we can get it right one time (sing it up)
We are a part of the rhythm nation (rhythm)
Rhythm nation
Rhythm nation
Rhythm nation
Rhythm nation
Rhythm nation
Rhythm nation
Rhythm nation
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Rhythm Nation Lyrics as written by Janet Damita Jo Jackson James Samuel Harris
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, JANET JACKSON DBA BLACK ICE, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
this is like the only janet jackson song i like cos we do a dance to it at my dance school, haha. I spose the whole jackson family like too unite the world with music, but its kewl.