Alright (Janet Jackson song)

"Alright" is a song by American singer-songwriter Janet Jackson from her fourth studio album, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989). Written by Jackson and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, the song was released on March 4, 1990, by A&M Records as the fourth single from Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814. In the United Kingdom, it was issued as the album's fifth single in June 1990.

"Alright"
Single by Janet Jackson
from the album Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814
B-side	"Vuelve a Mí"
Released	March 4, 1990 (1990-03-04)[1]
Studio	Flyte Tyme (Edina, Minnesota)
Genre	R&B new jack swing funk
Length	6:26 (album version) 5:01 (7-inch house mix) 4:39 (Goh Hotoda mix/1995 short mix)
Label	A&M
Songwriter(s)	Janet Jackson James Harris III Terry Lewis James Brown Carlos Ward
Producer(s)	Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson singles chronology
"Escapade" (1990) "Alright" (1990) "Come Back to Me" (1990)
Music video
"Alright" on YouTube

While it was to become the only single of the seven released off the Rhythm Nation 1814 album to not hit the top-two on the US Billboard Hot 100, reaching number four, it became the fourth consecutive single from the album to reach number one on the Dance Club Songs, helping Jackson break a record set by Madonna. "Alright" earned Jackson two 1991 Grammy Award nominations for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song.

Composition

"Alright" samples Lyn Collins' 1972 song "Think (About It)" and the song's final hook samples B.T. Express' 1974 song "Do You Like It". The song was recorded again in January 1990 with Heavy D for the music video.

Chart performance

"Alright" peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100, number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and number one on the Dance Club Songs. It is the only single from the album that did not reach the top two on Billboard Hot 100.

Music video

The music video to the song, was filmed on the New York Street backlot of Universal Studios Hollywood in February 1990. It was styled to resemble a 1930s and 1950s musical, and featured Cyd Charisse, the Nicholas Brothers, and Cab Calloway in one of his last on-screen appearances. Anthony Thomas choreographed the video, with some scenes staged by veteran Hollywood choreographer Michael Kidd.^[2][3] The video begins with Jackson and two male dancers, including Richard Gaines, all wearing flashy zoot suits sitting on a bench. A paperboy throws newspapers on them. They wake up and read the front page, from which they learn Calloway is in town for the premiere of his Alright film. Jackson and her dancers take a crosstown journey to the premiere. There, Jackson, her dancers and Calloway fans wait for Calloway to make his grand entrance. Jackson seemingly envisions herself as Calloway's glamorized female guest, getting pushed to the red carpet. Calloway takes her hand and helps her up. Jackson and her dancers get in Calloway's limo. They arrive at large dance out in the middle of a street. Jackson and her dancers climb on the back of a car and Jackson notices her watch is missing. They get off the car and are sprayed by a street cleaning truck. They sit on the bench. Later that night, Jackson and her dancers are homeless people asleep on the bench—revealing the video to have been a dream. Cab Calloway, in the meantime, walks to the bench and places Jackson's watch in her hand. He sneaks away saying, "Alright". There is also an extended version that features rapper Heavy D. Jackson won a Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video in 1991.

During MTV's first-ever MTV Icon in 2001, American singer Usher paid tribute to Jackson by re-enacting the sidewalk bench routine with the two male dancers from the "Alright" music video.^[4] His U Don't Have to Call video also uses roller shoes as a gimmick. In 2011, Chris Brown's video "Yeah 3x" was compared to the video.^[5] In 2024, singer-songwriter Victoria Monét released a video for her song, also titled Alright, featuring choreography and a black and white pinstripe outfit and hat, which pays homage to Jackson's Alright video.^[6]

Live performances

Jackson has performed the song on all of her tours. In the Rhythm Nation 1814 Tour, janet. Tour, The Velvet Rope Tour and All for You Tour, Jackson performs the song wearing a Zoot suit. On the Rock Witchu Tour, she wears a sailor suit. On the Number Ones: Up Close and Personal tour, she wears a black catsuit. Jackson also included the song on her 2015-2016 Unbreakable World Tour and the 2017-2019 State of the World Tour in a medley with "Miss You Much" and "You Want This". She also included the song on her 2019 Las Vegas Residency Janet Jackson: Metamorphosis. It was also included on her special concert series Janet Jackson: A Special 30th Anniversary Celebration of Rhythm Nation in 2019.Jackson performed the song in 2023 on her Janet Jackson: Together Again tour.

Track listings and formats

• US 12-inch single^[7]

1. "Alright" (12-inch R&B mix) – 7:17
2. "Alright" (7-inch R&B mix) – 4:34
3. "Alright" (a cappella) – 3:26
4. "Alright" (12-inch house mix) – 8:30
5. "Alright" (hip house dub) – 6:40
6. "Alright" (house dub) – 5:58

• UK 12-inch single^[8]

1. "Alright" (CJ Mackintosh hip hop mix) – 7:24
2. "Alright" (CJ Mackintosh house mix) – 9:10

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1990) Peak position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[9] 27 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[10] 6 Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[11] 2 Canada Contemporary Hit Radio (The Record)[12] 5 Canada Retail Singles (The Record)[12] 7 Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[13] 48 Ireland (IRMA)[14] 14 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[15] 3 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[16] 35 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[17] 28 UK Singles (OCC)[18] 20 US Billboard Hot 100[19] 4 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[20] 1 US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[21] 2 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[22] 2 US Cash Box Top 100[23] 4 US Contemporary Hit Radio (Radio & Records)[24] 2 US Urban (Radio & Records)[25] 1 West Germany (GfK)[26] 43 Chart (1996) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[27] 100

Year-end charts Chart (1990) Position Canada Top Singles (RPM)[28] 40 Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[29] 14 US Billboard Hot 100[30] 44 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[31] 26 US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[32] 17 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[33] 56 US Cash Box Top 100[34] 35 US Contemporary Hit Radio (Radio & Records)[35] 19 US Urban (Radio & Records)[36] 50

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[37]	Gold	500,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	March 4, 1990	7-inch vinyl 12-inch vinyl cassette	A&M	[citation needed]
Japan	April 21, 1990	Mini-CD		[38]
	May 21, 1990	Maxi-CD		[39]
United Kingdom	June 25, 1990	7-inch vinyl 12-inch vinyl CD cassette		[40]

References

1. Hill, Constance Valis (May 24, 2021). Brotherhood in Rhythm: The Jazz Tap Dancing of the Nicholas Brothers, 20th Anniversary Edition. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-752399-5.
2. Tobias, Patricia Eliot (December 24, 2007). "Michael Kidd, Choreographer, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
3. Janet Jackson (October 30, 2001). Rhythm Nation Compilation (film). A&M Records. Event occurs at 46:41. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
4. Szubiak, Ali (June 4, 2015). "Pop TBT: Highlights From Janet Jackson's 'MTV Icon' Special". Popcrush.com. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
5. Daw, Robbie (October 21, 2010). "Chris Brown Offers Up A Kid-Friendly Video For Yeah 3x". Idolator. Buzz Media. Archived from the original on October 23, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
6. "Victoria Monét Pays Homage to Janet Jackson in 'Alright' Music Video". Retrieved August 9, 2024.
7. "Janet Jackson – Alright (1990, Vinyl)". Discogs.com. March 4, 1990. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
8. "Janet Jackson – Alright (1990, Vinyl)". Discogs.com. 1990. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
9. "Janet Jackson – Alright" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
10. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1251." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
11. "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 7936." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
12. Lwin, Nanda (2000). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. p. 140. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
13. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 29. July 21, 1990. p. IV. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
14. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Alright". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
15. "Janet Jackson – Alright" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
16. "Janet Jackson – Alright" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
17. "Janet Jackson – Alright". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
18. "Janet Jackson: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
19. "Janet Jackson Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
20. "Janet Jackson Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
21. "Janet Jackson Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
22. "Janet Jackson Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
23. "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending May 26, 1990". Cash Box. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
24. "'90 Top 15 Records". Radio & Records. December 14, 1990. p. 57. ProQuest 1017245303.
25. "'90 Top 15 Records". Radio & Records. December 14, 1990. p. 61. ProQuest 1017250230.
26. "Offiziellecharts.de – Janet Jackson – Alright" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
27. "Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 30 Jun 1996". ARIA. Retrieved April 12, 2018 – via Imgur. N.B. The "HP" column displays the highest position reached.
28. "Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1990". RPM. Vol. 53, no. 6. December 22, 1990. p. 8. ISSN 0315-5994 – via Library and Archives Canada.
29. "Top 50 Dance Tracks of 1990". RPM. Vol. 53, no. 6. December 22, 1990. p. 18. ISSN 0315-5994 – via Library and Archives Canada.
30. "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 1990". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
31. "Dance Club Songs – Year-End 1990". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 24, 2020. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
32. "1987 The Year in Music & Video – Top Dance Sales 12-Inch Singles" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 102, no. 52. December 22, 1990. p. YE-31. ISSN 0006-2510 – via World Radio History.
33. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1990". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
34. "The Cash Box Year-End Charts: 1990 – Top 50 Pop Singles". Cash Box. December 29, 1990. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
35. "Top 90 of '90". Radio & Records. December 14, 1990. p. 56. ProQuest 1017245278.
36. "Top 90 of '90". Radio & Records. December 14, 1990. p. 60. ProQuest 1017250211.
37. "American single certifications – Janet Jackson – Alright". Recording Industry Association of America.
38. "オールライト | Janet (ジャネット・ジャクソン)" [Alright | Janet (Janet Jackson)] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
39. "オールライト・ザ・リミックス | Janet (ジャネット・ジャクソン)" [Alright The Remixes | Janet (Janet Jackson)] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
40. "New Singles". Music Week. June 23, 1990. p. 37.