Slave To The Rhythm
Slave To The Rhythm

Originally recorded during the Dangerous sessions in 1991 with L.A. Reid and Babyface, “Slave to the Rhythm” is a taut robo-pop rhythm track in which Jackson narrates a story about a woman trapped in stifling circumstances. At home and work, the protagonist is compelled to “dance” to the needs of controlling men, while her own desires are ignored. In a brief moment of respite, she escapes and “dance[s] to the beat of her own.” Jackson tells her story in a passionate vocal, capped by his trademark syncopated beat-boxing and grainy ad libs.

She dances in his sheets at night

She dances to his needs

She dances ‘til he feels just right

Until he falls asleep

She dances at the crack of dawn

And quickly cooks his food

She can’t be late, can’t take too long

The kids must get to school

She’s a slave to the rhythm

She’s a slave to the rhythm of

She’s a slave to the rhythm

A slave to the rhythm of

The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love

She’s a slave to the rhythm

She’s a slave to the rhythm of

She’s a slave to the rhythm

A slave to the rhythm of

The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love

She dances for the man at work

Who works her overtime

She can’t be rude as she says sir

I must be home tonight

She dances to the kitchen stove

Dinner is served by nine

He says his food’s an hour late

She must be out her mind

She’s a slave to the rhythm

She’s a slave to the rhythm of

She’s a slave to the rhythm

A slave to the rhythm of

The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love

She’s a slave to the rhythm

She’s a slave to the rhythm of

She’s a slave to the rhythm

A slave to the rhythm of

The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love

She works so hard just to make her way

For a man who just don’t appreciate

And though he takes her love in vain

Yet she could not stop, couldn’t break his chains

She danced the night that they fell out

She swore she’d dance no more

But dance she did, he did not quit

As she ran out the door

She danced through the night in fear of her life

She danced to a beat of her own

She let out a cry and swallowed her pride

She knew she was needed back home, home

Cause she’s a slave to the rhythm

She’s a slave to the rhythm of

She’s a slave to the rhythm

A slave to the rhythm of

The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love

She’s a slave to the rhythm

She’s a slave to the rhythm of

She’s a slave to the rhythm

A slave to the rhythm of

The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love

Written by L.A. Reid, Babyface, Daryl Simmons and Kevin Roberson
Published by AX5 Songz, LLC (BMI) / Sony/ATV Songs LLC/Sony/ATV Epic Solar/Ecaf Music (BMI) / Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp o/b/o itself and Boobie And DJ Songs Inc. (BMI) / Sony/ATV Songs LLC/Sony/ATV Epic Solar/Ecaf Music (BMI)
Vocals Produced by L.A. Reid and Babyface
Produced by Timbaland for Timbaland Productions and Co-produced by Jerome "Jroc" Harmon for Bronze and Brainz and Timbaland Productions
Recorded by Chris Godbey for SIDE BY SIDE / JVU ENT at The Hit Factory, assisted by Perry Jimenez
Strings Arranged by Larry Gold
Copyist and Assistant to Larry Gold: Steve Tirpak
Engineering by Jeff Chestek at MilkBoy the Studio, Philadelphia, PA
Assistant Engineering by Karl Petersen
Violins by Emma Kummrow, Luigi Mazzocchi, Charles Parker, Dayna Anderson, Tamae Lee, Eliza Cho, Michelle Bishop, Carlos Rubio, Blake Espy and Erica Miller
Violas by Davis Barnett, Jonathan Kim and Renee Steffy-Warnick
Cello by Jennie Lorenzo, Mark Ward and Jesus Morales
Bass by Ranaan Meyer
Mixed by Chris Godbey for SIDE BY SIDE / JVU ENT at Jungle City, assisted by Matt Weber

Comments ()