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