State of the World
Janet Jackson
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Five A.M. rise and shine To feed the baby before he starts to cry No rest, no time to play 15, the mother is a runaway No time for dreams or goals Pressure is so strong Her body she has sold so her child can eat What is happening to this world we live in In our home and other lands Drugs and crime spreadin' on the streets People can't find enough to eat Now our kids can't go out and play That's the state of the world today Lil' Johnny all alone His only friend, the doll he carries with him Goes to school each and every day To be teased because he has no place to stay This young and homeless boy feels his life is worthless Instead of suicide he cries himself to sleep And it's happenin' to this world we live in There's got to be a better way Drugs and crime spreadin' on the streets People can't find enough to eat Now our kids can't go out and play That's the state of the world today Can't give up hope now Let's weather the storm together
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Written by: James III Harris, Terry Lewis
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Album Release"State of the World" is a song from Janet Jackson's album titled "Rhythm Nation 1814," which was released in 1989.
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ThemeThe song tackles various social issues and reflects Jackson's concern for the world's situation, touching on topics like drugs, crime, homelessness, and illiteracy.
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Non-SingleDespite being one of the standout tracks in the album, "State of the World" was not released as a single. However, it still received significant airplay on radio stations.
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Chart PerformanceAccording to Billboard, "State of the World" reached No. 5 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart in 1991, despite not being officially released as a single.
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Opening Song"State of the World" was the opening song of Janet Jackson's 1990 "Rhythm Nation 1814" world tour.
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SongwritingThe song was written by producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, along with Janet Jackson herself.
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Artistic Shift"State of the World" indicated a conscious move from Jackson's previous pop-culture-focused releases to more critical, socially-aware content, marking an important step in her artistic evolution.
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Public ReceptionAlthough it wasn't as commercially successful as some other tracks on the album, "State of the World" was generally warmly received by critics and fans alike. The song’s strong message resonated with fans, making it a classic in Jackson’s discography.
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RevivalNearly three decades after the original release, in 2017, Janet Jackson announced a concert tour named "State of the World," reviving the song's title and underlining its continued relevance.
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Cultural Impact“State of the World” continues to be hailed as a cultural touchstone, with its exploration of social issues remaining strikingly relevant. It has been covered and sampled by many artists, reflecting its lasting impact on the music world.
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Citation
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"State of the World Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 8 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/9295912/Janet+Jackson/State+of+the+World>.
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