Pink covered the song Rhythm Nation.
`` Rhythm Nation '' is a song by American singer Janet Jackson , released as the second single from her fourth studio album Janet Jackson 's Rhythm Nation 1814 -LRB- 1989 -RRB- .. Janet Jackson. Janet Jackson. single. single ( music ). studio album. studio album. It was written and produced by Jackson , in collaboration with James `` Jimmy Jam '' Harris III and Terrence `` Terry '' Lewis .. Jackson developed the song 's concept in response to various tragedies in the media , deciding to pursue a socially conscious theme by using a political standpoint within upbeat dance music .. socially conscious. socially conscious. In the United States , it peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Hot R&B  /  Hip-Hop Songs and Dance Club Songs singles charts .. Dance Club Songs. Dance Club Songs. It also peak within the top 40 of most singles charts worldwide .. `` Rhythm Nation '' received several accolades , including BMI Pop Awards for `` Most Played Song '' , a Billboard Award for `` Top Dance / Club Play Single '' and Grammy Award nomination for Jackson as `` Producer of the Year . ''. BMI. Broadcast Music, Inc.. Billboard Award. Billboard Awards. Grammy Award. Grammy Award. Producer of the Year. Producer of the Year. It has been included in two of Jackson 's greatest hits collections , Design of a Decade  : 1986 -- 1996 -LRB- 1995 -RRB- and Number Ones -LRB- 2009 -RRB- .. Number Ones. Number Ones ( Janet Jackson album ). The music video for `` Rhythm Nation '' was directed by Dominic Sena , serving as the final inclusion in Jackson 's long-form Rhythm Nation 1814 film .. Dominic Sena. Dominic Sena. It portrays rapid choreography within a `` post-apocalyptic '' warehouse setting , with Jackson and her dancers adorned in unisex military attire .. It was filmed in black-and-white to portray the song 's theme of racial harmony .. black-and-white. black-and-white. racial harmony. racial unity. Jackson 's record label attempted to persuade her against filming the video , but upon her insistence it became `` the most far-reaching single project the company has ever attempted . ''. single. single ( music ). record label. A&M Records. The video received two MTV Video Music Awards for `` Best Choreography '' and `` Best Dance Video . ''. MTV Video Music Awards. MTV Video Music Awards. Best Choreography. Best Choreography. Best Dance Video. Best Dance Video. Jackson also won a Billboard Award for `` Best Female Video Artist '' in addition to the `` Director 's Award '' and `` Music Video Award for Artistic Achievement . ''. Billboard Award. Billboard Awards. The Rhythm Nation 1814 film won a Grammy Award for Best Long Form Music Video .. Grammy Award. Grammy Award. Best Long Form Music Video. Best Long Form Music Video. The video 's outfit was inducted into the National Museum of Women in the Arts and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame , where its hand-written lyrics are also used in the museum 's class on female songwriters .. National Museum of Women in the Arts. National Museum of Women in the Arts. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Artists such as Sleigh Bells , Jamie Lidell , and Kylie Minogue have cited the song as an influence , while artists including Lady Gaga , Peter Andre , OK Go , Mickey Avalon , Usher , and Britney Spears have referenced its music video .. Sleigh Bells. Sleigh Bells ( band ). Jamie Lidell. Jamie Lidell. Kylie Minogue. Kylie Minogue. Lady Gaga. Lady Gaga. Peter Andre. Peter Andre. OK Go. OK Go. Mickey Avalon. Mickey Avalon. Usher. Usher ( entertainer ). Britney Spears. Britney Spears. Beyonce , Cheryl Cole , Rihanna and Ciara have also paid homage to its outfit and choreography within live performances .. Beyonce. Beyonce. Cheryl Cole. Cheryl Cole. Rihanna. Rihanna. Ciara. Ciara. It has inspired the careers of choreographers such as Wade Robson and Travis Payne .. Wade Robson. Wade Robson. Travis Payne. Travis Payne. Actors including Kate Hudson , Michael K. Williams , and Elizabeth Mathis have studied its music video , with its choreography also used in the film Tron  : Legacy .. Kate Hudson. Kate Hudson. Michael K. Williams. Michael K. Williams. Elizabeth Mathis. Elizabeth Mathis. It has been covered by Pink , Crystal Kay , and Girls ' Generation and has also been performed on Glee , The X-Factor , and Britain 's Got Talent .. Pink. Pink ( singer ). Crystal Kay. Crystal Kay. Glee. Glee ( TV series ). The X-Factor. The X-Factor