The Knowledge
勵콜·쌤옹祈Janet Jackson Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Insight to what's goin' on
Information keeps us strong
What you don't know can't hurt you bad
Take it from me you'll be walkin' around sad
Cryin' for a better day
Until you educate for a better way
So if you wanna be in control
Ya gotta get yourself in the know

Get the knowledge
(that you really want)
The knowledge
(do you really want)
It's the knowledge
(what you really want)
The knowledge
(that you really want)

Spreading vise don't believe the hype
You don't find the knowledge in a pipe
Too many lives go up in smoke
It's nice to laugh but don't be the joke
To get over get better
Try to be the possessor
Of the one thing we all need in life
To succeed take my advice

Get the knowledge
(that you really want)
The knowledge
(do you really want)
It's the knowledge
(what you really want)
The knowledge
(that you really want)

Prejudice...No!
Ignorance...No!
Bigotry...No!
Illiteracy...No!

Listen it's up to everyone
If we're gonna change the way the world is run
The way to start is to rid the children of
Prejudice & ignorance
We've gotta teach our kids to read & write
That's the only way to win this fight for life
Education is the goal so
If you wanna be in the know
Get the knowledge
It's the one thing we all need in life

Get the knowledge
(that you really want)
The knowledge
(do you really want)
It's the knowledge
(what you really want)
The knowledge
(that you really want)

Let's Dance





Get the point? Good, now let's dance.

Overall Meaning

In the song "The Knowledge", Janet Jackson emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge and education to stay strong and empowered. She believes that what we don't know could hurt us and that educating ourselves is essential to control our lives. The lyrics mention the negative impacts of ignorance, prejudice, bigotry, and illiteracy, and they urge listeners to prioritize education. She also challenges the spread of false information and asserts the significance of reliable sources of knowledge.


The song encourages the audience to get up and dance after understanding the importance of knowledge. Jackson asserts that teaching children to read and write is the foundation for changing the way the world operates. She indicates that education is one of the most necessary elements that everyone needs to succeed in life.


Line by Line Meaning

Insight to what's goin' on
Understanding of current situations


Information keeps us strong
Knowledge empowers us


What you don't know can't hurt you bad
Lack of knowledge won't affect negatively


Take it from me you'll be walkin' around sad
Without knowledge, one would be unhappy


Cryin' for a better day
Wishing for a positive future


Until you educate for a better way
Improved state comes from obtaining knowledge


So if you wanna be in control
To have power over oneself and others


Ya gotta get yourself in the know
One has to learn to gain that control


Spreading vise don't believe the hype
False information can be harmful


You don't find the knowledge in a pipe
Substances don't provide true knowledge


Too many lives go up in smoke
People lose their lives over drugs


It's nice to laugh but don't be the joke
Don't be ignorant and become a laughingstock


To get over get better
To improve and cope with life difficulties


Try to be the possessor
Strive to be in possession of knowledge


Of the one thing we all need in life
Knowledge is essential for living well


To succeed take my advice
Advice on gaining knowledge to attain success


Prejudice...No!
Against discrimination based on preconceived notions


Ignorance...No!
Against willful lack of knowledge


Bigotry...No!
Against intolerance towards other cultures


Illiteracy...No!
Against lack of literary ability


Listen it's up to everyone
Responsibility lies with each individual


If we're gonna change the way the world is run
The way the world is managed can be altered


The way to start is to rid the children of
Eliminating ignorance and prejudice from the youth


We've gotta teach our kids to read & write
Importance of literacy education


That's the only way to win this fight for life
To succeed in life, education is indispensable


Education is the goal so
Education is the aim


If you wanna be in the know
If you desire to gain knowledge


Get the knowledge
Obtain education


Let's Dance
Enjoying life after acquiring knowledge


Get the point? Good, now let's dance.
Understanding the message and celebrating life




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JAMES SAMUEL III HARRIS, JAMES HARRIS III, TERRY LEWIS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Chris Lee Carey

Girl is we getting the full videography?

•Let's Wait Awhile
•Alright
•Love Will Never Do
•Runaway
•Together Again
•Together Again (Deeper Remix)
•I Get Lonely
•Go Deep
•You
•Every Time
•Doesn't Really Matter
•Someone To Call My Lover
•Just a Little While
•I Want You
•All Nite (Don't Stop)
•Call On Me



All comments from YouTube:

Dana Vixen

You know she created a masterpiece with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis when Rhythm Nation is STILL as RELEVANT as ever over 3 decades later! ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

The Alkebulan Trust

Janet Jackson is beyond an icon. It is great she is getting to tell her story. Because of the knowledge she has she continues to be the blueprint for many artists. Best of all she has created a legacy beyond The Jackson family name.

Derek Prince Weems Music

Congratulations again on your induction into the hall of fame my friend. Good to know you did well with your career and life.😉💪✋❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏

J.D. Fitzgerald13

So true💯💯💯💯💯💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

ithl123

So glad this is video is finally available on Janet Jackson's official YouTube channel! I look forward to more of Janet's ICONIC videography being made available on this channel.

kagomecc461

I first thought this was gonna be a full upload of Rhythm Nation. Still a An epic piece of art

CYBORG 95

My video clip in dubai has just been released the family🙏🏼❤️📀I sing rap in English and French drill I need your opinion👌🏽🔥🔥

Johnathan 4Ever

YAAAAS ITHL

Brenda Melvoin

Me too !

Carla B Williams

I always wished she made a video for "He Doesn't Even Know That I'm Alive" from her control album, I pictured something like a Grease theme like Summer Nights, or You're The One That I Want for the song and it's like a dream versus reality about a man she really wants but he doesn't notice her or behaves like that as a front to get her to make the move, or annitiate as such as it's her in control all the way.

1 More Replies...
More Comments

More Versions