The tenth and youngest child of the Jackson family, she began her career with the variety television series The Jacksons in 1976 and went on to appear in other television shows throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, including Good Times, Diff'rent Strokes, and Fame. After signing a recording contract with A&M Records in 1982, she became a pop icon following the release of her third and fourth studio albums Control (1986) and Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989). Her collaborations with record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis incorporated elements of rhythm and blues, funk, disco, rap, and industrial beats, which led to crossover success in popular music.
In 1991, Jackson signed the first of two record-breaking multimillion-dollar contracts with Virgin Records, establishing her as one of the highest-paid artists in the industry. Prior to her first studio project with Virgin, she appeared in her first of several lead film roles in Poetic Justice (1993). Her two studio albums which followed, Janet (1993) and The Velvet Rope (1997), saw her develop a public image as a sex symbol. These records, along with their promotional music videos and live performances in concert tours, branded Jackson as one of the world's most erotic performers, garnering both criticism and praise. By the end of the 1990s, she was named by Billboard magazine as the second most successful recording artist of the decade after Mariah Carey. The release of her seventh studio album All for You in 2001 coincided with a celebration of her impact on the recording industry as the subject of the inaugural MTV Icon special.
The backlash from the 2004 Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy resulted in an industry blacklisting under the direction of Les Moonves, then-CEO of CBS Corporation. Jackson subsequently experienced reduced radio airplay, televised promotion and sales figures from that point forward. After parting ways with Virgin Records, she released her tenth studio album Discipline (2008), her first and only album with Island Records. In 2015, she partnered with BMG Rights Management to launch her own record label, Rhythm Nation and released her eleventh studio album Unbreakable the same year. Since then she has continued to release music as an independent artist.
Having sold over 100 million records, Jackson is one of the world's best-selling music artists. She has amassed an extensive catalog, with singles such as "Nasty", "Rhythm Nation", "That's the Way Love Goes", "Together Again", and "All for You"; she holds the record for the most consecutive top-ten entries on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart with 18. She is also the only artist in the history of the chart to have seven commercial singles from one album (Rhythm Nation 1814) peak within the top five positions. In 2008, Billboard placed her number seven on its list of the Hot 100 All-Time Top Artists, and in 2010 ranked her fifth among the "Top 50 R&B/Hip-Hop Artists of the Past 25 Years". In December 2016, the magazine named her the second most successful dance club artist after Madonna. One of the world's most awarded artists, her accolades include five Grammy Awards, eleven Billboard Music Awards, eleven American Music Awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and eight Guinness World Records entries. In 2019, she was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Jackson has been cited as an inspiration among numerous performers and credited with elevating a standard of sound, showmanship and sex appeal expected of pop stars.
Alright
Janet Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Alright, alright, alright, alright (I, I, I, sho-bo-do-bo-do-bo now)
Baby, baby
Alright, baby
I, I, alright, baby
Seeing that your love's true
My heart belongs to you
That's alright with me
Worlds could end around me
So in love that I can't see
You and me were meant to be
That's alright with me
Friends come and friends may go
My friends, you're real, I know
True self, you have shown
You're alright with me
Through thick and thick to thin
I'll love you 'til the end
You know it's true, my friend
You're alright with me
Friends come and friends may go
My friends, you're real, I know
True self, you have shown
You're alright with me
Through thick and thick to thin
I'll love you 'til the end
You know it's true, my friend
You're alright with me
Alright with me (alright with me)
Alright with me (sho-bo-do-bo-do-bo now)
Alright with me (alright with me)
Alright with me (alright with me)
Catch a fallin' star that shines (shines)
Make a wish, clap three times
Dreams come true, it's in the mind
That's alright with me
Your wish is my command
Never thought I'd fall in love again (again)
Again with my best friend
That's alright with me
Friends come and friends may go (friends come)
My friends, you're real, I know
True self, you have shown
You're alright with me
Through thick and thick to thin
I'll love you 'til the end
You know it's true, my friend
You're alright with me
Always and everlasting
This love is just not passing
We're happy as can be
You're alright with me
Alright with me (ah, yeah, alright with me)
Alright with me (ah, yeah, sho-bo-do-bo-do-bo now)
Alright with me (alright with me)
Alright with me (alright with me)
It's alright, baby
It's alright
I'll tell you that it's alright with me
Worlds could end around me
So in love, I can't see
You and me were meant to be
That's sure enough, it's alright with me
Friends come and friends may go
My friends, you're real, I know (alright)
True self, you have shown
You're alright with me
Through thick and thick to thin (sugar)
I'll love you 'til the end (baby)
You know it's true, my friend (sure enough)
You're alright with me
Alright with me (ah, yeah, alright with me)
Alright with me (ah, yeah, sho-bo-do-bo-do-bo now)
Alright with me (alright with me)
Alright with me (alright with me, woo)
It's alright
It's alright, now, it's alright, now, it's alright, now
Alright with me
It's alright, now, it's alright, now, it's alright, now
Alright with me
It's alright, now (alright with me)
It's alright, now (alright with me)
It's alright, now (alright with me)
It's alright, now (alright with me)
Baby, baby, baby, baby (alright with me)
Baby, baby, baby, baby (alright with me)
Baby, baby, baby, baby (alright with me)
Baby, baby, baby, baby (alright with me)
Sho-bo-do-bo-do, sho-bo-do-bo-do
Sho-bo-do-bo-do-bo now, woo (alright)
Sho-bo-do-bo-do, sho-bo-do-bo-do
Sho-bo-do-bo-do-bo now, woo (alright)
Sho-bo-do-bo-do, sho-bo-do-bo-do
Sho-bo-do-bo-do-bo now, woo (alright)
Sho-bo-do-bo-do, sho-bo-do-bo-do
Sho-bo-do-bo-do-bo now, woo (alright)
Baby, baby, baby
Baby, baby, baby (alright with me)
Baby, baby, baby
Baby, baby, baby (alright with me)
(Alright with me)
Sho-bo-do-bo-do, sho-bo-do-bo-do
Sho-bo-do-bo-do, sho-bo-do-bo-do, baby
Sho-bo-do-bo-do, sho-bo-do-bo-do
Sho-bo-do-bo-do, sho-bo-do-bo-do
Baby, baby, baby, baby
Baby, baby, baby, baby
Baby, baby, baby, baby
Baby, baby, baby, baby
I, I, I, I
I, I, I, I
I, I, I, I
I, I, I, I
Woo, woo, woo, woo
Woo, woo, woo, woo
Baby, baby, baby, baby
Baby, baby, baby
Baby, baby, baby, baby
Baby, baby, baby
"Alright" is a track from Janet Jackson's 1989 album "Rhythm Nation 1814". The song has a warm, vibrant quality to its melody and lyrics. Essentially this song is about appreciating your loved ones for who they are, regardless of what others may think, hence why it repeats its chorus frequently. It’s a positive and affirming track and works perfectly as an ode to friends and friendship. The music video, directed by Julien Temple, was shot in Paris and features Jackson, along with dancers and extras, performing in the streets, in front of various landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower.
The intro of the song is a chant that reads "Sho-bo-do-bo-do-bo now." In interviews, Jimmy Jam explained that the phrase is just something fun to sing, saying, "it doesn't actually mean anything."
This song heavily samples Kool & the Gang's "Jungle Boogie." Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis produced both songs which inspired this remix.
Jackson's pre-chorus features the lines, "Catch a falling star that shines / Make a wish, and know it's yours." These lines originally come from the song "Catch a Falling Star" by Perry Como.
The video for this song was one of six included on Jackson's 1990 "Rhythm Nation 1814" film. We learned from the "Making of Rhythm Nation 1814" documentary that filming took place during a heatwave, which caused Jackson to faint during production.
After being inspired by Nelson Mandela's work, Jackson decided to sponsor 100 children from impoverished backgrounds to receive healthcare and education in South Africa. To raise funds, she created the "Rhythm Nation Charity Drive" and dedicated her "Rhythm Nation World Tour" to the cause. "Alright" was one of the songs included in her tour.
The song was a top-five hit on the US pop chart and topped the charts in Japan. Additionally, the song's music video won a Billboard Award for best art direction.
In 1998, Will Smith released his own version of the song, in collaboration with K-Ci Hailey of Jodeci. The cover was featured in the film "Enemy of the State."
Ashanti sampled this song for her 2003 song "Rain on Me." The chorus melody from "Alright" is used with different lyrics.
In 2018, in the wake of sexual assault allegations against producer Harvey Weinstein and the rise of the #MeToo movement, Jackson released a remix of "Alright" featuring a spoken-word passage from Roc Nation rapper J. Cole. He acknowledged that she has dealt with her own share of sexism in the industry and added a message of hope for women who have experienced sexual assault or harassment.
Possible chords for "Alright": D#m, G#m, C# / D#m, G#m, C# (repeat through intro, first verse, and pre-chorus); Fm, A#7, D#, G#m (repeat twice for chorus and outro)
Line by Line Meaning
Alright, alright, alright, alright
Everything is good and going as planned
Alright, alright, alright, alright (I, I, I, sho-bo-do-bo-do-bo now)
Repeating that everything is going fine and in rhythm with the music
Baby, baby
Speaking to a loved one who is dear to heart
Alright, baby
Confirming that everything is perfect with the loved one
I, I, alright, baby
Saying that the singer is doing well and the person they're speaking to is also great
Seeing that your love's true
Noticing that the love of the person they're speaking to is genuine
Never I'll doubt you
They won't ever doubt the love of the person they're speaking to
My heart belongs to you
Their love is completely devoted to the person they're speaking to
That's alright with me
They feel content with how the person they're speaking to reciprocates their love
Worlds could end around me
The person they're speaking to is their world and even if everything else falls apart, they are happy with them
So in love that I can't see
Their love for that person is overwhelming and they can't see past it
You and me were meant to be
The singer believes that their love with the person they're speaking to was destined to happen
Friends come and friends may go
People will move in and out of their lives, but not the person they're speaking to
My friends, you're real, I know
The people who have stayed in their life are genuine and trustworthy
True self, you have shown
The person they're speaking to is genuine and has never put on a facade
You're alright with me
They are content with being with that person
Through thick and thick to thin
The singer will stick with the person they're speaking to no matter what happens in life
I'll love you 'til the end
They will continue to love that person unconditionally until the end of their life
You know it's true, my friend
Their love for the person they're speaking to is honest and sincere
Alright with me (alright with me)
Everything is good and satisfying
Catch a fallin' star that shines (shines)
Seize opportunities when they present themselves
Make a wish, clap three times
They believe in the power of manifesting one's desires
Dreams come true, it's in the mind
Anything is possible if one believes in themselves
Your wish is my command
The person they're speaking to has their complete trust and respect
Never thought I'd fall in love again (again)
The singer thought they were done with love until they met the person they're speaking to
Again with my best friend
They fell in love with their best friend
Friends come and friends may go (friends come)
Loved ones may leave, but the person they're speaking to will always be there
Always and everlasting
Their love for the person they're speaking to is forever
This love is just not passing
Their love is genuine and won't fade away over time
We're happy as can be
The singer is content with their love and the person they're speaking to
Alright with me (ah, yeah, alright with me)
Everything is good and satisfying
Alright with me (ah, yeah, sho-bo-do-bo-do-bo now)
Everything is good and going in rhythm with the music
It's alright, baby
Everything is going perfectly with the person they're speaking to
It's alright
Everything is good and as planned
I'll tell you that it's alright with me
Confirming that everything is perfect between them
So in love, I can't see
Their love for the person they're speaking to is overwhelming
That's sure enough, it's alright with me
They are certain that everything is perfect with the person they're speaking to
My friends, you're real, I know (alright)
The people who have stayed in their life are genuine and trustworthy
Through thick and thick to thin (sugar)
The singer will stick with the person they're speaking to no matter what happens in life
I'll love you 'til the end (baby)
They will continue to love that person unconditionally until the end of their life
You know it's true, my friend (sure enough)
Their love for the person they're speaking to is honest and sincere
Alright with me (alright with me, woo)
Everything is good and satisfying
It's alright, now, it's alright, now, it's alright, now
Repeating that everything is good and going as planned
Alright with me
Everything is good and satisfying
It's alright, now (alright with me)
Repeating that everything is good and satisfying
Baby, baby, baby, baby (alright with me)
Speaking to the person they love and confirming everything is perfect between them
Sho-bo-do-bo-do, sho-bo-do-bo-do
Vocals and music
Sho-bo-do-bo-do-bo now, woo (alright)
Repeating sound effects to the tune of the music, confirming everything is good
Baby, baby, baby
Speaking to the person they love and care for
I, I, I, I
Stating that it's all about them and their experience
Woo, woo, woo, woo
Vocal and music effects
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, O/B/O DistroKid, JANET JACKSON DBA BLACK ICE, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: James III Harris, Janet Jackson, Terry Lewis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind