"Alright" is a song by American singer-songwriter Janet Jackson from her fourth studio album, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989). Written by Jackson and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, the song was released on March 4, 1990, by A&M Records as the fourth single from Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814. In the United Kingdom, it was issued as the album's fifth single in June 1990.
"Alright" samplesLyn Collins' 1972 song "Think (About It)" and the song's final hook samples B.T. Express' 1974 song "Do You Like It". The song was recorded again in January 1990 with Heavy D for the music video.
Chart performance
"Alright" peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100, number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and number one on the Dance Club Songs. It is the only single from the album that did not reach the top two on Billboard Hot 100.
Music video
The music video to the song was filmed on the New York Street backlot of Universal Studios Hollywood in February 1990. It was styled to resemble a 1930s and 1950s musical, and featured Cyd Charisse, the Nicholas Brothers, and Cab Calloway in one of his last on-screen appearances. Anthony Thomas choreographed the video, with some scenes staged by veteran Hollywood choreographer Michael Kidd.[2][3] The video begins with Jackson and two male dancers, including Richard Gaines, all wearing flashy zoot suits sitting on a bench. A paperboy throws newspapers on them. They wake up and read the front page, from which they learn Calloway is in town for the premiere of his Alright film. Jackson and her dancers take a crosstown journey to the premiere. There, Jackson, her dancers and Calloway fans wait for Calloway to make his grand entrance. Jackson seemingly envisions herself as Calloway's glamorized female guest, getting pushed to the red carpet. Calloway takes her hand and helps her up. Jackson and her dancers get in Calloway's limo. They arrive at large dance out in the middle of a street. Jackson and her dancers climb on the back of a car and Jackson notices her watch is missing. They get off the car and are sprayed by a street cleaning truck. They sit on the bench. Later that night, Jackson and her dancers are homeless people asleep on the bench—revealing the video to have been a dream. Cab Calloway, in the meantime, walks to the bench and places Jackson's watch in her hand. He sneaks away saying, "Alright". There is also an extended version that features rapper Heavy D. Jackson won Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video at the 1991 Soul Train Music Awards.
During MTV's first-ever MTV Icon in 2001, American singer Usher paid tribute to Jackson by re-enacting the sidewalk bench routine with the two male dancers from the "Alright" music video.[4] His "U Don't Have to Call" video also uses roller shoes as a gimmick. In 2011, Chris Brown's video "Yeah 3x" was compared to the video.[5] In 2024, singer-songwriter Victoria Monét released a video for her song, also titled "Alright", featuring choreography and a black and white pinstripe outfit and hat, which pays homage to Jackson's "Alright" video.[6]
