"Slave to the Rhythm" (also known as "Slave 2 the Rhythm") is a song by Michael Jackson released as the fifth track on the second and final posthumous album, Xscape. The original version was released on the deluxe edition of the LP. On July 28, 2014, an EDM/Electro House remix of "Slave to the Rhythm" by Audien was also released as a digital single.
Background[]
"Slave to the Rhythm" was written by L.A. Reid and Babyface and recorded between March-May 23, 1991 for the Dangerous album, although failed to make the cut. During the Invincible sessions, Rodney Jerkins (known as "Darkchild") was presented to "Slave to the Rhythm", but the two didn't work with it or even consider doing so.[1]
In August 2010, after Jackson's death, "Slave to the Rhythm" was reworked by Tricky Stewart for the Michael album, although stayed in the vault. The remix leaked in December of the same year, alongside "Do You Know Where Your Children Are".
In the summer of 2013, Stewart would arrange for DJ Max Methods to tamper with the track, this time. as a duet with Justin Bieber. The production for this version seems to directly take inspiration from Stewart's mix from a few years prior, featuring a similar synthesizer arrangement.
| “ | I work with Tricky Stewart. He signed me to his label Red Zone Ent, and had me re-produce the record. He also had Justin [Bieber] record new vocals. [...] | ” |
–Methods for Damien Shields, August 20, 2013[1] | ||
In previous years, Bieber expressed his admiration for Jackson. and even worked with Darkchild, who stood behind the singer's "Billie Jean"-esque hit song "Maria".[2] Additionally, at other times the producer himself stated that a duet between the King of Pop and Justin is something he could've arranged for if Michael didn't die.[3]
On August 16, 2013, the duet leaked online, gathering lot's of negative opinions from The King of Pop's fans, having some even protest it's release. On the same day, Bieber would post on X, stating his excitement for "what is to come".[4][5]
The following day, Max Methods would post on the platform as well, expressing his disappointment in the recording leaking before getting finished.[6][7] Soon enough, @MJonlineteam (the then-online team of the Michael Jackson Estate) would state the leak through TwitLonger.[8]
| “ | For those who have been asking about the recently posted recording of “Slave 2 The Rhythm” by Michael and Justin Bieber, this recording was not authorized. We can assure you that the Estate is quite upset about the leak and is doing everything in its power to get the song removed from as many sites and YouTube channels as possible. | ” |
–MJ OnlineTeam on TwitLonger, August 19, 2013[9] | ||
Despite the claims that the recording wouldn't see a release, a new rework would be soon created by Timbaland in early 2014 and released on the Xscape album in May of the same year. This time however, Jackson is singing solely by himself, withough Bieber in the track. The 1991 demo of "Slave to the Rhythm" would release on the deluxe version, including vocals that weren't on the final version.
Live performance[]
Pepper's ghost of Michael Jackson performing "Slave to the Rhythm"
To promote Xscape's release, a Pepper's ghost illusion of Jackson performed "Slave to the Rhythm" at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards on May 18, 2014. The set stage and the backup dancers were also a result of said technique. The show also featured an alternate mix of the 2014 rework, with an extended, synth-oriented breakdown.
Preparations for the performance began in late 2013. Brothers Rich and Tone Talauega, who were backup dancers for Michael's HIStory World Tour in 1997, were responsible for the main choreography of the performance. It was directed by Jamie King, who was also the director and writer of Michael Jackson: ONE, which is the second, production based on The King of Pop by Cirque du Soleil. The video was produced by Pulse Evolution and Tricycle Logic.
| “ | It’s so important to experience Michael Jackson in a live setting. This is something where we wanted a live performance in front of a live audience and nothing speaks to that more than an awards show. | ” |
–John Branca, "Billboard Music Awards: Behind the Scenes of the Michael Jackson Hologram Performance"[10] | ||
The live performance currently serves as the official semi-music video for "Slave to the Rhythm". Behind the scenes of the performance were also released with interviews from the team who worked on it.[11] Although praised by some who attended the award ceremony, many fans heavily criticized the illusion of Jackson, claiming that the model didn't look like The King of Pop enough, and that it failed to replicate the smoothness of Jackson's dance moves in some places, including the Moonwalk.
Audio[]
- Live mix (Billboard Music Awards 2014) - (
listen) - Demo 3 (Justin Bieber duet) - ( listen)
- Demo 2 (Tricky Stewart remix) - ( listen)
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
She dances in the sheets at night
She dances to his needs
She dances 'til he feels just right
Until he falls asleep
She dances at the crack of dawn
And quickly cooks his food
She can't be late, can't take too long
The kids must get to school
[Chorus]
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
A rhythm of love, a rhythm of love
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
A rhythm of love, a rhythm of love
[Verse 2]
She dances for the man at work
Who works her overtime
She can't be rude as she says
"Sir, I must be home tonight"
She dances to the kitchen stove
Dinner is served by nine
He says his food's an hour late
She must be out her mind
[Chorus]
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
A rhythm of love, a rhythm of love (Oh)
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
A rhythm of love, a rhythm of love
[Bridge]
She works so hard just to make a way
For a man to just don't appreciate
And though he takes her love in vain
Still, she could not stop, couldn't break his chains
[Verse 3]
She danced the night that they fell out
She swore she'd dance no more
But dance, she did, he did not quit
As she ran out the door
She danced through the night in fear of her life
She danced to a beat of her own
She let out a cry and swallowed the pride
She knew she was needed back home, home
[Chorus]
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
A rhythm of love, a rhythm of love (Love, love, love)
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
[Outro]
You got to have pride (A rhythm of love)
To give it, want it, do it, baby (A rhythm of love)
[Intro]
Hoo! (Max Methods)
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Hoh! Hoh!
[Verse 1]
She dances in these sheets at night
She dances to his needs
She dances 'til he feels just right
Until he falls asleep
She dances at the crack of dawn
And quickly cooks his food
She can't be late, can't take too long
The kids must get to school
[Chorus]
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love
[Verse 2]
She dances for the man at work
Who works her overtime
She can't be rude as she says
"Sir, I must be home tonight"
She dances to the kitchen stove
Dinner is served by nine
He says his food's an hour late
She must be outta her mind
[Chorus]
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm (A slave to the rhythm, oh no)
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of (Oh no, oh no)
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm (She's a slave to the rhythm)
A slave to the rhythm of
The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love (The rhythm of love)
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm (A slave to the rhythm)
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of (Oh no, oh no)
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of (A slave to the rhythm)
The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love (Of love, of love)
[Bridge]
She works so hard, just to make her way
For a man who just won't appreciate
And though she takes, her love in vain
Though she could not stop, couldn't break his chains
[Verse 3]
She danced the night that they fell out
She swore she'd dance no more
But dance she did, he did not quit
As she ran out the door
She danced through the night in fear of her life
She danced to a beat of her own (Her own)
She let out a cry and swallowed her pride
She knew she was needed back home, home
[Chorus]
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love
[Intro]
Hoo!
Hoo! Chop! Chop! Chop!
Hoo!
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Hoh! Hoh!
[Verse 1]
She dances in the sheets at nights
She dances to his needs
She dances 'til he feels just right
Until he falls asleep
She dances at the crack of dawn
And quickly cooks his food
She can't be late, can't take too long
The kids must get to school
[Chorus]
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love
[Verse 2]
She dances for the man at work
Who works her overtime
She can't be rude as she says
"Sir, I must be home tonight"
She dances to the kitchen stove
Dinner is served by nine
He says his food's an hour late
She must be out her mind
[Chorus]
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love
[Bridge]
She works so hard, just to make a way
For a man who just don't appreciate
And though he takes her love in vain
Still she could not stop, couldn't break his chains
[Verse 3]
She danced the night that they fell out
She swore she'd dance no more
But dance she did, he did not quit
As she ran out the door
She danced through the night in fear of her life
She danced to a beat of her own
She let out a cry and swallowed her pride
She knew she was needed back home, home
[Chorus]
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love
[Intro]
Hoo!
Hoo! Chop! Chop! Chop!
Hoo!
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Hoh! Hoh!
[Verse 1]
She dances in his sheets at night
She dances to his needs
She dances 'til he feels just right
Until he falls asleep
She dances at the crack of dawn
And quickly cooks his food
She can't be late, can't take too long
The kids must get to school
[Chorus]
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love
[Verse 2]
She dances for the man at work
Who works her overtime
She can't be rude as she says
Sir, "I must be home tonight"
She dances to the kitchen stove
Dinner is served by nine
He says his food's an hour late
She must be outta her mind
[Chorus]
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love
[Bridge]
She works so hard just to make her way
For the man who just don't appreciate
And though he takes her love in vain
Still, she could not stop, couldn't break his chains
[Verse 3]
She danced the night that they fell out
She swore she'd dance no more
But dance, she did, she dare'd not quit
As she ran out the door
She danced through the night in fear of her life
She danced to a beat of her own
She let out a cry and swallowed her pride
She knew she was needed back home, home
[Chorus]
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm of
'Cause she's a slave to the rhythm
A slave to the rhythm of
The rhythm of love, the rhythm of love
Gallery[]
Images[]
Videos[]
Trivia[]
- "Slave to the Rhythm" debuted at number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Jackson a posthumous 50th entry on the Billboard Hot 100.
- A few days before Bieber collaborated with Jackson, leaked reports came out stating that he planned to buy Jackson's Neverland Ranch.[12]
- Although the 2010 remix remains officially unreleased, a snippet was played on the Ellen DeGeneres Show in the weeks before it's official release.[13]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://www.damienshields.com/michael-jacksons-slave-to-the-rhythm-remixed-as-a-duet-with-justin-bieber/
- ↑ https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2012/06/justin-bieber-says-new-song-about-paternity-accuser-is-his-billie-jean
- ↑ https://www.nme.com/news/music/justin-bieber-271-1276158
- ↑ https://x.com/justinbieber/status/368399568406204416?s=20
- ↑ https://x.com/justinbieber/status/368400209065156610?s=20
- ↑ https://twitter.com/maxmethods/status/368550773753257984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E368550773753257984%7Ctwgr%5Ed251b3897ac432a992ee1e2182935388d763e47e%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.damienshields.com%2Fmichael-jacksons-slave-to-the-rhythm-remixed-as-a-duet-with-justin-bieber%2F
- ↑ https://twitter.com/maxmethods/status/368551099155742720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E368551099155742720%7Ctwgr%5Ed251b3897ac432a992ee1e2182935388d763e47e%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.damienshields.com%2Fmichael-jacksons-slave-to-the-rhythm-remixed-as-a-duet-with-justin-bieber%2F
- ↑ https://x.com/MJonlineteam/status/369539940662521856?s=20
- ↑ https://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1rm0d7u
- ↑ "Billboard Music Awards: Behind the Scenes of the Michael Jackson Hologram Performance"
- ↑ VIRTUAL MICHAEL JACKSON | John Textor
- ↑ https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/justin-bieber-wants-buy-michael-2150556
- ↑ https://youtu.be/abdN1EX0UNM?si=2YM_W1b53otj36eF