"State of the World" is the eighth and final single

Single (music)

In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...

 from American R&B

Contemporary R&B

Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...

 and pop

Pop music

Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...

 singer Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson

Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...

's fourth studio album, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989).

Jackson has only included the song on her Rhythm Nation World Tour.

Chart performance

The song was released as a promotional single

Promotional recording

A promotional recording, or promo, is an audio or video recording distributed for free, usually in order to promote a recording that is or soon will be commercially available...

 in the United States and Canada and peaked at number five on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart. It was given a commercial release in Australia, Japan, and South Africa. Because it was not released commercially in the U.S., it was ineligible to chart on the Billboard Hot 100

Billboard Hot 100

The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...

 or the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...

. No music video

Music video

A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...

 was produced for the release.

Track listings

Australian CD single (3906322)(Picture Disc)

1. LP Version – 4:49
2. State of the World Suite – 14:09

U.S. double 12" promo single (75021 7523 1)

1. United Nations 12" – 7:47
2. United Nations Dub – 6:12
3. United Nations Instrumental – 4:46
4. Third World 7" – 4:24
5. Third World Dub – 3:05
6. Third World Instrumental – 4:42
7. State of the World Suite – 14:08
8. State of the House 12" – 4:57
9. Make a Change Dub – 4:40
10. World Dance Mix – 4:47

U.S. promo CD single (75021 7514 2)

1. Edit – 4:19
2. United Nations 7" – 4:20
3. State of the House 7" – 4:32
4. Third World 7" – 4:26
5. LP Version – 4:49
6. State of the House 12" – 4:58
7. United Nations 12" – 7:48
8. State of the World Suite – 14:09

Canadian 12" promo single (AMDJ022591)

1. LP Version – 4:49
2. State of the House 12" – 4:59
3. Third World 7" – 4:26
4. World Dance Mix – 4:52

Japanese CD maxi single – The Remixes (PCCY-10191)

1. United Nations 7" – 4:20
2. State of the House 7" – 4:32
3. Third World 7" – 4:26
4. LP Version – 4:49
5. State of the House 12" – 4:59
6. United Nations 12" – 7:50
7. United Nations Dub – 6:15
8. United Nations Instrumental – 4:49
9. Third World Dub – 3:08
10. Third World Instrumental – 4:47
11. Make a Change Dub – 4:45
12. World Dance Mix – 4:52
13. State of the World Suite – 14:09

Official remixes

• Album Version – 4:48
• Edit – 4:19
• State of the House 7" – 4:32
• State of the House 12" – 4:57
• United Nation 7" – 4:20
• United Nation 12" – 7:47
• United Nations Dub – 6:12
• United Nations Instrumental – 4:46
• Third World 7" – 4:24
• Third World Dub – 3:05
• Third World Instrumental – 4:42
• World Dance Mix – 4:47
• Make a Change Dub – 4:40
• State of the World Suite – 14:08
  • A) State of the House 12"
  • B) Make a Change Dub
  • C) World Dance Mix

Charts

Chart (1991)	Peak position
Australian Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...	94
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Airplay	5
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play	9