“Rhythm Is Gonna Get You” is a high-energy Latin pop and dance track by Miami Sound Machine, featuring Gloria Estefan, released in May 1987 – with “Give It Up” in the B-side – as the lead single from their album Let It Loose (later rebranded Anything for You internationally). The song became one of the band’s most iconic hits, blending Latin rhythms, pop melodies, and infectious dance beats.
The song is about the irresistible power of music and rhythm, with lines like “Tonight, the rhythm’s gonna get you” emphasizing the idea that no one can resist the urge to dance. The song is both playful and hypnotic, making it a perfect club and party anthem.
Musically, Rhythm Is Gonna Get You features pulsating percussion, lively horns, and upbeat synthesizers, combining Latin and dance-pop influences. Gloria Estefan’s dynamic and charismatic vocals add to the song’s infectious energy, while the salsa-inspired rhythms and layered instrumentals showcase Miami Sound Machine’s signature fusion of pop and Latin music.
The song was a commercial success, reaching No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. In the UK, it took a year and a half for the song to become a chart hit. The 1987 single failed to chart; a reissue came in February 1988 after the song was featured in the film Stakeout, reaching only number 107. “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You” was re-released again in December 1988, after the success of the follow-up singles “Anything for You” and “1-2-3“, and became a UK top 20 hit, peaking at number 16 in January 1989.