"Jones the Rhythm" was the opening track on the album and was one of the eight variations on the "Slave to the Rhythm" theme, this one more rock-influenced and dramatic than the hit single version, featuring the Ambrosian Singers and symphonic orchestration, effectively serving as the overture to the audio-biography.

The song includes a spoken introduction by Ian McShane, reciting a passage from Jean-Paul Goude's biography Jungle Fever, which was in parts used for the "Slave to the Rhythm" music video.

The song was released as the second and the last single from the Slave to the Rhythm album and was edited from its original form, exceeding 6 minutes, to a 4-minute track.

The B-side on most of 7" releases was the non-album track "Junkyard", another interpretation of the same song, mainly instrumental.

"Jones the Rhythm" was not a charting success, having been somewhat overshadowed by the huge success of the lead single, and partially due to lack of promotion.