Rock with You (Michael Jackson song)

"Rock with You"
Single by Michael Jackson
from the album Off the Wall
B-side	"Get on the Floor" "You Can't Win" (UK) "Workin' Day and Night" (USA)
Released	November 3, 1979
Format	7", 12"
Recorded	1979
Genre	Disco, pop
Length	3:39 (album version) 3:23 (single/video mix)
Label	Epic
Writer(s)	Rod Temperton
Producer	Quincy Jones
Certification	Platinum (USA) Gold (New Zealand)
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" (1979) "Rock with You" (1979) "Off the Wall" (1980)
Off the Wall track listing "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" (1) "Rock with You" (2) "Workin' Day and Night" (3) HIStory Begins track listing "Black or White" (3) "Rock with You" (4) "She's Out of My Life" (5)

"Rock with You" was written by Rod Temperton and recorded by Michael Jackson. It was released on November 3, 1979, as the second single from Michael Jackson's fifth album, Off the Wall. Written by Heatwave group member and songwriter Rod Temperton, who also wrote Jackson's 1984 song "Thriller". The song helped Jackson score one of the first Billboard number-one singles in the 1980s. It reached number one on both the pop and R&B singles chart and became one of Jackson's most-loved songs. A video for the song shows a smiling Jackson dancing in a sequined suit against a background laser. According to Billboard, the song was the fourth biggest single of 1980. It is also considered one of the last big hits of the disco era.

It was re-released as a single on February 27, 2006, as part of the Visionary: The Video Singles box set.

Cover versions and samples

• The song was later covered by singer Brandy in 1995 for Quincy Jones' album, Q's Jook Joint.
• Contemporary jazz guitarist Chuck Loeb offered his version on his album "Listen."
• It was also covered by Ashanti in 2003 as a remix to her single "Rock wit U (Awww Baby)" and performed at the BET Awards.
• The song was covered by the company Wavegroup for the game Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol.
• Brazilian singer Fernanda Abreu performed a version on the record Um Barzinho Um Violao 4, issued in 2005.
• House music Japanese band Cargo made a cover of the song in their 2007 album "Jewel".
• Emi Hinouchi, a famous japanese artist, made a version of the song.
• Chris Brown performed it on the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans in 2007.
• Kelly Clarkson performed the song with Eric Hutchinson on her All I Ever Wanted tour in 2009.
• After Jackson's death in June 2009, R&B singer Frankie J recorded a cover version, which was released on his MySpace page.
• Mariah Carey also performed this song along with Trey Lorenz in her concert "Live At The Pearl" in Vegas in September and October 2009.
• Aphex Twin also did a remix of the song live at his headlining set at the 2009 Osaka Summer Sonic music festival, this remix was also segued with a live remix of a song by the rave musician Eon, who died almost a week before Jackson did.

• Japanese R&B singer and performer Yuya Matsushita did a cover of the song in 2011.

Music video

A music video was released for the song. It features Michael in a sparkly silver suit singing the song with a bright light behind him. The video was directed by Bruce Gowers.

The music video was included on the video albums: Video Greatest Hits - HIStory, Number Ones and Michael Jackson's Vision.

Live performance

Michael Jackson performed the song on The Jacksons' Destiny World Tour on the second leg, as well as the Triumph Tour and the Victory Tour. He performed the song on his solo tours such as Bad World Tour and HIStory World Tour but only a part of the Off the Wall medley on certain concerts. "Rock with You" was rehearsed for the Dangerous World Tour, but wasn't performed. Jackson also would have performed it for the This Is It concert series, but the shows were canceled, due to his sudden death.

Michael Jackson: The Experience

The song is also featured in the game Michael Jackson: The Experience.

Mixes

• Original LP Version – 3:39
  • This "classic" version was only released on initial runs of the LP record and cassette, replaced by the full version of the 7" Remix on later LP pressings and all CD editions. The original version was later remastered and released on the "French Fans' Selection - Deluxe Box Set Edition" of King of Pop.

• 7" Remix Video Edit – 3:23
  • The "Remix" was used for the single & to underscore the video. The remix re-pans the guitar, adds more strings, horns, hand claps in the chorus, and an edit was made to the middle musical bridge by shortening it from two parts to just one.

• 7" Version – 3:39
  • This is the same as the 7" Remix, but with the musical bridge left intact.

• Extended Version - 4:57
  • Available only on the Japanese 12" Promo, "Rock With You / Robin Hood". The latter song was recorded by Fox and the Promes.
• Masters at Work Remix – 5:29
• Frankie's Favorite Club Mix – 7:49
• Frankie's Knuckles Radio Mix – 3:50
  • The Masters at Work Remix and Frankie Knuckles remixes both contain previously unheard vocals and ad-libs not heard on the original album version. This is because the remixers were given access to the master tapes of the song to produce their remix. The master tapes contained additional vocals and cuts that didn't make it onto the original album version.

• Freemasons Bootleg Remix – 5:44

• Live (3:55)
  • The live version, taken from the 1981 album The Jacksons Live!, was included on the UK 12" "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" single in 1983.

Track listing

European 7" single (EPC 8206)

• A. "Rock with You" - 3:38
• B. "Get on the Floor" - 4:44

Netherlands 12" single (EPC 12.8206)

• A. "Rock with You" - 3:20
• B1. "You Can't Win" - 7:17
• B2. "Get on the Floor" - 4:44

U.S. 7" single (9-50797)

• A. "Rock with You" - 3:20
• B. "Workin' Day and Night" - 4:55

"Visionary" DualDisc single (82876725132)

CD side

1. "Rock with You" - 3:23
2. "Rock with You" (Masters at Work Remix) - 5:33

DVD side

1. "Rock with You" (Video)

Chart performance

Chart (1980)	Peak position
Australian Singles Chart	4
Canadian Singles Chart	4
German Singles Chart	58
French Singles Chart	59
Irish Singles Chart	11
Italian Singles Chart	9
Spanish Singles Chart	1
UK Singles Chart	7
US Billboard Hot 100	1
US Hot R&B Singles	1
Chart (2009)	Peak position
Australian ARIA Singles Chart	36
UK Singles Chart	54
U.S. Billboard Hot Digital Songs	17

Personnel

• Written and composed by Rod Temperton
• Produced by Quincy Jones
• Michael Jackson: Lead and background vocals
• Bobby Watson: Bass
• John Robinson: Drums
• David Williams, Marlo Henderson: Guitars
• Greg Phillinganes, Michael Boddicker: Synthesizers
• David "Hawk" Wolinski: Electric piano
• Horns arranged by Jerry Hey and performed by The Seawind Horns
  • Jerry Hey: Trumpet and flugelhorn
  • Larry Williams: Tenor, alto saxophones and flute
  • Kim Hutchcroft: Baritone, tenor saxophones and flute
  • William Reichenbach: Trombone
  • Gary Grant: Trumpet
• Rhythm and vocal arrangements by Rod Temperton
• String arrangement by Ben Wright
• Concert master: Gerald Vinci

External links

• Official YouTube video

Preceded by "Do You Love What You Feel" by Rufus & Chaka	Billboard Hot Soul Singles number one single January 5 - February 9, 1980	Succeeded by "The Second Time Around" by Shalamar
Preceded by "Please Don't Go" by KC and the Sunshine Band	Billboard Hot 100 number-one single January 19 - February 9, 1980	Succeeded by "Do That to Me One More Time" by Captain & Tennille