Rock with You (Michael Jackson song)
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| "Rock with You" | |||||||||||||||||||
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| 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) |
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| Released | November 3, 1979 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Format | 7", 12" | ||||||||||||||||||
| Recorded | 1979 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Genre | Disco, pop, R&B, soul, funk | ||||||||||||||||||
| Length | 3:40 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Label | Epic | ||||||||||||||||||
| Writer(s) | Rod Temperton | ||||||||||||||||||
| Producer | Quincy Jones | ||||||||||||||||||
| Certification | Platinum (USA) Gold (New Zealand) |
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| Michael Jackson singles chronology | |||||||||||||||||||
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"Rock with You" was written by Rod Temperton and recorded by legendary artist 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 1982 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.[1] 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.
Contents |
Background [edit]
This song is written in the key of Bb minor.[2] It has a dance-rock tempo and metronome of 120 beats per minute.[2]
Cover versions and samples [edit]
- 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.[3]
- 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.
- Japanese house music 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 Las Vegas in September and October 2009.
- American R&B singer Dina Rae sampled the melody on her song "Ride the Boogie" with rapper Obie Trice.
- Aphex Twin performed a mashup of "Rock with You" during his set at the 2009 Osaka Summer Sonic music festival, incorporating his own song "Cordialatron". 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.
- Toshinobu Kubota performed the song during his Timeless Fly Tour, as a tribute to Jackson.
- SWV interpolate part of the chorus in their song "Coming Home" from their 1992 album It's About Time.
- Japanese R&B singer and performer Yuya Matsushita did a cover of the song in 2011 as a B-side to his single "Superdrive".
- Blues/jazz guitarist Roy Gaines did a big band instrumental cover in 2009 on the album Tuxedo Blues (by "Roy Gaines and His Orchestra").
- Brazilian singer Fabiana Passoni recorded a very interesting version on her album Dim The Lights, issued in 2013, using the brazilian rhythms samba and baião.
Music video [edit]
A music video was released for the song. It features Michael in a sparkly sequined suit singing the song with a bright laser 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 [edit]
Michael Jackson performed the song on the Jacksons' Destiny Tour on the second leg, as well as the Triumph Tour and the Victory Tour. He performed the song on his solo tour the Bad World Tour. He also performed the song during the 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 [edit]
The song is also featured in the game Michael Jackson: The Experience.
Mixes [edit]
- 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 and 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 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
- 2012 Reeno 12" Remix – 7:16
- This is a bonafide remix from the original 48-track masters. The intro and outro sections were greatly extended, and there is also a lovely break in the middle spotlighting the background harmonies. This mix also contains some previously unused string parts.
- Live 1981 (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.
- Live 1988 (4:05)
- The live version, included in the deluxe edition of Bad 25, was recorded during one of the shows at Wembley Stadium during the Bad World Tour.
Track listing [edit]
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Chart performance [edit]
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This section needs additional citations for verification. (June 2012) |
| Chart (1980) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart | 4 |
| Canadian Singles Chart[9] | 4 |
| German Singles Chart[10] | 58 |
| French Singles Chart[11] | 59 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 11 |
| Italian Singles Chart[12] | 9 |
| UK Singles Chart[13] | 7 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[14] | 1 |
| US Hot R&B Singles[14] | 1 |
| Chart (2006) | Peak position |
| Spanish Singles Chart[15] | 1 |
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
| Australian ARIA Singles Chart[16] | 36 |
| UK Singles Chart | 54 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Digital Songs[17] | 17 |
Personnel [edit]
- Written and composed by Rod Temperton
- Produced by Quincy Jones
- Michael Jackson – lead and backing vocals
- Bobby Watson – bass
- John Robinson – drums
- David Williams, Marlo Henderson – electric guitar
- 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
References [edit]
- ^ The Billboard Hot 100 - 1980
- ^ a b "Rock with You – Michael Jackson Digital Sheet Music (Digital Download)". MusicNotes.com. Alfred Publishing Co. Inc. Retrieved 2012-09-02.
- ^ "Listen overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2013-01-09.
- ^ "Michael Jackson – Rock With You (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
- ^ "Michael Jackson – Rock With You (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
- ^ "Michael Jackson – Rock With You (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
- ^ "Michael Jackson – Rock With You (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
- ^ "Michael Jackson – Rock With You (Hybrid)". Discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
- ^ "Top Singles - Volume 32, No. 19, February 02 1980". RPM. Retrieved 2013-01-09.
- ^ "Michael Jackson - German Singles Chart". Musicline.de. Retrieved 2013-01-09.
- ^ "Michael Jackson - French Singles Chart". lescharts.com. Retrieved 2013-01-09.
- ^ "Michael Jackson - Italian Singles Chart (from 2000 to date)". italiancharts.com. Retrieved 2013-01-09.
- ^ "Michael Jackson on Chart Stats". Chart Stats. Retrieved 2013-01-09.
- ^ a b "Michael Jackson - Awards". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2013-01-09.
- ^ "Michael Jackson - Spanish Singles Chart (from 2005 to date)". spanish-charts.com. Retrieved 2013-01-09.
- ^ "Michael Jackson - Australian Singles Chart". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 2013-01-09.
- ^ Billboard.com - Michael Jackson breaks Billboard charts
External links [edit]
| 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 |
Categories:
- 1979 singles
- Michael Jackson songs
- Songs written by Rod Temperton
- Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles
- Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number-one singles
- Disco songs
- Music videos directed by Bruce Gowers
- Singles certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America
- Song recordings produced by Quincy Jones
- Epic Records singles
