Rock with You

"Rock with You"
Side-A label of U.S. vinyl single
Single by Michael Jackson
from the album Off the Wall
B-side	"Get on the Floor" "Working Day and Night"
Released	November 3, 1979
Format	7" single 12" single
Recorded	December 1978 – June 1979
Genre	R&B disco
Length	3:39 (album version) 3:23 (single edit)
Label	Epic
Writer(s)	Rod Temperton
Producer(s)	Quincy Jones
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" (1979) "Rock with You" (1979) "Off the Wall" (1980)
Alternative release(s) Artwork for Dutch vinyl release Music video "Rock With You" on YouTube

"Rock with You" is a song written by English songwriter Rod Temperton, produced by Quincy Jones and recorded by Michael Jackson. It was released on November 3, 1979, as the second single from Jackson's fifth album Off the Wall (1979). It was also the second number one hit of the 1980's, a decade whose pop singles chart would soon be dominated by Jackson. Temperton, formerly of the group Heatwave, also wrote Jackson's song "Thriller" (1984).

It reached number one on both the pop and R&B singles charts. On the former, "Rock With You" spent four consecutive weeks at number one starting January 19, 1980. According to Billboard, the song was the fourth biggest single of 1980.^[1] It is also considered one of the last 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.

Music information

This song is written in the key of Gb major.^[2] Meter is 4/4 at 114 bpm.^[2]

Critical reception

Allmusic highlighted the song on the album itself.^[3] Robert Christgau called this song a smooth ballad.^[4]

Music video

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.^[5]

The music video was included on the video albums: Video Greatest Hits - HIStory,^[6] Number Ones^[7] and Michael Jackson's Vision.^[8]

Live performance

Michael 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

The song is also featured in the game Michael Jackson: The Experience.^[9]

Mixes

• Original LP version – 3:39
  • This "classic" version was only released on initial runs of the LP record and cassette, as well as certain CD pressings manufactured in Japan, up to and including a Japanese-market version released in 1991.^[10] It was replaced by the full version of the 7" remix on later LP pressings and all other 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 adding fingersnaps and 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. This version appears on later pressings of the album.
• 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 all 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
  • Remix made from the original 48-track masters. The intro and outro sections were greatly extended, and a middle break with isolated background vocals. 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 and on the DVD Live at Wembley July 16, 1988, was recorded during one of the shows at Wembley Stadium during the Bad World Tour.

Track listing

European 7" single (EPC 8206)[11][12] A. "Rock with You" – 3:38 B. "Get on the Floor" – 4:44 Netherlands 12" single (EPC 12.8206)[13] 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)[14] A. "Rock with You" – 3:20 B. "Workin' Day and Night" – 4:55

Visionary DualDisc single (82876725132)[15] CD side "Rock with You" (single mix) – 3:23 "Rock with You" (Masters at Work Remix) – 5:33 DVD side "Rock with You" (video) – 3:23

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Chart (1980) Peak Position Australia (Kent Music Report)[16] 4 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[17] 3 Germany (Official German Charts)[18] 58 Ireland (IRMA)[19] 11 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[20] 3 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[21] 7 U.S. Billboard Hot 100[22] 1 U.S. Hot Soul Singles (Billboard)[23] 1 U.S. Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[24] 21 U.S. Cash Box Top 100[25] 1 Chart (2006) Peak Position France (SNEP)[26] 59 Ireland (IRMA)[27] 19 Italy (FIMI)[28] 9 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[29] 22 Spain (PROMUSICAE)[30] 1 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[31] 15 Chart (2008) Peak Position Spain (PROMUSICAE)[30] 10

Chart (2009) Peak Position Australia (ARIA)[32] 36 Canada Canadian Hot 100[33] 33 France (SNEP)[26] 90 Germany (Official German Charts)[18] 98 Japan Japan Hot 100[34] 59 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[29] 25 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[35] 68 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[36] 54 U.S. Digital Songs (Billboard)[37] 17 Year-end charts Chart (1980) Rank Australia (Kent Music Report)[38] 39 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[39] 17 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[40] 49 U.S. Billboard Hot 100[41] 4 U.S. Cash Box Top 100[42] 8 Certifications Region Certification Certified units/Sales United States (RIAA)[43] Platinum 2,000,000[44] ^^shipments figures based on certification alone

Personnel

• 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

Cover versions and samples

• The song was covered for Quincy Jones' 1995 album Q's Jook Joint, featuring Brandy and Heavy D.^[45]
• Contemporary jazz guitarist Chuck Loeb offered his version on his album Listen.^[46]
• 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 Brazil [Som Livre], issued in 2005.^[47]
• 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.
• Usher performed it at the 2013 Rock and Rock Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.^[48]
• Chris Brown performed it on the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans in 2007.^[49]
• Kelly Clarkson performed the song with Eric Hutchinson on her All I Ever Wanted Tour in 2009.^[50]
• Boys Noize DJ performed a remix of his song, Lava Lava, opened with an A Capella version of Rock With You on June 26, 2009 at the Electric Daisy Carnival in Los Angeles.
• 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
• 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").^[51]
• Brazilian singer Fabiana Passoni recorded a version on her album Dim The Lights, issued in 2013, using the Brazilian rhythms samba and baião.^[52]
• Luxury Elite sampled Rock with You on the track "ALL NIGHT" on their 2013 split release Late Night Delight with Saint Pepsi.^[53]
• British R&B and pop singer Jessie J did a cover of the song in an acoustic version for BBC Radio 1Xtra uploaded on YouTube in June 2014.^[54]
• American comedy rock band Ninja Sex Party covered the song on their 2016 cover album Under the Covers.
• CeCe Peniston sampled the song on her track "We Got a Love Thang" as the opening track, which was released from her 1992 debut album Finally.

See also

• List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 1980
• List of number-one R&B singles of 1980 (U.S.)
• List of number-one singles of 2006 (Spain)

References

1. Archived May 20, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
2. "Rock with You – Michael Jackson Digital Sheet Music (Digital Download)". MusicNotes.com. Alfred Publishing Co. Inc. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
3. Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Off the Wall - Michael Jackson | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
4. "Michael Jackson". Webcitation.org. Archived from the original on December 12, 2010. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
5. Weingarten, Christopher R. (24 June 2009). "Rolling Stone". Michael Jackson's 20 Greatest Videos: The Stories Behind the Vision. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
6. "MichaelJackson.com". Michael Jackson Video Greatest Hits HIStory | The Official Michael Jackson Site. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
7. "All Music". Number Ones [DVD] - Michael Jackson. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
8. "MichaelJackson.com". Michael Jackson's Vision | The Official Michael Jackson Site. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
9. "IGN". Michael Jackson: The Experience - Song List / Soundtrack. 14 April 2011. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
10. "Michael Jackson - Off The Wall (CD, Album)". Discogs.com. 1987-07-22. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
11. "Michael Jackson – Rock With You (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved January 16, 2011.
12. "Michael Jackson – Rock With You (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved January 16, 2011.
13. "Michael Jackson – Rock With You (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved January 16, 2011.
14. "Michael Jackson – Rock With You (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved January 16, 2011.
15. "Michael Jackson – Rock With You (Hybrid)". Discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved January 16, 2011.
16. "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – CHART POSITIONS PRE 1989". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
17. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9461a." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
18. "Offiziellecharts.de – Michael Jackson – Rock With You". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
19. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Rock With You". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
20. "Charts.org.nz – Michael Jackson – Rock With You". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
21. "Archive Chart: 1980-03-01" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
22. "Michael Jackson - Chart History". Billboard Hot 100. for Michael Jackson. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
23. "Michael Jackson - Chart History". Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. for Michael Jackson. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
24. "Michael Jackson - Chart History". Billboard Adult Contemporary. for Michael Jackson. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
25. CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending JANUARY 12, 1980 at the Wayback Machine (archived 11 September 2012). Cash Box magazine.
26. "Lescharts.com – Michael Jackson – Rock With You" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
27. "Chart Track: Week 9, 2006". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
28. "Italiancharts.com – Michael Jackson – Rock With You". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
29. "Dutchcharts.nl – Michael Jackson – Rock With You" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
30. "Spanishcharts.com – Michael Jackson – Rock With You" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
31. "Archive Chart: 2006-03-11" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
32. "Australian-charts.com – Michael Jackson – Rock With You". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
33. "Michael Jackson - Chart History". Canadian Hot 100. for Michael Jackson. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
34. "Michael Jackson - Chart History". Japan Hot 100. for Michael Jackson. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
35. "Swisscharts.com – Michael Jackson – Rock With You". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
36. "Archive Chart: 2009-07-11" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
37. "Michael Jackson - Chart History". Billboard Digital Songs. for Michael Jackson. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
38. "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts - 1980s". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
39. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0272." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
40. "Official New Zealand Music Chart - End of Year Charts 1980". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
41. "Top 100 Hits for 1980". longboredsurfer.com. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
42. The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1980 at the Wayback Machine (archived September 11, 2012). Cash Box magazine.
43. "American single certifications – Michael Jackson – Rock with You". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 2, 2016. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
44. Hogan, Ed. "Michael Jackson – Rock with You – Song Review". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
45. "AllMusic". Retrieved 17 November 2015.
46. "Listen overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
47. "Brazil [Som Livre] - Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". All Music. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
48. "CNN". 19 April 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
49. "Essence Music Festival: The Performances - Beyonce, Chris Brown, Mary J. Blige, Robin Thicke & More!". Gossip On This. 10 July 2007. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
50. Bain, Becky (30 November 2009). "Kelly Clarkson Adds 'Rock With You' To Her Endless List of Cover Songs". Idolator. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
51. Unterberger, Richie. "Tuxedo Blues - Roy Gaines and His Orchestra | Songs, Reviews, Credits". All Music. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
52. "Dim The Lights - Fabiana Passoni | Songs, Reviews, Credits". All Music. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
53. Schilling, Dave (18 September 2015). "Songs of the Week: Skylar Spence, Vampire Weekend's Chris Baio, and the Return of Chillwave". Grantland. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
54. Finbow, Katy (24 June 2014). "Jessie J covers Michael Jackson's 'Rock With You' - watch". Digital Spy. Retrieved 18 November 2015.

External links

• Official video on YouTube
• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics