Rock with You explained

Rock with You
Cover:Rock with You by Michael Jackson Side A US vinyl.jpg
Caption:Side-A label of US 7" vinyl single
Type:single
Artist:Michael Jackson
Album:Off the Wall
B-Side:Working Day and Night
Released:October 1979
Recorded:December 1978June 1979
Genre:
  • Disco
  • funk
Length:
  • 3:38 (album version)
  • 3:20 (single/video version)
Label:Epic
Producer:Quincy Jones
Prev Title:Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
Prev Year:1979
Next Title:Off the Wall
Next Year:1979

"Rock with You" is a song by American singer Michael Jackson, written by Rod Temperton and produced by Quincy Jones. It was first offered to Karen Carpenter, while she was working on her first solo album, but she turned it down.[1] It was released in October 1979, by Epic Records as the second single from Jackson's fifth solo studio album Off the Wall (1979). It was also the third number-one hit of the 1980s,[2] a decade in which the pop singles chart would quickly be dominated by Jackson.

It reached number one on both the US pop (Jackson's third number-one on this chart) and R&B charts (Jackson's second number one on that chart). It spent a total of four weeks at the top position on the former chart from January 19 to February 9, 1980, and six weeks (from January 5 to February 9, 1980) on the latter chart. According to Billboard, the song was the fourth biggest single of 1980.[3] It is also considered one of the last hits of the disco era.[4]

It was re-released as a single on February 27, 2006, as part of the box set. In 2021, Rolling Stone placed it at number 354 on its list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time·[5]

Composition

"Rock with You" is a Disco and funk song.[6] According to MusicNotes.com, the song is in the key of D-flat major with a tempo of 114 beats per minute. Jackson's vocals range from F3 to G5. [7]

Critical reception

The track received generally positive reviews from music critics. J. Edward Keyes of Rolling Stone said "What's remarkable about 'Rock with You' is how unobtrusive it is: a silky string section and barely-there twitch of guitar — Michael doesn't even hit the word 'Rock' all that hard — he just glides over it, preferring to charm with a wink and a smile rather than with aggression or ferocity."[8] Steven Hyden called it his "favorite song", and noted the line "Girrrrrrl, when you dance, there's a magic that must be love" as being "the most purely joyful moment [Hyden] has ever heard in a pop song".[9] AllMusic highlighted the song on the album itself.[10] Robert Christgau called it a "smooth ballad".[11] Cash Box praised the production, calling the song a "soft, classy number" with "multi-tracked harmonies," "a modified dance beat," "shimmering flute tones and jazzy guitar work."[12]

Music video

A music video was released for the song, using the shorter single version. It features Michael in a sparkly sequined suit singing the song with a bright laser behind him. The video was directed by Bruce Gowers[13] and filmed in 1979 at the 800 Stage in Los Angeles, California.[14]

The music video was included on the video albums: Video Greatest Hits – HIStory,[15] Number Ones[16] and Michael Jackson's Vision.[17]

Live performances

Michael Jackson first performed the song on the Jacksons' Destiny World Tour on the second leg. He performed the song on the Jacksons' Triumph Tour and Victory Tour. He performed the song on his solo world tour Bad. He also performed the song during the HIStory World Tour, as a part of the Off the Wall medley (also featuring "Off the Wall" and "Don't Stop Til' You Get Enough") in certain concerts. "Rock with You" was rehearsed for the Dangerous World Tour, but was not performed. Jackson also would have performed it for the This Is It concert series, but the shows were canceled, due to his sudden death.

Mixes

Track listing and formats

European 7" vinyl single (EPC 8206)
Netherlands 12" vinyl single (EPC 12.8206)
UK 12" vinyl single (EPC 13 8206)
US 7" vinyl single (9-50797)
Visionary DualDisc single (82876725132)
  • CD side
    1. "Rock with You" (single mix) – 3:23
    2. "Rock with You" (Masters at Work remix) – 5:33
    DVD side
    1. "Rock with You" (video) – 3:23

    Personnel

    Charts

    Weekly charts

    Chart (1979–1980)!scope="col"
    Peak
    position
    Australia (Kent Music Report)[18] [19] 4
    Finland (Suomen virallinen singlelista)[20] 27
    US Billboard Hot 100[21] 1
    US Hot Soul Singles (Billboard)[22] 1
    US Cash Box Top 100[23] 1
    US Radio & Records CHR/Pop Airplay Chart[24] 2
    Chart (2009)!scope="col"
    Peak
    position
    Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[25] 33
    Japan (Japan Hot 100)[26] 59
    US Digital Songs (Billboard)[27] 17

    Year-end charts

    Chart (1980)!scope="col"
    Position
    Australia (Kent Music Report)[28] 39
    New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[29] 49
    US Billboard Hot 100[30] 4
    US Cash Box Top 100[31] 8

    Other notable versions

    In 1998, D'Influence released their version which reached number 30 on the British charts.[32]

    See also

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Karen Carpenter Avenue: Behind The Music: Karen Carpenter (Solo). Karenannecarpenter.blogspot.com. April 21, 2013. April 23, 2021.
    2. Web site: Billboard. 1980. Americanradiohistory.com. April 23, 2021.
    3. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/yearend_chart_display.jsp?f=The+Billboard+Hot+100&g=Year-end+Singles&year=1980
    4. 50 Best Michael Jackson Songs. https://web.archive.org/web/20140626033101/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/50-best-michael-jackson-songs-20140623/10-rock-with-you-0273988. June 26, 2014. Rolling Stone. June 23, 2014.
    5. The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Rolling Stone. September 15, 2021.
    6. Web site: How Michael Jackson's "Thriller" changed music business. Reuters. Gail Mitchell. Melinda Newman. July 6, 2009. July 30, 2020.
    7. Web site: September 2, 2012. August 25, 1999. Alfred Publishing Co. Inc. Rock with You – Michael Jackson Digital Sheet Music (Digital Download). MusicNotes.com.
    8. Web site: J. Edward Keyes. Michael Jackson: The Essential Playlist. Rolling Stone . June 26, 2009 . January 20, 2020.
    9. Web site: Steven Hyden. Favorite songs. The A. V. Club . March 13, 2009 . January 23, 2020.
    10. Web site: Stephen Thomas Erlewine . Off the Wall - Michael Jackson | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards . AllMusic . February 22, 2014.
    11. Web site: Michael Jackson . Webcitation.org . May 29, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100201050220/http://ca.music.yahoo.com/read/review/12053010 . February 1, 2010 .
    12. News: CashBox Singles Reviews. October 20, 1979. 20. Cash Box. January 1, 2022.
    13. Web site: Rolling Stone. Weingarten. Christopher R.. June 24, 2009. Michael Jackson's 20 Greatest Videos: The Stories Behind the Vision. November 13, 2015.
    14. Book: Richard. Lecocq. François. Allard. 2018. Michael Jackson All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track. Off the Wall. London, England. Cassell. 9781788400572. https://books.google.com/books?id=CbVgDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT214.
    15. Web site: MichaelJackson.com. November 13, 2015. Michael Jackson Video Greatest Hits HIStory The Official Michael Jackson Site.
    16. Web site: All Music. November 13, 2015. Number Ones [DVD] - Michael Jackson.
    17. Web site: MichaelJackson.com. November 13, 2015. Michael Jackson's Vision The Official Michael Jackson Site.
    18. Web site: National Top 100 Singles for 1980. . 341 . . January 5, 1981 . January 17, 2022 .
    19. Web site: Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – CHART POSITIONS PRE 1989. Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. June 21, 2016.
    20. Book: Pennanen, Timo . Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 . 2021 . Michael Jackson. 113. Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava . Helsinki. May 29, 2022.
    21. Web site: Michael Jackson Chart History (Hot 100). Billboard. September 21, 2021. en. September 21, 2021.
    22. Web site: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs . Billboard . October 10, 2023 . January 5, 1980.
    23. Web site: CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending JANUARY 12, 1980 . June 21, 2016 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120913113419/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19800112.html . September 13, 2012 . . Cash Box magazine.
    24. Web site: Michael Jackson. https://web.archive.org/web/20120112022952/http://wweb.uta.edu/faculty/gghunt/charts/mjackson.html. January 12, 2012.
    25. Web site: Michael Jackson - Chart History. Canadian Hot 100. for Michael Jackson. June 21, 2016.
    26. Web site: Michael Jackson - Chart History. Japan Hot 100. for Michael Jackson. June 21, 2016.
    27. Web site: Michael Jackson - Chart History. Billboard Digital Songs. for Michael Jackson. June 21, 2016.
    28. Web site: Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts - 1980s. Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. June 21, 2016.
    29. Web site: Official New Zealand Music Chart - End of Year Charts 1980. June 21, 2016. Recorded Music NZ.
    30. Web site: Top 100 Hits for 1980. longboredsurfer.com. June 21, 2016.
    31. Web site: The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1980 . December 13, 2013 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120915071244/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/1980YESP.html . September 15, 2012 . . Cash Box magazine.
    32. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/d-influence-rock-with-you/ officialcharts.com

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