"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 1980s, 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. 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.
This song is written in the key of Gb major. Meter is 4/4 at 114 bpm.
AllMusic highlighted the song on the album itself. Robert Christgau called it a "smooth ballad".
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. It was parodied in the TG Pops and Dr. PC Man video Three Minutes Rhythm of Hell.
Michael performed the song on the Jacksons' Triumph Tour and 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.
The song is also featured in the game Michael Jackson: The Experience.
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. 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.
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.
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 Brazil [Som Livre], 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.
Usher performed it at the 2013 Rock and Rock Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
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.
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").
Brazilian singer Fabiana Passoni recorded a version on her album Dim The Lights, issued in 2013, using the Brazilian rhythms samba and baião.
Luxury Elite sampled Rock with You on the track "ALL NIGHT" on their 2013 split release Late Night Delight with Saint Pepsi.
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.
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.
