Rock With You
Michael Jackson
Rock With You (1979)
Rod Temperton
Listen to the Song
At a glance
- Key
- E♭ major
- Time signature
- 4/4
- Main progression
- Imaj7–ii7–vi7–V7
- Chords used
- Cm7 · Fm7 · B♭7 · E♭maj7
Summary
Written by Rod Temperton and produced by Quincy Jones, "Rock with You" is the definitive late-disco anthem from Michael Jackson's landmark Off the Wall album. Its lush orchestration, infectious groove, and Jackson's effortlessly smooth vocals made it a #1 hit on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts, cementing his transition from child star to solo superstar.
Chord Sheet
Chords Used
Progression by Section
Chorus
Verse
Chord Diagrams
N/A
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Musical Analysis
The harmony of 'Rock with You' exemplifies the sophisticated side of late-70s disco. The verse's minimal two-chord vamp keeps the groove focused and danceable, while the chorus opens up into a jazz-influenced circle-of-fifths progression that gives the song it…
History
Rod Temperton, keyboardist of the British funk band Heatwave, wrote "Rock with You" specifically for the Off the Wall sessions. The song was originally titled "Rock with You All Night" but was shortened during production. It was first offered to Karen Carpente…
“The song was originally offered to Karen Carpenter, who declined it”
Full musical analysis
The harmony of 'Rock with You' exemplifies the sophisticated side of late-70s disco. The verse's minimal two-chord vamp keeps the groove focused and danceable, while the chorus opens up into a jazz-influenced circle-of-fifths progression that gives the song its emotional lift. The consistent use of extended chords (maj7, m7) throughout adds warmth and elegance without sacrificing accessibility—a hallmark of the Quincy Jones production style.
Rod Temperton, keyboardist of the British funk band Heatwave, wrote "Rock with You" specifically for the Off the Wall sessions. The song was originally titled "Rock with You All Night" but was shortened during production. It was first offered to Karen Carpenter while she was working on her debut solo album, but she turned it down, leaving it available for Jackson.
Written by Rod Temperton and produced by Quincy Jones, "Rock with You" is the definitive late-disco anthem from Michael Jackson's landmark Off the Wall album. Its lush orchestration, infectious groove, and Jackson's effortlessly smooth vocals made it a #1 hit on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts, cementing his transition from child star to solo superstar.
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Song DNA
Genre
Pop
Era
70s
Mood
Euphoric
Tempo
Upbeat
Key
Major
Texture
Layered
Sound
Vocal-focused
Feel
Groovy
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Statistics
3.9M
Plays
669K
Listeners
439K
Genius Views
1
Annotations
100%
Popularity
3:23
Duration
4/4
Time
Credits
Written by
Produced by
From the album Rock With You