"Rock with You" was released on November 3, 1979, as the second single from Michael Jackson's fifth solo LP and breakthrough album, Off the Wall. Written by Heatwave group member and songwriter Rod Temperton, the song helped Jackson score one of the first Billboard number-one singles in the 1980s, as well as one of the last big hits of the disco era. 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. It was re-released as a single on February 27, 2006, as part of the Visionary: The Video Singles box set. The song was later covered by singer Brandy in 1995 for Quincy Jones' album, Q's Jook Joint. It was also covered by Ashanti in 2003 as a remix to her single "Rock With Me (Aww Baby)" and performed at the BET Awards. In 2008, Michael's sister, Janet, released "Rock with U" (a house / club number), from her Discipline album. Although similar in name, the songs are completely different in lyrics and music. Chris Brown performed it on the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans. The song was covered by the company Wavegroup for the game Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol. House music Japanese band Cargo made a cover of the song in their 2007 album "Jewel".
Off The Wall Album: Off the Wall is the fifth studio album by the American pop musician Michael Jackson, released August 10, 1979 on Epic Records, after Jackson's critically well received film performance in The Wiz. While working on that project, Jackson and Quincy Jones had become friends, and Jones agreed to work with Jackson on his next studio album. Recording sessions took place between December 1978 and June 1979 at Allen Zentz Recording, Westlake Recording Studios, and Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles, California. Jackson collaborated with a number of other writers and performers such as Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and Rod Temperton. Jackson wrote several of the songs himself, including the lead single, "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough". The record was a departure from Jackson's previous work for Motown. Several critics observed that Off the Wall was crafted from funk, disco-pop, soul, soft rock, jazz and pop ballads. Jackson received positive reviews for his vocal performance on the record. The record gained positive reviews and won the singer his first Grammy Awards since the early 1970s. With Off the Wall, Jackson became the first solo artist to have four singles from the same album peak inside the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. The album was a commercial success, to date it is certified for 7× Multi-Platinum in the US and has sold 20 million copies worldwide. On October 16, 2001, a special edition reissue of Off the Wall was released by Sony Records. Recent reviews by Allmusic and Blender have continued to praise Off the Wall for its appeal in the 21st century. In 2003, the album was ranked number 68 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. The National Association of Recording Merchandisers listed it at number 80 of the Definitive 200 Albums of All Time. In 2008, Off the Wall was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Track listing:
"Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough"
"Rock With You"
"Workin' Day and Night"
"Get on the Floor"
"Off the Wall"
"Girlfriend"
"She's out of My Life"
"I Can't Help It"
"It's the Falling in Love"
"Burn This Disco Out"