Rock with You

Released as the second single from Off the Wall, this track arrived on October 31, 1979, just ahead of the album's full launch in August. Rod Temperton penned the song specifically for Karen Carpenter, who turned down the chance to record it because she felt the lyrics were too suggestive for her public image. Quincy Jones stepped in to produce the demo that Michael Jackson would later transform into a global hit.

The recording features a distinct drum pattern by session musician JR Robinson, who intentionally left a wide gap between the snare and kick drums to create space in the mix. This production choice gave the song a smooth, rolling groove that blended disco rhythms with soft pop and orchestral strings. The result was a mature sound that helped Jackson transition from a child star to an adult artist.

Commercially, the single dominated the charts upon its release. It reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, holding the top spot for four weeks between January and February 1980. The track also spent five weeks at the summit of the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and claimed the number one position in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Billboard recognized its impact by naming it the fourth biggest single of 1980. [편집]