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Aretha Franklin — Rock Steady
Album: 30 Greatest Hits
Avg rating:
8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2857









Released: 1971
Length: 3:03
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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Rock steady, baby - That's what I feel now;
Let's call this song exactly what it is...

Step n' move your hips with a feelin' from side to side;
Sit yourself down in your car and take a ride...
And while you're movin', rock steady, rock steady, baby;
Let's call this song exactly what it is...
(What it is, what it is, what it is...)
It's a funky and low down feelin'
(What it is...) In my hips from left to right;
(What it is...) What it is is I might be doin'
(What it is...) This funky dance all night....
Oh, oh! (Clap your hands in the air! Got a feelin', ain't got a care!)
Oh-ah! (What fun to take this ride! Rock steady will only slide!)

Rock steady! Rock steady, baby.
Rock steady! Rock steady, baby.

Step n' move your hips with a feelin' from side to side;
Sit yourself down in your car and take a ride...
And while you're movin', rock steady, rock steady;
Let's call this song exactly what it is...
(What it is, what it is, what it is...)
It's a funky and low down feelin'
(What it is...) In my hips from left to right;
(What it is...) What it is is I might be doin'
(What it is...) This funky dance all night....
Oh-ah! (Clap your hands in the air! Got a feelin', ain't got a care!)
Oh-ah! (What fun to take this ride! Rock steady will only slide!)

Rock steady, baby!
Rock steady... whoo! Rock steady...

Rock! Steady!
Rock! Steady!

(What it is...) It's a funky and low down feelin',
(What it is...) In my hips from left to right;
(What it is...) What it is is I might be doin'
(What it is...) This funky dance all night....
Oh, ah! (Clap your hands in the air! Got a feelin', ain't got a care!)
Oh-ah! (What fun to take this ride! Rock steady will only slide!)

Rock steady! Steady it, baby!
Rock... rock steady, baby...
[fade begins]
Baby... (What it is...)
Baby, baby... (What it is...)
Baby... (What it is...)
Baby...
Comments (282)add comment
I'm going to assume that the one person who voted "Sucko-Barfo" made an honest mistake. Confused the 1 for the 10?
Posted 2 weeks ago by settiman    [ Reply ]
Anything by miss aretha is a 10
Posted 1 month ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
what it is...
what it is...
what it is...

that's what it is.

(when the horns come in, it sounds exactly like a part of a james brown song. maybe popcorn? i can't specifically recall...)
Posted 1 month ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
This song does not quit!
Posted 2 months ago by blackieray    [ Reply ]
Is that a washboard I hear in there?
Posted 2 months ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]


Let's call this song exactly what it is...

I call it funky and low down, too!  [Already voted 10!]
Posted 2 months ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Posted 4 months ago by peterblair    [ Reply ]
That’s how you do that…
Posted 4 months ago by peterblair    [ Reply ]
 naturalman wrote:

Me working from home today: "Sorry work colleagues. My internet will be down for the next 3 minutes". 




LOL!!   
Posted 4 months ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
Me working from home today: "Sorry work colleagues. My internet will be down for the next 3 minutes". 
Posted 5 months ago by naturalman    [ Reply ]
I also really like the mash up that RP introduced me to, Soul Desir by DJ Zebra!
Posted 6 months ago by newbolddrive    [ Reply ]
Que voz. ¡ Divina!
Posted 7 months ago by sergioso    [ Reply ]
So flipping funky!
Posted 7 months ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]

Dang.

Now I'm not getting anything done for the next 3 minutes.
Posted 7 months ago by bc    [ Reply ]
There's a Dire Straits song i wish would come on after this one, but it never does. If i could only remember What it Is (What it is)...
Posted 7 months ago by springof63    [ Reply ]
Godfrey Daniels!

That bass and rhythm guitar.   Where does that ccme from? 
Posted 8 months ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
simply amazing.
Posted 8 months ago by mrctrm    [ Reply ]
Hard to sit still when Aretha does this number!
Posted 8 months ago by BobHeisler    [ Reply ]
Holy smokes what a jam!
Posted 10 months ago by FatPants2    [ Reply ]
 xcranky_yankee wrote:

dancing to this while making an oreo cookie crust - highly advise!




Totally Cool! ...and. I don't bake!   
Posted 11 months ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
dancing to this while making an oreo cookie crust - highly advise!
Posted 11 months ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
 jerund wrote:

A lesson for modern bass players, on top of a great song and singer.  There's more to life than the Indie eighth notes on the root the whole song.




I don't know what that means but I'd watch a Davie504 video demonstrating
Posted 11 months ago by obankenobi    [ Reply ]
A lesson for modern bass players, on top of a great song and singer.  There's more to life than the Indie eighth notes on the root the whole song.
Posted 1 year ago by jerund    [ Reply ]
The Queen gets a solid 10 for this.
Posted 1 year ago by rhiangalthie    [ Reply ]
 lynn01 wrote:

if you can sit still while this is playing, you're dead.



I'm sit dancing. 
Posted 1 year ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
yes I am chair dancing 
Posted 1 year ago by smartn1    [ Reply ]
The term "Rock 'n' Roll" was invented just so Aretha could one day cut this song.

The Queen of Soul rocks on this one!
Posted 1 year ago by Ok_Sobriquet    [ Reply ]
 BobHeisler wrote:

This song is so cool that it's hard to sit still while listening to it.




YOU BET!!!   
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 lynn01 wrote:

if you can sit still while this is playing, you're dead.




YOU BET!!!  CHAIR DANCING TIME!!!   
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
Cool😎
Posted 1 year ago by Steve_G    [ Reply ]
my hands down favorite funky tune from Aretha!!! what it is!!
Posted 1 year ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]

This song is so cool that it's hard to sit still while listening to it.

Posted 1 year ago by BobHeisler    [ Reply ]
if you can sit still while this is playing, you're dead.
Posted 1 year ago by lynn01    [ Reply ]
My old boat was called Rock Steady! So many memories of life on board and loads of wonderful times afloat. That all comes flooding back with this song.
Posted 2 years ago by garyevans    [ Reply ]
 4merdj wrote:
Wow! Very powerful and fresh voice at the time! {#Cheers}


Still. All the time! Forever!
Posted 2 years ago by toteki2016-rp    [ Reply ]
 Dave_Mack wrote:

Beyond godlike!



Goddesslike!!
Posted 2 years ago by Ok_Sobriquet    [ Reply ]
Damn I grew up in the most varied and diverse musical explosion of ALL TIME!
Posted 2 years ago by DanFHiggins    [ Reply ]
Posted 2 years ago by JiffyPark    [ Reply ]
Aretha's absolute best.
Posted 2 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
Bernard Purdie / drums
Chuck Rainey / bass

Tightest rhythm section ever. Great horn section as well.
Posted 2 years ago by DW4554    [ Reply ]
Good Lord the goosebumps!!
Posted 2 years ago by dmiley    [ Reply ]
Classic of the genre.   You recognize it by the first four bars. 

Aretha.

Godlike.
Posted 2 years ago by bruceandjenna    [ Reply ]
That bass player is burning down the house!
Posted 2 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
    
Posted 2 years ago by opaceo    [ Reply ]
Beyond godlike!
Posted 2 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
Back in the late 70s/early 80s my best friend and I would sit in my '64 VW bug with this song blaring, singing at the top of our lungs and rocking the car back and forth. Joy joy joy
Posted 2 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
This has got some serious funk in there!
Posted 2 years ago by AymTru    [ Reply ]
ICONIC! .....and, GREAT!
Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
Big sound 
Posted 3 years ago by noe.architecte169    [ Reply ]
Posted 3 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
My sis said “who is this singing?”. I said “Aretha Franklin”. She said “Urethra Franklin? Never heard of her”. Pissed myself laughing all the way to the Urology unit
Posted 3 years ago by Dundas1965    [ Reply ]
Automatic bobblehead. Resistance is futile.
Posted 3 years ago by MassivRuss    [ Reply ]
oh ya
Posted 3 years ago by johnrah    [ Reply ]
Aaaaah! The good version!
Posted 3 years ago by alain.brault    [ Reply ]
So many hiphop samples came from this record.

Classic is an underrated term for this song
Posted 4 years ago by t0m5k1    [ Reply ]
20!
Posted 4 years ago by JeriF    [ Reply ]
Those horns tho!

When I was in college 20 some years ago, we had a party band that were all music majors from the Chicago area; called themselves "I-55". All music majors so the could cover all of the horn parts. Of course, they covered a lot of the band Chicago!
Posted 4 years ago by mrtuba9    [ Reply ]
 deepwoodskev wrote:
Opening bass riff sure sounds a lot like the opening to:

FatAlbert


 
This tune came out in 1971 - a year or so before Fat Albert and his pals showed up on Saturday morning TV.
Posted 4 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
What it is what it is what it is!
Posted 4 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
Love you Aretha!
Posted 4 years ago by linden    [ Reply ]
R.I.P. momma
Posted 4 years ago by mrtuba9    [ Reply ]
I was in the other room when this song came on. I could instantly tell it was the unmistakable powerhouse voice of Aretha. That unmistakable, uncomparable, unforgettable voice of Aretha. RIP, Queen of Soul.
Posted 4 years ago by Laptopdog    [ Reply ]
OOOOH, Aretha, we are gonna MISS YOU.  {#Cry}
Posted 4 years ago by LizK    [ Reply ]
{#Roflol}{#Bounce}
Posted 4 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2} UGHHH! Hard to sit still with this one!
Posted 4 years ago by cavemanleong    [ Reply ]
 Clyde_Bedow wrote:
When ya hear pipes like that, even Disco is acceptable.
 
Agreed, but this is not "Disco".
Posted 4 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Nice, funky bass line.
Posted 4 years ago by flyboy    [ Reply ]
When ya hear pipes like that, even Disco is acceptable.
Posted 4 years ago by Clyde_Bedow    [ Reply ]
I have always liked Aretha Frankin and I especially so when she sings this genre - funk-tastic!
Posted 5 years ago by Stephen_Phillips    [ Reply ]
 freddyfender wrote:
Anyone who rates this super funky song a 1 should be banished to Travis Tritt radio for an eternity.

 
Travis Tritt radio and eternity sound severe, but fair...
Posted 5 years ago by Michael_Dean    [ Reply ]
Anyone who rates this super funky song a 1 should be banished to Travis Tritt radio for an eternity.
Posted 6 years ago by freddyfender    [ Reply ]
still sounds good Aretha
Posted 6 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
Opening bass riff sure sounds a lot like the opening to:

FatAlbert


Posted 6 years ago by deepwoodskev    [ Reply ]
Oh yea, chair dancing at work...
Posted 6 years ago by dangoebel    [ Reply ]
sing it Susie B
Posted 7 years ago by Wonderloaf    [ Reply ]
how about "Don't Play That Song"
she gives us a great performance on that one 
Posted 7 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
Music that keeps you from falling your ladder.
Posted 7 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
 ThePoose wrote:
fucking funky for fuck's sake

 
We do have a mixed ages audience,   perhaps a tad of restraint?
Not that I disagree with your sentiment.


Posted 7 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
 baylees wrote:
she deserved her  R E S P E C T  

next  time  play  chain of fools please ( not sure of the tile)    chain chain chain....

 
oh yeah , 'Chain Of Fools' 
Joe South's guitar opens it
one of the best licks ever  
Posted 7 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
fucking funky for fuck's sake
Posted 7 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
 Thank God for Jerry Wexler!

Skydog wrote:
sweet Sister

 

Posted 7 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
sweet Sister
Posted 7 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
 willmcnaught wrote:
{#Bananajam}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananapiano}{#Drummer}

 
yep, that's the way to start the day
 
Posted 7 years ago by michel_zws    [ Reply ]
{#Bananajam}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananapiano}{#Drummer}
Posted 7 years ago by willmcnaught    [ Reply ]
she deserved her  R E S P E C T  

next  time  play  chain of fools please ( not sure of the tile)    chain chain chain....
Posted 7 years ago by baylees    [ Reply ]
This was the baseline soundtrack for my West Coast Trail adventure this summer. A fabulous rhythm and refrain for climbing the 85 kms of rocks, roots, and ladders with 60 pounds on my back!
Posted 7 years ago by raenvald    [ Reply ]
Aretha's lost maybe 80 lbs and looks great.  And she's out rockin it for her millions of fans.  {#Dancingbanana_2}    Of which I'm one.
Posted 7 years ago by LizK    [ Reply ]
{#Dancingbanana}
Posted 7 years ago by SteffT    [ Reply ]
Wow! Very powerful and fresh voice at the time! {#Cheers}
Posted 7 years ago by 4merdj    [ Reply ]
Aretha remains wonderful.
Posted 7 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
Oh yeah!
Posted 7 years ago by JeriF    [ Reply ]
Fantastic piece of music.    (shake it now people, feel that umm umm um  : )
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 old_shep wrote:
How did the industry that gave us this talent and inspiration devolve to, pardon the vulgarity,  Rap.....?
 

 

The proper phrase for the genre is Hip-Hop and you aren't hearing the right kind. Just like any other genre of music; commerical vs. non-commercial.
Posted 8 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Yup, Yes, and Ohhh Yeah!
Posted 8 years ago by davboz    [ Reply ]
Mimosas and kitchen dancing!!! Nice groove man...
 
Posted 8 years ago by hempmandan    [ Reply ]
 old_shep wrote:
How did the industry that gave us this talent and inspiration devolve to, pardon the vulgarity,  Rap.....?
 

 
Rap's not the only form of music there is (from whichever "industry" you are referring to).  There are still plenty of soul singers around if you bother to look and listen.  Shirley Jones & the Dap Kings are one example, and they're played on RP.
Posted 8 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Love it!
everybody get up and dance! 
Posted 8 years ago by FrankDebbieCote    [ Reply ]
man this thing just woke me up.
just try and sit still with on.

8.1 hell its a 10 
Posted 8 years ago by dookie    [ Reply ]
It's eerie how great music always has that timeless quality, a freshness that suggests it was just made last week.
Posted 8 years ago by RichW    [ Reply ]
No question where Talking Heads got the groove for Slippery People from. 
Posted 8 years ago by LPCity    [ Reply ]
Had this rated at 9.  What was I thinking?  Gots to be a 10!
Posted 8 years ago by tonypf    [ Reply ]
She accompanied herself on piano at Harvard commencement today singing our national anthem.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kC59qNwt3A
Posted 8 years ago by midigitguy    [ Reply ]
what it is what it is  {#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 9 years ago by moodfood    [ Reply ]
{#Bananasplit}
Posted 9 years ago by musikluvr    [ Reply ]
Chair dancing!
Posted 9 years ago by linden    [ Reply ]
Thank you for sharing your gift
Posted 9 years ago by Priapus    [ Reply ]
saw Koko @ Ft. Lauderdale Jazz festival 1989  WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 9 years ago by Priapus    [ Reply ]
Bill  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just returned home   The dogs are going crazy ( I am @ eastern time) 1:50 am  I hear KoKo Taylor then  Aretha  Iam dancing  Jake Sam (dogs) r going nutz     Then  u play  Ian Anderson  (Stand Up )  HOW CAN I EVER GO 2 SLEEP ??????????

Bouree  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Merry X-mas
Posted 9 years ago by Priapus    [ Reply ]
 apd wrote:

Srsly? You don't see a connection? There's a more obvious straight line from this to Beyonce's "Crazy in Love", but the rappers are a tributary of the river too.

 
Rap is a devolvement, not a tributary. That doesn't lessen its significance.
Posted 9 years ago by DD gypsyman    [ Reply ]
What a voice. Even when the material is not all that fine, her voice raises it to another level. 
Posted 9 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
{#Bananapiano}  {#Drummer}  {#Nyah}  {#Cheers} {#Sunny}  {#Kiss} {#Sunny} {#Dance} {#Dancingbanana} {#Clap} {#Motor} {#Bananajam} {#Dancingbanana_2} {#Jump} {#Notworthy} {#Bananajumprope}
Posted 9 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
So much for working today!
Posted 9 years ago by skyguy    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:
No one can come close to Aretha when she's on top of her game.  This song is going from 9 to 10.  I just love it.{#Dancingbanana_2}
 

miss you so much, Cynaera...

love this song...
 
Posted 9 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
It's a funky and low down feelin' 
(What it is...) In my hips from left to right;
(What it is...) What it is is I might be doin' 
(What it is...) This funky dance all night....

please pass on all the commentary and just shake it People!  It's fun, it's timeless! 
Posted 10 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 old_shep wrote:
How did the industry that gave us this talent and inspiration devolve to, pardon the vulgarity,  Rap.....?
 
 
Srsly? You don't see a connection? There's a more obvious straight line from this to Beyonce's "Crazy in Love", but the rappers are a tributary of the river too.
Posted 10 years ago by apd    [ Reply ]
 old_shep wrote:
How did the industry that gave us this talent and inspiration devolve to, pardon the vulgarity,  Rap.....?
 
 
Devolve? Oh Pleeeese. This lovely stuff is still with us to listen to and others have taken up Arethea's batten, so to speak, over the years. 

Just because you have no time for rap does not mean it is not another strain of music that is worthwhile. There is a time and place for everything, just the other day I found some old Gangster Rap from a Mr B.I.G and played it rather loud. It was jolly good. 

On the other hand I'd probably never do that with, say, germanic opera. But I will not diss it because I know that, for some, it is like Audio Honey. 

Enjoy what you enjoy, but please avoid being so narrow minded.

Thank you. 
Posted 10 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
 old_shep wrote:
How did the industry that gave us this talent and inspiration devolve to, pardon the vulgarity,  Rap.....?
 
 
Beats me, and I've often wondered that same thing. We went from Aretha, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, et al, to the world of people shouting doggerel over drum machines?
Posted 10 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
How did the industry that gave us this talent and inspiration devolve to, pardon the vulgarity,  Rap.....?
 
Posted 10 years ago by old_shep    [ Reply ]
Wow Bill you sure know how to put a show together Koko Taylor Followed by the Queen of Soul Thanks ...
Posted 10 years ago by Toke    [ Reply ]
NICE!!!  {#Bananapiano} {#Bananajumprope} {#Drummer} {#Daisy} {#Sunny} {#Dance} {#Dancingbanana} {#Motor} {#Bananasplit} {#Boohoo} {#Guitarist} {#Bounce}{#Dancingbanana} {#Bananajam}{#Dancingbanana_2} {#Cowboy}
Posted 10 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]