Rock Your Baby

"Rock Your Baby" is the debut single by American singer George McCrae. Written and produced by Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch of KC and the Sunshine Band, "Rock Your Baby" was one of the landmark recordings of early disco music. A massive international hit, the song reached number one on the Hot 100 in the United States, spending two weeks there in July 1974; number one on the R&B chart; and number one on the UK Singles Chart, spending three weeks at the top in July 1974. Having sold 11 million copies, it is one of fewer than 40 all-time singles to have sold 10 million physical copies worldwide.

The backing track was recorded in 45 minutes as a demo and featured guitarist Jerome Smith of KC and the Sunshine Band, with Casey on keyboards and Finch on bass and drums. It was also one of the first records to use a drum machine, an early Roland rhythm machine. The track was not originally intended for McCrae but he happened to be in the studio and added a vocal; the resulting combination of infectious rhythm and falsetto vocals made it a hit. Music critic Robert Christgau has described the song as "irresistibly Memphis-cum-disco-with-a-hook."

The chord progression of John Lennon's number-one single "Whatever Gets You thru the Night", released a few months later, bears a great resemblance to the one found in "Rock Your Baby". Lennon later admitted to using the song as an inspiration, and said of it in a 1975 interview: "I'd give my eyetooth to have written that." ABBA's Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus have also cited the song as an inspiration for the backing track of their 1976 smash hit "Dancing Queen". It was covered by indie rock band the House of Love for the 1992 compilation album Ruby Trax. In the same year, British dance group KWS's cover of "Rock Your Baby" reached number eight in the UK.

The 2024 PBS series Disco: Soundtrack of a Revolution explores the importance of "Rock Your Baby" to the history of disco music.

Answer song
George's wife, Gwen McCrae, recorded an answer song to "Rock Your Baby", released just less than a year later: "Rockin' Chair" reached number nine on the Hot 100 in mid-1975. "Rockin' Chair" reached number one R&B. George provided backing vocals.

Rock Your Baby (Frankfurt Mix)
In 1987, a remix version was released, with mixing by Paul Hardcastle. It was adapted to suit the decade. This version is also included in the compilation Super Power Hit Sensation.

Track listing
12" Maxi
 * 1) Rock Your Baby [Frankfurt Mix] - 5:25
 * 2) Ooh Baby - 3:57

KWS version
In August 1992, British dance music act KWS released their take on the song. It appeared on the album KWS. Their version charted within the top 10 in Ireland and the United Kingdom, peaking at number six and eight, respectively. In Australia and New Zealand, the single entered the top 40.

Track listing
CD maxi
 * 1) "Rock Your Baby" (Boogaloo Investigator mix) – 3:29
 * 2) "Rock Your Baby" (Thumb A Ride mix) – 5:19
 * 3) "A Different Man" (Bubblegum Breakthrough mix) – 3:42
 * 4) "Game Boy" (Rhythmatic remix) – 5:37