Aretha Franklin - Rock Steady (Official Lyric Video)

Watch the lyric video of "Rock Steady" by Aretha Franklin from the album 'Young, Gifted And Black' (1972). "Rock Steady" reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
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Performers:
Lead Vocals: Aretha Franklin
Guitar: Cornell Dupree
Bass Guitar: Chuck Rainey
Organ: Donny Hathaway
Drums: Bernard Purdie
Percussion: Dr. John, Robert Popwell
Horns: The Memphis Horns (Trumpet: Wayne Jackson; Tenor Saxophone: Andrew Love)
Backing Vocals: The Sweethearts of Soul (Brenda Bryant, Margaret Branch, Pat Smith)
Written By: Aretha Franklin
Produced By: Jerry Wexler, Tom Dowd, Arif Mardin
Watch all of Aretha Franklin’s official videos here lnk.to/ArethaFranklinVideosID
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Stay In Touch with the Queen of Soul…
🎤 Website www.arethafranklin.net/
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Lyrics:
Rock steady, baby!
That's what I feel now
Let's call the song exactly what it is
Step and move your hips
With a feeling from side to side
Sit yourself down in your car
And take a ride
And while you're moving
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 doing
(What it is)
This funky dance all night
Oh!
(Got my hands up in the air)
Oh!
(Got a feeling and ain't got a care)
Oh!
(But you gotta take this ride
Put the devil on his side)
Rock steady - rock steady, baby
Rock steady - rock steady, baby
Step and move your hips
With a feeling from side to side
Sit yourself down in your car
And take a ride
While you're moving 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 doing
(What it is)
This funky dance all night
Oh!
(Got my hands up in the air)
Oh!
(Got a feeling and ain't got a care)
Oh!
(But you gotta take this ride
Put the devil on his side)
Rock steady, baby
Rock steady ... woo!
Rock steady
(Rock... steady!... rock... steady!)
(What it is)
It's a funky and low down feeling'
(What it is)
In my hips from left to right
(What it is)
What it is is I might be doing
(What it is)
This funky dance all night
Oh! Oh!
(Wave your hands up in the air)
Oh! Oh!
(Got the feeling and ain't got a care)
Oh! Oh!
(But you gotta take this ride
Put the devil on his side)
Rock steady
Steady, baby!
Rock...rock steady, baby
Baby
(What it is)
Baby, baby
(What it is)
Baby
(What it is)
Baby...
*******************
An icon of 20th and 21st century music, the voice of the civil rights movement, and the undisputed Queen of Soul-there is only one Aretha Franklin. In her incredible six-decade career, Aretha evolved from teenage gospel star to reigning pop and R&B diva, recording classics like “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “Chain Of Fools”, “Think” (lyrics by Aretha Franklin), definitive versions of the songs “Respect” and “I Say a Little Prayer”, and global hits like “Freeway Of Love,” “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)”, and “A Rose Is Still A Rose.”
Altogether, 112 of her singles reached the charts, with 20 No. 1 R&B singles, the most ever by a female artist. She won 18 Grammy Awards (including the first eight trophies for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance) and, out of recognition for her for indelible contribution to American music and culture, received both the Presidential Medal Of Freedom and a Pulitzer Prize.

[@leftofcentermo]

There will never be another. Ever.

[@annemariek357]

I adore this groove , what a wonder Aretha was, so lucky to have her music to listen to

[@rogerdeschenes6749]

A masterpiece. A perfect thing. To me miracle of this song is that AF’s vocals and that of the background singers are so exquisitely and pardon the pun “rock steady” the listener upon re-hearing and re-hearing is allowed to hear and feel the subtleties of drum bass horn and guitar etc. AF has the voice and the power to overwhelm, to be the only thing you hear. But she doesn’t overwhelm. Not in the least little bit. She’s lead. But AF is a part of. Not apart from. She remains humble in the face of her tremendous gifts. Truly, Ms Franklin is a great artist.

[@RenitaPollard-xd1wm]

❤ QUEEN 2024.

[@aaronnickey6119]

The Queen of Soul rocked this song!!!

[@denisenorthcutt8090]

R.I.P. Aretha Franklin. I'm still rocking this Song.. right now, Sunday 05/19/2024. We love You ❤️

[@biketopia]

i've eaten a lot of greasy food in my lifetime, But i've never encountered anything as greasy as these drums, bass and guitar... man o man.

[@Taj_Fitness]

Y’all tellin me this isn’t top 10 most perfect songs of all time. This will make anyone get down to this.

[@johnkaylor8670]

Agreed. Even people who don't dance are probably rockin in their seat!

[@thirsty57]

Black excellence 🖤

[@thedude1-wn2ij]

It doesn’t get much better than this, especially on ‘Soul Train’ 🤩

[@mariesoup6151]

You are you so right! I sing it with my band and it is the bass and the funk that makes this song. No disrespect to Ms. Aretha ❤

[@sharonpeppers3341]

#ARETHAFRANKLIN #ROCKSTEADY The Queen of soul is still on the throne here. She is ruling her domain with a strong hand. There was no one better at getting down than Aretha herself 😄👍👍👍👍👍👍🎸🪘🎹🥁🎻🎸💖💙💝💚💛💜❤️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🌹

[@keithwilliams5600]

Rock Steady Baby🎉🎉! Still rocking in March 2024🎉🎉! 🎶🎧🎵🎤🎼👍💪🙏

[@RoshondaBryant]

I know that's REAL.. sir, me 3 😃🤩

[@thomasthomas3124]

April 20, 2024!!🎉🎉🎉❤💃🏿💃🏿💃🏿🎷🎷🎺🎶🎵🎵🎧🥁🥁 What it is, what it is?!!

[@robnero52]

Rocking in April 28, 2024! 🎶

[@samuelencizo2342]

Rockin' all day - every day. They don't make em' like they used to.

[@FleurHarleaux]

🎉💃🏽🎉💃🏽🎉💃🏽💞💞

[@AbdulhakemAmri]

An immortal song by an immortal queen. RIP queen of soul.

[@christineabercrombie7316]

I love Aretha.

[@sisterg.64]

This was my motivational song... as a child my Mom use to encourage me to dance and I knew I could party!!! Thanks Mom

[@montelluke8498]

WHEW 😅 that BERNARD " PRETTY" PURDIE,his (4)bar drum 🥁 break is so in the pocket , simply slick sly , wicked and to top it all off that signature choke on the hi hat ,this groove by Brother " B" was one that drummers half to nail,marvelous work!

[@chrislaneDivo]

This is the greatest song ever written recorded produced perform or sung by any artist in history of music❤❤❤❤❤❤💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️ SALUTE TO THE QUEEN ❤

[@szarlotka4452]

The best hype song of all time

[@hmackie6823]

Aretha was and is an ICON

[@prestonward2443]

Queen of Rock Rock Steady

[@keepthemetalflowing]

Bernard Purdie is a beast on the groove of this song. His time, tasty fills and MASSIVE feel are phenomenal.

[@Lil-Whiskies]

Holy Cow, I didn't know he was on drums. He was a favorite of Steely Dan, completely different genre of music.

[@javierrivero4560]

PURDIE IM SPIDER SO MUCH JOY WITH TASTY RIFFS. HE WAS 2 COOL 4 SCHOOL. J.R.

[@mbombaby]

Yes, and so is Chuck Rainey.

[@StevenCarinci]

Was it a Tom dowd muscle shoals recording?

[@keepthemetalflowing]

@@StevenCarinci in fact it was, as far as the Tom Dowd part goes. As for the muscle shoals part, I don't know about that.

[@ShalondaSmith-ld7we]

I'm on my way

[@danaddis9679]

And this is why Aretha was, is and forever will be the Queen of Soul!!!

[@7mysozo]

The beginning of this song.......man they are jamming........my lord.

[@marilynjackson5983]

The band has a rock steady groovy beat!

[@davidbrown6026]

And a legend on the drums: Bernard “pretty” Purdie! One of my 5 favorite drummers of all time. Still living too (81)

[@TheIridium6]

A long with Mr. Chuck Rainey on bass

[@charlesdavis8935]

That explains why this song movin! groovin!

[@eklund86]

For me it's Cornell Dupree on the guitar. I don't think even Nile Rodgers could do it better!

[@TheIridium6]

@@eklund86 100% correct

[@Aom-hc7dn]

I love this song♥

[@jaysee27]

Some may disagree, but what makes this song “what is is” is the band and that funky groove. You can listen to it and tell they are having a good time and just jammin’. Especially that horn line when they take over parts of the song. As a sax player myself, I can tell you that it is one of the coolest and funkiest horn lines ever in R&B.

[@susandavidson3344]

Couldn't agree more lol ... seems like anything w/ Bernard Purdie is bound to land in the pocket sooner or later ... can't hardly help but wonder what King Curtis might have done with this ... decade or more ago my nephew was learning sax and I said "no kidding - King Cutis was the real deal" and he responded "my high school teacher said it's all about the King!" and about all I could say was "stick with THAT" Later I read Bobby Key's autobio: Every Night's A Saturday Night and remember him saying "Near everything I do was influenced by King Curtis" - nearly fell out of my chair. Jeez. ... really wouldn't know the Stones anything like they would [eventually] become without Jim Horn and most especially Bobby Keys. What a cry from Erskine Hawkins, Tuxedo Junction and Louis Jordan ... and makes me think of Early In The Morning w/ Wild Bill Davis on piano ... and w/o that would we have Ray Charles as-we-know-him? similar, Johnny Johnson piano influence w/ Chuck Berry? Man what a tangled history from Bop to Jump Blues & stomp blues and R&B ... surprising how few are really familiar w/ Duane Allman's take on Soul Serenade (King Curtis) yet do know Aretha's [I think she got a Grammy] or e.g., Lynyrd Skynyrd's turning "Alabama Bound" (Jordan's take) into "Mississippi Kid" ... itself goes back to Leadbelly I'm guessing and who knows where he got it (Traditional?) Bob Dylan must have known (or eventually learned) almost all of it.

[@alecorreamusico]

the chemistry is the mix between an amazing singer and a groovy band. if the singer was bad, it would disturb the band's groove and vice versa

[@infinidude7710]

lk

[@20005amhsraptor]

@@susandavidson3344 This is just a bad jam!. The drum solo especially does it for me!

[@jimmybryan6760]

Tom Dowd mentions putting the horns on after the original recording session here at 11:10 .... kzbin.info/www/bejne/oamlm5Zsn6iBmZI

[@lisawild5382]

Awesome Work Out Song! 🎧

[@662chillin]

🎶 Josephine Johnny... lawd have mercy 🎶

[@darryllawler7777]

Her Voice 😊

[@mattlehmann2826]

Got here because of Rick Beato’s amazing interview of drummer Bernard Purdy…THIS is some seriously nasty funk!

[@CousinVinnyNYC]

Funk is what music is missing today!!!

[@go-nogo1475]

@@CousinVinnyNYC A lil Funk in people's hearts & asses could save this country...or at least make it more fun!

[@brooke8567]

Pretty Purdie!!

[@evaneleven17]

I didn't know she wrote this classic!! This song was truly out of this world.

[@hollisterfleming202]

Queen on earth, Queen in Heaven.

[@inglewoodhoneyhoney321]

My momma had the best story about dancing to this song. She went to a house party, wearing her friend's romper, because her friend had no ass, so it looked better on her, and as she entered the party, Rock Steady came on, so she came in, 'Rockin' as she put it. Oh and she and the friend were friends for over 50 years....now they are Rockin' Steady in Heaven.

[@naaemhassan9714]

That's so Awesome

[@paulpipkin3554]

Awesome friendship and music story

[@mariolopez4556]

god bless yo mama

[@keithkdubwest2485]

One of the best things I have heard today. Got to get right and now so I can ROCK STEADY LIKE Y'ALL . MAY ALLAH BE PLEASED WITH US ALL. THIS IS KEITH WEST COAST SIGNING OFF WITH PEACE AND LOVE.

[@blindguitarist_08]

Queen of soul. No need to say more.

[@margaretlink543]

MOMMA ALWAYS LOVE THIS SONG😘👑⭐🦊✅‼

[@sharonpeppers3341]

#ARETHAFRANKLIN #ROCKSTEADY. Aretha could sing sacred or secular music. She was that versatile. There will never be another singer/songwriter like her 😄👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🎸🎻🥁🎹🪘🎸💖💙💝💚💛💜❤️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Vanguard.Blackrock.State.]

I am Japanese.but I love her music. This song is perfect.funky！

[@kmtaylor88]

Love this song...

[@randyhilton6629]

Her voice still stands my hair up on end!

[@hmackie6823]

yes but bit's not just the voice it's how she uses it

[@go-nogo1475]

Her voice makes my old legs stand up and shake my *rear* end!

[@kimberlymoniquegreer4001]

The queen of Rocking Steady baby 😂😂😂

[@pamelawashington8985]

I'm still rocking to this song!!! I listen to it when I want to dance/ exercise

[@pajewa]

Funky 24/7.

[@rickyparrilla2426]

This song is so f..king awesome. Yesssssssss!!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@maxiegrobner9018]

Not an ounce of criticism to be had! Simply one of the best pieces of modern music to be sure. In 400 years when they listen to classical music from the period this will top the list.

[@justafanofnerdculture7602]

Rest in peace, Queen. 🙏

[@tillmanlewis9506]

Yes yes yes

[@Mistertisdale]

She was a gift to us!

[@johnkaylor8670]

A VERY BIG gift.

[@go-nogo1475]

As a kid I thought it was a song about dancing and cars. I was 8. I figured it out quite a few decades ago!

[@ericajarrett9126]

REAL BAND SOUNDS MAKES THE SONG MASSIVE

[@brandonhofmann5479]

Bruh she kills those vocals love her so much

[@georgefields769]

What a nice story ❤❤ and I’ll send a prayer

[@jodibolan438]

She's so beautiful ❤️😊

[@jenhasken]

This song is everything I love about music in one song 💜

[@noreneal7252]

Another Gem that this genius wrote and composed. She also played the piano during this session 👑

[@alessandrogouveia2268]

Now i understood this glissando at chorus, hahahaha.

[@katinahopson9280]

⁰0⁰⁰⁰⁰

[@emanuelsterling3642]

Donnie Hathaway played the organ

[@noreneal7252]

@@emanuelsterling3642 Sure did. He played on a few of Aretha’s stuff back in the day.

[@djariskey9289]

@@alessandrogouveia2268 a

[@GenikaRobinson]

Good music ❤

[@lovelovelovemusic1177]

LOVE🌍

[@christopherrussell2611]

What! Only 20K worth of hits! I can’t believe it - People, this is the Queen of Soul! - listening & feeling this track should produce, at least, 1M hits, it’s Aretha doing one of her bests. Jane😢

[@muffs55mercury61]

Takes me back to my high school days. You never hear this gem on radio these days.

[@TheJudgeofLevelstm]

The ONLY Queen 👑

[@davidconroy6350]

Because I'm housin

[@JungleKittie5280]

This song ALWAYS makes me wanna dance!!!! 😁😄😁😄💜💜💜💜

[@josephk4310]

Yes, me too....the best grabs you, and takes you for a ride

[@davidlarson226]

One of her best. Very danceable. Great

[@jessicawilliams1176]

One of my favorite songs by Aretha Franklin. Happy heavenly 81st Birthday to the Queen of Soul ! ❤🥳🎉🕊️ 03/25/2023

[@johnkaylor8670]

Her Birthday count will go on forever - she will never die - after leaving the world this legacy. Wow.

[@DenelsiaWalker]

I 😘 VE Y🔥U! .

[@user-qk4pr1ui9k]

His bless her soul. ARETHA gave US NOTHING BUT Legendary great music 🎉🎉🎉🎉👑👑👑👑✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾💐💐💐💐

[@ashleyvaughn5213]

Let's call this song exactly what it is 💖

[@janices6140]

One of my favourite Aretha songs. Thank you, Queen.

[@sisterg.64]

Agreed...its my Favorite!!!

[@vaguesaint9022]

Quand je parle de « Groove » c’est le morceau que je fais écouter. Après le premier «break » tu es pris dedans, possédé 😂 juste merveilleux

[@lanitaykelley8838]

ha ha Y E S S s s!

[@r8gingbull]

Jerry Wexler was a genius! She was Incredible.

[@juliearrocha5186]

I like this song my favorite of Aretha 😊

[@user-jy3gx3xd9t]

Rock Steady is So Good Song For Friends And Family😊💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@user-tq7qf1re4d]

Fun dancing to this song, since I was a little boy.

[@terryselmer1022]

Reminds me my she loves good soul music 🎶🎵

[@odellpayne6526]

Odell payne I love this music ❤

[@hmackie6823]

every note has meaning

[@admwadenx]

That music in this one... MAN!!! That band jams!!!!

[@LanternOneStudios]

Okay, now I can start my day with a smile 😁

[@CodeE558]

GOOD SOUL M

[@alisoncopeland8890]

The QUEEN did it all this song makes me move feel good music💯💯💯💯💯

[@marieblue]

“Just call the song exactly what it is”, Aretha Franklin sings on “Rock Steady” (1972), a funky tune about grooving to the music. The singer penned it herself, but she had considerable help in the studio (Criteria in Miami), where the groove came together. There were great vibes, with famous people dropping by just to get in on the action. Donny Hathaway played organ and Dr. John added percussion. “It was a dream come true,” said producer Arif Martin. 💚🎼💜

[@celiaazuca1763]

I grew up listen to Aretha Franklin, my parents had all of her records. Back then, Panama, my country plays all type of music. You name it, we got it.. One factor was the Panama Canal, and the United States influence. Aretha was and is Known as the Queen of Soul. I have not seen anyone like her, there are greater singers , yet No one like the Queen of Soul😍😍🤘🏽👏🏽👏🏽❤️🇵🇦

[@dand9615]

I worked with a gal from Panama, about 10-15 years younger than me. The screen saver on her computer was pics of ships going thru the canal. I was fascinated by the pics & had tons of questions. But, alas, I'd get interrupted by a call from someone who couldn't figure out why their stupid printer had 'blown up ' because they couldn't figure out how to restock the printer drawer or toner cartridge. Screw that! I wanna know about the canal from a cool & pretty Panama gal!

[@FredPickett]

R.I.P. Ms. Aretha.

[@JenniferKMorin]

forever gold this song gets one moving every time 🙌

[@arkangelarkangel1302]

The most ELITE VOCALS IN THE BUSINESS, Aretha An American Treasure. ❤ ... when Aretha got inducted in the HALL OF FAME, first woman in... pioneer diva if their ever was one.

[@mariolopez4556]

yo yo the bass line is so sick and what the drummmer does on the kit is magic

[@christopherrussell2611]

Let’s be sensible ; this is about feelings NOT colour. Aretha was and still is Queennof Soul.Ablyssmal.RIP WUEEN ARETHA.JaneR

[@jameservinsmithsr.3164]

Bass funk'n like backseat-luv'n !!!!! Rock'n it !!!! Whew dat's funkee !!!😅😂😅😂😅😮

[@joewilley7776]

Still such a great song 2023

[@SGAcba]

Love this song ! LOVE ARETHA ! ARETHA FOR EVER ! Whean I was 13 years old, I heard "I say a Little Prayer¨ and for the first time, the voice of Aretha, since this time (50 years ago) I loved her voice, and I will die listening her music...

[@user-ep1jh7uh2q]

The greatest song to dance to! Aretha was the best! ❤

[@janicejames899]

One of my main favorite songs of all time

[@anthonymichaelkerr5761]

❤ repeat 🔁 Around the play list. One of the best funky jam songs eva

[@brynyowannatkinson2915]

Whoooooo, amazing, the band sounds as if they were all having a great time playing this funky groove. And that voice the Queen of Soul!!!

[@margaretsterlacci5379]

BERNARD PURDIE - the legend!

[@youlandaanderson5111]

I just watched the movie "Respect " and I just had to keep the vibe going. Jennifer did an amazing job but no one can touch the queen of soul. This is one of my favorites.

[@fatimagonzalezguzman3295]

la mejor!! ♥

[@FreewayRealEstate]

What it is!!

[@herry8488]

This girl had it allright. What a talent. One of the ALL time great blues, soul funk artists. Their music is eternal; ALL the greats I mean. Even her duet with George Michael. A brilliant duet there. If anyone don't feel funky with this, then they ain't alive. Case closed. And Bernard Purdie's drumming is just sublime, especially at the 2:30 mark. He's dead on point there, man. And the girls on backup vocals. SUPERB. The whole production. Spot on. Methinks I'm done now with the plaudits. PS, she was cookin' with gas!!!

[@junkandcrapamen]

This should be on loop everywhere all the time.