Rod Temperton Lead Vocal Demo for Michael Jackson - Rock With You - Written By Rod Temperton

Written , Rhythm and Vocal Arrangements by Rod Temperton -
(edited by Patrick Del Riaud)
Produced by Quincy Jones -
Off The Wall - Epic 1979

[@knightlife22]

A lot of people listening to this have no idea how difficult but crucial this process is. Melody is everything. What a legend.

[@robertalexander3067]

If you can hum it, and anyone can sing it, you got a hit!!!

[@jonniequezt9105]

i know believe me

[@jonniequezt9105]

thats why it brings tears to my eyes

[@WFROMPARIS]

Difficult yes. Crucial for sure. It’s the moment you transform an idea on hit, or for this example on a masterpiece.

[@fucu41]

Yeah i struggle writing melodies

[@PonzWasTaken]

Rod Temperton + Quincy Jones + Michael Jackson = greatest hits ever made

[@lamsior]

+ Bruce Swedien ;)

[@indylloyd]

As a producer looking back at rod temperton genius is crazy... consistently thought of new hits... in my opinion he doesn’t get the mainstream recognition he deserves... the guitar chord loop in thriller during the dance sequence🤯

[@prod.smlbeatz496]

fuckin right

[@whoisthriller1]

+ Jerry Hey and Bruce Swedien

[@carlosmonzon719]

without Rod Temperton Quincy Jones & Michael Jackson are nothing

[@City2x]

Rod Temperton deserves way way way more credit than he gets. He also wrote 'Give me the night" for George Benson.

[@jaybrown3341]

And Love times Love as well👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@Dirty_Squirrell]

"Thriller" enters the chat.

[@willieboyland3180]

He's definitely an unsung hero.

[@nuke97]

His chords, cadences, and sense of funk rhythm are so tasteful.

[@chillywillie6283]

My favorite Michael Jackson solo recording. This is how the cake looks before the eggs have been cracked, the flour and sugar are still in the bag and the milk is still in the carton.

[@KC-gy5xw]

Describes it EXACTLY

[@craigreeves5465]

Yes!!! :)

[@tjbooker8585]

Great comment!

[@LEDBOO]

I call this the “dun a dun” part of my songwriting routine. I was so happy when I found out it’s done a lot by others.

[@jeniestra.]

It's such a privilege to hear how this masterpiece first came around in the demo. Rod Temperton was a legend.

[@markgrady250]

Greatest Song Writer of all Time

[@jdenino6022]

@@markgrady250 There are tons of brilliant English songwriters...ever hear of Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Pete Townshend, Elton John/Bernie Taupin...etc.etc.

[@i23intheplace2b]

Lesson here: Even if you sound like him... don't underestimate your musical abilities.

[@willieboyland3180]

His musical abilities were on full charge. The average fan wouldn't understand his gift because he couldn't sing like the artists that he created classics for.

[@debarghyaroy9948]

So this is how million selling hits are made!

[@user-cg7dc8nl2s]

Rod temperton actually offered the song to heatwave first and then Karen Carpenter they both turned it down. Quincy Jones heard it and decided to put it on Michael Jackson's off The Wall album. As the saying goes the rest is history.

[@jazzpunk]

Knew about Johnny Wilder turning it down...didn't know Karen Carpenter did, as well. She & Rod had a couple of nice tunes together.

[@brettrosenberg]

what makes it pop is it's a really smooth song sung by someone with very intense energy. had to be someone like MJ.

[@ShakespeareCafe]

Rod was a gifted keyboardist He worked out all these melodies on the organ which he also played in Heatwave

[@agumonkey]

their discography is full of insane gems, i was affraid it would be bland but it's a serious body of class

[@adc2327]

He more than played in Heatwave, he wrote their songs. Boogie Nights, Always and Forever, The Groove Line and more.

[@TimeQCelledor]

This man wrote just about every favorite song of mine... and just found out his name today. (Thanks "Professor of Rock!) He was an incredible incredible gift to this world... :-)

[@youngchool]

Very SAME with me. I know what you mean. RIP, Mr. Wonderful Temperton...

[@dragonballsuper1519]

Man Michael Jackson really knocked it out of the park didn't he? Rod Temperton was such a great musician. RIP to both.

[@god1stothers2ndmelast14]

Yes he was!!

[@fadguru]

This is truly historical. I wish there were more actual videos of him performing.

[@hushup8692]

Why?

[@FunkyDisco79]

@@hushup8692 Why not?

[@BostonRubyEric]

You mean Rod? You mean singing? He was the keyboardist for Heatwave. If you watch live shows of theirs you'll see him.

[@fadguru]

@@BostonRubyEric I mean Rod. Rod performing any old way on video. There ain’t all that much out there of him. Oh, a few secondary shots of him playing keyboard with Heatwave and that’s about it.

[@Educatedbrother71]

@@fadguru to answer that question is that Rod Temperton didn't like being in the spotlight and rather be behind the scenes. When he was with heatwave he went on tour ONE time with them and after the tour was over went on to become one of the best writers in the business.

[@TAHJBecomeYourBestSelf]

I love listening to demos. I love how Rod is song writer but he wanted to show how his words should be delivered and he did this!

[@MarkusBoettner]

I love the interview with Gred Philingale about Rod's method of working, the way he said that none of the musicians were improvising - each and every part of each and every song Rod wrote WAS Rod's imagination of how things should sound. A Master songwriter!

[@god1stothers2ndmelast14]

Amen!!

[@theoisme]

Anyone who writes songs knows that there are many stages to get it to that final stage, sometimes gems are lost because no-one can 'imagine' the finished product except you, rod clearly isn't upto the vocal but he isn't doing it for that, he is doing it to show the melody and to be fair writing lyrics when this much of the song is done is easy.

[@finessethaprofit7325]

Foreal it makes me want to take this approach when creating but this method suits melodic singing songs Better

[@duke_crazyorgenius1444]

1000000000 % so many hits get passed by for lack of imagination!

[@agumonkey]

I wonder how he felt hearing Michael's vocals on top. Because his vocal style / groove is very important layer on top of the superb composition.

[@robertdaugherty6082]

It’s not easy writing great lyrics but this is great

[@djtogeth3r]

@@robertdaugherty6082 i love also lyrics here

[@soufienkhalfaoui7593]

One of the most important composer of all time, singing awfully wrong. I love that. Talent knows no boundaries, no limitations, no anything. Love you Rod. One of my greatest inspiration since I was a child.

[@willieboyland3180]

His imperfections were actually his gifts!! Phenomenal songwriter across any genre.

[@rffradio912]

I met Rod in 1984 in Amsterdam. Such a modest and friendly guy!

[@ygaltuil]

RFF Radio Whaou , you are lucky !!

[@cocaleaf2371]

Was he high? Serious question though. It's okay.

[@MarkusBoettner]

I absolutely agree. I had the privilege to meet him in May 2016 (a few months before his sad death) at a family occasion - our wives are first cousins - and could not agree more with you. If you've achieved what Rod has achieved, you don't need to stoop down to arrogance. One of the most humble, friendliest and down-to-earth people I have had the fortune to meet.

[@tomburton8645]

Never got to meet the fella but in the interviews I've seen, he appeared to be a lovely man. RIP

[@leonjones7229]

Wow!! What a privilege!!!

[@douglassykes4981]

The world is a less funkier place without Rod

[@ethanang3527]

...and less magical, everything now looks concreted and bland.

[@s.wilson2702]

Douglass Sykes, that's cute and funny! Rod would get a kick outta that line!

[@cherylward5179]

Mr. Temperton's genius is ever present with this magnificant music he left behind on planet earth. RIP ❤.

[@a.christian9647]

Wow!!!! Pure musical genius he was. RIP Rod Temperton.

[@TheHiphopgems]

Oh wow, he passed? RIP

[@E4RLIES]

Rod was such a talented genius, how is he not in the Hall of Fame!

[@marywealth6475]

Because the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame is tourist-trap bullshit. If he's in the Hall of Fame of your heart, then he's in.

[@E4RLIES]

@@marywealth6475 he sure is♥️ I’m always spreading the word of his achievements too 😎

[@phillytnoize]

Crazy and ridiculous... I just assumed he was already in for years

[@jdenino6022]

He is in the Songwriter's Hall of Fame.

[@dcoopthemann]

TRUE STORY: After Rod Temperton (R.I.P.) stopped playing in Heatwave he still wrote songs with them and gave them the first shot at any of the songs he wrote before he offered them to other artists unless he wrote the song specifically for an artist. One day Keith Wilder (R.I.P.) was listening to a sample track of ROCK WITH YOU with Michael Jackson (R.I.P.) doing the demos for it. Keith told Rod, this is a song Heatwave should be doing! Rod told Keith, I offered it to your brother (Johnnie Wilder, Jr. R.I.P.) first, but he turned it down! OOPS! Keith was like, WHAT! If you listen to OFF THE WALL it sounds like BOOGIE NIGHTS, even though there aren't any stories of Rod offering Heatwave OFF THE WALL before he gave it to Michael Jackson! I think he wrote OFF THE WALL - and songs like THRILLER - specifically for Michael.

[@s.wilson2702]

Yes, you are right about that! He did write both those songs for Michael Jackson so he never pitched them to anyone else.

[@ethanang8099]

Miss all the legends stated above.

[@dcoopthemann]

@@ethanang8099 Yeah, me too. ESPECIALLY, ESPECIALLY in comparison to most of the artists that are out today. Even back then (I was 7 - 8 yrs. old when I first discovered these artists, etc), I KNEW IT WAS A MAGICAL TIME! I had NO IDEA how MAGICAL until you "SEE" - or should I say "HEAR" most of what we have out here now!

[@djswift7208]

That's true, I heard the same thing as well

[@bhbluebird]

This guy had a great feel for melody and rhythm.

[@byronbenguche]

Remember folks this is the same man who wrote Always And Forever,Mind Blowing Decisions, GrooveLine and Boogie Nights so why we shocked that everything Rod writes turns into hits

[@seanrandles3416]

Think you'll find Rod didn't write Mind Blowing Decisions. It was written by Johnny Wilder Junior.

[@mcadam5702]

And thriller

[@joeferguson2606]

@@seanrandles3416 correct, he was an amazing vocalist.

[@paulamiles9559]

Boogie Nights is one amazing song. THREE hooks! I didnt even listen much to disco music in the 70s. I liked " Disco Lady" by Johnny Taylor and " I Love the Night Life" but not much else. I was in a restaurant with a good sounds system and really heard " Boogie Nights" and that's when I first looked into Rod.❤

[@WorldWideDarkskingur2031]

😌 thats why THRILLER was Pure MAGIC!!! 😌👍☺️🤗

[@WorldWideDarkskingur2031]

Quincy 👍😌❤️ Jones ! ! !

[@BigWheezer2000]

There is something beautiful about the unmastered version of the instrumental, especially the breakdown

[@catsven1973]

A genius !! Another forgotten Guy from England who contributed to make of the 20th century The century of the greatest music ever !! England is the land of genius !

[@k3nn3thinatl]

Quincy Jones took this to the next level. Temperton and Jones were a scary combo

[@oemisc2880]

You forgot MJ, who actually had to sing it & deliver

[@k3nn3thinatl]

@@oemisc2880 a lot of people could have sang just as well or better

[@oemisc2880]

@@k3nn3thinatl Name them. Many try to cover MJ songs but fail to bring the oomph needed that MJ brought to the songs.

[@ABC-sz7rd]

@@k3nn3thinatl hell nah

[@marialamorita]

​@@k3nn3thinatl ..ja ja no one but MJ could have taken this song to the highest level..HIS VOICE and CARISMA dude HIS VOICE

[@susansusan138]

One of the most low key musical geniuses in the music industry. If you don't of him you would never know him. He probably produced composed and wrote for artists until his death I'm sure but he never seemed recognition. Much respect to one of the best who ever did. Mr. Rod Temperton. Much respect. 🙌🏾🙂❤❤🌅 A class act

[@jimmulee9481]

This goes to show music doesn't care about color or race.

[@damxn7303]

You only get how amazing this is…if you’re an artist yourself

[@Tiberius291]

One of the most famous and recognizable drum intros ever, Rod Temperton, The Man, The Myth, The Legend. 🇬🇧

[@africkinamerican]

This is genius. Hats off and thank you Rod for all the great songs... your voice can be excused 😉

[@tammyreese2357]

Rock With You and The Lady in My Life is everything! Rod, Quincy and Michael were the perfect team!

[@marialamorita]

Yeeeees, and Bruce Swedien

[@ashkev01]

Imagine having Michael in the studio and giving him the melody so all he has to do is get on the mic and freestyle and you can give Michael any melody and he’ll kill it anyway because of his vocal ability.

[@annoyingbstard9407]

Who can forget I wanna bah bah bah…one of the greats.

[@ckurtis4236]

Those changes... those sweet amazing genius chord changes. Good god!!!

[@fadguru]

His work while with Heatwave...nevermind MJ made me a believer! The guy had IT!

[@WS3RD]

Absolutely mind-blowing stuff!

[@TheMisterGriswold]

And that Rhodes ...

[@PaulO-gx2bn]

From a humble background in Grimsby/Cleethorpes to greatness - What a Hero!

[@charlesmak534]

This is what we call putting in work behind the scenes, what is called in the biz a "reference track"

[@xavierrose8208]

No it's called a scratch vocal, you hack... As if you know anything about "the biz" 😂😂

[@christopherchristos7275]

@@xavierrose8208 Can't you just enjoy the upload?

[@s.wilson2702]

Charles Mak...also called a "scratch vocal" but usually the scratch vocal that is actually given to the artist for them to learn the song is, by that time complete lyrically. In other words, it's a more polished demo complete musically and lyrically. If a writer doesn't necessarily have the vocal chops to lay down a vocal for a really good demo, they will do a "scratch vocal" to teach it to a professional demo singer. By this time in his career, Rod already had enough of a reputation as a hit songwriter from his hits with Heatwave, that even tho his vocals weren't the greatest, he could still "sell" a song from something as rough as this to people that had "ears to hear"! Of course this was just the embryonic stage of the final "full-term" demo and then recording by Michael. By the way, many top artists, got their big breaks from singing demos and when a song was being pitched to a producer for an artist, the producer would love the demo and singer so much that they would get signed to a major label. You sound like you know all this but others may not and might find it interesting. Another side note, many times a writer's demo will be better than the actual artist's recording. Not in this case 👊😉! but many, many times it's true!

[@dl9786]

Crucial lesson here. Work with what you have. God will help you create the rest. Thank you, Rod! 🙏🏿

[@RodneySanders]

Stuff like this is so freaking awesome. Seeing behind the curtain is a true treat.

[@michaelfaragher1911]

Rod is a genius! How did he come up with such brilliant music 🎶?? Rock with you was one of Michael’s favourites on off the wall! Some great songs on OTW! Love the title track by rod also, and burn this disco out! He seemed like such a nice guy as well and was best friends with Quincey until he died! RIP rod. Your music will live forever! X

[@QuabmasM]

This is what writing aka composing a hit sounds like...you tend to hum out a beautiful melody with a piano or guitar & as long as you have a vision for what you are giving birth to & can produce it into reality, BAM. Thankfully, he had one of the best producers in the world, Quincy Jones, & Im presuming he wrote it specifically for the THEN soon to be greatest artist of all time, MJ. Errbody did their thing to make this a timeless gem as far as inspiring people & making you wanna dance...all the more power to those few of us who can compose, produce, write, & sing art of this quality cuz usually it does take a team.

[@uncleshreddedwheat6180]

This is the fun part of making music, the melody is where the magic happens ❤

[@agustinkl4641]

What I love about this demo is that ta ra ra talala papa ba

[@TheSlowBallBoy]

just enough to seed the track - what a talented guy

[@WS3RD]

What a great way to put it...you're 100% correct!

[@richardkovacs2006]

Rod was a master of his craft. But oh boy, this song soooo needed MJ. His vocals added some extra magic with that "flowing chocolate" singing (at least that is what it reminds me of).

[@dwaynesworld_1]

It’s comforting to know I write songs with the same process as this legend. I always hum the melody first then add the lyrics.

[@bluegreenwoodtiger]

I hope & pray this Man, maestro, musical genius, one of one, knew how much we loved & adored him! We can spend hours going over his discography! Hope his songs are played & studied through the ages! God speed & rest well masterful music man of masterpieces! 🕊️ 🎶 🎼 🎵

[@newwave80skid]

I love how the chorus finally came together just around the end of the demo

[@aiconic10]

Rod Temperton was special! Super talented. Could care less about his vocals. Dude knows how to hear a melody and produce a record. #RESPECT ❤️

[@markofsaltburn]

Rod Temperton was NOT a tortured artist - he just seemed like an ordinary happy-go-bloke who just happened to be brilliant.

[@Abaddon231]

I love listening to demos .. .. no lyrics , just ideas being thrown on tape .. the creative process os amazing to witness

[@spfsincerely1341]

GON’ ROD!!! Rod was THAT dude and waaaaayyy ahead of his time. Rod’s portfolio is greater than Mike’s albums. The chemistry with him, Quincy and Louis Johnson is amazing!

[@MrJsfingers]

Louis isn’t on this particular track

[@oemisc2880]

Don’t discount MJ’s vocal delivery though. It would be a hit w/o MJ, sure, but MJ hit it to the moon for all of them

[@draelyon8125]

Girl, close your eyes Let that rhythm get into you Don't try to fight it There ain't nothin' that you can do Relax your mind Lay back and groove with mine [Pre-Chorus] You gotta feel that heat And we can ride the boogie Share that beat of love [Chorus] I wanna rock with you (All night) Dance you into day (Sunlight) I wanna rock with you (All night) We're gonna rock the night away (Rock, right) [Verse 2] Out on the floor There ain't nobody there but us Girl, when you dance There's a magic that must be love Just take it slow 'Cause we got so far to go [Pre-Chorus] When you feel that heat And we're gonna ride the boogie Share that beat of love [Chorus] I wanna rock with you (All night) Dance you into day (Sunlight) I wanna rock with you (All night) We're gonna rock the night away [Bridge] And when the groove is dead and gone (Yeah) You know that love survives So we can rock forever, on I wanna rock with you I wanna groove with you I wanna rock with you I wanna groove with you [Chorus] I wanna rock (All night) With you girl (Sunlight) Rock with you, rock with you girl (Yeah) (All night) Dance the night away I wanna rock with you (Yeah) (All night) Rock you into day (Sunlight) I wanna rock with you (All night) Rock the night away [Outro] Feel the heat, feel the beat (All night) Rock you into day (Sunlight) I wanna rock (All night) Rock the night away

[@bvg83]

And this is only one song, he was so creative, what a brain he had RIP🕊

[@paulwaymondo7568]

Fantastic. I hope we get to hear more of Rods original demos 👍

[@jeremyadams3538]

Full body Chills

[@spurts]

An utter genuine genius

[@anthonyrobinson6590]

This is pure genius and funny at the same time! Rod is one of the greats!

[@alvinwillis2901]

I'm sure a lot of people wouldn't have been able to hear through the rough vocal, a true testament to Quincy Jones greatness !!!

[@number1chiefROKKA]

Wow on top of wow. What Quincy and Michael did to flesh to out to its eventual masterpiece state is mind blowing.

[@marianog9969]

Wow the melody almost had zero change from Rod's demo! What a road map for an MJ hit and probably my favorite song from him. Such a magical tune! RIP MJ, Rod & Bruce 🙏

[@dl9786]

Can’t help but listen to rock with you after this 🔥🔥🔥

[@alvinfrazierTV]

I heard Heatwave did a demo of this song but Johnnie Wilder chose to pass on it. Would love to hear it if it still exists.

[@guidedbyvoices23]

Such an amazing and prolific songwriter, much admiration and respect

[@shareebrown727]

Musical history in the making 🥰😎🎶💥

[@deborahfrasier1221]

RIP Rod Temperton❤️✝️🙏🏿🌹

[@nakadai4444]

What an incredible job, Mr. Temperton did, He desrves a lot Honoring from those who worked with Him, now and always, wonderful, musics, styles, etc he created.....Oscar to him is a small thing, He desrves much more than that, to Honor His Memory, Rip, Mr, Temperton, Yes.....

[@corradosorbi5130]

One of the great hits in the history of the music was being born. R.I.P.. MICHAEL R.I.P. ROD . Thank you Quincy❤

[@metro7films]

A truly unsung great!! His music was the soundtrack of my youth, especially the hits of Heatwave! The good old days!😢

[@Htktny]

Love seeing a classic in its making

[@djwildbill2008]

I’d love a job singing demo tunes of potential future hits

[@yuppy5956]

Besides the fact that you also have to come up with them and potentially produce them to what you think is a final song, You should start now if you really would love to. Singer/Songwriters do it every day for every genre there is and then send it to labels. Alot of signed artists don't come up with their own songs, they only contribute.

[@gregorymorris8343]

This man-made most of the R&B hits of the 70s and eighties awesome songwriter producer

[@FunkyDisco79]

Rod Temperton = Genius

[@user-hi8dz1ut3k]

Diamond in the rough♪

[@meeklion5096]

OMG! This just made my day. What a demo. Genius stuff.

[@marcelomorales5713]

Rod is a genious

[@michaelhadzantonis4416]

God bless Rod Temperton's soul.!!!

[@goodtimezproductionz]

Pure brilliance. Joe Budden podcast sent me here 🙏🏾🥂

[@mrgoodvibes1995]

Send me the link

[@goodtimezproductionz]

@@mrgoodvibes1995 link to what? Joe Budden Podcast ?

[@mrgoodvibes1995]

@@goodtimezproductionz yeah video you seen

[@eejebee]

@@mrgoodvibes1995 yeh I wanna see that Joe Budden video you seen too

[@ikerina]

I just love the melody he created for this song. It's heaven. Rest in peace, Mr. Temperton. Thank you for your service.

[@gabludo1828]

Le compositeur le plus talentueux du funk des annees 80. Les meilleures années pour la musique pop. Un génie d'une humilité sans limite qui laissa sa place aux autres pour interpréter ses meilleures compositions. Un diamant dans le monde musical. Légendaire.

[@theboy2777]

This shi sound so damn beautiful I don’t think y’all understand

[@Xian127]

It’s crazy how audience only see the finish product , this craft is hard , they only know the artist there are so many people behind it , even the dance was choreographed by somebody else , it’s like the the artist is a brand like Pepsi Coca Cola but there so many others in the writing rooms, and in the development stage to push and market the product that’s why MJ was so humble it’s just not him it’s a team, you have to be fool if you think it’s just you, The fan doesn’t know they think it’s just him , but someone taught him. MJ was not a gift in song and dance mj was a talented skill singer and dancer , his true gift is what he did for sick children with earnings of being highly skill and talented artist

[@RaisedLetter]

We need more of these demo tracks available just to understand how these great songs get built up.

[@MFBOOM100]

To hear it from Rodney's perspective it sounds like such a more laid back version than the final track. 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@thecmb66]

Rod was a freakin' genius!

[@lw2978]

Genius stuff from Cleethorpe's finest!

[@pappagetti]

R.I.P. to the legendary Mr. Temperton

[@vivalav9533]

This is a treasure!

[@TheIndoGod]

Best Way To Write A Song. I Had No Idea It Went Back This Far. I Got It From Kanye. & They REALLY Should Have Used This Intro

[@paulm3186]

genius

[@librasoul1705]

🤯Mind blowing how this rough demo was the begining of a timeless hit.

[@leonjones7229]

He sounds good!!

[@izzyrov5814]

One of my fave songs ever ❤ it's fun to listen to the demo 😊

[@galetinm]

This is a gem

[@carlcorver]

Had the pleasure to meet Robbie Vincent at the weekend who interviewed Rod Temperton in the early 80s

[@chorontexpliquepetitcon127]

" Baby be mine " is the child of " rock with you " Thank for this precious share

[@Xian127]

Wow this a demo incredible

[@yoshithetalent]

I often write like this melody only and I thought I was wrong about it but now I see the light.. Lyrics is the next step where I have to find someone to fill my melodies in