"Rock 'n' Roll With Me" is a

power ballad A sentimental ballad is an emotional style of music that often deals with romance (love), romantic and intimate relationships, and to a lesser extent, loneliness, death, war, drug abuse, politics and religion, usually in a poignant but solemn m ...

written by

David Bowie David Robert Jones (8 January 194710 January 2016), known professionally as David Bowie ( ), was an English singer-songwriter and actor. A leading figure in the music industry, he is regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the ...

and

Warren Peace Geoffrey Alexander MacCormack, better known as Warren Peace, is an English vocalist, composer and dancer best known for his work with David Bowie in the 1970s. Musical career A long-time friend of Bowie since their schooldays in Bromley, Peace ...

and recorded in January 1974 that first appeared on Bowie's ''

Diamond Dogs ''Diamond Dogs'' is the eighth studio album by English musician David Bowie, released on 24 May 1974 through RCA Records. Bowie produced the album and recorded it in early 1974 at Olympic and Island Studios in London and Ludolph Studios i ...

'' album, supposedly to address the artist's complex relation with his fans. A version recorded during the Diamond Dogs tour in July 1974 was released on the album ''

David Live ''David Live'' is the first official live album by English musician David Bowie, originally released through RCA Records in 1974. The album was recorded in July of that year, on the initial leg of Bowie's Diamond Dogs Tour, at the Tower Theater ...

''. While the song " Knock on Wood" from ''David Live'' was issued as a single in the UK, "Rock 'n' Roll With Me" was chosen for release as the US single (RCA PB 10105) in September 1974, in response to Donovan's recent cover version. The B-side in each case was another live recording from the Diamond Dogs tour, "Panic in Detroit", originally from '' Aladdin Sane'' (1973). An edited version was issued on a US promotional single (RCA JB 10105) that same month. Like "

Rebel Rebel "Rebel Rebel" is a song by English singer-songwriter David Bowie. It was released in the UK in February 1974 by RCA Records as the lead single from the album ''Diamond Dogs''. Written and produced by Bowie, the song is based around a distinctiv ...

", the lead single from ''Diamond Dogs'', "Rock 'n' Roll With Me" was conceived as part of a never-produced ''Ziggy Stardust'' musical in 1973. It has been described as "one of Bowie's least self-conscious love songs" and a foretaste of the R&B balladry on ''

Young Americans ''Young Americans'' is the ninth studio album by English musician David Bowie, released on 7March 1975 through RCA Records. The album marked a departure from the glam rock style of Bowie's previous albums, showcasing his interest in soul and ...

'' (1975). '' Cash Box'' said of the live single that "the spontaneity of Bowie's performance comes across with some heavy instrumentation and Bowie's inimitable vocal style." On 27 July 2016, a remastered version of the 1974 live promo single edit was posted online to promote the upcoming compilation ''

Who Can I Be Now? (1974–1976) ''Who Can I Be Now? (1974–1976)'' is a box set by English singer-songwriter David Bowie, released on 23 September 2016, focused on the artist's "American Phase". A follow-up to the 2015 compilation '' Five Years (1969–1973)'', ''Who Can I ...

''. Subsequently, this version was included on ''Re:Call 2'', part of the compilation.

Writing

The song was composed at Bowie's house located on Oakley Street, London, after

(Geoff MacCormack) started playing chords on his piano. Bowie and Peace were inspired by

Fats Domino Antoine Dominique Domino Jr. (February 26, 1928 – October 24, 2017), known as Fats Domino, was an American pianist, singer and songwriter. One of the pioneers of rock and roll music, Domino sold more than 65 million records. Born in New O ...

and Little Richard, two

rhythm and blues Rhythm and blues, frequently abbreviated as R&B or R'n'B, is a genre of popular music that originated in African-American communities in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly ...

musicians they listened to during their childhood. Musically, the song is a power ballad with a nod to

soul music Soul music is a popular music genre that originated in the African American community throughout the United States in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It has its roots in African-American gospel music and rhythm and blues. Soul music became ...

, specifically recalling

Bill Withers William Harrison Withers Jr. (July 4, 1938 – March 30, 2020) was an American singer-songwriter and musician. He had several hits over a career spanning 18 years, including " Ain't No Sunshine" (1971), " Grandma's Hands" (1971), " Use Me" (197 ...

' " Lean on Me" from 1972 in the piano intro.

Track listing

# "Rock 'n' Roll With Me" (lyrics by

; music by Bowie,

) – 4:15 # " Panic in Detroit" (Bowie) – 5:41

Personnel

* Producers: **

* Musicians (album version): ** David Bowie:

vocals Singing is the act of creating musical sounds with the voice. A person who sings is called a singer, artist or vocalist (in jazz and/or popular music). Singers perform music (arias, recitatives, songs, etc.) that can be sung with or withou ...

Guitar The guitar is a fretted musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing selected strin ...

Herbie Flowers Brian Keith "Herbie" Flowers (born 19 May 1938) is an English musician specialising in electric bass, double bass and tuba. He is noted as a member of Blue Mink, T. Rex and Sky. Flowers has contributed to recordings by Elton John (''Tumblewe ...

: bass **

Mike Garson Michael David Garson (born July 29, 1945) is an American pianist, who has worked with David Bowie, Nine Inch Nails, St. Vincent, Duran Duran, Free Flight and The Smashing Pumpkins. Early career Garson went to Lafayette High School in Brookly ...

: organ ** Aynsley Dunbar: drums **

: backing vocals, piano

Live versions

* The July 1974 live recording, released as a single and on ''

'', also appeared on the Dutch release ''Rock Concert''. A live version recorded in September 1974 (previously available on the unofficial album ''A Portrait in Flesh'') was released in 2017 on ''

Cracked Actor (Live Los Angeles '74) ''Cracked Actor (Live Los Angeles '74)'' is a live album by English singer-songwriter David Bowie. It was released posthumously as a Record Store Day release on 22 April 2017 through Parlophone record label. Produced by Bowie and mixed by Tony V ...

''. A live performance from October 1974 was released in 2020 on ''I'm Only Dancing (The Soul Tour 74)''.

Cover versions

* Donovan – Released only as a single A-side (b/w "Divine Daze of Deathless Delight", September 1974, Epic EPC 2661). This was also issued on the compilation album ''

Oh! You Pretty Things "Oh! You Pretty Things" is a song written by English singer-songwriter David Bowie, released on his 1971 album ''Hunky Dory''. It was the first song he wrote for the album. Bowie recorded the song as a demo before giving it to singer Peter Noo ...

'', which is composed of early cover versions of Bowie's work. '' Cash Box'' said "a rock 'n roll ballad in the glorious Bowie tradition features some lush orchestration to cushion the inimitable Donovan vocal style which has always been a captivating source of musical expression." '' Record World'' said that it "strews glitter garlands on onovan'scomeback course.

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rock 'n' Roll With Me 1974 singles David Bowie songs Donovan songs Songs written by David Bowie Song recordings produced by David Bowie 1974 songs RCA Records singles Rock ballads