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

2 жыл бұрын

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

2 жыл бұрын

lk

@20005amhsraptor

Жыл бұрын

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

@jimmybryan6760

Жыл бұрын

Tom Dowd mentions putting the horns on after the original recording session here at 11:10 .... kzread.info/dash/bejne/nax2zMVvmqa0k5M.html

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

@alessandrogouveia2268

2 жыл бұрын

Now i understood this glissando at chorus, hahahaha.

@katinahopson9280

2 жыл бұрын

⁰0⁰⁰⁰⁰

@emanuelsterling3642

2 жыл бұрын

Donnie Hathaway played the organ

@noreneal7252

2 жыл бұрын

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

@djariskey9289

2 жыл бұрын

@@alessandrogouveia2268 a

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

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

@Lil-Whiskies

Жыл бұрын

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

@javierrivero4560

Жыл бұрын

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

@mbombaby

Жыл бұрын

Yes, and so is Chuck Rainey.

@StevenCarinci

10 ай бұрын

Was it a Tom dowd muscle shoals recording?

@keepthemetalflowing

10 ай бұрын

@@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.

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

@johnkaylor8670

Жыл бұрын

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

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

@RoshondaBryant

2 ай бұрын

I know that's REAL.. sir, me 3 😃🤩

@thomasthomas3124

2 ай бұрын

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

@robnero52

2 ай бұрын

Rocking in April 28, 2024! 🎶

@samuelencizo2342

2 ай бұрын

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

@FleurHarleaux

2 ай бұрын

🎉💃🏽🎉💃🏽🎉💃🏽💞💞

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

@TheIridium6

4 ай бұрын

A long with Mr. Chuck Rainey on bass

@charlesdavis8935

3 ай бұрын

That explains why this song movin! groovin!

@eklund86

2 ай бұрын

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

@TheIridium6

2 ай бұрын

@@eklund86 100% correct

The Queen of Soul rocked this song!!!

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

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

Жыл бұрын

That's so Awesome

@paulpipkin3554

8 ай бұрын

Awesome friendship and music story

@mariolopez4556

8 ай бұрын

god bless yo mama

@keithkdubwest2485

3 ай бұрын

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.

Her voice still stands my hair up on end!

@hmackie6823

9 ай бұрын

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

@go-nogo1475

2 ай бұрын

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

@kimberlymoniquegreer4001

Ай бұрын

The queen of Rocking Steady baby 😂😂😂

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

@CousinVinnyNYC

2 ай бұрын

Funk is what music is missing today!!!

@go-nogo1475

2 ай бұрын

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

@brooke8567

9 күн бұрын

Pretty Purdie!!

Aretha Franklin the Queen Of Soul, just the sound of her voice can make a person move, dance, and feel so much better. RIP Super Star !!!

@DrDeADETV

2 жыл бұрын

So true. I felt myself facing away one day and l felt like only hearing my mother could save me at the time. She didn't answer the phone my next call was going to be 911 for an EMT. I was in a restaurant about to go into full distress. When over the sound system came: What you want? Baby I got it! It pulled me through. I knew Auntie Ree was being an angel for ME! THX REE!!

@mrtrudeau4464

2 жыл бұрын

S Mootj

@Zeldarw104

2 жыл бұрын

Yes! 💖💖💖💖💖👈🏾

@romeybuckins875

Жыл бұрын

@@DrDeADETV I wish this music was still around

@iadorrmusic645

Жыл бұрын

You couldn't say it better

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

❤ QUEEN 2024.

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

You just can't stay still when you hear this classic.

@deanivan3951

10 ай бұрын

Phonky!

@EarthsAngels

10 ай бұрын

Yass!

@leonlawrence3760

10 ай бұрын

​@@EarthsAngels😮uu😢 yes t😅😅 my

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

Black excellence 🖤

The best hype song of all time

Aretha was and is an ICON

Her Voice 😊

I love Aretha.

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.

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.

The backing band is funky as all get out. What a bass line!

@Petethebassman

3 жыл бұрын

Chuck Rainey laying down the bass line with Bernard Purdie on drums. Grooves like mad.

@loiscrawl4599

2 жыл бұрын

Aretha Franklin is definitely the Queen of Soul with a gift of voice.

She was a gift to us!

@johnkaylor8670

Жыл бұрын

A VERY BIG gift.

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

The band has a rock steady groovy beat!

Bruh she kills those vocals love her so much

Queen of soul. No need to say more.

Queen of Rock Rock Steady

Rest in peace, Queen. 🙏

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

@sisterg.64

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed...its my Favorite!!!

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

@johnkaylor8670

Жыл бұрын

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

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

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!

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

#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 😄👍👍👍👍👍👍🎸🪘🎹🥁🎻🎸💖💙💝💚💛💜❤️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🌹

Let's call this song exactly what it is 💖

2:29-2:38 hardest breakdown of all time

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

2 жыл бұрын

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!

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.

This Song Went To Number 9 On The Billboard Hot-100 Chart In 1971.

Will be in my head all day. Now this is what should be booming out of your car.

@lanitaykelley8838

10 ай бұрын

ha ha Y E S s s !

@go-nogo1475

2 ай бұрын

All day? You're welcome.

Jerry Wexler was a genius! She was Incredible.

Aretha really wasn't known as a funk artist but Rock Steady is a stone cold funk jam from 1st note to last. The James Brown influences are all over this song. Bootsy Collins and George Clinton popularized The Funk sound as pure funk music. But James Brown created the musicology of Funk and then taught it to a young Bootsy Collins who then taught it to George Clinton.

@joannalouise2077

5 ай бұрын

Absolutely. Just noted in my comment my friend and I were James Brown Slidin' to this in late 80's 😉.

@altowatts1325

5 ай бұрын

@@joannalouise2077 Alright now 👍🏾🤩. I still got some James Brown Slide and Glide. 🕺🏾 🤣🤣🤣. Only in my dreams 😂.

@joannalouise2077

5 ай бұрын

​@@altowatts1325😅 of course! You never lose it. You 'Rock Steady.' 😉

@altowatts1325

5 ай бұрын

​@@joannalouise2077🕺🏾🏆👍🏾😁

@altowatts1325

5 ай бұрын

With my suspect knees I think my "Rock Steady 🕺🏾" has been downgraded to "Sway Carefully". 👷🏾‍♂️🚷🛑🖐🏾🚧🚨

Genius. She has influenced my music a lot. Thank you Aretha.

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

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

10 ай бұрын

ha ha Y E S S s s!

Are there any musicians on this post? Good lord, yeah the band is fabulous but you're hearing the great master Purdie lay down the funkiest damn groove, he's stirring the whole damn drink, Got damn!!!

@tommccarthy3052

2 жыл бұрын

That being said...check out this alt mix...no horns and just under a minute longer... kzread.info/dash/bejne/hJ6GqauYdse9ns4.html

@jaysee27

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, that band is jammin’. It almost sounds like they are having fun in the studio laying this track down like a live performance.

@joannalouise2077

5 ай бұрын

😄👏

One of my main favorite songs of all time

“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. 💚🎼💜

MOMMA ALWAYS LOVE THIS SONG😘👑⭐🦊✅‼

Yes yes yes

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!

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

She's so beautiful ❤️😊

LOVE🌍

This how I feel this morning cruising down I95 moving side to side, what it is, what it is, what it is. 😎

@anndavis2920

2 жыл бұрын

Be safe out there. Godspeed

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!!!

I like this song my favorite of Aretha 😊

I read that this song is the first with the lyrics that influenced “ Throw your hands in the air like you just don’t care”. Figures- Aretha was and is a legend.

R.I.P. Aretha Franklin always the best soul performer

Woke up to this. Magic!!!

This should be on loop everywhere all the time.

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

Odell payne I love this music ❤

Amazing song! It still holds up today, ill be buying this on itunes. What a jam, and I never heard her sing this type of music, great song!

🎶 Josephine Johnny... lawd have mercy 🎶

The Queen, the BEST! ❤🎧🎵🎧

every note has meaning

Reminds me my she loves good soul music 🎶🎵

QUEEN OF SOUL

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

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

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

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 ❤

Aug. 2022 and I'm still dancing to this song.😎

@johnkaylor8670

Жыл бұрын

Don't ever stop - we Aretha lovers never will.

@smc1774

Жыл бұрын

@@johnkaylor8670 I agree!!👍

@kimberlybrown7790

5 ай бұрын

2024

@smc1774

5 ай бұрын

@@kimberlybrown7790 Right On!!👍👍

One of her best. Very danceable. Great

R.I.P. Dear... 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

The ONLY Queen 👑

Aretha what a wonderful human being!!!!!! ❤ What talent!!!

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

5 ай бұрын

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

Still have the 45. One groovy tune! You can not stand still listening to this.

Queen on earth, Queen in Heaven.

Good music ❤

Because I'm housin

The. Queen🙏💕♥️💞

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.

The GREAT Donny Hathaway is credited with assisting Aretha on keyboards for this song. I know Aretha wrote this epic song, but Im not sure if she or the producer put in the outstanding break at the 2:28 in the song. That takes the cut over the top.

@joannalouise2077

5 ай бұрын

Do this all the 'time' - acute hearing. Those hidden sections 😘

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

R.I.P. Ms. Aretha.

R.I.P. Beautiful Queen lovely Auntie 🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

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

Awesome Work Out Song! 🎧

Wow! I am gonna dance to this at least once! Aretha Franklin you rock!

The Greatest Artist the world ever seen , "the bottles" couldn't even dare to dream .

Happy Heavenly Birthday Queen S.I.P.🎂👑🌹💃