Aretha Franklin - Rocksteady

[whytelynes]

This music was made for moving.  I dare you not to. And if you don't, call an ambulance cause something is wrong!

[dysfunksean]

Thanks for uploading this brilliant track.

[jowpro]

I think the drummer may be Roger Hawkins of the Muscle Shoals band, who recorded the Wexler, Dowd, and Mardin productions.

[Unequalz17]

@jowpro Roger Hawkins you must be kidding,he couldn't hold Bernards drum case and he couldn't play that drum solo to save his life. Mr. Bernard Purdie

[Unequalz17]

@jowpro What a Rythm Section,Bernard Purdie (Drums) Chuck Rainey (Bass) Cornell Dupree (Guitar) Donny Hathaway (Electric Piano) Richard Tee (Hammond B3) as solid as it could ever be.Pure Funk,what a drum solo,man the timing dead on.

[hotstuffstrike]

Great groove Music.... I like that....

[chadmej]

This song has the greatest breakbeat in the whole music world.

[Unequalz17]

@chadmej Your 100% correct,can you hear Bernard walking that hi hat.

[NesconProductions]

Without reciting a very long list of R&B/Soul singers/group from the 60's/70's 'wtf' has happened to this sort of music..!? Now this was the Queen at the top of her game, but seriously it is mostly depressing what I'm hearing lately. Singers need AutoTune these days to get by :P - so sad... I guess the 'silver lining' is with YouTube the younger generations can see the videos and listen to the music of these great performers & to experience a better musical time... Long live Motown...!!!!

[X3MSonicXP]

Thumbs up if Driver: San Francisco Brought you here!

[sullivancountydays]

shake your booty music

[ashleyrocks1536]

hahahah madea........ taraji p.henson in i can do bad all by myself that is what got me here good song good song

[shaneen2]

@ashleyrocks1536 SAME HERE!!!!! i didnt know of this song until i saw the movie

[MusicTomOttjes]

2:28 till 2:38 so goooood

[currter]

And Aretha wrote this by herself, I think this coined the phrase "what it is!"

[ltinsley2]

absolutely ridiculous what the bass player and drummer did to this track!!! PHENOMENAL!!!

[Slamule]

@ltinsley2 I was thinking the exact same thing. Chuck Rainey & Bernard Purdie. What a groove!

[ltinsley2]

@Slamule absolutely bananas!!!

[kiranrambocus87]

No one gets even close to this goddes but beyonce is definitely the most talented out there right now!

[salsburysteakjr]

@kiranrambocus87 Psssssh. Duude, as far as chicks doing skeleton shattering soul music these days are concerned, Sharon Jones is way classier and vastly superior to Beyonce, I says! Check into her, 'Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings', the song "100 Days, 100 Nights".

[Jeffredo729]

Beyonce and Gaga only wished they had this much talent (so they resort to ridiculous costumes and ass-shaking instead).

[sykness1]

@Jeffredo729 BEYONCE has done her share artists have to stay relevant to make money... beyonce just likes makin money

[cooleypatrick32]

soul baby

[rngod2121]

Whoever dislikes Aretha, ain't got NO soul!

[427sir]

Thumbs up if Driver San Francisco brought you here.

[bitchingood]

I first heard this when I was working @ forever 21 at the age of 15 in 1997! I was groovin' so hard I almost forgot I was at work, lol. Lucky for me my customers thought it was cute. I rushed home and sang it for my grandmother. She fell out and said "Girl, please! You weren't even a twinkle in your daddy's eye when this came out!" You know I had an old soul because I had the dj (my uncle, lol) play this at my sweet 16!

[sexymd07]

@bitchingood LOL! You must be really young because I remember hearing this when I was like three or four years old. But it's good that there are alot of younger people who appreciate the older stuff. Your posting put a smile on my face.

[bitchingood]

@sexymd07 Not really, 29. But awwww yeah, when I found this I struck gold! Lol, I was singing in the shower, washing dishes, doing chores......

[yogismusicworld]

the root of the tree....this is it!

[esome11]

Can you picture Tower of Power jamming this jam. Somebody say a prayer! While you can't get to much funkier then this, I would've paid a ticket to hear TOP with Lenny Picket and Gerabaldi on this here muther trucker. Help me! : ) Back in the day of course!

[newphx]

one, two, three...make it funky now.



[gingercracker]

00:47 its a fucking?

[Yamah12a]

@gingercracker funky

[DavidLTG]

@gingercracker It's a funky and low down feelin'

[DaveWollenberg]

Lady Soul strikes again!

[tyroproject]

Go Bernard Purdie!!!

Man that some cool groove... i could play it all day... without fills!!! THE GROOVE!!!

[joshisonwheels]

3 words: DRIVER: San Francisco!

[TheKitkatgold]

rockin' in Daytona Beach!

[V8E5JI]

Driver San Fransisco brought me here . .

[lamart747]

She reigns!!

[jen8rve]

@XoticGuitars Thanks he's amazing. Bass and drums together, bliss

[sullivancountydays]

what it is--I might be doin this funky dance all nite.

[tardit]

EPMD Im Housin!

[lamart747]

That's my "GIRL" !!! Rock "STEADY"!!

[jen8rve]

@jbur105 Yeah baby Respect is another one. Something you can feel. Bass player is outrageous too

[XoticGuitars]

@jen8rve That's Chuck rainey on bass!

[dinjable]

love my mom,she was the one who told and thought me what real music is all about.

[mrusmcdoc53]

@egdirt: Bernard Purdie sure has some sweet paradiddles.....David Garibaldi reminds me of this funky style as well......

[mrusmcdoc53]

Got to be some of the Funk Bros. playing in the background for the eternal Queen of Soul.......Queen Aretha Franlin....nothing like her....not Beyonce, not Alicia Keys, not Gladys Knight, not Chake Khan, not Whitney Houston, not Mary J....only one Queen of Soul.....in word of the great producer Don Cornelius.....only one Ms. Aretha Franklin!!!!!

[Deimiond]

@mrusmcdoc53 You shouldn't even talk about Beyonce and the rest in the same sentence with Aretha Franklin.

[Syndilu25]

I agree! I'm a straight soulfunk kinda Kat

[ruthpaget1]

Aretha Franklin's in-the-know theme song.

[DthClaw]

Driver: San Francisco :p

[atey6d]

She rules

[muderfunky]

ROCKSTEADY BEBE!!! YEAHHHH!!!!

[Snejfrod]

I love this. A song about rocksteady (which is all about getting down on the upstroke) on a funky beat (which is all about getting up on the downstroke).

[acdegrees421]

To this day, this joint still rocks!!! TIMELESS!! I'm looking for a Soul Train line!!

[SaintClarity]

In my opinion: Right On!!



[RonyMexico]

good stuff from the queen

[OrhanTanner]

OH YEAH this song is in the game DRIVER San Francisco

[lucy661000]

this could be hit today just talk to jay z and eminiem

[RizzoTheUnique1]

now this is music i love it

[FromUrcosNotDead]

Queen of the soul ! I love you forever !!!

[Nanettefrank]

Classic!

[MrMrspiderpick]

lied so cool^^

[The1mryoungJ]

OOOH THIS SONG TAKES ME BACK!!!!! LOL HAHAHAH feeling dis track :)

[Ayrkah]

Real music! :D

[MegaTheNaj]

Perfect rollerskatin tune!!

[hankfletcher]

Anyone know who the drummer was on this?

[egdirt]

@hankfletcher bernard purdie

[hankfletcher]

@egdirt

For real?! Wow... that guy is ALWAYS the answer to "who was that funky drummer?"

[diggabledork]

@egdirt the first appearance of that hi-hat fill that he uses outta the first bridge and his drum break.

[bazbee]

@hankfletcher Googling gave me this:

Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, America's most recorded drummer.

His credits number literally thousands of drum-heavy grooves (including Aretha Franklin's "Rock Steady"), funk standards (James Brown, King Curtis, etc.), jazz greats (Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Charles Kynard, Boog aloo Joe Jones, Grover Washington Jr., etc.), pop hits (Steely Dan) and his own highly sought-after solo records ("Shaft", "Soul Drummer", etc.)

[iam01]

B. Perdie... My mom's classmate at South Carolina State University back in the day!

[beverly50ful]

@hankfletcher sublime I think 

[lightlover303]

that's me rock steady baby, so do, learned it from my girl and loved it thanks for the post here, love to all

[Lindax]

mmm memories of shooting pool in the UCen at UCSB to this tune.

[Polopicolo]

I don't know what drives me crazy in this song: is that the incredible voice? the fantastic trumpets? the crazy drums? the excellent bass? the genius of the choir? the funky guitar? the coming synth?

Give me a minute... ok... everything drives me crazy in this song.

[MidaliaLebron1]

THIS SONG IS THE BEST SONG EVERRRRRR!!! Get's me bouncing in my seat everytime. Goosebumps!!!! Cheryl Pepsii Riley blew it away too. Check out her version sung on Tyler Perry's I can do bad all bymyself.

[MissJackieM]

This is one jam that will truly get a party started !!!

[Brittanee88]

I remember hearing this song first on either a tv show or movie..But anywho, I love it!

[FitzDaily]

I was rocking so steady, I almost fell out of my chair!

[whoadude1959]

what it IS...what it IS...what it IS.....!!!

[paradiddle16]

Kick-ass track with Purdie at the drums.

[carrgirl100]

Love it can't sit still on this one

[PhivaLOLKDZ]

sooo much soul! XD

[The2blessed2stress1]

Rocksteay baby..yyyyeeeesssss...



[CharlieBeerling1]

Im learning this song in my drum lessons, I love it already :D

[TheSeka30]

RFSA88 That was exactly what I wanted to post..... ;-)))

[maxandloke]

Really super YES!!!! A song for the times - Loki takes off his hippity-hop dancing shoes & grooves_&_swings to this funky beat!!! R.I.P Aretha - Beyoncee is nothing without you!!!!

[MsScotlandDior]

@maxandloke Aretha is alive and well.

[therealraybaby]

Sit ya self down in ya car & take a ride. It's a funky & low down feeling. :-)

[jen8rve]

You're so right Aretha is a genius singer.Together with the drummer -sublime. Who needs coffee with this to start your day. It just percolates. Music has gotten so watered down these days

[jbur105]

@jen8rve sweet extending of the ol' coffee metaphor there. Respect.

[bboyeugene12]

THE BREAK :D

[motaproduct01]

thank god for youtube video to mp3 converter programs !! I LOVE EM !!!

[yoorheinez]

THAT DOES IT, i'm getting me a P-bass

[ScenicHwys1]

Can NOT sit still when I hear this!!! Love that lady!! Queen of R&B!

[hiphoplivesthrume]

2 people cant rock steady

[SEVFEST]

What It Is....... LOL

[duncv1]

now this song some good soul music!! im a big fan of aretha franklin!! good music! funky!! rock steady baby!!

[fwainseattle]

Aretha and Bernard Purdie!!!!! My favorite singer and favorite drummer.

[bmrcutiepie]

*bops head up n down*

[janistheplayer]

i love that song

[kelley66]

One of my favorite Aretha songs, A funky soul grind that is pretty much as good as it gets. The Queen is the best imo.

[occams50]

All Hail the Queen ! ! !

[SirLeab]

2 people do not have souls.

[nickles234]

pride of cleveland ohio,mister chuck rainey is in the house.It cant be hard its only got 4 strings......yeah right

[ltinsley2]

@nickles234 tearin the low end UP

[ybowens]

so funky !!! love it

[MotownConnoisseur30]

I can never sit still when listening to this song!

[Dactuck]

MAN.  This joint is straight toxic.

[tmk021785]

The Queen got down on this song!

[MizzCutieBabe]

sang it Aretha!!!!

[oldschoolbx1970]

I love the organ on this joint. The bass is also funky. I was only a baby drinking a bottle of carnation when this came out. I'd like to thank the one who posted this on here.

[PetiteNanan1]

The QUEEN!!! This sustained me over how many passes can't number and was an anthem for celebration!!! Love love LOVE ARETHA FRANKLIN <3

[HopNPlop]

I remember this song from when I was like 5 years old. I remember dancing to it.

[ladyrenaissance1]

One person needs to be hit with a rock!!!

[kirtlou]

Cannot believe that this record is 40 years old ! Time this classic was re released for a new audience to appreciate.

[Webbula]

The BREAK!!!

[kylevetrano]

the one person who disliked it, will die.

[Nikoz7Makaveli]

Brothers and sisters, I've uploaded a song on youtube, it's a very funky soul song. The problem is: I do not know who sings it. Please someone help me out and typ: "candles on the cake" and then the picture with SOUL (blue background) Thnx!

[vanheemschut]

@Nikoz7Makaveli  quincy jones is the name

[Nikoz7Makaveli]

no he aint singin thats 4sho!

[danmcb]

mad funk. purdey/rainey/dupree/tee. That is all!

[dabanditisback]

This is what they mean when they say THE FUNK!

[whately47]

teriffic song....oh yeah

[simeon26]

EPMD!!!! 

[GnimmoGnommo]

astonishing bassline!

[antoinette5000]

best. aretha. song. everrrrrrrrrrr

[albassman1]

the bass player is none other than mister chuck rainey!the purdie/rainey combo is money in the bank(and on the charts)!whoever disliked this should be castrated!the epitome of GROOVE!

[1oldschoolfool]

who ever on bass is killin it man!

[funkydrummer14]

Bernard Purdie grooves this to the max!!

[hbbvivo]

classic..... too funky...!

[royalcoils100]

SOOOO FUNKY

[jasminerissanlovely]

this is my wake up jam...im only 20 but i love this song!!!

[MsAfroindio]

We love you Aretha! Long live the Queen.

[Barkim360]

I would have rock steady with Aretha when she was younger,she wasnt bad looking at all!!!!

[oldschoolmama1959]

please this is still the jam sounds better than these song today

[hardbodyhardbody06]

This is that sweaty, fart, doo doo, booty soul funk

[BeautifulJADExx]

@hardbodyhardbody06 lmfao

[FlowtheLove]

the idiot hat dislike this must be Justin Biber.

[jazzienboosie]

dang im feelin that bass line and those horns whew can't keep still!!

[jazzienboosie]

this is a song i will use as my alram and get my soultrain dance on fresh out the bed!

[sweetiepea13]

old, but great

[jazzy1109]

This is the shit it make me wanna take somebody husband away from them...yeah ROCK STEADY BITCHES!!!!

[RFSA88]

Which IDIOT 'disliked' this???

[timometzemakers]

@RFSA88 Somebody who accidentally clicked on the wrong button?

[Licent1999]

@RFSA88 He is dead by now, don't worry. I aranged.

[muffinsNsausage]

@RFSA88 your mother

[play2wynn333]

@RFSA88 some idiot who most likely listens to trey song. this Aretha is FIRE!

[MrOxipower]

@RFSA88 two idiots now

[snowman1919]

@RFSA88 clearly the asshole don't know "what it is" lol

[Mrdianalynn]

@RFSA88 one who thinks kings not queens rule.

[TheEastsideFM]

@RFSA88 the idiot listening to Katy Perry.

[TheDrummer51]

Yes...I've had to have a cowbell on my kit ever since I first heard this. Bernard's always been one of my favorites. Though I didn't even know it back then.

[TheDrummer51]

Yes...I've had to have a cowbell on my kit ever since I first heard this.

[Dactuck]

Thanks for posting egdirt! Thanks Aretha for giving!

[csunnn]

such heat !!

[egdirt]

@adaptable791 better yet.... BUY IT ON 45!!

[chrsgonz1]

Love It!!!!!!

[countrygal0831]

LOVE this old stuff... what a voice!!!!! Thanks for sharing!!

[kiewain02]

LOL ROCK STEADY BABY GO MS ARETHA THIS SONG MY MOM LOVE IT!!!!

[1Weckl1]

I met Bernard Purdie today and he told me that the break between 2:28 and 2:38 was accidental. Apparently Arethas music fell of the piano and she had to stall time while someone put it back up, not sure why she couldnt do it herself but thats what i heard from the man himself. :)

[zoofyjr]

@1Weckl1

was that in the concert hall?

[1Weckl1]

@zoofyjr It was yeah, i got takling to him afterwards and i asked him about it. i met him again that night in the button factroy.

[zoofyjr]

@1Weckl1

i was there

[yurei8]

@1Weckl1 She probably had on headphones and her movement was restricted.  But that break was no accident, that was God, at work!

[raschid45]

Super Funky..........