"Rock-A-Lott" by Aretha Franklin

Song#:  3164
Date:  06/20/1987
Debut:  93
Peak:  82
Weeks:  4
Genre:  R&B



Pop Bits:  Aretha's self-titled 1986 album was a certified gold record by December and it would sell a few more copies after its third single, the George Michael duet "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)," hit #1. A follow-up was in order and this next track was selected. It did the best in the clubs with the tune reaching #4 on the Dance chart. At R&B the best it could do was to crack the Top 30 (#25). That didn't bode well for crossover success and indeed the single only spent a short month on the Pop chart. It would end up being the last single released from the album.

ReduxReview:  This was a good song from the album, but it just didn't have the same commercial appeal as some of her recent hits. The tune had a nice groove and Narada Michael Walden's production was spot-on, but it lacked a stronger hook. The title was cool and interesting and sounded like it was going to be a rock-edged track with Aretha selling it like no one's business, yet it didn't really live up to its title. In the end it was a better album track than a single.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  In 1990, the Italian Eurodisco DJ act the 49ers released their track "Touch Me." It served as the third single from their self-titled debut album. It would end up being their first major hit reaching the Top 10 in several countries. While the song wouldn't be able to make the US Pop chart, it was a highly successful club track that reached #1 on the Dance chart. The song was notable for using various samples of Aretha Franklin's vocal performance from "Rock-A-Lott." Their follow-up track, "Don't You Love Me," would also reach #1 on the US Dance chart. It featured samples of Jody Watley's voice from her 1987 #6 hit "Don't You Want Me." The tune would reach the US Pop chart peaking at #78. The group's fortunes quickly dissipated with their next (and last) album only featuring two lower charting Dance tracks.

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