Rock the Boat (Aaliyah song)
Encyclopedia
"Rock the Boat" is an R&B
song written by Static Major
, Eric Seats and Rapture Stewart for Aaliyah
's third studio album, Aaliyah
(2001). It was produced by Keybeats and released as the album's second single in North America in August 2001 (see 2001 in music
) and as the 3rd international single during the first quarter of 2002 (see 2002 in music
). The song was nominated for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
in the 44th Annual Grammy Awards. This is Aaliyah's last single released in her lifetime. The song uses an interpolation of the Westminster Quarters. It is in the key of B♭ with a moderately slow tempo in a 4/4 time signature
with an 8/8 half time
shuffle groove similar to songs such as Toto
's "Africa
" and Hues Corporation
's 1973 hit of the same name
. The words "high" and "dope" were censored on MTV because of the drug connotation.
In an issue of Vibe magazine, it was revealed the song was written at least two years before its actual release, but never recorded because her label didn't think she was ready for a song with sensual lyrics that "Rock the Boat" entailed.
's 106 & Park
on August 21, 2001 and announced the video shoot would start the following day, August 22, 2001, and the video would be released in early September. She also announced that "More Than a Woman
" would be released as a back-to-back single.
for the song was directed by Hype Williams
. It features Aaliyah walking on a beach having been inspired by the poem "Footprints
", also dancing on a yacht
, and on water in Marsh Harbour
and swimming in the ocean. Aaliyah appears to be dancing on water
, in a CGI
scene. She also dances with other women, as there are no men in the video. The dance routine was choreographed by Aaliyah's close friend Fatima Robinson
. Filming started on August 22, 2001 and made its world premiere on BET's
Access Granted
on October 9th, 2001. It remains the highest rated and most viewed Access Granted episode in the series' history.
's Vault' s countdown for the top 10 beach scenes in music videos and became the first video to be played twice as a "New Joint of the Day" on BET's music countdown show, 106 & Park
. After making the countdown more than 65 times, the video was retired and inducted into 106 & Parks "Hall of Fame". The follow-up "More than a Woman
" made the number-one spot after "Rock the Boat" was retired. "Rock the Boat" appeared at #2 on the BET: Notarized Top 100 Videos of 2001.
US 7" double A-side single
UK CD single
, the song entered on the chart September 8, 2001 at number fifty-seven and peaked at number 14 in its twelfth week. The song stayed on the chart for twenty-five weeks.
The song reached the top twenty of Belgium (Wallonia), Netherlands and United Kingdom. "Rock the Boat" still receives heavy rotation on worldwide radio stations among other Aaliyah hits.
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
song written by Static Major
Static Major
Stephen Ellis Garrett also known as Static Major, was a Grammy Award-Winning American rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer from Louisville, Kentucky. He was a member of the R&B trio Playa. Static Major gained posthumous fame for appearing on Lil Wayne's 2008 album Tha Carter III on the...
, Eric Seats and Rapture Stewart for Aaliyah
Aaliyah
Aaliyah Dana Haughton , who performed under the mononym Aaliyah , was an American R&B recording artist, actress and model. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. At the age of 10, she appeared on the television show Star Search and performed in concert alongside...
's third studio album, Aaliyah
Aaliyah (album)
Aaliyah is the self-titled third and final studio album by American R&B singer Aaliyah, released by Blackground and Virgin Records on July 17, 2001, in the United States...
(2001). It was produced by Keybeats and released as the album's second single in North America in August 2001 (see 2001 in music
2001 in music
See also:* 2001 in music Record labels established in 2001-Events:*January 1**Comeback of Guns N' Roses in House of Blues**Hum disbands.*January 17 – Bass player Jason Newsted leaves Metallica after 14 years with the band....
) and as the 3rd international single during the first quarter of 2002 (see 2002 in music
2002 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2002.-Events:*February 3 – U2 perform during the halftime show for Super Bowl XXXVI...
). The song was nominated for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
The Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance was an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to female recording artists for quality R&B songs...
in the 44th Annual Grammy Awards. This is Aaliyah's last single released in her lifetime. The song uses an interpolation of the Westminster Quarters. It is in the key of B♭ with a moderately slow tempo in a 4/4 time signature
Time signature
The time signature is a notational convention used in Western musical notation to specify how many beats are in each measure and which note value constitutes one beat....
with an 8/8 half time
Half time (music)
In popular music, half time is a type of meter and tempo that alters the rhythmic feel by essentially doubling the tempo resolution or metric division. Thus 4/4 approximates 8/8. It is not to be confused with cut time or odd time. Though notes usually get the same value relative to the tempo, the...
shuffle groove similar to songs such as Toto
Toto (band)
Toto is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1977. The group currently consists of Joseph Williams , David Paich , Steve Porcaro , Steve Lukather , Mike Porcaro , and Simon Phillips . Toto is known for a musical style that combines elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, progressive rock, hard...
's "Africa
Africa (Toto song)
"Africa" is a song by rock band Toto, and one of the band's most recognizable songs. It was included on their 1982 album Toto IV, and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in February 1983 and number three on the UK Singles Chart the same month...
" and Hues Corporation
Hues Corporation
The Hues Corporation was a pop and soul trio formed in Santa Monica, California in 1969. They are best known for their 1974 hit, "Rock the Boat" which sold over two million copies.-Career:...
's 1973 hit of the same name
Rock the Boat (Hues Corporation song)
"Rock the Boat" is a disco song by the group Hues Corporation in 1974. "Rock the Boat" was written by Waldo Holmes, who also wrote the Blacula songs....
. The words "high" and "dope" were censored on MTV because of the drug connotation.
In an issue of Vibe magazine, it was revealed the song was written at least two years before its actual release, but never recorded because her label didn't think she was ready for a song with sensual lyrics that "Rock the Boat" entailed.
Promotion
Aaliyah appeared on BETBlack Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
's 106 & Park
106 & Park
106 & Park is a Top Ten Hip-Hop and R&B music video show, set up in a countdown format, that airs weekdays at 6:00 PM on BET . Since its inception, it was the network's #1 rated show...
on August 21, 2001 and announced the video shoot would start the following day, August 22, 2001, and the video would be released in early September. She also announced that "More Than a Woman
More than a Woman (Aaliyah song)
"More Than a Woman" is a contemporary R&B/dance-pop song, written by Static Major and Timbaland for Aaliyah's self-titled third studio album, Aaliyah...
" would be released as a back-to-back single.
Music video
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for the song was directed by Hype Williams
Hype Williams
Harold "Hype" Williams , previously known as HYPE, is an American music video and film director of African-American and Honduran descent. His nickname "Hype" comes from his hyperactive nature as a child....
. It features Aaliyah walking on a beach having been inspired by the poem "Footprints
Footprints (poem)
"Footprints," also known as "Footprints in the Sand," is a popular allegorical text written in prose.-Content:This popular text describes a dream, in which the person is walking on a beach with God. They leave two sets of footprints in the sand behind them. Looking back, the tracks are stated to...
", also dancing on a yacht
Yacht
A yacht is a recreational boat or ship. The term originated from the Dutch Jacht meaning "hunt". It was originally defined as a light fast sailing vessel used by the Dutch navy to pursue pirates and other transgressors around and into the shallow waters of the Low Countries...
, and on water in Marsh Harbour
Marsh Harbour
Marsh Harbour is a town in Abaco Islands, Bahamas, with a population of 5,314.With more than five thousand residents, Marsh Harbour is the third largest town in The Bahamas, and the main focus of tourism in the Abacos. Marsh Harbour is a shipbuilding center, but tourism accounts for most of its...
and swimming in the ocean. Aaliyah appears to be dancing on water
Walking on water
Jesus' walks on water, or Jesus walking on water, is one of the miracles of Jesus in the Gospels. Accounts of the miracle appear in three Gospels: Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52 and...
, in a CGI
Computer-generated imagery
Computer-generated imagery is the application of the field of computer graphics or, more specifically, 3D computer graphics to special effects in art, video games, films, television programs, commercials, simulators and simulation generally, and printed media...
scene. She also dances with other women, as there are no men in the video. The dance routine was choreographed by Aaliyah's close friend Fatima Robinson
Fatima Robinson
Fatima Robinson is a noted music video director and choreographer. Robinson's choreography résumé includes many Aaliyah's Videos, and Mary J. Blige's "Family Affair"...
. Filming started on August 22, 2001 and made its world premiere on BET's
Black Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
Access Granted
Access Granted
Access Granted is an American television series that features an in depth look at the planning and production of R&B and hip hop music videos. Each week, a different artist and their new music video are featured, with the video premiering at the end of the episode. The series began airing in 2001...
on October 9th, 2001. It remains the highest rated and most viewed Access Granted episode in the series' history.
Aaliyah's death
On August 25, 2001, Aaliyah and eight others were killed in an airplane crash in Bahamas after filming the music video for "Rock the Boat". The investigation of the crash found that the plane was over its total gross weight by 700 pounds and was loaded with one more passenger than it was allowed to carry. The pilot, Luis Morales III, was not duly licensed at the time of the accident, and had traces of cocaine and alcohol in his system.Legacy
"Rock the Boat" was included on Channel VChannel V
Channel [V] is the brand name for multiple international music television networks owned by STAR TV and Fox International Channels, fully owned subsidiaries of News Corporation.-Channel [V] International:...
's Vault
106 & Park
106 & Park is a Top Ten Hip-Hop and R&B music video show, set up in a countdown format, that airs weekdays at 6:00 PM on BET . Since its inception, it was the network's #1 rated show...
. After making the countdown more than 65 times, the video was retired and inducted into 106 & Parks "Hall of Fame". The follow-up "More than a Woman
More than a Woman (Aaliyah song)
"More Than a Woman" is a contemporary R&B/dance-pop song, written by Static Major and Timbaland for Aaliyah's self-titled third studio album, Aaliyah...
" made the number-one spot after "Rock the Boat" was retired. "Rock the Boat" appeared at #2 on the BET: Notarized Top 100 Videos of 2001.
Track listing
Australian CD single- "Rock the Boat" (album version) - 4:34
- "Rock the Boat" (club mix) - 5:15
- "We Need a Resolution" (album version featuring Timbaland) - 4:03
US 7" double A-side single
- "Rock the Boat" (album version) - 4:35
- "More than a WomanMore than a Woman (Aaliyah song)"More Than a Woman" is a contemporary R&B/dance-pop song, written by Static Major and Timbaland for Aaliyah's self-titled third studio album, Aaliyah...
" (album version) - 3:51
UK CD single
- "Rock the Boat" (album version) - 4:35
- "Rock the Boat" (Mixzo Club Mix)
- "Rock the Boat" (Doug Lazy Club Mix)
- "Rock the Boat" (enhanced video) - 5:30
Charts
On the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, the song entered on the chart September 8, 2001 at number fifty-seven and peaked at number 14 in its twelfth week. The song stayed on the chart for twenty-five weeks.
The song reached the top twenty of Belgium (Wallonia), Netherlands and United Kingdom. "Rock the Boat" still receives heavy rotation on worldwide radio stations among other Aaliyah hits.
| Chart (2001–02) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart | 49 |
| Belgian Singles Chart Ultratop 50 Ultratop 50 singles, often just Ultratop 50, is the weekly chart of fifty best-selling singles in Flanders, Belgium, and is produced and published by the Ultratop organization. The chart has existed since March 31, 1995... (Flanders) |
43 |
| Belgian Singles Chart Ultratop 40 Ultratop 40 singles, often just Ultratop 40, is the weekly chart of best-selling singles in Wallonia and Brussels Capital Region, the french-speaking parts of Belgium. Its equivalent covering the Flanders region is Ultratop 50. Both charts are produced and published by the Ultratop organization... (Wallonia) |
9 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 12 |
| German Singles Chart | 70 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 59 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
12 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
14 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
2 |
| U.S. Billboard Top 40 Tracks Top 40 Tracks Top 40 Tracks is a defunct airplay chart from Billboard Magazine. It was created in 1998, when Billboard Magazine changed the airplay profile of The Hot 100 Airplay to include more R&B, Country, and Rock stations to its profile . To preserve the notion of the former chart, Top 40 Tracks was... |
3 |
| U.S. Billboard Rhythmic Top 40 Rhythmic Airplay Chart The Rhythmic Airplay Chart is an airplay chart that is featured weekly in Billboard Magazine. The chart tracks and measures the airplay of songs played on Rhythmic stations, whose playlist includes mostly hit-driven R&B/Hip-Hop, Rhythmic pop, and some Dance tracks... |
1 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (2002) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 85 |