Rock Me (Steppenwolf song)


"Rock Me" is a song by the Canadian-American hard rock band Steppenwolf. It was released on their 1969 album At Your Birthday Party. It was written by the band's lead singer John Kay, and was the band's fifth American single release. The single, produced by Gabriel Mekler, was released in 1969 and backed with "Jupiter's Child", peaking at #10 on the Hot 100 on April 19, 1969 and #6 on both WLS and WCFL. It was both Billboard's and Cashbox's top debut the week of March 1, 1969. The song is considered the highlight of the album though it had been released for the soundtrack well ahead of the album. The song followed on the heels of the band's two 1968 hits, "Born to Be Wild" which peaked at #2 and "Magic Carpet Ride" which peaked at #3.
Dave Grusin used the song when he scored the 1968 psychedelic sex farce movie Candy, in which it is the culmination to the soundtrack. Steppenwolf performed the song on the January 5, 1969, episode of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and on the German Beat-Club. The song later appeared in the band's live albums Live at 25 released in 1995 and Live in Louisville released in 2004 as well as all of the band's compilation albums.
Way Back Attack ranks it #31 on its list of the Top 100 Psychedelic Hits of 1966–1969.
In his book Die at the Right Time!: A Subjective Cultural History of the American Sixties, Erik v. d. Luft noted the surprising theme from the all-male band, fronted by John Kay's gruff voice "complaining that a woman was being objectified for sex."

Chart history

Weekly charts

Year-end charts