Rock Me Gently (Andy Kim song)
Rock Me Gently (Andy Kim song)
"Rock Me Gently" | |
---|---|
SinglebyAndy Kim | |
from the albumAndy Kim | |
B-side | "Rock Me Gently" (instrumental) |
Released | June 22, 1974 |
Format | Single 45 RPM |
Genre | Pop rock |
Length | 3:24 |
Label | Capitol Records3895 |
Songwriter(s) | Andy Kim |
Producer(s) | Andy Kim |
Andy Kimsingles chronology | |
"Rock Me Gently" | |
SinglebyMichelle Wright | |
from the albumDo Right by Me | |
Released | 1989 |
Genre | Country |
Length | 3:31 |
Label | Savannah |
Songwriter(s) | Andy Kim |
Producer(s) | Steve BogardRick Giles |
Michelle Wrightsingles chronology | |
"Rock Me Gently" was a Billboard #1 hit song for Andy Kim in 1974.
The Canadian singer, who charted several hits from 1968 to 1971, had not had a Top 100 single since September 1971, and had been without a record label since early 1973.
Nevertheless, he said in a 1974 interview, "I never mentally admitted defeat in spite of three years off the charts."
He formed his own label, Ice Records, and personally financed the recording session that produced "Rock Me Gently". He could afford to record only two sides, and deciding the second side was good enough to be an A-Side, he put an instrumental of Rock Me Gently on its B-Side.[1]
The single impressed Capitol Records executives, who signed Kim to a deal. "Rock Me Gently" debuted on the Hot 100 on June 22, 1974, and took 14 weeks to reach #1 on September 28. It also rose to #2 on the UK Singles Chart, and #10 in Ireland, and remains his only charting song in either the UK or Ireland. Even the instrumental B-Side received substantial airplay on R&B stations. It would be Kim's last top 10 hit in either country.[1]
"Rock Me Gently" | |
---|---|
SinglebyAndy Kim | |
from the albumAndy Kim | |
B-side | "Rock Me Gently" (instrumental) |
Released | June 22, 1974 |
Format | Single 45 RPM |
Genre | Pop rock |
Length | 3:24 |
Label | Capitol Records3895 |
Songwriter(s) | Andy Kim |
Producer(s) | Andy Kim |
Andy Kimsingles chronology | |
"Rock Me Gently" | |
SinglebyMichelle Wright | |
from the albumDo Right by Me | |
Released | 1989 |
Genre | Country |
Length | 3:31 |
Label | Savannah |
Songwriter(s) | Andy Kim |
Producer(s) | Steve BogardRick Giles |
Michelle Wrightsingles chronology | |
Personnel[2]
Backing Vocals - Carol Carmichael And Group
Bass - Max Bennett
Concertmaster - Sid Sharp
Conductor - Michael Omartian
Drums - Ed Greene
Guitars - Andy Kim, Ben Benay, Dean Parks, Larry Carlton
Keyboards - Michael Omartian
Percussion - Gary Coleman
Chart performance
Later uses
Part of the song was used in a 1970s UK TV commercial for Lever Brothers' Jif cleaning cream, using the lyric "When Jif’s your cleaner / Tough dirt goes / Away so gently / And it shows / Your home has never been loved like this before".[11]
The song resurfaced in 2008 in a television commercial for Jeep Liberty.[12] It was also played at the end (and titles) of season 4 finale of the TV show Ray Donovan
Michelle Wright version
In 1989, Canadian country singer Michelle Wright released a version as a single on her debut album, Do Right By Me. It reached #7 on the Canadian RPM country singles chart.
Chart performance
Chart (1989) | Peakposition |
---|---|
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[13] | 7 |
Year-end charts
Chart (1989) | Position |
---|---|
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[14] | 57 |