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"You Got Me Rocking"
Single by the Rolling Stones
from the album Voodoo Lounge
B-side"Jump on Top of Me"
Released26 September 1994 (1994-09-26)
Length3:36
Label
SongwriterJagger/Richards
Producers
The Rolling Stones singles chronology
"Love Is Strong"
(1994) 		"You Got Me Rocking"
(1994) 		"Out of Tears"
(1994)
Music video
"You Got Me Rocking" on YouTube

"You Got Me Rocking" is a song by English rock and roll band the Rolling Stones from their twentieth studio album, Voodoo Lounge (1994). The song was written by Jagger/Richards and produced by Don Was and the Glimmer Twins. It was released as a single in the UK in September 1994 by Rolling Stones Records/Virgin Records, where it reached No. 23 on the UK Singles Chart. It was also released as a single in the United States, reaching number 13 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart in 1995. A recording from the 1997–1998 Bridges to Babylon Tour opened the 1998 live album No Security. It was also included on the Stones' 2002 career retrospective, Forty Licks.

Background and composition

[edit]

Begun early in 1993, "You Got Me Rocking" was initially a blues flavoured number; bootlegs have Jagger and Richards working the song as a slower, blues flavoured ramble, with Jagger shouting the hook "you got me rocking". Changed to a straightforward rocker in the vein of "Start Me Up", the song quickly evolved as Richards made the transition from piano to guitar. The lyrics moved to a more upbeat tone, as singer Mick Jagger presents redemption from a series of career ending instances of various professionals:

I was a hooker losing her looks; I was a writer can't write another book;
I was all dried up dying to get wet; I was a tycoon drowning in debt.

The lyrics can be interpreted as an answer to the Rolling Stones' critics, who often deride the band for their advancing age. Recording on "You Got Me Rocking" lasted from mid-summer to early winter 1993, when final touches were put on.

Critical reception

[edit]

Larry Flick from Billboard magazine wrote, "The Stones' signature sound is contorted into a rave-spiced disco twirler, thanks to imaginative touch of U.K. producer Paul Oakenfold, who enhances the hook and Mick Jagger's vocal with an urgent bassline and sparkling synths. Already sparking airplay on import, this festive single wisely acknowledges youth-oriented trends at street level, which should help Virgin entice widespread top 40 and crossover programmer support."[1]

Live performances

[edit]

"You Got Me Rocking" is notable as one of the few latter-day songs from the band's career to remain on their setlist long after being released. The song was performed some 50 times during the 2005–2006 A Bigger Bang Tour.

B-side

[edit]

The B-side is the little-known "Jump on Top of Me", which also appears on the soundtrack to Prêt-à-Porter. "You Got Me Rocking" appeared on the soundtrack to The Replacements in 2000.

Track listings

[edit]

Personnel

[edit]

The Rolling Stones

Additional Performers

Charts

[edit]

Release history

[edit]
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
United Kingdom 26 September 1994
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
[16]
Australia 17 October 1994
  • CD
  • cassette
 [17]
Japan 2 November 1994
  • Mini-CD
  • maxi-CD
 [18][19]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

You Got Me Rocking

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"You Got Me Rocking" is a rock song by the English rock band , written by lead vocalist and guitarist , and serving as the second track on their 20th studio album, , released on July 11, 1994. Issued as the album's second single in September 1994 in the UK and other territories, the track peaked at number 23 on the UK Singles Chart and spent three weeks in the top 40. In other territories, it reached number 29 in , number 39 in the , and number 64 in . Produced by and the Glimmer Twins (Jagger and Richards' production pseudonym), the song features a high-energy beat driven by drummer ' tom-tom rhythm and Richards' prominent guitar riff and solo. The composition originated with Richards developing the music on , incorporating influences from Little Richard's piano style along with Celtic and drone elements, transforming an initial bluesy idea into a faster rock number during 1993 recording sessions in , . Jagger's , delivered with defiant swagger, recount a series of failed professions before celebrating a liberating romantic encounter that "got me rocking," serving as a to contemporary critics who doubted the band's vitality amid the era. Since its release, "You Got Me Rocking" has become a favorite, performed 454 times by as of 2025, first debuting live on , , at the RPM Club in during the album's launch events. The song's raw energy and anthemic chorus have earned praise for revitalizing the band's sound in the , contributing to Voodoo Lounge's commercial success, which included over two million copies certified in the and winning the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album.

Background and composition

Development and songwriting

"You Got Me Rocking" is credited to and under their longstanding songwriting alias . The song emerged during the initial songwriting phase for ' 1994 album , held in in the spring of 1993, where the duo generated dozens of musical ideas in a collaborative setting. originated the track as a piano riff, providing the foundational musical that would drive its energetic structure. Jagger built upon Richards' piano-based concept by crafting the complete and incorporating a bridge, evolving the piece from its roots into an uptempo rock song designed for high-energy performance. In interviews from the period, Jagger described his frequent role in fleshing out Richards' raw musical fragments, noting that he would "write all the " and refine the to give the track its final form. This process exemplified the renewed between the pair, who had reconciled after years of tension, producing over 75 song sketches during the Barbados sessions alone. The , penned by Jagger, revolve around a theme of personal reinvention and redemption, depicting a who repeatedly fails at conventional careers before discovering salvation in . Specific verses illustrate this narrative through vivid occupational vignettes, such as "I was a , cutting up / My hands were bloody, I'm dying on my feet" and similar lines referencing roles like and , culminating in the triumphant chorus declaration of being "rocking" at last. Richards later elaborated on the musical , explaining that after starting on , the song shifted to guitar, where the developed a distinctive Celtic drone quality that enhanced its raw, propulsive feel.

Musical elements

"You Got Me Rocking" is classified as a rock and roll track infused with piano elements inspired by , alongside barroom rocker characteristics that evoke high-energy, raucous vibes. The runs for 3:36 and employs a straightforward verse-chorus structure, kicked off by an energetic, riff-driven introduction featuring ' guitar work in . Rhythmically, it pulses with a driving beat clocking in at 126 beats per minute, underscoring punchy guitar riffs and ' tom-tom patterns that lend a heavy, jungle-like . The harmonic framework centers on , relying on basic progressions like D-G-A to amplify its raw, unpretentious power. Overall, these elements connect to ' foundational blues-rock heritage—echoing the bar-brawl intensity of tracks from their 1972 album Exile on Main Street—while refreshing the sound for the through crisp production and dynamic shifts from piano-led origins to guitar dominance.

Recording and production

Studio sessions

The recording of "You Got Me Rocking" took place as part of the broader album sessions, which spanned from mid-summer through early winter 1993. Initial pre-production and early tracking occurred at Sandymount Studios in Ron Wood's home in St. Kildare, , from early September to late September, followed by principal recording at in , , from November 3 to December 11. These sessions captured the track amid a focused effort to complete the album's core material, with daily work running from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m., excluding weekends. The production team for the sessions included and the Glimmer Twins— and —as co-producers, with serving as chief engineer and mixer. handled the technical aspects, emphasizing a straightforward setup to facilitate the band's collaborative . had begun earlier in at Blue Wave Studios, where the band developed over 75 song fragments, ultimately selecting 32 for further recording and including 15 on the final album. These sessions represented a post-reunion phase for following the internal tensions and effective hiatus of the , when animosity between Jagger and Richards nearly dissolved . The approach aimed for a back-to-basics rock sound, drawing inspiration from the raw energy of their earlier work like on Main Street, with positioned in a semi-circle to record live together and prioritize natural performance feel over polished perfection. Minimal overdubs were employed, and effects were applied economically during tracking rather than in extensive , capturing the track's gritty, unadorned essence.

Personnel

The personnel for "You Got Me Rocking" from ' 1994 album consisted of the core band members and select additional contributors, as credited in the album's .
  • Mick Jagger: lead and backing vocals, maracas.
  • Keith Richards: , "mystery guitar," backing vocals.
  • Ronnie Wood: , backing vocals.
  • Charlie Watts: drums.
  • Darryl Jones: bass guitar.
  • Chuck Leavell: piano, organ.
Production was handled by and the Glimmer Twins ( and ), with recording engineered by Don Smith.

Release and formats

Single release and history

"You Got Me Rocking" was released as the second single from ' twentieth studio album, , on 26 September 1994 in the United Kingdom by , under the Rolling Stones Records imprint. The single followed "" and preceded "Out of Tears" in the album's promotional campaign. It was issued in multiple formats, including 7-inch vinyl (catalog number VS 1518), cassette (VSC 1518), and (VSCDG 1518, 7243 8 92632 2 0). Subsequent editions appeared in other regions throughout 1994, with variations such as the Australian maxi-single (VSCDT 1518, 7243 8 92644 2 5) and the Japanese maxi-single on 2 November 1994 (VJCP-15002).

Track listings

The single "You Got Me Rocking" was released in multiple formats, including 7-inch vinyl, cassette, and CD singles, with variations across regions. The standard 7-inch and cassette editions featured the album version as the A-side and "Jump on Top of Me" as the B-side.

7-inch vinyl

The primary 7-inch single, released in the UK and other regions, contained the following tracks:
TrackTitleDuration
AYou Got Me Rocking3:36
BJump on Top of Me4:25

Cassette

Cassette singles mirrored the 7-inch format in most markets, such as the and editions:
SideTitleDuration
AYou Got Me Rocking3:36
BJump on Top of Me4:25
Some cassette variants, like the maxi-cassette, incorporated remixes alongside the album version:
TrackTitleDuration
A1You Got Me Rocking (Perfecto Mix)5:00
A2Jump on Top of Me4:26
B1You Got Me Rocking (LP version)3:34
B2You Got Me Rocking ( Mix)5:00

CD single

CD editions were available as both standard and maxi-singles, often including the album version, B-side, and remixes produced by for Perfecto Records. The European and Australian maxi-CD singles shared the same tracklist:
TrackTitleDuration
1You Got Me Rocking (album version)3:36
2Jump on Top of Me4:25
3You Got Me Rocking (Perfecto Mix)5:03
4You Got Me Rocking (Sexy Disco Dub Mix)6:17
The Japanese maxi-single (VJCP-15002) followed the same configuration as the European version. A smaller 3-inch Japanese CD single (VJDP-10232) was limited to the two core tracks: "You Got Me Rocking" (3:36) and "Jump on Top of Me" (4:25).

Promotion

Music video

The music video for "You Got Me Rocking" was directed by Jim Gable and released in to promote the single from the Rolling Stones' album . The video's visual concept centers on high-energy performance footage of in a gritty, industrial setting, intercut with abstract that includes fast-paced urban visuals and dynamic edits to amplify the song's raw, rebellious energy. It features the core band members— on vocals, and on guitars, on drums, and on bass—emphasizing their live-wire stage presence through close-ups of intense instrumentation and Jagger's animated movements. Originally aired on as part of the promotional push for , the video is now available via an official upload on , where it has garnered millions of views.

B-sides and remixes

The primary B-side accompanying the "You Got Me Rocking" single was the non-album track "Jump on Top of Me", a raw, blues-inflected rocker clocking in at 4:25 that showcased ' gritty, energetic rock style. This song, written by and , also featured on the for Robert Altman's 1994 film Prêt-à-Porter (also known as ), where it contributed to the movie's eclectic musical backdrop. To broaden the single's reach into dance and club scenes, producers and created several remixes, including the Perfecto Mix (5:03) and the Sexy Disco Dub Mix (6:17), which infused the original track with rhythms, additional percussion by Steve Sidelnyk, and backing vocals from Anita Jarrett for a rave- vibe. These variants, mixed by Don Smith and engineered by , were issued on European CD maxi-singles and promotional vinyl, aiming to extend the song's commercial lifespan beyond rock radio. Additional formats included radio edits and promotional versions of the Perfecto Mix, distributed on U.S. CD singles to support and DJ use, further diversifying the release's formats without altering the core album track.

Reception

Critical response

Upon its release in 1994 as the second single from the album , "You Got Me Rocking" was praised by critics for its raw, high-energy , marking a return to ' foundational style. In a review of the album, described the track as a "throwback to Exile on Main Street-vintage bar-brawl tunes like ','" emphasizing its gritty, riff-driven vitality that evoked the band's classic era. The song's straightforward structure and anthemic chorus were highlighted as embodying the Stones' enduring rock roots, with Mick Jagger's delivery conveying a defiant swagger in response to perceptions of the band's later-career relevance. Retrospectively, "You Got Me Rocking" has been recognized as one of 's standout tracks for its infectious energy and live appeal, earning inclusion on the 2002 career-spanning compilation . Ultimate Classic Rock noted that while it "breaks no new ground," the song delivers "stripped-down and hard-to-resist kicks," solidifying its status as a reliable rocker in the band's repertoire. This view aligns with broader assessments of the track's role in revitalizing the Stones' image during the mid-1990s, positioning it as a highlight amid the album's mix of experimental and traditional elements.

Commercial performance

"You Got Me Rocking" achieved moderate success on international charts, with stronger performance in rock-oriented formats compared to mainstream pop charts. In the United States, the single peaked at number 2 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, where it spent 15 weeks, reflecting significant airplay on rock radio stations. It also reached number 13 on the , equivalent to number 113 on the Hot 100, indicating limited crossover to pop audiences. In the , it debuted and peaked at number 23 on the Official Singles Chart, spending three weeks in the Top 75.
Chart (1994)Peak Position
Australia (ARIA)64
Canada (RPM Top Singles)29
(Single Top 100)39
Singles (OCC)23
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 ()13
US Mainstream Rock ()2
The song's robust performance on rock radio, particularly in the where it ranked among the year's top rock tracks, helped bolster the commercial success of its parent Voodoo Lounge, which peaked at number 2 on the and was certified double platinum by the RIAA for sales exceeding 2 million copies. Despite this, "You Got Me Rocking" did not receive any major certifications from industry bodies such as the RIAA or BPI. Its chart trajectory highlighted a regional divide, with modest placements on pop singles charts but excellence in rock segments, underscoring the band's enduring appeal within that genre.

Live performances and legacy

Concert history

Following its live debut on July 19, 1994, at the RPM Club in , "You Got Me Rocking" was performed at 133 of the 135 shows on the ' , establishing it as a core element of the setlist from the outset of the tour. The song's high-energy rock drive fit seamlessly into the tour's emphasis on new material from the album, often positioned early in the performance to energize crowds alongside classics like "" and "Shattered." The track became a setlist staple throughout the late and 2000s, appearing regularly across multiple tours and accumulating hundreds of live renditions overall. During the 2005–2007 , it was played 73 times out of 145 concerts, typically mid-set to sustain momentum with its punchy rhythm and guitar interplay. Performances frequently featured extended guitar solos from and , amplifying the song's raw, boogie-infused style while adapting to the band's improvisational live approach. Notable later appearances included a surprise 2013 gig at the in , where the band opened the intimate show with the track as a warm-up for their Tour. It was also performed at the 2016 Desert Trip festival in , slotted early in the set to kick off a blend of hits and covers. On the 2019 , the song appeared six times amid a selection of rarities and deep cuts, highlighting its enduring appeal in varied setlist configurations.

Media appearances and cultural impact

The live version of "You Got Me Rocking" from the band's 1998 Bridges to Babylon Tour performance at Amsterdam Arena appears on the compilation album No Security, highlighting its role in the group's mid-1990s stage repertoire. It was later included in the 2002 retrospective Forty Licks, which celebrated the band's 40th anniversary by featuring key tracks from their discography. The song also features on the 2019 compilation Honk, a deluxe edition that pairs studio originals with live rarities to showcase the band's enduring catalog. In media, the B-side "Jump on Top of Me" was selected for the soundtrack of Robert Altman's 1994 film Prêt-à-Porter (also known as ), integrating the band's raw energy into the movie's fashion-world satire. The original track appeared in the 2000 sports comedy The Replacements, where it underscored scenes of team motivation and underdog triumph during a pivotal football sequence. "You Got Me Rocking" symbolizes ' creative resurgence in the 1990s, particularly through the Voodoo Lounge era, as the band rebounded from internal tensions to deliver a Grammy-winning album that reaffirmed their relevance amid dominance. Mick Jagger's lyrics serve as a direct response to critics who deemed the group outdated, transforming perceived irrelevance into a defiant of . Its longevity is evident in its status as a live staple, remaining a setlist fixture through the tours and becoming a high-energy staple that highlights the band's adaptability. As of December 2024, "You Got Me Rocking" has been performed 453 times live by the band, including during the 2024 Tour. While the song has inspired covers primarily by tribute and niche acts, its prominent placement in career-spanning best-of collections like Forty Licks and Honk cements its place in the rock canon.

References

  1. https://www.allmusic.com/album/voodoo-lounge-mw0000178891
  2. https://www.allmusic.com/song/you-got-me-rocking-mt0056496224
  3. https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/28195/rolling-stones/
  4. https://www.discogs.com/release/1439729-Rolling-Stones-You-Got-Me-Rocking
  5. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/the-rolling-stones/you-got-me-rocking
  6. https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/the-rolling-stones-bd6ad22.html?songid=23d7f023
  7. https://www.grammy.com/artists/rolling-stones/8331
  8. https://www.chicagotribune.com/1994/08/28/older-and-wiser-but-still-rocking/
  9. https://genius.com/The-rolling-stones-you-got-me-rocking-lyrics
  10. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/voodoo-lounge-186296/
  11. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rolling-stones-push-back-the-clock-with-voodoo-lounge-album-and-tour-205907/
  12. https://www.allmusic.com/album/voodoo-lounge-mw0000114107
  13. https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/the-rolling-stones/you-got-me-rocking-chords-3471041
  14. https://getsongbpm.com/song/you-got-me-rocking/yPZzn
  15. https://chordify.net/chords/the-rolling-stones-songs/you-got-me-rocking-chords
  16. http://www.timeisonourside.com/lpVoodoo.html
  17. https://www.soundonsound.com/people/don-was-don-smith-recording-rolling-stones
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  19. https://ultimateclassicrock.com/rolling-stones-voodoo-lounge/
  20. https://www.discogs.com/master/54387-Rolling-Stones-Voodoo-Lounge
  21. https://www.keno.org/stones_lyrics/yougotmerock.html
  22. https://stones7.com/s7/html/songs/ygmr.php
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  24. https://surfacerecordsjapan.com/products/rolling-stones-you-got-me-rocking
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  26. https://www.discogs.com/release/304125-The-Rolling-Stones-You-Got-Me-Rocking
  27. https://imvdb.com/video/the-rolling-stones/you-got-me-rocking
  28. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8797866/
  29. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84PETdu743A
  30. https://rollingstonesdata.com/songs/jump-on-top-of-me-1994/
  31. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110907/soundtrack/
  32. https://www.moviemusic.com/soundtrack/M01326/readytowear/
  33. https://www.discogs.com/release/830445-Rolling-Stones-You-Got-Me-Rocking-The-Paul-Oakenfold-Remixes
  34. https://www.discogs.com/release/2229923-The-Rolling-Stones-You-Got-Me-Rocking-Perfecto-Mix-Edit
  35. https://ultimateclassicrock.com/top-100-rolling-stones-songs/
  36. https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks/1994-10-29/
  37. https://musicvf.com/song.php?title=You%2BGot%2BMe%2BRocking%2Bby%2BThe%2BRolling%2BStones&id=44616
  38. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/rolling-stones-you-got-me-rocking/
  39. https://bestsellingalbums.org/album/47388
  40. https://www.top100singles.net/2011/10/every-aria-top-100-single-in-1994.html
  41. https://guestpectacular.com/artists/the-rolling-stones/events/1319/song/you-got-me-rocking/tour/voodoo-lounge
  42. https://iorr.org/iorr22/voodoo94.htm
  43. https://ultimateclassicrock.com/most-and-least-played-song-rolling-stones/
  44. https://en.guestpectacular.com/artists/the-rolling-stones/events/1319/song/you-got-me-rocking/tour/a-bigger-bang
  45. https://sonichits.com/video/Rolling_Stones_%255Bwww.musikaki.blogspot.com%255D/You_Got_Me_Rocking
  46. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rolling-stones-play-surprise-show-at-tiny-l-a-club-44979/
  47. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/rolling-stones-bob-dylan-thrill-with-iconic-songs-at-desert-trip-night-1-105893/
  48. https://ronniewood.com/music/no-security/
  49. https://music.apple.com/us/album/forty-licks/1706514826
  50. https://therollingstonesshop.com/products/honk-deluxe-edition-3cd
  51. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0191397/soundtrack/
  52. https://glidemagazine.com/302790/30-years-later-the-rolling-stones-rebound-with-dignified-voodoo-lounge/
  53. https://www.whosampled.com/The-Rolling-Stones/You-Got-Me-Rocking/
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