“Rock ‘n’ Roll With Me” is a song written by David Bowie and Warren Peace and recorded in January 1974 that first appeared on Bowie’s Diamond Dogs album, supposedly to address the artist’s complex relation with his fans. A version recorded during the Diamond Dogs tour in July 1974 was released on the album David Live.
While the song “Knock on Wood” from David Live was issued as a single in the UK, “Rock ‘n’ Roll With Me” was chosen for release as the US single in response to Donovan’s recent cover version. The B-side in each case was another live recording from the Diamond Dogs tour, “Panic in Detroit”, originally from Aladdin Sane (1973).
Like “Rebel Rebel”, the lead single from Diamond Dogs, “Rock ‘n’ Roll With Me” was conceived as part of a never-produced Ziggy Stardust musical in 1973. It has been described as “one of Bowie’s least self-conscious love songs” and a foretaste of the R&B balladry on Young Americans (1975).
On 27 July 2016, a remastered version of the song was re-released as a promotional single from the upcoming box set ‘Who Can I Be Now? [1974-1976]’.
Writing
The song was composed at Bowie’s house located on Oakley Street, London, after Warren Peace (Geoff MacCormack) started playing chords on his piano. Bowie and Peace were inspired by Fats Domino and Little Richard, two rhythm and blues musicians they were listening to in their childhood.
Track listing
“Rock ‘n’ Roll With Me” (lyrics by David Bowie; music by Bowie, Warren Peace) – 4:15
“Panic in Detroit” (Bowie) – 5:41
Production credits
Producers:
Tony Visconti
Musicians (album version):
David Bowie: vocals, guitar
Earl Slick: acoustic guitar
Herbie Flowers: bass
Mike Garson: organ
Aynsley Dunbar: drums
Warren Peace: backing vocals, piano
Live versions
The same version released on single and David Live also appeared on the Dutch release Rock Concert. Another live recording from the 1974 tour was released on the semi-legal album A Portrait in Flesh.
