Rock Me

### Writers

Henry 'Circut' Walter, Lukasz 'Dr. Luke' Gottwald, Allan 'Kool Kojak' Grigg, Peter Svensson and Sam Hollander

### Producers

Dr. Luke, Kool Kojak, Cirkut & Emily Wright

**Rock Me** is a song from One Direction's second studio album, *Take Me Home*. It is the seventh track of the album. It is available on all editions.

The song has been performed on the *Take Me Home Tour* and the *Where We Are Tour*.

Lyrically, the song describes reminiscing about wanting to be back in a former relationship.

## Background

It was written by Peter Svensson, Sam Hollander, Lukasz Gottwald, Henry Walter, Breanna Smith, and Allan Grigg, with production handled by Dr. Luke, Circut and Kool Kojak. Created in one day, Grigg carried out the mid-tempo beat, Hollander conceptualised the title and the pop rock melody "just came".

"Rock Me" has a clapping, mid-tempo beat that has been likened to that "We Will Rock You", a 1977 single by Queen.

## Lyrics

**[Harry]**

Do you remember summer '09?

Wanna go back there every night

Just can't lie it was the best time of my life

Lying on the beach as the sun blew out

Playing this guitar by the fire too loud

Oh my, my, they could never shut us down

**[Louis]**

I used to think that I was better alone

Why did I ever wanna let you go?

Under the moonlight as we stared at the sea

The words you whispered I will always believe

**[Niall]**

I want you to rock me, rock me, rock me, yeah

I want you to rock me, rock me, rock me, yeah

I want you to hit the pedal, heavy metal, show me you care

I want you to rock me, rock me, rock me, yeah

**[Liam]**

Yeah

We were together summer '09

Wanna roll back like pressing rewind

You were mine and we never said goodbye

**[Louis + Harry]**

I used to think that I was better alone (better alone)

Why did I ever wanna let you go? (let you go)

Under the moonlight as we stared at the sea (stared at the sea)

The words you whispered I will always believe

**[Niall]**

I want you to rock me, rock me, rock me, yeah

I want you to rock me, rock me, rock me, yeah

I want you to hit the pedal, heavy metal, show me you care

I want you to rock me, rock me, rock me, yeah

**[Liam + Niall]**

R-O-C-K me again

R-O-C-K me again

R-O-C-K me again, yeah

I want you to

R-O-C-K me again

R-O-C-K me again

R-O-C-K me again, yeah

**[Niall]**

I want you to rock me, rock me, rock me, yeah

I want you to rock me, rock me, rock me, yeah

I want you to hit the pedal, heavy metal, show me you care

I want you to rock me, rock me, rock me, yeah

I want you to rock me, rock me, rock me, yeah

I want you to rock me, rock me, rock me, yeah

I want you to hit the pedal, heavy metal, show me you care

I want you to rock me, rock me, rock me, yeah

## Reception

The song garnered mostly positive reviews from critics, who centred on production quality and its rock elements. *The New Zealand Herald* writer Lydia Jenkin deemed "Rock Me" one of "the most banal songs ever written", but noted that the group "know what teenage girls want to hear." Idolator critic Sam Lansky praised the track as "irresistible" and commended its sonic palette as "explosively punchy". Writing for HitFix, Melinda Newman favoured its "nearly hypnotic anthemic" beat, and noted that "Rock Me" seems perfectly tailored to become a live staple. Ben Rayner of the *Toronto Star* thought the song's Queen-references are "clever", assessing: "to show that One Direction’s puppeteers aren't totally operating on autopilot." Robert Copsey from Digital Spy opined that the song's "simple-yet-genius catchiness" is its strongest attribute. *Billboard* reviewer Chris Payne applauded its rock elements, regarding it as "welcome" deviation from *Take Me Home*'s predominant bubblegum pop sound. In contrast to the positive reception, Alexis Petridis, writing for *The Guardian*, criticised the song as "excruciating", describing its lyricism as tedious and uninspiring.

## Chart Performance

In the week of 18 November 2012, "Rock Me" debuted at number one on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart due to strong digital download sales. As a result of an "end-of-year download rush" in the week ending 30 December 2012, the track entered the US *Billboard* Hot 100 at number 98, marking its peak position.

## Credits

* Allan Grigg — writing, production, additional vocals, programming, instruments
* Sam Hollander — writing, programming, instruments
* Peter Svensson — writing, additional vocals, programming, instruments
* Dr. Luke — writing, production, additional vocals, programming, instruments
* Henry Walter — writing, additional vocals
* Cirkut — production, programming, instruments
* Emily Wright — production, additional vocals
* Clint Gibbs — additional vocals
* Ava James — additional vocals
* Juniper — additional vocals