The group formed in 1969 in Los Angeles, California, Before making it big in the music industry, the group appeared in the popular 1972 blaxploitation film Blacula, which starred actor William Marshall and brought the group in contact with songwriter Waldo Holmes. Holmes would go on to pen "Rock the Boat". The Hues Corporation's four other singles to reach the Billboard Hot 100 were "Freedom For The Stallion" (1973, #63), "Rockin' Soul" (1974, #18), "Love Corporation" (1975, #62), and "I Caught Your Act" (1977, #92).
The group's name was a pun on the Hughes Corporation, with the "hue" being the group's African-American heritage. Interestingly, they initially wanted to call themselves 'Children Of Howard Hughes', but that didn't pan out. The band's members were Bernard "St. Clair" Lee, Flemming Williams, and Ann Kelley.
Despite their initial success, the group disbanded in 1978. But with renewed interest in disco music throughout the 90s, the group reunited for tour dates and special events. This included the popular PBS special Get Down Tonight: The Disco Explosion. Bernard "St. Clair" Lee sadly passed away on March 8th, 2011.
Rock the Boat
Hues Corporation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said I'd like to know where, you got the notion
(To rock the boat), don't rock the boat baby
(Rock the boat), don't tip the boat over
(Rock the boat), don't rock the boat baby
(Rock the boat)
Your touch has thrilled me like the rush of the wind
And your arms have held me safe from a rolling sea
There's always been a quiet place to harbor you and me
Our love is like a ship on the ocean
We've been sailing with a cargo full of love and devotion
So I'd like to know where, you got the notion
Said I'd like to know where, you got the notion
(To rock the boat), don't rock the boat baby
(Rock the boat), don't tip the boat over
(Rock the boat), don't rock the boat baby
(Rock the boat)
Up to now we sailed through every storm
And I've always had your tender lips to keep me warm
Oh, I need to have the strength that flows from you
Don't let me drift away my dear, when love can see me through
(Our love is like a ship on the ocean)
We've been sailing with a cargo full of love and devotion
So I'd like to know where, you got the notion
Said I'd like to know where, you got the notion
So I'd like to know where, you got the notion
Said I'd like to know where, you got the notion
(To rock the boat), don't rock the boat baby
(Rock the boat), don't tip the boat over
(Rock the boat), don't rock the boat, baby
(Rock the boat), don't tip the boat over
(Rock the boat) ooh-ooh
(Rock the boat) rock on with you, baby
(Rock the boat) rock on with you, baby
(Rock the boat) rock on with you, baby
(Rock the boat)
(Rock the boat)
(Rock the boat)
(Rock the boat)
(Rock the boat)
(Rock the boat)
(Rock the boat)
(Rock the boat)
(Rock the boat)
(Rock the boat)
(Rock the boat)
(Rock the boat)
(Rock the boat)
(Rock the boat)
The lyrics to "Rock The Boat" by Hues Corporation deal with a relationship that has been sailing smoothly like a ship on the ocean. The singer wants to know where their partner got the notion to rock the boat and potentially tip it over. The lyrics use the metaphor of sailing a ship to represent the ups and downs of a relationship. The ship being sailed has a cargo full of love and devotion, and the singer wants to ensure that they don't lose the person they love by drifting away. The chorus reiterates the need to avoid rocking the boat and tip it over.
Line by Line Meaning
So I'd like to know where, you got the notion
Questioning the source of the idea to rock the boat
Said I'd like to know where, you got the notion
Reiterating the previous line
(To rock the boat), don't rock the boat baby
Asking not to disrupt the stability of the relationship
(Rock the boat), don't tip the boat over
Advising against causing major change or upheaval
(Rock the boat), don't rock the boat baby
Encouraging the partner to maintain the status quo
(Rock the boat)
A repetitive phrase representing the idea of causing disruption
Ever since our voyage of love began
From the start of the relationship
Your touch has thrilled me like the rush of the wind
Describing the passion in the relationship
And your arms have held me safe from a rolling sea
Expressing security in the love and support of the partner
There's always been a quiet place to harbor you and me
Together finding a peaceful space to support each other
Our love is like a ship on the ocean
Metaphorically comparing the relationship to a journey on the sea
We've been sailing with a cargo full of love and devotion
Maintaining that the relationship is strong with shared commitment
Up to now we sailed through every storm
Recalling successful overcoming of previous challenges
And I've always had your tender lips to keep me warm
Finding comfort in the affectionate expressions of the partner
Oh, I need to have the strength that flows from you
Recognizing the essential support and love of the partner
Don't let me drift away my dear, when love can see me through
Asking to be held close and not to lose connection despite difficulties
(Our love is like a ship on the ocean)
Repeating the previous metaphor
We've been sailing with a cargo full of love and devotion
Reiterating the strength of the bond
(Rock the boat) ooh-ooh
Repeating the idea of causing disruption with a rhythmic phrase
(Rock the boat) rock on with you, baby
Playing with the metaphor to suggest continuing the journey together
(Rock the boat) rock on with you, baby
Encouraging the partner to join in the journey of love
(Rock the boat) rock on with you, baby
Repeating the idea to continue navigating the challenges of the relationship
(Rock the boat)
A repetitive phrase representing the idea of causing disruption
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Wally Holmes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@paulbrungardt9823
I am now 66 years of age. When I was 16 years old, I worked with Bernard
St. Claire Lee ( man with headband in video), House of Pancakes, 443
East Manchester blvd, Inglewood, California. This was before Hues
Corporation became recognized. He was an opening cook and I was a
weekend bus boy. He would rehearse after work. I am pleased he got
recognized for his talent. He was truly a nice man and I don't recall
him ever saying anything bad about anyone else. He passed away a couple
of years ago. He grew up in Santa Monica, Ca and was part American
Indian. I remember him fondly. He gained recognition after " Rock the
Boat" and did sound track for the late 1970s Black spoliation movies. I
became a doctor of optometry at age 26.We never met up after leaving the
House of Pancakes.
@marieblue
The Hues Corporation* was a LA pop and soul band formed in 1969. The vocal trio was composed of Hubert Ann Kelly, St. Clair Lee and Fleming Williams as lead vocalist on “Rock The Boat” (1974).
The piece uses nautical imagery to describe a lasting love relationship : they have “sailed through every storm” with “a cargo full of love and devotion,” so there’s no reason to rock the boat❕ However, as St. Clair Lee claimed : “It was a love song without being a love song.”
“Rock The Boat” was basically a metaphor for disrupting the status quo.
This was one of several hit songs from the 70s with the term “rock” in the title. But unlike tunes such as “Rock On” by David Essex and “Rock And Roll Heaven” by The Righteous Brothers, it had nothing to do with rock music. 💜🛥️💚
* The name Hues Corporation was a pun on the Howard Hughes Corporation (with the word “hue” meaning “color”).
@SuperMillwall
So I'd like to know where, you got the notion
Said I'd like to know where, you got the notion
(To rock the boat), don't rock the boat baby
, don't tip the boat over
(Rock the boat), don't rock the boat baby
(Rock the boat)
Ever since our voyage of love began
Your touch has thrilled me like the rush of the wind
And your arms have held me safe from a rolling sea
There's always been a quiet place to harbor you and me
Our love is like a ship on the ocean
We've been sailing with a cargo full of love and devotion
So I'd like to know where, you got the notion
Said I'd like to know where, you got the notion
, don't rock the boat baby
(Rock the boat), don't tip the boat over
(Rock the boat), don't rock the boat baby
(Rock the boat)
Up to now we sailed through every storm
And I've always had your tender lips to keep me warm
Oh, I need to have the strength that flows from you
Don't let me drift away my dear, when love can see me through
(Our love is like a ship on the ocean)
We've been sailing with a cargo full of love and devotion
So I'd like to know where, you got the notion
Said I'd like to know where, you got the notion
So I'd like to know where, you got the notion
Said I'd like to know where, you got the notion
(To rock the boat), don't rock the boat baby
(Rock the boat), don't tip the boat over
(Rock the boat), don't rock the boat, baby
(Rock the boat), don't tip the boat over
ooh-ooh
(Rock the boat) rock on with you, baby
(Rock the boat) rock on with you, baby
(Rock the boat) rock on with you, baby
(Rock the boat)
(Rock the boat)
(Rock the boat)
(Rock the boat)
(Rock the boat)
(Rock the boat)
(Rock the boat)
(Rock the boat)
(Rock the boat)
(Rock the boat)
(Rock the boat)
(Rock the boat)
(Rock the boat)
(Rock the boat)
@Lori-nv4fu
I vividly remember as a kid playing in the pool with my sisters in the mid 70's, as we bounced around on inner tubes, making waves as big as we could, as we sang the lyrics "Don't rock the boat, don't rock the boat baby, rock the boat, don't tip the boat over," over and over again as we tried NOT tipping our inner tubes over! Oh yeah... those were the days, my friend...
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way...
@paulbrungardt9823
I am now 66 years of age. When I was 16 years old, I worked with Bernard
St. Claire Lee ( man with headband in video), House of Pancakes, 443
East Manchester blvd, Inglewood, California. This was before Hues
Corporation became recognized. He was an opening cook and I was a
weekend bus boy. He would rehearse after work. I am pleased he got
recognized for his talent. He was truly a nice man and I don't recall
him ever saying anything bad about anyone else. He passed away a couple
of years ago. He grew up in Santa Monica, Ca and was part American
Indian. I remember him fondly. He gained recognition after " Rock the
Boat" and did sound track for the late 1970s Black spoliation movies. I
became a doctor of optometry at age 26.We never met up after leaving the
House of Pancakes.
@markputt7232
Thank you for this amazing insight into the life of this talented man.
A story from before it began is priceless indeed...I'm smiling.
@markputt7232
P.s. I'm 66 too.
@petepete570
cool story, thanks for sharing
@tinydancer62
That is a wonderful story, thank you for sharing it.
@paulbrungardt9823
@@tinydancer62 Than you.
@LionHeartScott.
I was only born in 99 but i remember my mother playing this when i was a toddler. Some great times and great music introduced to my life!!!
@mattyian1208
I was also born in 1999 and I love this song and old music! Great times!
@penguin9965
Was born in 2007 but I grew up with my parents constantly playing oldies that I've become addicted the music from the 60s, 70s and also 80s