The song became Williams third number-one solo single in the United Kingdom, going on to sell over 600,000 copies being certified Platinum by the BPI (British Phonographic Industry). The song also became a smash hit around Europe, charting inside the top ten in most countries and it became his first number-one single in New Zealand, Argentina and Mexico. The song also became a top five hit in Australia, where it went on to sell over 70,000 copies being certified Platinum. However, success in the United States was limited, reaching number twenty-four on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play but failing to chart inside the Hot 100. "Rock DJ" went on to sell almost four million copies worldwide.
The song was named the "Best Song" of 2000 at the MTV Europe Music Awards and "Best Single" at the Brits 2001.
Rock DJ
Robbie Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kickin' with your torso
Boys getting high
And the girls even more so
Wave your hands if you're not with the man
Can I kick it (yes you can)
I got (funk)
You got (soul)
I've got the gift
Gonna stick it in the goal
It's time to move your body
Babylon back in business
Can I get a witness
Every girl, every man (ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh)
Houston, do you hear me?
Ground control, can you feel me?
Need permission to land
I don't want to rock, DJ
But you're making me feel so nice
When's it gonna stop, DJ?
'Cause you're keepin' me up all night
Singin' in the classes
Music for your masses
Give no head
No backstage passes
Have a proper giggle
I'll be quite polite
But when I rock the mic
I rock the mic (right)
You got no love, then you're with the wrong man
It's time to move your body
If you can't get a girl but your best friend can
It's time to move your body
I don't want to be sleazy
Baby, just tease me
Got no family planned (ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh)
Houston, do you hear me?
Ground control, can you feel me?
Need permission to land
I don't want to rock (rock), DJ (DJ)
But you're making me feel so nice
When's it gonna stop (stop), DJ?
'Cause you're keepin' me up all night
I don't want to rock (rock), DJ (DJ)
But you're making me feel so nice
When's it gonna stop (stop), DJ (DJ)?
'Cause you're keepin' me up all night
Pimpin' ain't easy
Most of them fleece me
Every night
Pimpin' ain't easy
But if you're sellin' it (sellin' it, sellin' it)
It's alright
(Come on)
I don't want to rock (rock), DJ (DJ)
But you're making me feel so nice
When's it gonna stop (stop), DJ (DJ)?
'Cause you're keepin' me up all night
I don't want to rock (rock), DJ (DJ)
But you're making me feel so nice (ooh-ooh-ooh)
When's it gonna stop (stop), DJ (DJ)?
'Cause you're keepin' me up all night
I don't want to rock (rock), DJ
But you're making me feel so nice
When's it gonna stop (stop), DJ?
'Cause you're keepin' me up all night
I don't want to rock (rock), DJ
But you're making me feel so nice
When's it gonna stop (stop), DJ (DJ)?
'Cause you're keepin' me up all night
Robbie Williams’s “Rock DJ” is a danceable tune that prompts people to move and groove. The song is about a DJ who is keeping everyone on the dancefloor all night long, and the singer has no choice but to keep dancing, even though he doesn’t want to. Musically, the song is built around a sample of the bassline from “Can You Feel It” by The Jacksons. Throughout the song, there are several sound effects that enhance the party vibe – the sound of a whistling train and a plane taking off, people cheering and screaming in the background, and a guitar solo in the middle of the song.
The opening lines of the song set the scene for a happening night out – the singer is at a floorshow with boys and girls getting high and the music pumping. He urges the crowd to wave their hands if they’re not with a man and asks if he can kick it, to which the response is “yes you can”. The chorus repeatedly states that he doesn’t want to rock the DJ, but he can’t seem to stop dancing. Part of the lyrics are about pimping not being easy, and how easy it is to be taken advantage of. The song’s final lines reiterate that the singer does not want to stop dancing despite the pitiless, unsympathetic nature of the DJ.
Line by Line Meaning
Me with the floorshow
I'm performing on stage and putting on a show.
Kickin' with your torso
Dancing vigorously with your whole body.
Boys getting high
The male audience members are taking drugs or drinking alcohol.
And the girls even more so
The female audience members are getting even more intoxicated.
Wave your hands if you're not with the man
Put your hands in the air if you're not in a relationship or not interested in men.
Can I kick it (yes you can)
Asking the audience if it's okay to get into the music, and receiving an affirmative response.
I got (funk)
I have a sense of style and coolness.
You got (soul)
You have a deep emotional connection to the music.
We got everybody
Everyone is included and welcome to enjoy the music.
I've got the gift
I have a natural talent for music and performing.
Gonna stick it in the goal
I'm going to succeed and achieve my goals.
It's time to move your body
Encouraging the audience to dance and enjoy themselves.
Babylon back in business
The party and fun is back in full swing.
Can I get a witness
Asking the audience to confirm how great the music and party is.
Every girl, every man (ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh)
Everyone is welcome to enjoy the music and party together.
Houston, do you hear me?
Addressing the listener as if communicating from space.
Ground control, can you feel me?
Asking for confirmation that the music and excitement is transmitted to the listener.
Need permission to land
Asking for acceptance and approval from the audience.
Singin' in the classes
Listening to music in school or at work.
Music for your masses
Music for a wide and diverse group of people.
Give no head
Not accepting bribes or favors for entry into the music industry.
No backstage passes
Not giving away special treatment to fans.
Have a proper giggle
Having a good time and laughing.
I'll be quite polite
Being respectful and kind to fans or collaborators.
But when I rock the mic
When I'm performing on the microphone and expressing myself.
I rock the mic (right)
I'm one of the best performers out there.
You got no love, then you're with the wrong man
If you're unhappy in a relationship, it's time to break up and move on.
If you can't get a girl but your best friend can
If you're having trouble finding a partner, try finding inspiration from a successful friend.
Pimpin' ain't easy
Being a successful musician and performer is difficult and takes hard work.
Most of them fleece me
Most people in the music industry are dishonest or trying to cheat me.
Every night
This is a recurring problem.
But if you're sellin' it (sellin' it, sellin' it)
But if you're successful and making money, it's worth it.
It's alright
The downside is worth the success and fortune.
I don't want to rock, DJ
I don't want to be a DJ or just play music.
But you're making me feel so nice
But the good time and positive response from the audience makes me want to continue.
When's it gonna stop, DJ?
Asking the DJ if they're going to end the party soon and stop playing music.
'Cause you're keepin' me up all night
The music and party is so good that it's hard to leave and go to sleep.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT (FRANCE), BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ekundayo Paris, Nelson R. Pigford, Kelvin Andrews, Guy Chambers, Robbie Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@doriancambialvarado
Billie eilish: my videos are so weird
robbie: hold my intestines
@ce2089
This is one of the best comments I've seen 😂
@mipansususumyakakuznamnamn4313
Huh
@freddypadilla256
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
@juanmad6466
Marilyn Manson: please....
@nachoross2008
never heard about Tool
@avril14thlove
This music video equally traumatized and captivated me when I watched it on MTV in 2003/2004 without my parent's permission. Iconic.
@hipsterracoon2159
I think it’s a collective trauma from seeing that moment if you know you know if you don’t know good
@notavailable4596
Lol I'm pretty sure I watched A Making The Video on this. This and Millennium were the only singles I knew he released until recently.
The video makes a lot more sense now that I know how huge he was in the UK.
@lucyhardman2267
Initially, I raised an eyebrow at this comment because I only remembered him taking his shirt off. APPARENTLY, I HAVE NEVER WATCHED TO THE END BEFORE.