Created by Bernard Slade, the series was inspired by and loosely based on The Cowsills, a real singing family in the late sixties. In fact, in its early development the Cowsill children were approached to be featured on the show, though that idea was quickly discarded (The Cowsills rejected the offer when producers wanted to replace their real-life mother Barbara in the cast). The show starred Shirley Jones as mother Shirley Partridge and David Cassidy (Jones' real-life stepson) as her son Keith. The remaining Partridge children were played by Susan Dey as Laurie, Danny Bonaduce as Danny, Jeremy Gelbwaks (replaced after one year by Brian Forster) as Chris, and Suzanne Crough as Tracy Partridge. Dave Madden played Reuben Kincaid, who was their manager and family friend.
The back of the bus, became an icon for the show, due to its Mondrianesque paint design.
The Partridge Family was produced for ABC by Screen Gems television, which was just finishing its run with The Monkees, another show about a fictional music group. The company promoted the success of the show by releasing a series of albums featuring the music of the family band, though most cast members did not actually play on the recordings. A group of studio singers and musicians, led by producer Wes Farrell actually created the Partridge Family sound. Although he was originally cast with the intent to lip sync, just weeks into production David Cassidy convinced Farrell he could sing, and was allowed to join the studio ensemble as the lead singer. Several songs were made without Cassidy as lead, they were featured in some of the early episodes and on the first album. He and Shirley Jones, who sang background, were the only cast members who were actually featured on the recordings. The whole cast would lip sync to the recordings when they performed on each episode, though it was obvious to most viewers that the actors were lip-synching, The Partridge Family became an instant success, not only as a TV show, but as a band that produced actual hit songs.
The Partridge Family's biggest hit came in 1970 with the song "I Think I Love You," which began climbing the Billboard chart in September and peaked at number one in December of that year. The companion LP, "The Partridge Family Album" reached number four. Other Partridge Family singles including, "I'll Meet You Halfway", "Doesn't Somebody Want To Be Wanted", and "I Woke Up in Love This Morning" would also chart high on the Billboard chart. The theme songs "When We're Singing", and its successor "C'Mon, Get Happy" were composed by Danny Janssen and Wes Farrell.
The title card for the pilot episode of The Partridge Family was, "What? and Get Out of Show Business?".
As the show and associated merchandizing took off, David Cassidy became an overnight teen idol. Cassidy launched a solo singing career, touring with his own group of musicians and performing Partridge Family songs as well as hits from his own albums. In the midst of his overwhelming rise to fame, Cassidy soon grew tired of the show. In the summer of 1972 he gave a very candid interview to Rolling Stone magazine in which he attempted to distance himself from the squeaky-clean image of Keith Partridge.
By the fourth season, due to declining ratings and Cassidy's looming departure, a feeble effort was made by the producers to breathe new life into the show. They introduced a precocious 4-year-old neighbor named "Ricky Stevens" played by Ricky Segall to occasionally sing children's songs with the band. To no avail, the ABC network moved the show from its 8:30 Friday night slot to Saturday at 8:00, directly opposite the hit All in the Family, against which they knew it would not survive. The show was cancelled, after 96 episodes and ten Partridge Family albums.
The Partridge Family had a brief resurgence in animated form, which saw the family propelled into the future. The animated Partridge Family first appeared when the kids did a series of guest spots on "Goober and the Ghost Chasers". That idea evolved into a CBS Saturday morning Hanna-Barbera-produced cartoon, "Partridge Family 2200 A.D.". It featured new characters Veenie (Keith's Venusian friend) and Marion (Laurie's Martian friend). Danny had a pet robot dog named Orbit. Shirley Jones and David Cassidy did not voice their animated counterparts, and Susan Dey and Dave Madden had very limited involvement with this series. Sixteen half-hour installments were produced for the animated series, which lasted for half a season on CBS Saturday morning (September 7, 1974 - March 8, 1975); on the syndicated Fred Flintstone and Friends, it was retitled The Partridge Family in Outer Space.
Nickelodeon featured a heavily publicized run of the original series in the early- to mid-90s, along with the Brady Bunch, as part of its Nick-At-Nite line-up. The network used interviews and commercials featuring cast members, and even created a new version of the Mondrian-esque Family bus for promotion.
In 2000 two different made-for-TV movies aired on different networks; Both "Come On Get Happy" and "The David Cassidy Story" attempted to tell the story behind the series. While the movies were criticized as being somewhat inaccurate, they did recreate some of the imagery and music from the original series. "Come On Get Happy" even featured another replication of the bus, which was later auctioned off on eBay.
A modernized version of the bus was created for a new promotion in 2004, when VH1 premiered In Search of The New Partridge Family. This talent competition in the format of American Idol sought a new cast for a contemporary version of the sitcom. The elimination type program aired seven episodes in which a panel of judges selected a new Partridge Family cast from auditioners across the country. The resulting pilot episode of The New Partridge Family aired in January of 2005, but due to low ratings VH1 opted not to produce any more episodes.
The first two seasons of the original series were released as of October 2005 on DVD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Also, at the same time Arista Records released a new music compilation, "Come On Get Happy!: The Very Best of The Partridge Family," which included four previously unreleased tracks.
Despite the prefabricated nature of the "band", the Partridge Family's records were some of the best arranged and produced of their day. Much care was given not only to the overall sound, but even to show that sound would translate to AM radio, then the major outlet for pop music. The writing was equally good, at least on the early albums. However, as ratings and record sales began to drop, so did the quality of the material.
Rock Me Baby
The Partridge Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a freeborn man and I stand alone
Come looking for a little satisfaction
I don't drive no Cadillac
All I got's hangin' on my back
But I do believe in a physical attraction
I'll make everything alright, c'mon
Ooh, rock me, baby
Let me feel the beat
I said, ooh, rock me, baby
Right down to my feet
I said, ooh, rock me, baby
Hold me, oh so tight
I said, ooh, rock me, baby
Rock me through the night
You better hold me while you can
You're gonna lose your midnight man
Now come on and rock me, rock me
I was twelve when I left home
Ever since I've been on my own
Come looking for a little recreation
I guess I'll never settle down
It's always been just one more town
That I loved from coast to coast
Across this great nation
I can't promise I'll be true
I'll just see what I can do
Come on, ooh, rock me, baby
Let me feel the beat
I said, ooh, rock me, baby
Right down to my feet
I said, ooh, rock me, baby
Hold me, oh so tight
I said, ooh, rock me, baby
Rock me through the night
You better hold me while you can
You're gonna lose your midnight man
Come on and rock me, rock me
Come on and rock me
Come on and shock me
Mmm, yeah now roll me
Mmm, come on squeeze me
Oh, you sure can please me
Here we go
Ooh, rock me, baby
Let me feel the beat
I said, ooh, rock me, baby
Right down to my feet
I said, ooh, rock me, baby
Hold me, oh so tight
I said, ooh, rock me, baby
Rock me through the night
You better hold me while you can
You're gonna lose your midnight man
Now come on and rock me, rock me
I said, ooh, rock me, baby
Let me feel the beat
I said, ooh, rock me, baby
Rock down to my feet
I said, ooh, come on rock me, baby
Hold me, oh, so tight
I said, ooh, now rock me, baby
Rock me through the night
You better hold me while you can
You're gonna lose your midnight man
Now come on and rock me, rock me
The lyrics to "Rock Me Baby" by The Partridge Family convey a sense of rebellion and independence. The singer identifies himself as a "rolling stone" and a "freeborn man" who stands alone, suggesting that he is not tied down by societal expectations or commitments. He is in search of satisfaction, seeking out experiences that fulfill him.
The references to not driving a Cadillac and carrying everything on his back imply that the singer doesn't rely on material possessions or luxuries to find happiness. Instead, he believes in the power of physical attraction, suggesting that he values passionate connections and experiences over material wealth.
The chorus of the song emphasizes this desire for connection and physicality. The singer asks to be rocked and held tight, invoking a sense of intimacy and intensity. He wants to feel the beat and be consumed by the music, indicating a desire for an immersive and exhilarating experience.
In the second verse, the singer reveals that he left home at a young age and has been constantly on the move ever since. He sees each new place as an opportunity for recreation and enjoyment, embracing the transient nature of his lifestyle. He acknowledges that he may not be able to promise fidelity, but he is willing to see where each encounter takes him.
The bridge of the song introduces a more intense and passionate energy. The singer invites the listener to not only rock him but also shock him and roll him, suggesting a desire for excitement and stimulation. The use of words like "squeeze" and "please" evoke a sense of physical pleasure and satisfaction.
Overall, "Rock Me Baby" captures a sense of freedom, adventure, and live-for-the-moment attitude. The lyrics speak to the desire for both physical and emotional connection, rejecting the constraints of conventionality and embracing the excitement and pleasure that come from living life fully and passionately.
Line by Line Meaning
You may call me a rolling stone
I have a reputation for constantly moving and not settling down
I'm a freeborn man and I stand alone
I am independent and do not rely on anyone else
Come looking for a little satisfaction
I am seeking some enjoyment and fulfillment
I don't drive no Cadillac
I don't have fancy possessions
All I got's hangin' on my back
Everything I own is what I carry with me
But I do believe in a physical attraction
I believe in the power of physical chemistry and attraction
I can warm your coldest night
I can bring warmth and comfort to your loneliest moments
I'll make everything alright, c'mon
I will make everything better, let's do this
Ooh, rock me, baby
Give me excitement and pleasure
Let me feel the beat
Let me experience the rhythm and energy
I said, ooh, rock me, baby
I really want you to rock me
Right down to my feet
Affect me deeply, from head to toe
Hold me, oh so tight
Embrace me tightly and passionately
Rock me through the night
Keep rocking me with excitement and pleasure all night long
You better hold me while you can
Take the opportunity to be with me now before it's too late
You're gonna lose your midnight man
If you don't hold on to me, you'll regret losing me
Now come on and rock me, rock me
Let's get together and enjoy the thrilling experience
I was twelve when I left home
I started my independent journey at a young age
Ever since I've been on my own
Since then, I have been self-reliant
Come looking for a little recreation
I am seeking some leisure and entertainment
I guess I'll never settle down
I don't think I'll ever find a place to call home permanently
It's always been just one more town
I keep moving from one place to another
That I loved from coast to coast
I have enjoyed different locations across the country
Across this great nation
Throughout this vast country
I can't promise I'll be true
I cannot guarantee faithfulness
I'll just see what I can do
I'll explore the possibilities and see what happens
Come on, ooh, rock me, baby
Come on, give me that exciting experience
Now come on and rock me, rock me
Let's get together and enjoy the thrilling experience
Come on and rock me
Get into the rhythm and excitement with me
Come on and shock me
Surprise me with your intensity and passion
Mmm, yeah now roll me
Move me and bring me pleasure
Mmm, come on squeeze me
Hold me tightly and affectionately
Oh, you sure can please me
You can definitely bring me pleasure and satisfaction
Here we go
Let's begin the enjoyable experience
You better hold me while you can
Take the opportunity to be with me now before it's too late
You're gonna lose your midnight man
If you don't hold on to me, you'll regret losing me
Now come on and rock me, rock me
Let's get together and enjoy the thrilling experience
I said, ooh, rock me, baby
I really want you to rock me
Rock down to my feet
Affect me deeply, from head to toe
I said, ooh, come on rock me
I urge you to rock me
Hold me, oh, so tight
Embrace me tightly and passionately
I said, ooh, now rock me, baby
I want you to rock me intensely
Rock me through the night
Keep rocking me with excitement and pleasure all night long
You better hold me while you can
Take the opportunity to be with me now before it's too late
You're gonna lose your midnight man
If you don't hold on to me, you'll regret losing me
Now come on and rock me, rock me
Let's get together and enjoy the thrilling experience
Lyrics © CINABASS MUSIC , Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNNY CYMBAL, PEGGY CLINGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Norma Flores
Esto es un tesoro!!! David en el esplendor buena voz,presencia,talento,carisma que hombre tan hermoso me desmayo. Lo veo y lo veo y no puedo mirar a otro lado. Gracias a quienes hicieron esto posible!!!
Helen Velvet
Another gem of a song from David Cassidy!!!!! Thank you so very much for sharing!!!!
Norma Flores
De ver sonreír a David te contagia!!! Un encanto!!!
Judy Denver
Oh!, God,!!! this is so beautiful, I am MELTING!!!!! So gorgeous, so clear, so creative, sounds so awesome, LIVE, Gorgeous voice!! This is my FAVORITE version of this, as he's doing some special vocal gems with it, that later on versions, he did not do! This is priceless!!! Thank you oh so much!!!!!!!
Judy Denver
Wow!! I can't get enough of these!! Am watching them, over and over!!!! This is Treasure!!!!!!!
rocksforever
Thank you for sharing, David Cassidy was the best and will never be forgotten❤
Angie Smith
Forever loved never forgotten. ❤❤❤xx
Lol Ver
What a find! I always look forward to some 1970s footage. We need more.of these treats. His dimples were the best❤
Theresa Mezzina
David is the most beautiful gorgeous man I ever seen on this earth
Manon Robert
Oh my god, he was the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen ❤❤❤