"Rock with You" was released on November 3, 1979, as the second single from Michael Jackson's fifth solo LP and breakthrough album, Off the Wall. Written by Heatwave group member and songwriter Rod Temperton, who also wrote Jackson's song . The song helped Jackson score one of the first Billboardnumber-one singles in the 1980s. It reached number one on both the pop and R&B singles chart and became one of Jackson's most-loved songs. A video for the song shows a smiling Jackson dancing in a sequined suit against a background laser. According to Billboard, the song was the fourth biggest single of 1980. It is also considered one of that last big hits of the disco era

It was re-released as a single on February 27, 2006, as part of the Visionary: The Video Singlesbox set.

The song was later covered by singer Brandy in 1995 for Quincy Jones' album, Q's Jook Joint. It was also covered by Ashanti in 2003 as a remix to her single "Rock wit U (Awww Baby)" and performed at the BET Awards. The song was covered by the company Wavegroup for the game Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol. Brazilian singer Fernanda Abreu performed a version on the record Um Barzinho Um Violao 4, issued in 2005. House music Japanese band Cargo made a cover of the song in their 2007 album "Jewel". Chris Brown performed it on the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans in 2007. Jackson performed the song on the Jacksons Destiny Tour on the second leg. He also performed the song on the Jacksons Triumph Tour, Victory Tour, Bad World Tour, and HIStory World Tour but only part of the Off the Wall Medley on certain concerts. He also would have performed it on This Is It, but the show was cancelled, due to his sudden death. Kelly Clarkson performed the song with Eric Hutchinson on her All I Ever Wanted tour in 2009.

In 2008, Michael's sister, Janet, released "Rock with U" (a house / club number), from her Disciplinealbum. Although similar in name, the songs are completely different in lyrics and music.

After his death, R&B singer Frankie J recorded a cover version, which was released on his MySpace. Mariah Carey also performed this song along with Trey Lorenz in her concert "Live At The Pearl" in Vegas in September and October 2009.