Rockwell ~ Somebody's Watching Me 1984 Funky Purrfection

Being the son of Berry Gordy did not make it easier for Kennedy Gordy, who chose the moniker Rockwell to record a song he demoed. It was brought to the Motown round table who agreed to refuse the request to listen to it. One of them was a staff writer for Motown, Curtis Anthony Nolen, who heard the hit potential in what Rockwell was doing since "it was 1984, the year of Big Brother, a song about paranoia could be a hit." They redid the demo which got them into the studio to get it professionally done. Nolen came up with the idea to bring in another voice, which Michael Jackson consented to doing, but he was a no show! Turns out he forgot and accepted an invitation from Donny Osmond to go to an amusement park. He rescheduled for the following weekend, then went in and completed his vocals in a little over an hour. They took the tune to Berry Gordy's mansion where he was hosting a party for actor Chuck Connors. He took the tape into the party and played it for his guests who loved it. Berry told Rockwell to not expect much R&B play, but he was oh so wrong! The tune was #1 R&B for five weeks and Rockwell went back to Gordy to rub it in. It did well on the disco chart for a #3 spot and did even better on the pop charts by peaking at #2 for three weeks. Why this one? Hell, its Sunday night before Labour Day party on!

[wb]

I always loved the instrumental and Michael jackson singing

[magalyalarcon]

¡ Por Dios ! Qué bella joya musical de los mágicos ochenta !!!

[unclebuck]

How relevant is this song today? With all the cameras everywhere! 👀👀👀

[rodolfoenriquezlopez]

Excelente rolota, , casi 40 años y seguiré escuchándola y disfrutandola eternamente.

[rosamaryfigueroa]

Thank you! The Best music for ever. 😊❤👍

[theturkeyhead]

I was a club DJ in 84 and literally had the Motown rep come up to my booth with the advance promo. Gave it a listen on the phones, then fit it in with another MJ song.
And as they say, “the crowd went crazy”!
Good stuff! Great mix, Cat!✔️😎

[kingcurt]

This song is an excellent masterpiece!!🔥🔥

[rontaylor]

Classic old school jam..the thumbs down must be the ones watching

[liljoe]

1983...this is everyone's nightmare.
2023....this is everyone's fact of life
We need to alter course...

[Thisbook]

1950 : dont say that, the gov will wire tap my house.
2020 : wire tap, do you have a recipe for pancakes?

[karenhallman]

Great job with this, love this mix...I've loved this song since '84 and I was 17, and I still have my original 45....just great!, Thanks!

[bj-martinmixmusic]

Extraordinary, one of my favorites from the 80s

[rockybudgeboa]

The eyes in the photos, they look like Michaels. RIP Michael <3

[dj_pyl]

Hello DJDiscoCat, what memories, a beautiful remix of 9'04 👍. I applause you again. Thank you. 😉

[Meltdown]

Great song with a great story thank you for sharing 🌝

[guillermomoralesmiranda]

Gracias.. Excelente... Nueva versión... Me. Remontó a esa linda época...

[harrietkaplan]

Total kitsch new wave vibe! With a funky undercurrent with some R&B flavor. One of my favorite songs period!

[ryanjackson]

One of my favorite songs from the 80s! Can't get enough of your remixes, you are spot on everytime!!

[mrfloxin]

DJDiscoCat: Would you another remix to an another Rockwell song called "Obscene Phone Caller?" I was just asking though! I can't believe that Rockwell album is celebrating forty years old: 1984-2024! Times fly when you are having fun for sure!

[bernardoseabaeltran]

ETERNAMENTE 80'S ETERNAMENTE ROCKWELL ETERNAMENTE EL POP DANCE Y AMA LA VIDA👍