| "Rock the Boat" | ||||
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| Single by Aaliyah | ||||
| from the album Aaliyah | ||||
| B-side | "We Need a Resolution" | |||
| Released | August 21, 2001 | |||
| Recorded | 2001 | |||
| Studio | Manhattan Center (New York City) | |||
| Genre | R&B | |||
| Length | 4:35 | |||
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| Aaliyah singles chronology | ||||
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"Rock the Boat" is a song recorded by American singer Aaliyah for her eponymous third and final studio album (2001). It was written by Static Major, Eric Seats, and Rapture Stewart, with Seats and Stewart producing it. Initially, "More Than a Woman" was expected to be the album's second single; however, "Rock the Boat" garnered heavy radio airplay prematurely, which prompted Blackground Records to make that song the second single instead. On August 21, 2001, it was officially serviced to rhythmic contemporary radio by Blackground Records and Virgin Records.
Musically, it is a Caribbean-flavored mid-tempo R&B song with funk influences. Lyrically, it focuses on the female narrator (Aaliyah) instructing her lover on how to please her sexually. Upon its release, "Rock the Boat" received generally favorable reviews from music critics, with many praising Aaliyah's vocals, the song's lyricism, and overall production. In 2002, the song received a nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards. A commercial success in the United States, it peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100. Internationally, it achieved similar success, reaching the top 20 in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
An accompanying music video for "Rock the Boat" was directed by Hype Williams and was filmed in Miami and the Bahamas. It is a dance–heavy tropical–themed video that features Aaliyah dancing on the beach and a yacht. Following its completion, Aaliyah and eight others died in a plane crash on August 25, 2001. Due to Aaliyah's death, there was uncertainty about the video's release. Eventually, it made its television debut on BET's Access Granted on October 9. In 2002, the video received critical acclaim from the critics and the music industry, earning nominations for Best R&B Video at the MTV Video Music Awards and Outstanding Music Video at the NAACP Image Awards.