Gwen McCrae, Rockin’ Chair | 1 Hit WONDERful

In the ninth edition of 1 Hit WONDERful (2024), we highlight “Rockin’ Chair” performed by ‘The Queen of Rare Groove,’ Gwen McCrae. 

It only takes ONE hit to solidify a musical legacy ! On 1 Hit WONDERful, we highlight songs that were the SOLE hit by a given musician.  It is possible that the artists appearing on this list earned a minor hit or two, BUT for the most part, that ONE hit earned them recognition. So, in the ninth edition of 1 Hit WONDERful (2024), we dive into “Rockin’ Chair”, the one-hit wonder by Gwen McCrae.

“Sexy baby, good lovin’ daddy / Oh, let me be your rockin’ chair / Just a rock me way from here.” Ooh-la-la, that is, dare I say, sexy.  Those memorable lyrics hail from the “Rockin’ Chair” (the chorus), the sole pop hit by the late disco, funk, R&B/soul singer Gwen McCrae (1943 – 2025).  McCrae peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100, cementing her status as a one-hit wonder. Even so, the gifted singer is notable for originally releasing “You Were Always On My Mind” (pre-Willie Nelson), and is described as ‘The Queen of Rare Groove.’  “Rockin’ Chair” originally appeared on her 1975 album, Rockin’ Chair. Willie Clarke and Clarence Reid penned it, while Clarke, Reid, and Steve Alaimo produced it.  Reid released the song in 1974, a year before the McCrae hit arrived.

“Rockin’ Chair” features a funky musical backdrop comprised of a locked-in rhythm section, sweet, tender flute, and mean-sounding, articulated horns.  McCrae delivers a powerful vocal performance that’s gritty and oozing with soul.  The melody is incredibly tuneful, shaped by McCrae’s authentic, expressive approach.  Gwen shows off her attitude and personality beginning with the introduction, with its “mmm(s)” and “ah(s).”  Following the centerpiece, the chorus, she drops a pleasant first verse. She asks him to “Let your arms / Shelter me from all hurt and pain, mm / Light my heart / With your everlasting flame.” Aww ! In the second verse, penned similarly, she requests him to “Rock me gently / Make me feel like a cloud in the sky / Whisper softly / Let my heart take wing and fly.” No deep analysis is necessary regarding “Rockin’ Chair”.  It is a timeless disco, funk, and soul classic that earned Gwen McCrae her most notoriety.  Still, as talented as McCrae was, she deserved more than one pop hit.

Gwen McCrae // Henry Stone’s Best Of Gwen McCrae // Henry Stone Music // 2014

Gwen McCrae, Rockin’ Chair: 1 Hit WONDERful No. 9 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Henry Stone Music; Antoni Shkraba, KoolShooters, Pavel Danilyuk, Photo By: Kaboompics.com, RDNE Stock project from Pexels; AcatXIo, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]