Rock the House

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“Rock the House”
“Rock the House” cover
Single by Gorillaz featuring Del tha Funkee Homosapien
from the album Gorillaz
Released October 22, 2001 (UK)
November 20, 2001 (US)
Format CD, MC
Recorded 2000
Genre G-Funk
Alternative rap
Length 4 minutes 9 seconds
Label Parlophone
Writer(s) 2-D, Murdoc, Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Dan The Automator, John Dankworth
Producer Gorillaz, Dan the Automator
Gorillaz singles chronology
"19-2000"
(2001)
"Rock the House"
(2001)
"911"
(2001)
Rock the House 2
Rock the House 2

"Rock the House" is a song from the Gorillaz self-titled debut album, Gorillaz. It was also the third single from that album, released in October 2001 (see 2001 in music). It peaked at the #18 position in the British charts.

[edit] Track listings

  • CD1 (CDR6565)
  1. "Rock the House"
  2. "The Sounder"
  3. "Faust"
  4. "Rock the House" (enhanced video)
  • CD2 (CDRS6565)
  1. "Rock the House"
  2. "Ghost Train"
  3. "19-2000"
  4. "19-2000" (enhanced video)

[edit] Song

The song is one of the more hip hop-oriented songs on the album, along with Clint Eastwood. It features a horn section loop sampled from Modesty Blaise by British jazz musician John Dankworth and a sample of "How many people ready to rock the house?" on the chorus. It can also be noted Del is the only one doing vocals in this song.


In the radio edit of this song, the line which features the words "Shake your ass-crack" is cut. It features the orchestral hit type sounds which features after the trumpet riff at the start of the song so that the last two words are not heard.

[edit] Music video

Directed by Jamie Hewlett and Pete Candeland.

It starts with a shot of the gate of Kong Studios. We then follow what appears to be Noodle riding on a tricycle through the hallways of the building, a reference to the horror film classic The Shining. It leads us past a door to a room where the Gorillaz are performing. A white mist appears among them and Russel passes out. Then we see the floor has turned into the ghost of Del, who rises up and throws the Gorillaz to the ground. Del is outfitted with protective gear including a helmet. In Rise Of The Ogre it explains he is dressed as Mr. Freedom. Del takes a few steps when from behind him a series of spring loaded guns shoot billiard balls at him, but he diverts them with his glove. A series of inflatable female gorillas appear and start to do cheerleading. 2-D is dodging the balls being shot at him by doing dance moves, but then he is hit by a few balls and knocked out. Murdoc then begins to divert the balls with specially padded (but only at the front) pair of briefs he's wearing, hitting them away with his pelvic thrusts. He is successful a dozen times until a ball ricochets off the padded wall and hits his unprotected buttocks. The ball ricochets and hits Russel in the head, waking him up and making Del disappear. Russel looks around, noticing 2-D is unconscious, Murdoc is standing bandy legged, and Noodle is the only one in the original state. The final scene is a backwards shot of the first one.