The group released their debut single, “Goodfootin',” on Liberty Records in 1970 with “We're Keepin’ Our Business” as the B-Side. However, the single failed to chart. They caught their first big break when they were tapped to appear in the 1972 Blaxploitation/horror film Blacula, starring William Marshall and Vonetta McGee. They were featured in a nightclub scene performing the songs “There He Is Again,” What the World Knows,” and “I’m Gonna Catch You.”
Shortly after their appearance in Blacula, lead singer Karl Russell left the group to pursue a solo career and was replaced by Fleming Williams. The group signed with RCA Records in 1972 and released their debut album Freedom for the Stallion on December 7, 1973. The collection’s lead single was the title track, “Freedom for the Stallion.” The lovely Allen Toussaint-penned pop-soul track was a minor hit, peaking at #63 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #9 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart. And it rose to #16 on the Canadian charts. The album’s second single, “Miracle Maker (Sweet Soul Shaker)” failed to crack the charts.
“Rock The Boat” was a track on Freedom for the Stallion. The group’s manager, Wally Holmes, wrote the song, and John Florez produced it. Florez initially wasn’t a fan of the lyrics, calling them “trite.” He changed the opening line from “Ever since our voyage of love began" to “So I’d like to know where you got the notion” to give it more punch. The song was originally released as the B-side of “All Goin’ Down Together,” the third single from Freedom for the Stallion. However, due to the enthusiastic response to “Rock The Boat” at New York dance clubs, Florez remixed it to augment the bass and rhythm instruments and re-released it in May of 1974.
“Rock The Boat” possesses a breezy, infectious charm, featuring a unique rhythm arrangement with a rumba-like beat that’s bolstered by a reggae-influenced bass line. And Fleming Williams delivers a smooth, rich lead vocal performance complemented by Kelley and Lee's exquisite background harmonies. The track boasts an irresistible chorus, soaring strings, and marvelous horn charts. It closes out with some fine guitar work from Larry Carlton.
The song uses nautical imagery to symbolize a strong, enduring love that remains steadfast throughout rough times: “Up to now, we've sailed through every storm/And I've always had your tender lips to keep me warm.” “Rock The Boat” is a shimmering celebration of a couple’s undying love and devotion.
In a 1999 interview with ClassicBands.com, St. Clair Lee discussed the song’s distinct sound and how it can’t really be categorized as pop or disco:
It was a song that you could do anything on. You could cuddle, or you could get crazy if
you wanted to. It was a love song without being a love song. But it was a disco hit, and
it happened because of the discos.
The musician lineup on "Rock The Boat" included Wilton Felder (bass), Joe Sample (piano), Larry Carlton (guitar), Jim Gordon (drums), and Wally Holmes (trumpet).
“Rock The Boat” was a huge crossover smash. It topped the Billboard Hot 100, peaked at #2 on Billboard’s R&B singles chart, and reached #5 on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart. It also enjoyed significant chart action internationally, landing in the top 10 in seven countries: Argentina (#2), the UK (#6), South Africa (#5), Ireland (#9), New Zealand (#8), the Netherlands (#4), and Canada (#1). And it climbed to #18 in Australia. The track sold more than two million copies worldwide and was certified Gold by the RIAA. And it’s widely considered one of the earliest disco records and the first true disco song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Rock The Boat" has been sampled on 15 songs, including Jurassic 5’s “Concrete Schoolyard” and “Force M.D.'s Meet the Fat Boys.” It has been featured on many film soundtracks and TV series.
The popular “Rock The Boat” dance is frequently performed at weddings and birthday parties. The dance involves a large group of people sitting down in a row and “rowing” a boat to the song. In 2019, the song regained global attention when the “Rock The Boat” dance was performed in an episode of the highly popular and critically acclaimed teen sitcom Derry Girls.
The group’s next single was the “Rock The Boat” sound-alike “Rockin’ Soul,” released in October 1974. While the song performed well on the charts, it didn’t come close to matching the massive success of its predecessor. It peaked at #18 on the Billboard Hot 100, #6 on Billboard's R&B singles chart, and #5 on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs. It reached #24 on the UK charts, #9 in the Netherlands, and #33 in Canada.
The Hues Corporation had another modest hit in 1975 with “Love Corporation” and one in 1977 with “I Caught Your Act.” In the subsequent years, the group completely disappeared from the charts. They broke up sometime around 1980.
In the 1990s, St. Clair Lee reactivated the Hues Corporation in the wake of a renewed interest in the group, recruiting new members Bruce Glover and Elaine Woodward. The trio performed worldwide alongside fellow classic soul acts on the oldies circuit until Lee’s death in 2011.
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