Rock Creek Park

Album: City Life (1976)
Charted: 93
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Rock Creek Park is an oasis of nature in the heart of Washington, DC, where The Blackbyrds formed. The group members knew the park well, having spent lots of time there fishing, playing sports, and just getting away from the urban din.

    The song started off with a groove the band came up with when they were opening for the Commodores at a show in New Jersey. When they worked on the groove in the studio, drummer Keith Killgo came up with the "In Rock Creek Park" line, and the rest of the band joined in. "That rhythm made you feel the park," he told The Washington Post. "The sound feels like the park."
  • The lyrics are very repetitive, with "Doing it in the park, doing it after dark, ooh, yeah, Rock Creek Park" repeated over and over. So, what exactly are they "doing" after hours in the park? According to Killgo, "having a good time."
  • The female vocalist who comes in with the "do it!" rejoinder is Merry Clayton, who was featured in the 2013 documentary about unsung backup singers, 20 Feet from Stardom. Her best-known performance can be heard on the Rolling Stones song "Gimme Shelter."

Comments: 1

  • Washington Dcgirl from Rock Creek ParkThis should be the DC Anthem. It has been for those who grew up and live in Rock Creek Park all they’re life such as myself.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)Songwriter Interviews

Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai were two of Graham's co-writers for some '80s rock classics.

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

Band Names

Band NamesFact or Fiction

Was "Pearl" Eddie Vedder's grandmother, and did she really make a hallucinogenic jam? Did Journey have a contest to name the group? And what does KISS stand for anyway?

Mike Scott of The Waterboys - "Fisherman's Blues"

Mike Scott of The Waterboys - "Fisherman's Blues"They're Playing My Song

Armed with a childhood spent devouring books, Mike Scott's heart was stolen by the punk rock scene of 1977. Not surprisingly, he would go on to become the most literate of rockers.

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.