Rocket 2 U

"Rocket 2 U"
Single by The Jets
from the album Magic
B-side"Our Only Chance"
ReleasedJanuary 1, 1988
GenreDance-pop, R&B
Length3:41
LabelMCA Records
Songwriter(s)Bobby Nunn
Producer(s)Bobby Nunn
The Jets singles chronology
"I Do You"
(1987) 		"Rocket 2 U"
(1988) 		"Make It Real"
(1988)

"Rocket 2 U" is a song by the American sibling group, The Jets. It was written and produced by Bobby Nunn. The single, featuring lead vocals by Haini Wolfgramm,[1] received a nomination for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 31st Grammy Awards in 1989.[2]

Released as the third single from their album Magic in 1988, the song was the second most successful single released from the album, peaking at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and number five on the R&B chart.

In July 2022 Nunn sued The NFL and NBC for using "Rocket 2U" during football games on NBC without a license.[3] The case was settled in April 2023 for an undisclosed amount.[4]

Background

Nunn originally offered "Rocket 2 U" to Earth, Wind & Fire for inclusion on their 1987 album, Touch the World. During that time, Nunn was talking to Bobby Brown, who introduced him to MCA Records executive Louil Silas Jr. Nunn played Silas several demos - one of which was "Rocket 2 U". Silas then wanted to give the song to The Jets. Nunn insisted on Earth, Wind & Fire recording the song, but the group was taking too long to start recording it. After the long wait, Philip Bailey suggested letting The Jets record it, to which Nunn agreed.[5]

Music video

The music video for the song depicts the band performing the song while wearing colorful clothes in front of a grey background, and comedic shots of a woman who has things going wrong all around her house, representing some of the song lyrics.

Chart performance

Chart (1988) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[6] 92
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[7] 90
US Billboard Hot 100[8] 6
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[9] 3
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[10] 5
U.S. Billboard Hot Crossover 30[citation needed] 2
UK Singles (OCC)[11] 69
U.S. Cash Box Top 100 5

Year-end charts

Chart (1988) Position
United States (Billboard)[12][13] 68

References

  1. ^ "Moana Wolfgramm". WBSSmedia. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  2. ^ "Jets". Recording Academy. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  3. ^ "TMZ – Bobby Nunn". United States: TMZ. 13 July 2022.
  4. ^ "Bobby Nunn - Bloomberg Law". United States: bloomberglaw.com.
  5. ^ "Exclusive interview with Bobby Nunn". boogie80.com. Boogie 80. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
  6. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 155. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  7. ^ "The Jets %5BUS%5D – Rocket 2 U" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  8. ^ "The Jets Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  9. ^ "The Jets Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  10. ^ "The Jets Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  11. ^ "Jets {US}: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  12. ^ "1988 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 100, no. 52. December 24, 1988. p. Y-20.
  13. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1988". Retrieved October 3, 2016.