The 10 Best Rod Temperton Songs

After leaving Heatwave, Temperton starting penning songs for other artists. Rufus & Chaka's "Masterjam" was one of his earlier works. The buoyant funk song featured the powerful vocals of Chaka Khan. Again, Temperton's carefree lyrics of dancing and having fun make this another classic gem of the disco era.

The Queen of Disco Donna Summer enlisted the songwriting help of Rod Temperton for her funky 1982 single, "Love Is in Control." Initially, the song represented Summer's big comeback after the disco era ended. But it wasn't until a year later when the late singer released "She Works Hard for the Money" that Summer had her true comeback hit.

Rod Temperton continued his songwriting magic for Michael MacDonald (following their successful "Yah Mo Be There," a popular 1983 duet with MacDonald and James Ingram) with this hit from the forgettable Billy Crystal/Gregory Hines comedy Running Scared. The infectious synth-driven R&B sound keeps everything in groove, and the song has a staying power that far outlasted the movie's.

During Rod Temperton's career, he maintained a fruitful and lasting musical partnership with Quincy Jones. The two worked brilliantly together on albums by The Brothers Johnson, two of Michael Jackson's classic albums and on Jones' solo projects. One of Temperton's finest ballads was this beautiful tune that became a 1995 hit for Canadian singer Tamia when it was featured on Quincy's album Q's Jook Joint.

This is the song that started Rod Temperton's career. The musician wrote Heatwave's debut single, "Boogie Nights," and all of the songs on Heatwave's seminal 1976 album, Too Hot Too Handle. In the video, that's Temperton on the organ. While the lyrics were slick and fun, it was brothers Johnnie and Keith Wilder's vocals that gave the song its anthemic appeal.

George Benson's "Give Me the Night" was released in the summer 1980 and became a chart-topping smash on both the Billboard R&B and Disco Songs charts. Temperton wrote the song, which has become a dance floor classic with its carefree lyrics of dancing, romance and fun after dark.

If there's any song that would get your foot tapping, it's The Brothers Johnson's track "Stomp!" Produced by Quincy Jones, it's another post-disco funk jam that's tailor-made for the dance floor. Again, while the orchestral sounds, synths and guitar playing makes this an anthemic party jam, its Temperton's penned lyrics that give the song its identity.

Rod Temperton may be known for bringing the funk, but he was gifted songwriter when it came to penning love songs. Patti Austin and James Ingram's "Baby Come to Me" is one of those sumptuous ballads that never gets old. While the music is phenomenal (courtesy of Quincy Jones), it's the lyrics that gives the song its identity.

Arguably, Rod Temperton wrote one of the greatest love songs in the history of R&B and soul music. Heatwave's "Always and Forever" will always be a mainstay on Quiet Storm radio and the go-to song at June weddings. Johnnie Walker Jr.'s piercing falsetto helped bring out Temperton's romanticizing lyrics of love and devotion. It's the ultimate love song that continues to reward your ears after numerous replays.

Temperton was the man behind so many classic MJ tracks, but his finest moment (arguably) is this classic smooth groove from Off the Wall. With it's laid-back rhythm and soaring melody, it became one of Michael Jackson's signature songs and a standout moment for the hitmaking songwriter.