 It was released as the third single from the album in early 1974, to follow up "Stallion"s title song, which had peaked at number sixty-three on the Hot 100, and "Miracle Maker (Sweet Soul Shaker)" which did not chart.Initially, "Rock the Boat" appeared as though it would also flop, as months went by without any radio airplay or sales activity.Not until the song became a disco favorite in New York did Top 40 radio finally pick up on the song, leading the record to finally enter the Hot 100 and zip up the chart to number one the week of July 6, 1974, in only its seventh week on the chart (and fourth week in the Top 40).