Living in San Francisco in the 1960s, he performed in a musical production called Women of the Blues, then joined a short-lived group of transvestite performance artists called The Cockettes in the early 70's (famed transvestite Divine was a member of the group as well). Sylvester can be seen in The Cockettes' outrageous short film Tricia's Wedding, lampooning the wedding of President Nixon's daughter Tricia, and in an eponymous 2002 documentary about the group.
In 1972, Sylvester supplied two cuts to Lights Out San Francisco, an album complied by the KSAN radio station and released on the Blue Thumb label. In 1973, Sylvester & his Hot Band released two rock-oriented albums on Blue Thumb (their self-titled debut was also known as "Scratch My Flower," due to a gardenia-shaped scratch-and-sniff sticker adhered to the cover). Signed a solo act to Fantasy Records in 1977, and working with the production talents of legendary Motown producer Harvey Fuqua. Sylvester later alleged that Fuqua cheated him out of millions of dollars.
Sylvester soon met his frequent collaborator Patrick Cowley. Cowley's synthesizer and Sylvester's voice proved to be a magical combination, and pushed Sylvester's sound in an increasingly dance-oriented direction; his second solo album - Step II (1978) - unleashed two disco classics: "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)," and "Dance (Disco Heat)." By this time both his live shows and recordings also recognizably featured the back-up vocals of Two Tons O' Fun: future Weather Girls Martha Wash and Izora Rhodes. 1979 brought three Billboard awards and an appearance in the movie, The Rose, starring Bette Midler.
Moving to Megatone Records in 1982, Sylvester quickly landed a Hi-NRG classic with "Do You Wanna Funk." He was close friends with other Megatone artists Linda Imperial and Jeanie Tracy. Sylvester was also very close to the legendary Patti LaBelle.
Later pressure from the label to "butch up" his image would result in him attending meetings in full-on drag. A drag photo shoot, which he staged and presented to label heads as a gag (calling it his "new album cover") would later grace the cover of Immortal after Sylvester died; it was the label's way of paying tribute to his spirit. In 1985, one of his dreams came true as he was summoned to sing back-up for Aretha Franklin on her Who's Zoomin' Who comeback album. His sole Warner Bros. album was Mutual Attraction in 1986; a single from the album, "Someone Like You," featured original cover art by Keith Haring.
Sylvester died of complications from AIDS on December 16, 1988. His good friend Jeanie Tracy took care of Sylvester during his last days.
In the late 1990's, performance artist Djola Branner (co-founder of the highly influential Pomo Afro Homos troupe) created his acclaimed solo piece and CD Mighty Real around the life of Sylvester.
On September 20, 2004 Sylvester's anthem record, You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real), was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame. A year later, on September 19, 2005, Sylvester himself was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame for his achievement as an artist.
In 2005, a biography written by Joshua Gamson and titled The Fabulous Sylvester: The Legend, The music, The 70s in San Francisco was published.
2. Sylvester (Sylvester Larsen , born 1973) is a danish artist, who has released 4 albums. He is the son of Kim Larsen. See www.sylvesterlarsen.dk
Dance
Sylvester Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Boogie crowds the floor
Rockin' all the way
Hot 'til break of day
Since midnight's fall I've been in a sweat
Groovin' steppin' high
Prancin' side to side
Rhythm's tight and drivin'
Disco sound takes me higher
Dancin's total freedom
Be yourself and choose your feelin'
Come on get up I want to see ya swingin' swayin'
Fancy slidin'glidin' rockin' reelin'
Come on get up ev'rybody dance
Cookin' on my feet in the disco heat
Hustlin' through the night
Mornin' light shines on me again
Music takes me dance dance
Rhythm's tight and drivin' high, high, higher
Get on the hook
'Cause dancing's total freedom
Be yourself and choose your feelin'
Come on get up I want to see ya swingin' swayin'
Move groove slidin' glidin' rockin' reelin'
Come on get up ev'rybody dance, dance, dance
Swing it sway it
Come on and use your feelin'
Slidin' glidin'
Heqrt and soul together
Movin' groovin' we can dance forever
Rockin' reelin'
Come on get up everyody dance
Come on and dance with me
In the disco heat
The song "Dance (Disco Heat)" by Sylvester is an iconic disco anthem that celebrates the freedom and joy of dancing. The song describes the energy of a disco club at night, where people come together to move and groove to the beat of the music until the early morning. The lyrics highlight the power of music to bring people together and create a sense of community.
The chorus of the song encourages everyone to get up and dance, emphasizing the idea that dancing is a form of self-expression and a way for people to showcase their individual personalities. The song celebrates the diversity of the disco scene, where people from all walks of life can come together and share their love for music and dancing.
The lyrics also describe the physicality of dancing, with phrases like "groovin' steppin' high" and "fancy slidin'glidin' rockin' reelin'." These words evoke a sense of movement and flow, capturing the dynamic nature of disco dancing.
Overall, "Dance (Disco Heat)" is a song that captures the spirit of disco and the joy of dancing. It celebrates the power of music to bring people together and create a sense of community, while also highlighting the individuality and self-expression that comes with dancing.
Line by Line Meaning
Near disco dawn
It's almost dawn and the disco is still crowded with people dancing.
Boogie crowds the floor
The floor is packed with people dancing to the boogie music.
Rockin' all the way
The music and people are energetic and lively all night long.
Hot 'til break of day
The atmosphere is still energetic and lively until the end of the night.
Since midnight's fall I've been in a sweat
The person has been dancing and sweating since midnight.
Groovin' steppin' high
The person is dancing with rhythm and high energy.
Prancin' side to side
The person is moving side-to-side in a playful and lively manner.
Crowds all round
There are people surrounding the dancer on the dance floor.
Rhythm's tight and drivin'
The music has a consistent and intense beat that drives the person to dance.
Disco sound takes me higher
The music is elevating the person's mood and energy level.
Dancin's total freedom
Dancing provides a sense of freedom to be oneself and express feelings.
Be yourself and choose your feelin'
People should express themselves and choose their own dancing style based on their feelings.
Come on get up I want to see ya swingin' swayin'
The person is encouraging others to dance with free-flowing movements.
Fancy slidin' glidin' rockin' reelin'
The person is describing different dancing movements such as sliding, gliding, rocking, and reeling.
Cookin' on my feet in the disco heat
The person's feet feel hot due to being active and dancing in a hot environment.
Hustlin' through the night
The person is dancing energetically and non-stop all night long.
Mornin' light shines on me again
The sun is rising and morning is coming again, but the person is still dancing.
Music takes me dance dance
The music motivates the person to dance and move their body.
Rhythm's tight and drivin' high, high, higher
The music has a powerful beat that is driving the person's dancing to higher levels of energy.
Get on the hook
The person is encouraging others to get hooked into the rhythm and energy of the music.
Heqrt and soul together
The person is dancing with their heart and soul fully invested in the moment.
Movin' groovin' we can dance forever
The person wants to keep dancing and moving to the music forever.
Swing it sway it
The person is encouraging others to dance in a free-flowing, swinging and swaying manner.
Come on and use your feelin'
People should express themselves and their feelings through dancing.
In the disco heat
The person is dancing in a hot, lively disco environment.
Come on and dance with me
The person is inviting others to join them in dancing.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KEHINDE HASSAN, TAIWO HASSAN, RYEISHA ROCHELLE BARRAIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Dawnn2900
The real King and Queen of Disco! Rest in paradise Sylvester. You are gone but never forgotten. 🥰
@sheenasmithe515
Expressing accurate paradise is not for people in certain situations. Question which Paradise are you referring and what religion …
@Dawnn2900
@sheenasmithe515 At first, I didn't feel this comment was worthy of my time and response. But what the hell, here we go. First of all, I'm a grown woman! I do need to explain myself to you. Who are you?! Also, if you reside in the U.S. you're on Native land. And I am Native. And what you will not do is question me in my home, like the colonizers (napikwons) did to my ancestors about our spirituality. Lovingly put "I am not my ancestors! You are a guest on this land, so behave accordingly. And if you're not in the U.S. you need to mind your business! This comment is about honoring Sylvester and not questioning me about my beliefs. Stay on topic or take your "trolling mess" somewhere else. Have the day you deserve!
@gineojumier
Para sempre
@paulobomfim3578
A grande lenda, rainha da disco music, Sylvester James para sempre❤🏳️🌈
@carolynwhite9975
Love It!! The Harmony is tight. With the repetitions, Dance with me in the disco heat it's like disco meets gospel.
@marcelopires6331
A melhor, que rítmo maravilhoso!!!
@craigdavis5407
Mr. Sylvester was really ahead of his time man.
@andreluizbueno9183
Eu amo mto
Tem mta qualidade , sonzeira 😍
@albertogutierrez8653
When you dance to this, you are meditating and disconnecting your mind. Meditating on the groove.