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
I Need Somebody To Love Tonight
Sylvester Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I need somebody to love tonight
I need somebody to love tonight
Do, do, do, do
Do, do, do, do
Do, do, do, do
Do, do, do, do
I need somebody to love tonight
Do, do, do, do
Do, do, do, do
Do, do, do, do
Do, do, do, do
Oooo
I don′t know about you
But, sometimes around midnight
I get the feeling
That I need somebody to love tonight
(Ooooo)
Oh, I need someone to love tonight
Oooo, I need someone to love tonight
Ohhh, yeah
Oh baby, tonight
Oh baby, need you tonight, want you tonight
Need you tonight, I want you tonight
I need you tonight
I need your loving, need your love tonight
The lyrics of Sylvester's song "I Need Somebody To Love Tonight" convey a deep longing and desire for companionship and love. The repetition of the phrase "I need somebody to love tonight" emphasizes the desperation and yearning the singer feels.
The repetitive "do, do, do, do" lyrics create a sense of urgency and restlessness, as if the singer is searching for someone to fill a void in their life. It can also be seen as a representation of the repetitive nature of their search for love, as they continue to seek out someone to fulfill their emotional needs.
The line, "I don’t know about you, but sometimes around midnight I get the feeling that I need somebody to love tonight," suggests that the singer often experiences moments of loneliness and longing late at night. This feeling may arise from a sense of emptiness or a desire for emotional connection that intensifies during these vulnerable moments.
The repetition of the phrase "Oh, I need someone to love tonight" further emphasizes the intense longing and desperation for love. The use of "Ohhh" and "Oooo" creates a passionate and pleading tone, showcasing the singer's desire for someone to fulfill their emotional needs and provide love and affection.
In the final lines, the singer expresses their immediate need for love and affection by repeating "I need you tonight, I need your loving, need your love tonight." These lyrics emphasize their urgency for companionship and highlight the physical and emotional aspects of love that they crave.
Overall, Sylvester's "I Need Somebody To Love Tonight" conveys a deep longing for connection and love, capturing the universal human desire to be loved and feel emotionally fulfilled.
Line by Line Meaning
I need somebody to love tonight
I am seeking companionship and love in my life tonight
Do, do, do, do
There is a yearning and longing for someone
I don't know about you
I cannot speak for others, but...
But, sometimes around midnight
Occasionally, when it is late at night
I get the feeling
I experience an emotion or sensation
That I need somebody to love tonight
That I require the presence of someone to love and be loved by tonight
Ooooo
Expressing a sound of delight or desire
Oh, I need someone to love tonight
Oh, I am in need of a person to love tonight
Oooo, I need someone to love tonight
Oooo, I require a person to love tonight
Ohhh, yeah
Ohhh, yes
Oh baby, tonight
Oh my dear, this very night
Oh baby, need you tonight, want you tonight
Oh my dear, I desire and long for your presence tonight
Need you tonight, I want you tonight
I require your presence tonight, I desire you tonight
I need you tonight
I am in need of your presence tonight
I need your loving, need your love tonight
I require your affection and love tonight
Writer(s): Sylvester James, Patrick Cowley
Contributed by Zachary J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@vivian9538
Since I first heard this song I immediately felt in love with it.
It gave me shivers and tears, because there is so much yearning
in Sylvester 's voice - and no doubt it is one of the best compositions
Patrick Cowley ever did in his, what a pity, short career as a musician....
@dimitrikostakis7775
Gifted and higher level. I'm glad he's not here. These people today got no clue. Sylvester is only for the few
@vivian9538
@Dimitri Kostakis ...sounds almost like a poem - and yes it is true, that Sylvester is only for the few.
@Reb3nga
@Dimitri Kostakis Nonsense, thanks to internet people will always discover music.
I'm from 81 so for me the 80's is a unique era that will never be matched.
I try to bring up my kids with all kinds of music genres, and the 80's is one of many :)
@paulrennie2603
Groundbreaking Sylvester and Patrick Cowley - sounds like the past and the future at the same time - timeless
@mrtruthhurts2307
Truth this is fire 🔥🔥🔥
@marcellusbrown2489
I remember the very first time, I heard this song @ Paradise Garage, I didn't know whether to cry, make a move or be still! I chose to be stil and this song, enveloped my heart ,soul and mind! one of my favorites by The late legend Sylvester! miss you continue to RIP 🙏
@jmar1973
I came across this track via an ex girlfriend's old Sylvester Cassette.
This sounded so futuristic to me even at that time.
Rest In Peace Sylvester and Patrick Cawley.
@rasul01
If you want to hear a song that's very ahead of its time, listen to 'Midnight Shift' by Donna Summer; you won't regret it.
@zenpop
This is a masterpiece. Patrick Cowley! Genius.