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
Lovin' Is Really My Game
Sylvester Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hangin' out at a discotheque
But I believe in the boogie
Oh, but the boogie don't believe in me
Well, I got my way of groovin'
Sittin' down right in my seat
I get soul satisfaction
Whoa... ho... disco guy
You'll be sorry if you pass me by
I've got what you need
Boy, I wouldn't tell you no lie
Why not give me a chance
I swear I could prove it
That don't mean I can't move it
And it's close to perfection
I just use it in another direction, yeah
Ooh... ooh... yeah
I can't catch no thrill
Though the music they're playin' makes me feel
When all is said and done
Well, now, I know what it's all about
Well, hey, come along with me
If you do I will guarantee
I'm gonna give you my love
And the way it's gonna make you shout, shout, shout, boy
Disco guy
You'll be sorry if you pass me by
I've got what you need
And boy, I wouldn't tell you no lie
Why not give me a chance
I swear I could prove it
That don't mean I can't move it
And it's close to perfection
I just use it in another direction
I can't catch no man
Hangin' out at a discotheque
But I believe in the boogie
Oh, but lovin' is really my game
Well, lovin' is really my game
Well, lovin' is really my game
Well, lovin' is really my game
Try me, baby, yeah
And I will make you see, yeah
I-I got lovin', yeah
I-I got lovin', yeah
I'm gonna love you right, yes, I will
Every day and every night, yeah
Ooh... ooh... ooh... oh... oh... oh...
Ooh... ooh... ooh... oh... oh... oh...
Ooh... ooh... ooh... oh... oh... oh...
Ooh... ooh... ooh... oh... oh... oh...
Ooh... ooh... ooh... oh... oh... oh...
Ooh... ooh... ooh... oh... oh... oh...
Ooh... ooh... ooh... oh... oh... oh...
Ooh... ooh... ooh... oh... oh... oh...
Ooh... ooh... ooh... oh... oh... oh...
Try me, baby, yeah
Try me, baby, yeah
¡®Cause I got it, yeah
I've got love, yeah
And I got good kissin', yeah
And I got good squeezin', yeah
Try me, baby, alright
Love me, baby, alright
Try me, baby, yeah
I got love
Come on and give it to me
And I will love you right, yes, I will
Every day and every night, yeah
And then you'll see that lovin' is really my game, whoa
Lovin' is really my game, whoa
Lovin' is really my game, yeah
Lovin' is really my game
I wanna make you feel good all over
Oh... oh... and-and then you will see
Lovin' is really my game, yeah
It's my game, it's my game, it's my game
Lovin' is my game, it's a game, yeah
The lyrics to Sylvester's song Lovin' Is Really My Game speak to the frustration of not being able to find a love interest at the discotheque. Despite this, the singer believes in the power of the boogie but feels as though it does not reciprocate the belief. The lyrics also highlight the singer's unique way of grooving, which doesn't require jumping up and down or being active. The song then continues, with the singer attempting to convince a "disco guy" to give them a chance, promising to prove that they can move, and the perfection they possess will be used in another direction.
The lyrics metaphorically use the discotheque as a symbol of the relationship scene where the singer has been unsuccessful in finding love. The song talks about how despite the singer's unique way of grooving, they have not been able to catch anybody's attention or catch any man. The lyrics are empowering, urging the person to be given a chance and assuring them that they have what the other person needs. The song has been relatable to many individuals and remains a classic disco anthem.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't catch no man
I don't have any success getting a man's attention
Hangin' out at a discotheque
Despite being in a social setting meant for meeting people, I am still unsuccessful
But I believe in the boogie
I still have faith in the power of dance music
Oh, but the boogie don't believe in me
Despite my faith in the power of dance music, it doesn't seem to have any effect on getting me a man
Well, I got my way of groovin'
I have my own personal style of dancing
Sittin' down right in my seat
I don't need to dance wildly around in order to enjoy myself
I get soul satisfaction
I feel fulfilled and satisfied through my connection with music and dance
Yeah, without jumpin' up and down on my feet
I don't need to dance frantically in order to get enjoyment from the music
Whoa... ho... disco guy
Hey, you gentleman at the disco
You'll be sorry if you pass me by
You're missing out if you don't give me a chance
I've got what you need
I have qualities and abilities that could appeal to you
Boy, I wouldn't tell you no lie
I am being truthful and honest
Why not give me a chance
Why not take a chance on me?
I swear I could prove it
I am confident in my abilities and potential to impress you
That don't mean I can't move it
Just because I'm not dancing wildly doesn't mean I'm not capable of dancing well
And it's close to perfection
My dance moves are almost perfect
I just use it in another direction, yeah
I have a unique style of dancing that is different from others
I can't catch no thrill
I'm not experiencing any excitement or passion
Though the music they're playin' makes me feel
Despite the music being good, I still can't seem to connect with anyone
When all is said and done
In the end or after everything, I understand what's truly important
Well, now, I know what it's all about
I've come to understand what really matters in life
Well, hey, come along with me
Why not try coming with me?
If you do I will guarantee
If you join me, I can promise you something
I'm gonna give you my love
I will show you my affection and care
And the way it's gonna make you shout, shout, shout, boy
My love for you will bring so much joy and happiness that you'll be shouting loudly
Try me, baby, yeah
Give me a chance, honey
And I will make you see, yeah
I will show you what I'm capable of
I-I got lovin', yeah
I have love to give
I-I got lovin', yeah
I have love to give
I'm gonna love you right, yes, I will
I will love you in the best way possible
Every day and every night, yeah
I will love you at all times
Ooh... ooh... ooh... oh... oh... oh...
Vocalization
Come on and give it to me
Let me have your love
And then you'll see that lovin' is really my game, whoa
Once you give me a chance, you'll see that loving is what I do best
Lovin' is really my game, whoa
I excel at expressing love
I wanna make you feel good all over
I want to give you pleasure and happiness in all aspects of life
And-and then you will see
After experiencing my love, you will truly understand
Lovin' is really my game, yeah
I'm truly great at loving
It's my game, it's my game, it's my game
Loving is what I do best
Lovin' is my game, it's a game, yeah
I see loving as an art form, a skill, and something to be played well
Writer(s): Belita Woods, Trenita Womack
Contributed by Jayce W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
light weight baby
Lyrics:
I can't catch no man
Hangin' out at a discotheque
But I believe in the boogie
Oh, but the boogie don't believe in me
Well, I got my way of groovin'
Sittin' down right in my seat
I get soul satisfaction
Yeah, without jumpin' up and down on my feet
Whoa...ho...disco guy
You'll be sorry if you pass me by
I've got what you need
Boy, I wouldn't tell you no lie
Why not give me a chance
I swear I could prove it
That don't mean I can't move it
And it's close to perfection
I just use it in another direction, yeah
Ooh...ooh...yeah
I can't catch no thrill
Though the music they're playin' makes me feel
When all is said and done
Well, now, I know what it's all about
Well, hey, come along with me
If you do I will guarantee
I'm gonna give you my love
And the way it's gonna make you shout, shout, shout, boy
Disco guy
You'll be sorry if you pass me by
I've got what you need
And boy, I wouldn't tell you no lie
Why not give me a chance
I swear I could prove it
That don't mean I can't move it
And it's close to perfection
I just use it in another direction
I can't catch no man
Hangin' out at a discotheque
But I believe in the boogie
Oh, but lovin' is really my game
Well, lovin' is really my game
Well, lovin' is really my game
Well, lovin' is really my game
Try me, baby, yeah
And I will make you see, yeah
I-I got lovin', yeah
I-I got lovin', yeah
I'm gonna love you right, yes, I will
Every day and every night, yeah
Ooh...ooh...ooh...oh...oh...oh...
Ooh...ooh...ooh...oh...oh...oh...
Ooh...ooh...ooh...oh...oh...oh...
Ooh...ooh...ooh...oh...oh...oh...
Ooh...ooh...ooh...oh...oh...oh...
Ooh...ooh...ooh...oh...oh...oh...
Ooh...ooh...ooh...oh...oh...oh...
Ooh...ooh...ooh...oh...oh...oh...
Ooh...ooh...ooh...oh...oh...oh...
Try me, baby, yeah
Try me, baby, yeah
¡®Cause I got it, yeah
I've got love, yeah
And I got good kissin', yeah
And I got good squeezin', yeah
Try me, baby, alright
Love me, baby, alright
Try me, baby, yeah
I got love
Come on and give it to me
And I will love you right, yes, I will
Every day and every night, yeah
And then you'll see that lovin' is really my game, whoa
Lovin' is really my game, whoa
Lovin' is really my game, yeah
Lovin' is really my game
I wanna make you feel good all over
Oh...oh...and-and then you will see
Lovin' is really my game, yeah
It's my game, it's my game, it's my game
Lovin' is my game, it's a game, yeah
Brian Morris
NOBODY could belt out a tune like Sylvester. So sad he left us so early. He was far ahead of his time.
Goh🥀Ahweh
⭐️Brightest Star Burns Faster ,..i will miss his beautiful loving soul always..💙
Vashti
Totally unique voice
Vashti
This is absolutely brilliant for lockdown exercise. Seven minutes of high intensity dancing or star jumps etc....the music is so great you don’t mind doing it, and end up breathless and full of endorphins like we were at 18 on the dance floor!
Supa Chaloopa
Okay..... Let me get my knee brace, back brace, and a nice big wine glass of Mountain Dew. Ok, I'm ready.. Oh Lovin' Is My Game...oww! Someday get me my neck brace!
D Williams
Sylvester, was what DISCO is all
about. I still love his music. I miss
him alot .
Perez Cross
Sylvester made it his own, took me Church! Still loving the original by Brainstorn & Belita Woods.
Kenneth Woods
Love it
Paul Rennie
Arrangement and backing vocals amazing plus sylvesters vocals and energy = off the scale
Allan Macek
Sylvester was the disco “Queen”! R.I.P.