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
Over And Over
Sylvester Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can't be nobody's lover
You can't be nobody's lover
Til you're somebody's friend
Over and over, time and time again
Over and over and over, time and time again
You can't be nobody's lover
Til you're somebody's friend, ah baby
I love you (well, well...), to me you're a shining star
First you gotta find out (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Just who you really are
And you can't be nobody's lover
You can't be nobody's lover
Til you're somebody's friend
You can't be (nobody's lover)
Nobody's lover (be nobody's lover)
Til you're somebody's friend
(Well, well, well, well...)
Over and over, time and time again
Over and over, well, time and time again
You can't be nobody's lover
Nobody's lover (be nobody's lover)
Til you're somebody's friend
And you can't be nobody's lover
Nobody's lover (be nobody's lover)
Til you're... (somebody's friend) somebody's friend
(Be nobody's lover, be nobody's lover
Somebody's friend, yeah)
(Be nobody's lover, be nobody's lover
Somebody's friend
Be nobody's lover, be nobody's lover
Somebody's friend)
Do-do-do-do, do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do, do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do, do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do, do-do-do-do...
Find yourself a friend
Go out and find yourself a friend
Go out and find yourself a friend
You're my friend, you're my friend
Go out and find yourself a friend
Go out and find yourself a friend
You're my friend, you're my friend
Remember, you can't be nobody's lover
Until you're somebody's friend, woo-hoo
Find yourself a friend, find yourself a friend
Find yourself a friend
Makes no difference what shape you're in
Makes no difference what shape you're in
Be nobody's lover, be nobody's lover
Somebody's friend
Be nobody's lover, be nobody's lover
Somebody's friend
Be nobody's lover, be nobody's lover
Somebody's friend...
The song "Over and Over" by Sylvester conveys the message that it is impossible to be someone's lover without first being their friend. The lyrics repeat this statement, emphasizing the importance of building a strong foundation of friendship before pursuing a romantic relationship. The lyrics also suggest that it is necessary to understand and accept oneself in order to truly connect with others. The line "First you gotta find out just who you really are" emphasizes the importance of self-discovery in forming healthy relationships.
The repetition of the lines "over and over, time and time again" creates a sense of persistence and determination in the message. It suggests that building a deep and meaningful friendship is not something that can be rushed, but rather a process that requires time and patience. The song ends with an encouraging message to "find yourself a friend" no matter what shape you're in, emphasizing the idea that a true friend will accept you for who you are.
Line by Line Meaning
Over and over, time and time again
Repeatedly, again and again
You can't be nobody's lover
You cannot be in a romantic relationship
You can't be nobody's lover
You cannot be in a romantic relationship
Til you're somebody's friend
Until you establish a strong friendship first
I love you (well, well...), to me you're a shining star
I have romantic feelings for you and hold you in high esteem
First you gotta find out (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Before entering a relationship, you must discover who you are
Just who you really are
Your true identity and values
And you can't be nobody's lover
You cannot be in a romantic relationship
You can't be nobody's lover
You cannot be in a romantic relationship
Til you're somebody's friend
Until you establish a strong friendship first
Over and over, time and time again
Repeatedly, again and again
You can't be nobody's lover
You cannot be in a romantic relationship
Nobody's lover (be nobody's lover)
Being single and unfocused on romance
Til you're somebody's friend
Until you establish a strong friendship first
Find yourself a friend
Create a meaningful friendship
Go out and find yourself a friend
Actively seek out relationships with others
Makes no difference what shape you're in
It doesn't matter what state you are in, mentally or physically
Writer(s): Ashford Nickolas, Simpson Valerie
Contributed by Allison T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-pp1on4fk7d
This record always gives me chills, greatest disco record ever made, so raw!β€
@Musicfiend4ever
An early Sunday morning favorite at the Paradise Garage N.Y.C. Words cannot express how awesome the whole club atmosphere was back in the day. This track truly expressed one of the many musical aspects that defined the spirit at the Paradise Garage during that particular time. You had to have been there to understand. Thank goodness, I was blessed to experience it in it's "Golden Days" Mad respect to Sylvester! Everytime I hear this ..I miss that place and time! Truly No words!
@michaelc.gonsalves544
The Garage was a very special place. Songs like this made kinda like church where as you could free your soul and get lost in the music especially dancing on the roof under the stars. Long live the Paradise Garage and Larry Levan !
@Musicfiend4ever
Yeah. That roof was the bomb! Miss that Garage madly. You know!
@dhruvakumar3212
you're so lucky to experience that era !
@Swoop2565
Music fiend thanks for reminding that this was an early morning staple at the Garage when the crowd was starting to dwindle down.. ( I jus got my coat
outta coat checkβ¦@ 6am..rush back to the dance floor for this departing anthem!!)..lolπ β€π
@BERNARDO712
I was never at the club on Sunday mornings.
Only Sat mornings
@antonigeli294
How did Nick and Valerie reached this level of perfection highlighted by great "diva" voices and sublim arrangements (eg guitar). I love this version
@TonyFaulcon-sq9bf
Amazing ππππβ€β€
@FonkyB
I will never get enough of this song! I ve been listenning to it for at least 28 years