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
Tell Me
Sylvester Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She hung up on me again
Same old pointless argument
That both of us can't win
Another doubt in my mind
That we will work this out
It feels like we forgot
What love is all about
Make me believe it's true
If I'm honest, honey
I don't want anyone but you
Don't let me down easy
It's better if I know
Tell me you love me
Or tell me you don't
She left for the weekend
And she didn't say goodbye
A note was in the kitchen
By an empty glass of wine
Is there anything I can do now
Cause it feels too late to try
But if there's still hope
I want to make it right
Tell me you love me
Make me believe it's true
If I'm honest, honey
I don't want anyone but you
Don't let me down easy
It's better if I know
Tell me you love me
Or tell me you don't
My heart beat faster when you walked in
I could see that you had been crying
You asked me "can we start again?"
I said I need to know that it's worth trying
Tell me you love me
Make me believe it's true
If I'm honest, honey
I don't want anyone but you
Don't let me down easy
It's better if I know
Tell me you love me
Or just tell me you don't
Tell me you love me
Make me believe it's true
If I'm honest, honey
I don't want anyone but you
Don't let me down easy
It's better if I know
Tell me you love me
Please tell me you love me
In Sylvester's song "Tell Me," the singer sings about a relationship that seems to be falling apart. He has just experienced another argument with his significant other, and the doubts he has felt before are resurfacing. The singer begs his partner to tell him that they love him and make him believe it is true. He implores his partner not to let him down easily and to tell him honestly if they do not feel the same way he does. The song ends with the singer's partner returning after a weekend away and asking if they can start again. However, the singer needs reassurance that the relationship is worth saving before moving forward.
"Tell Me" is a song about the vulnerability and uncertainty of being in a relationship. The singer is looking for reassurance and honesty from his partner, which speaks to the insecurities that many people feel within their relationships. The lyrics also touch on the idea of forgetting what love is all about and needing to be reminded.
Overall, the song is a reflection of the complexity of relationships and how important communication and honesty are in maintaining a healthy one.
Line by Line Meaning
Another wasted phone call
Yet another phone call that was unproductive and ended badly
She hung up on me again
The person Sylvester is talking to abruptly ended the conversation
Same old pointless argument
The disagreement is repetitive and has no resolution
That both of us can't win
Neither person is able to come out on top in the argument
Another doubt in my mind
Sylvester is questioning the validity of their relationship
That we will work this out
Sylvester is uncertain if their relationship issues can be resolved
It feels like we forgot
Sylvester and their partner have lost sight of the essence of their love
What love is all about
The true meaning and significance of love has been lost on them
Tell me you love me
Sylvester desires their partner to express their love
Make me believe it's true
Sylvester desires to feel reassured and comforted by their partner's love
If I'm honest, honey
Sylvester is being truthful and candid with their partner
I don't want anyone but you
Sylvester is dedicated and faithful to their relationship
Don't let me down easy
Sylvester doesn't want false hope but would rather know the truth
It's better if I know
Sylvester would rather be aware of the reality, even if it's hard to hear
Or tell me you don't
Sylvester wants to know if their partner no longer loves them
She left for the weekend
Sylvester's partner has gone for a short trip
And she didn't say goodbye
Sylvester's partner has left without a farewell
A note was in the kitchen
There was a letter left by Sylvester's partner on the counter
By an empty glass of wine
The note was placed beside a container with no wine in it
Is there anything I can do now
Sylvester is questioning if there's anything they can do to fix the situation
Cause it feels too late to try
Sylvester is pessimistic about their chances of reconciliation
But if there's still hope
Sylvester isn't entirely closing the door on reconciliation
I want to make it right
Sylvester desires to fix their relationship problems
My heart beat faster when you walked in
Sylvester felt intense emotions upon seeing their partner return
I could see that you had been crying
Sylvester can tell that their partner has been upset
You asked me 'can we start again?'
Sylvester's partner is seeking a fresh start in the relationship
I said I need to know that it's worth trying
Sylvester needs reassurance that their relationship has a future before investing any further
Please tell me you love me
Sylvester is pleading for their partner's affirmation of love
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Stephen Sylvester
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lukehailey8250
Most underrated Sylvester song to me. This grooves, that bass line. This song takes me back to the era it was in it’s like you can picture being there and I wasn’t even born yet.
@Cl4rendon
After so many years - I`ve been searching this like mad and now, my search has a n end! I`m feeling blessed right now.
@miamiflorida2043
He definitely needs a movie it's a gay guy who I follow looks just like him....
@danielaragao
@@miamiflorida2043 Can you send me the profile of this gay guy you follow? I'm a filmmaker and always wanted to do a movie about Sylvester...maybe in the future
@kennethwoods6462
I met Sylvester in Boston what a great show.
@4doni5
This man needs a movie. & Alex Newell should play Him ‼️
@SCottLARock19
The groove is nasty!
@ifstatementifstatement2704
The definition of funky.
@djtonm6843
Disco-funk ...
@marcsirdane1992
I MISS U MY DEAR FRIEND ALL THESE MANY YEARS LATER ! MSD