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
You Make Me Feel
Sylvester Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I feel like I need some more
And I feel your body close to mine
And I know, my love, it's about that time
Make me feel mighty real
Make me feel mighty real
You make me feel mighty real
When we get home, darlin'
And it's nice and dark
And the music's in me
And I'm still real hot
Then you kiss me back
And it feels real good
And I know you'll love me
Like you should
Oh, you make me feel mighty real
You make me feel mighty real
Make me feel mighty real
Make me feel mighty real
Make me feel mighty real
Make me feel mighty real
I feel real
I feel real
I feel real
I feel real
Real, real
I feel real
I feel real
I feel real, woo
I feel real
I feel real
I feel real
Oh, real, real
Woo, I feel real
Woo, I feel real
I feel real
I'm real, real
I feel real
I'm real, real
You make me feel mighty real
You make me feel mighty real
Oh, you make me feel mighty real
You make me feel mighty real
Oh, I feel real when you touch me
I feel real when you kiss me
I feel real when you touch me
I feel real when you hold me
The song "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" by Sylvester is a classic disco anthem that is about the power of dance and physical connection. The lyrics describe the feeling of being on the dance floor and feeling a need for more, but then finding that deeper connection with someone when they come back home. Through physical touch and intimacy, the singer feels "real" and alive. The repetition of the phrase "make me feel mighty real" emphasizes the importance of this connection and the validation it gives. The song is a celebration of the joy and freedom that can be found in dancing and expressing oneself through movement and physical touch.
The lyrics are set to a pulsing disco beat and are delivered with Sylvester's powerful and soulful voice. The song was released in 1978 and became a hit on the disco charts. It has since become a beloved classic and is often played at dance parties and celebrations. The song has been covered and sampled by numerous artists over the years, including Kylie Minogue, Junior Vasquez, and Jimmy Somerville.
Line by Line Meaning
When we're out there dancin' on the floor, darlin'
When I’m dancing with you on the floor
And I feel like I need some more
And I want to feel more of you
And I feel your body close to mine
And your body feels so close to mine
And I know, my love, it's about that time
And I know it’s time for us to connect
Make me feel mighty real
Make me feel like this is really happening
Make me feel mighty real
Make me feel like this is really happening
When we get home, darlin'
When we’re alone at home
And it's nice and dark
And the ambiance is perfect
And the music's in me
And the music is still in my head
And I'm still real hot
And the desire is still burning inside me
Then you kiss me back
Then you respond to my kiss
And it feels real good
And it feels amazing
And I know you'll love me
And I know you’ll show me affection
Like you should
The way you always do
Oh, you make me feel mighty real
Oh, you make me feel like this is really happening
You make me feel mighty real
You make me feel like this is really happening
I feel real
I feel alive
I feel real
I feel alive
I feel real
I feel alive
I feel real
I feel alive
Real, real
More alive than ever
I feel real
I feel alive
I feel real
I feel alive
I feel real, woo
I feel alive, woo
I feel real
I feel alive
I feel real
I feel alive
I feel real
I feel alive
Oh, real, real
Oh, more alive than ever
Woo, I feel real
Woo, I feel alive
Woo, I feel real
Woo, I feel alive
I feel real
I feel alive
I'm real, real
I’m more alive than ever
I feel real
I feel alive
I'm real, real
I’m more alive than ever
You make me feel mighty real
You make me feel like this is really happening
You make me feel mighty real
You make me feel like this is really happening
Oh, you make me feel mighty real
Oh, you make me feel like this is really happening
You make me feel mighty real
You make me feel like this is really happening
Oh, I feel real when you touch me
Oh, I feel alive when you touch me
I feel real when you kiss me
I feel alive when you kiss me
I feel real when you touch me
I feel alive when you touch me
I feel real when you hold me
I feel alive when you hold me
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: James Wirrick, Sylvester James
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mstringer10
Sylvester was ahead of his time. Legend.
@jun24juanhuerta14
Way ahead!
@rowlaanbennett7296
Sylvester walked so Big freesia could Run
@jonoedwards4195
YUM!
@tartgreenapple
I think she is timeless; spreading into the past, present and future. Healing us all.
@mikes9949
@@tartgreenapple I think you added one too many "s" on the "she" comment
@user-lg9rv2pe4d
I am now a 66 year old woman and our family vacations were spent in Provinctwn, MA. As a straight woman I was always able to find a summer fling - the discos were all playing Sylvester's "You Made Me Feel" . It was a magical time in life and disco music was amazing - and this song was so fantastic! Will l ove you forever, Sylvester!!!
@danyoutube7491
It's an awesome tune isn't it, great vocals too, just makes you want to dance. Perhaps it helped get those lucky men on the dancefloor with you!
@CarlosRoberto-re9gu
Norway
@JasonCameron774
This song was sung 45 years ago!! Timeless talent.