THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

162-Sylvester-You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)

1978-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 2.18. I can see why Jimmy Somerville and Byron Stingily both did cover versions, and I could imagine the Bee Gees or even Frankie Valli making a very good attempt, but Barry White would have had no chance.

Sylvester James Jr. was born on September 6th, 1947, in Watts, Los Angeles, California, United States, he died on December 16th, 1988, at the age of 41, from AIDS-related complications. Sylvester was known for his flamboyant and androgynous appearance in an era where being Gay was not accepted in the same manner as it is today. Sylvester has come to be seen retrospectively as an icon, as he openly flaunted who he was, but even so he knew he could be leaving himself open to dangers, he wouldn’t let that stop him from being himself.

The discography of Sylvester consists of 11 studio Albums issued between 1973-1986, and 38 singles released between 1973-2013, which includes the issuing of updated remixes of his most successful songs. In America on Billboard he has had three top 40 hits with ‘Dance (Disco Heat’) charting the highest when making Number 19 in 1978, while in the UK he has also charted on three occasions, with this song being the most successful.

Sylvester who had a striking falsetto singing voice was signed by Harvey Fuqua (1929-2010) to the ‘Fantasy Record’ label in 1977. Fuqua had been an influential name at ‘Motown’ records in the 1960’s, as a songwriter, producer, and label executive, and was the producer of this song, as well as the aforementioned ‘Dance (Disco Heat.’) ‘You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real’) was co-written by Sylvester, and James Wirrick. Wirrick would go on to great success as a writer of music featured in many major motion pictures, and television programmes, such as ‘Beverley Hill Cops,’ and ‘Friends.’

‘You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real’) was originally recorded as a mid-tempo piano based Gospel song, but after hearing the song being rehearsed the music producer Patrick Cowley (1950-1982) offered to remix it. Cowley’s (see also best songs 11) use of electronic instrumentation, and use of effects on the track was ahead of it’s time, and would have a big influence on Dance Music of the 1980’s, and 1990’s. Cowley who played the synthesizers on ‘You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real’) as well as it’s parent Album ‘Step 2,’ would go on to work with Sylvester for the rest of his short life. Along with Giorgio Moroder, (see also best songs 163-78 and 11) Cowley is considered as a major pioneer of Electronic Dance Music.

‘You mean I’ve been dancin’ on the floor darlin,’ and I feel like I need some more, and I feel your body close to mine, and I move on love it’s about that time. Make me feel mighty real.’