Sylvester's first disco hits

[usagi-san]

Today a local newspaper published an article about Sylvester, because of a local appearance by Joshua Gamson, who wrote a book "The Fabulous Sylvester."

The article stated "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" was a No. 1 dance hit worldwide in 1978, and that "With that one record, Sylvester had arrived."

I know that regarding the Billboard magazine Hot 100 pop chart, Dance (Disco Heat)" was Sylvester's first charting song, in 1978, peaking at #19. Then "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" debuted on that chart in 1979 and rose to #36. I checked a book for this information. I don't hve the book of Billboard disco hits. I know they wre both from the "Step II" album which was released in 1978. But was "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" really Sylvester's first big or worldwide disco hit? In 1978? Even before "Dance (Disco Heat)"?

On my disco 12 inch single "Dance (Disco Heat)"/"You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)", from 1978, "Dance (Disco Heat)" is the A side and "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" is the B side.

My 12 inch single that only has versions of "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" was released in 1979.

So it seems that for the article to be correct, then in 1978 either the clubs were only playing the B side "You Make Me
Feel (Mighty Real)" and ignoring the A side "Dance (Disco Heat)" (which seems very unlikely and does not seem like that would have enabled "Dance (Disco Heat)" to become such a big pop hit), or that most of the other countries released "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" before "Dance (Disco Heat)", which also would seem rather odd.

The writer of this article has written mistakes before, and I hope to correct the newspaper if they're wrong. I was also irked by the reference to "that one record" signifying Sylvester's arrival, since the previously charting pop chart hit "Dance (Disco Heat)" charted much higher in America, and the article did not even mention that song, nor 1977's "Down, Down, Down/Over And Over". I thought that disco 12 inch of Sylvesterr was a sizable disco hit. Wasn't it?

Thanks a lot to anyone who can help with this

[Anonymous]

yep,i read the same article...it seems at times the person who wrote the article for the s.f.chronicle didn't even read the book about sylvester...he's seems to be going by his own knowledge about him. the paper should have did a interview with the author himself. i just hope that the book is a good read.

[discofresh]

I agree Down Down/Over & Over were in my estimation great tracks worthy of at least a mention.

DJ Boogie Badness :D :D

[HighMaintenanceGirl]

I always liked Dance (Disco Heat) - when I first heard it, I thought it was a "girl group" singing. When I later discovered Sylvester's other songs, I was perplexed why Dance didn't spotlight Sylvester's vocals - it seems like it was more of a blend of several voices with Martha Wash's (?) more in the forefront.

[SandraDee]

You Make Me Feel was definitley his 1st chart hit in the UK (#8) & Dance(Disco heat) was the follow-up (#29), both late '78.

[SandraDee]

That emoticon should be the number eight.

[discoadam]

With regard to Sylvester's vocals on Disco Heat: I have the original Fantasy 12" that was released prior to the remix of Disco Heat (which is the version that later appeared on the album and subsequent twelve inchers) and you can hear Sylvester very clearly. The remix moved Slyvester's vocals into the background.

[efunk_adelic]

For those who want to know:


Down Down Down/Over And Over (FANTASY 797)
CHARTED 8/6/77 Peaked #18

Dance (Disco Heat)/You Make Me Feel
(Mighty Real) (FANTASY 102)
CHARTED 7/8/78 Peaked #1 (6) weeks


both as singles on Billboards Dance/Disco Charts

[dj phillip esparza]

i always played "don't stop".very dj friendly and high in tempo. :lol:

[boogienights]

Sylvester is what got me into disco.."Mighty Real"was my introduction 10 years ago..guess we're both having anniversaries! I love chart positions but theres something weird about me..I only count what Americans call "Pop chart" entries. Maybe that has something to do with coming from Australia where there has traditionally only been one chart. So R & B and dance chart positions don't really sway me. But thats just me. Trying to get his book at the mo.

[Cdnbob]

Sylvester may have been a major queen, but he was one queen I admired. His voice, whether singing in his famous falsetto, or his wonderful baritone, was made in heaven. He was a great performer that I always enjoyed and bought all of his albums. Of all the songs in disco music I really feel that his "You Make Me Feel Mighty Real" is the best of the genre and the best he ever put out.

yep,i read the same article...it seems at times the person who wrote the article for the s.f.chronicle didn't even read the book about sylvester...he's seems to be going by his own knowledge about him. the paper should have did a interview with the author himself. i just hope that the book is a good read.

And yes, if we're talking about the same book I'm thinking about, its a very good book. Pick up a copy if you can.

[Dayna]

Originally Posted by dj phillip esparza

i always played "don't stop".very dj friendly and high in tempo. :lol:

One of my favorites...
I LOVE that Track..
One I also LOVE that alot of people dont is Someone like You "The Larry levan Remix".. of course this is a much Later Sylvester Track..But one that is very HiNRG