Indie Release [Level 4]
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
Chart Hit [Level 6]
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.
Indie Release [Level 4]
I agree Down Down/Over & Over were in my estimation great tracks worthy of at least a mention.
DJ Boogie Badness :D :D
Acetate [Level 1]
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.
Double Platinum Record [Level 9]
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.
Double Platinum Record [Level 9]
That emoticon should be the number eight.
Advance Promo Copy [Level 3]
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.
Gold Record [Level 7]
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
Indie Release [Level 4]
i always played "don't stop".very dj friendly and high in tempo. :lol:
DISCO
The word evokes not just a type of music or a kind of dance or even a style of dress.It\'s also a new social order of black and white,gay and straight,rich and poor,all hot,sweaty and, most likely,high,together.
Underground Hit [Level 5]
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.
Chart Hit [Level 6]
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.
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.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.
Gold Record [Level 7]
One of my favorites...Originally Written by dj phillip esparza
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
Advance Promo Copy [Level 3]
There are so many praises to be said of the late great Sylvester and i for one love You Make Me feel Mighty Real it is my favourite disco track and always will be.
In America i believe Dance Disco Heat Charted better Than You Make Me feel Mighty Real. over here in the UK the chart positioning was different. In August 1978 you Make Me feel was a huge hit and reached position 8 in the singles chart and was Sylvesters biggest hit.
Dance Disco Heat was not as popular but reached position 29 you could buy the 7 inch versions on Fantasy and also 12 inch versions on Fantasy label and both Dance Disco Heat on the 7 inch and 12 inch have Greatful as the B side.
You Make Me Feel on the 7 inch and 12 inch on Fantasy label have on the B side was It something That I Said.
I also own a copy where the two great tracks are both A and B side on Fantasy label and you can also get a full 12 inch version on I Who Have Nothing as the A side and the B side full 12 inch Disco Version You Make Me feel, and I need Somebody To Love Tonight
Chart Hit [Level 6]
Right you are, Sir. "Dance (Disco Heat)" reached #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 on November 25, 1978. "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" reached #30 (I think) in February/March 1979. He also had one more Top 40 tune, "I (Who Have Nothing)", which made it to #40 in May, 1979.
"Everyone knows the real reason why you got that part it was the time you spent on that casting couch"--Antoine Merriwether
"Excuse me, Miss Thing, but both of us spent time on that couch"--Blaine Edwards
Advance Promo Copy [Level 3]
Re: Sylvester's first disco hits
The follow up singles after Dance Disco heat over here in the UK were
I Who Have Nothing released in March 1979 reaching position 46 i have this and like it but it did not get air played enough.
folllow up to I Who Have Nothing was Stars released in july 1979 reaching position 47 again not played enough and have the 12 inch and the album i do believe Felix did a cover version in 1993 not a patch on Sylvesters version and the felix one charted higher.
I think the cant Stop dancing track taken from the Living proof album 1979 should have been a great big hit but sadly was not played in the UK and if it was i never heard this air played on the radio in the UK. the B side is good too In My Fantasy I want you I need You. Anyone else remember any early Sylvester Disco tracks and still luv em.
Chart Hit [Level 6]
I take it that Sylvester was not as big in the UK as he was in the US. On another disco note, I hear that Village People's "YMCA" was a bigger hit in the UK than in the US. It went to #2 here but didn't it spend a couple weeks at #1 in the UK?
"Everyone knows the real reason why you got that part it was the time you spent on that casting couch"--Antoine Merriwether
"Excuse me, Miss Thing, but both of us spent time on that couch"--Blaine Edwards
Advance Promo Copy [Level 3]
Sylvester had a following here in the UK and did have success but probably didnot sell no where the volume of records like in America. You Make Me Feel was a bigger success in the UK than America and was in the charts for 15 weeks, this is obviously Sylvesters biggest and most well known in the UK other hits were the later Do Ya Wanna Funk and Band of Gold these charted too but it is a shame not more were air played so more people could apreciate is music.
Yes Village People were successful here and had their only no 1 hit YMCA others fillowed but thats another story.
Chart Hit [Level 6]
I've always felt while I love all of his records, I think the period where he made the best music was while he was with Fantasy Records, while during his time with Megatone wasn't as good - just slightly. Yes, he did do Do You Wanna Funk with Megatone but that seems to be his peak with Megatone. I've always loved his very last album Mutual Attraction and thought he was coming back on form. Its a shame he didn't live for too long after its release. He seemed to be trying for mainstream recognition with this LP.
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Underground Hit [Level 5]
Do Ya Wanna Funk also hit another very unique landmark: its appearance in "Trading Places" was one of the rare and very few appearances by not only a Hi-NRG record, but an independent one in a major film. I have no idea who the music supervisor was in this case, but major kudos and credit to them. They could have done what every other film had done: go for the proverbial "Gonna Make You Sweat" or "Celebration" but they didn't. And it fits brilliantly into one of the great comedies of all time.
Vince
Test Pressing [Level 2]
Every timeI hear "Disco Heat" I'm pretty shocked by how little Sylvester himself appears on it. Maybe he is just the name on the front, sort of like some QUincy Jones records with another vocalist.
I believe it was the group later called Two Tons Of Fun, which is Martha and Izora Rhodes. Of course, they were later renamed the Weather Girls and had the massive hit "It's Raining Men".
Advance Promo Copy [Level 3]
In America Dance disco Heat was a Huge hit and it suprises me rather than shocks me that it got higher than You Make Me feel . Obviously iDance Disco Heat was more appealing to the American audiance than the UK audiance but maybe it is because Dance Disco Heat was released before You Make me feel in America, And the opposite for the UK.
I know most people around the globe love You Make Me Feel and it seems this is the more prefered track to the mass audiance.
Even today if you ask what Sylvester track do you like they always say You Make Me feel and this is the UK iam refering to maybe in America Dance Disco heat would be the track for the Majority.
Both tracks i love so different, even if Sylvester takes a step back and does the reverse of main Vocal to backing vocals on Dance Disco Heat.
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