I Feel for You (album)
Encyclopedia
I Feel for You is the Platinum certified fifth solo album by American
R&B
/funk singer Chaka Khan
, released on the Warner Bros. Records
label in 1984.
and a solo performer during the years 1978 to 1983, which culminated with the release of the final Rufus & Chaka Khan album Stompin' at the Savoy - Live
after which the band dissolved, Khan recorded the album that was to make her a pop star with mainstream chart success; 1984's "I Feel for You".
The title track, "I Feel for You
" was a sample-heavy cover of a 1979 Prince
track, featuring Grandmaster Melle Mel on the classic Ch-ch-ch-chaka-chaka-chaka Khan rap intro and Stevie Wonder
on harmonica
(and also a sample from one of his first hits, "Fingertips") and saw Khan embracing high-tech funk, rap and hip hop and stands as one of her best known songs and her biggest commercial hit, reaching #3 on the US Pop Chart, #1 on both US R&B and US Dance as well as topping the UK singles chart - and it also earned her a second consecutive Grammy Award
in 1985 for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female, following "Ain't Nobody
" with Rufus
. Further hit singles from the album which reached #16 on Billboard's Pop Chart, #4 on R&B and also #15 on the UK albums chart were "This Is My Night" (US #60, R&B #11, US Dance #1, UK #14), "Eye To Eye" (UK #16 ) and the ballad "Through The Fire," which also reached the US R&B top ten, setting a then-record for most consecutive weeks on the Billboard R&B chart. It also rose to #60 on the Pop chart during a 19-week run on the Hot 100, and crossed over to the adult contemporary chart (US Pop #60, US R&B #15, US AC #16, UK #77). "Through the Fire" has since been sampled by Kanye West
for his 2003 hit single "Through the Wire
". on his debut album The College Dropout
The I Feel for You album's second ballad, "Stronger Than Before" co-written by Burt Bacharach
, Bruce Roberts and Carole Bayer Sager
, released as the fifth single in certain territories, was later covered by among others Dionne Warwick
.
"I Feel for You", "This Is My Night" and "Eye To Eye" were all released as extended 12" remixes in 1984 - these are not to be confused with the re-produced ones that later appeared on the 1989 remix compilation Life is a Dance - The Remix Project
. The 1984 mixes by Arif Mardin
and Russ Titelman
remain unreleased on CD.
1985 saw Khan releasing two non-album singles, "(Krush Groove) Can't Stop The Street" from the movie Krush Groove
(US R&B #18, UK #80) and "Own The Night", featured in the first series of Miami Vice
(US Pop #57, US R&B #66).
The I Feel for You album was transferred from vinyl to CD in 1984 and remains in print.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
R&B
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
/funk singer Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan , frequently known as the Queen of Funk, is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus. While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career...
, released on the Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
label in 1984.
Overview
After having balanced her two simultaneous careers as a member of the band RufusRufus (band)
Rufus was an American funk band from Chicago, Illinois best known for launching the career of lead singer Chaka Khan. They had several hits throughout their career, including "Tell Me Something Good," "Sweet Thing," and "Ain't Nobody."-Origins:...
and a solo performer during the years 1978 to 1983, which culminated with the release of the final Rufus & Chaka Khan album Stompin' at the Savoy - Live
Stompin' at the Savoy - Live
Stompin' at the Savoy – Live is an album by American R&B/funk band Rufus, , released on the Warner Bros. Records label in 1983....
after which the band dissolved, Khan recorded the album that was to make her a pop star with mainstream chart success; 1984's "I Feel for You".
The title track, "I Feel for You
I Feel for You
"I Feel for You" is a song written by Prince that originally appeared on his 1979 self-titled album. It became a hit single in 1984 for female R&B singer Chaka Khan, appearing on her album, which was also called I Feel for You...
" was a sample-heavy cover of a 1979 Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
track, featuring Grandmaster Melle Mel on the classic Ch-ch-ch-chaka-chaka-chaka Khan rap intro and Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
on harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
(and also a sample from one of his first hits, "Fingertips") and saw Khan embracing high-tech funk, rap and hip hop and stands as one of her best known songs and her biggest commercial hit, reaching #3 on the US Pop Chart, #1 on both US R&B and US Dance as well as topping the UK singles chart - and it also earned her a second consecutive Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
in 1985 for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female, following "Ain't Nobody
Ain't Nobody
"Ain't Nobody" is a 1983 hit single by Rufus & Chaka Khan. It was released as a studio bonus track on the band's live album Stompin' at the Savoy. It reached number one on the U.S. R&B chart and twenty-two on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart...
" with Rufus
Rufus (band)
Rufus was an American funk band from Chicago, Illinois best known for launching the career of lead singer Chaka Khan. They had several hits throughout their career, including "Tell Me Something Good," "Sweet Thing," and "Ain't Nobody."-Origins:...
. Further hit singles from the album which reached #16 on Billboard's Pop Chart, #4 on R&B and also #15 on the UK albums chart were "This Is My Night" (US #60, R&B #11, US Dance #1, UK #14), "Eye To Eye" (UK #16 ) and the ballad "Through The Fire," which also reached the US R&B top ten, setting a then-record for most consecutive weeks on the Billboard R&B chart. It also rose to #60 on the Pop chart during a 19-week run on the Hot 100, and crossed over to the adult contemporary chart (US Pop #60, US R&B #15, US AC #16, UK #77). "Through the Fire" has since been sampled by Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
for his 2003 hit single "Through the Wire
Through the Wire
"Through the Wire" is a hip hop song performed by rapper Kanye West from his debut album The College Dropout . Released in 2003 as the album's lead single, it peaked at number fifteen on the Billboard Hot 100...
". on his debut album The College Dropout
The College Dropout
The College Dropout is the debut album by American hip hop artist Kanye West, released February 10, 2004, on Roc-A-Fella Records. It was recorded over a period of four years, beginning in 1999. Prior to the album's release, West had worked on rapper Jay-Z's The Blueprint , which showcased his...
The I Feel for You album's second ballad, "Stronger Than Before" co-written by Burt Bacharach
Burt Bacharach
Burt F. Bacharach is an American pianist, composer and music producer. He is known for his popular hit songs and compositions from the mid-1950s through the 1980s, with lyrics written by Hal David. Many of their hits were produced specifically for, and performed by, Dionne Warwick...
, Bruce Roberts and Carole Bayer Sager
Carole Bayer Sager
Carole Bayer Sager is an American lyricist, songwriter, singer, and painter.-Introduction:Born in New York City, Sager graduated from New York University, where she majored in English, dramatic arts and speech...
, released as the fifth single in certain territories, was later covered by among others Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick is an American singer, actress and TV show host, who became a United Nations Global Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization, and a United States Ambassador of Health....
.
"I Feel for You", "This Is My Night" and "Eye To Eye" were all released as extended 12" remixes in 1984 - these are not to be confused with the re-produced ones that later appeared on the 1989 remix compilation Life is a Dance - The Remix Project
Life is a Dance - The Remix Project
Life is a Dance: The Remix Project is a remix album of recordings by American R&B/funk singer Chaka Khan released by the Warner Bros. Records label in 1989...
. The 1984 mixes by Arif Mardin
Arif Mardin
Arif Mardin was a Turkish-American music producer, who worked with hundreds of artists across many different styles of music, including jazz, rock, soul, disco, and country...
and Russ Titelman
Russ Titelman
Russ Titelman is an American record producer and songwriter. He has to date won three Grammy Awards. He earned his first producing the Steve Winwood song "Higher Love", and his second and third for Eric Clapton's Journeyman and Unplugged albums...
remain unreleased on CD.
1985 saw Khan releasing two non-album singles, "(Krush Groove) Can't Stop The Street" from the movie Krush Groove
Krush Groove
Krush Groove is a 1985 Warner Bros. film, written by Ralph Farquhar and directed by Michael Schultz . This film is based on the early days of Def Jam Recordings and up-and-coming record producer Russell Simmons , portrayed by Blair Underwood in his feature film debut...
(US R&B #18, UK #80) and "Own The Night", featured in the first series of Miami Vice
Miami Vice
Miami Vice is an American television series produced by Michael Mann for NBC. The series starred Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas as two Metro-Dade Police Department detectives working undercover in Miami. It ran for five seasons on NBC from 1984–1989...
(US Pop #57, US R&B #66).
The I Feel for You album was transferred from vinyl to CD in 1984 and remains in print.
Track listing
- "This Is My Night" (David FrankDavid FrankDavid Frank is an American music producer, composer, classically trained pianist, and founding member of the 1980s R&B group The System. Yamaha Music calls him "the founding father of electronic R&B." -Early Development:...
, Mic MurphyMic MurphyMichael "Mic" Murphy is the lead singer/occasional guitarist of the successful 80's synth R&B duo The System. He is well-known for singing the group's biggest hit, "Don't Disturb This Groove," a 1987 US Top Five Pop and R&B hit....
) - 4:38 - "Stronger Than Before" (Burt BacharachBurt BacharachBurt F. Bacharach is an American pianist, composer and music producer. He is known for his popular hit songs and compositions from the mid-1950s through the 1980s, with lyrics written by Hal David. Many of their hits were produced specifically for, and performed by, Dionne Warwick...
, Bruce RobertsBruce Roberts (singer)Bruce Roberts is a singer and songwriter. In 1995 he released the album Intimacy which featured musical and vocal contributions by many notable artists...
, Carole Bayer SagerCarole Bayer SagerCarole Bayer Sager is an American lyricist, songwriter, singer, and painter.-Introduction:Born in New York City, Sager graduated from New York University, where she majored in English, dramatic arts and speech...
) - 4:21 - "My Love Is Alive" (Gary Wright) - 4:42
- "Eye to Eye" (Don Freeman, Dan Sembello, John Sembello, Michael Sembello) - 4:38
- "La Flamme" (Rhoda Roberts, Philippe Saisse) - 4:27
- "I Feel for YouI Feel for You"I Feel for You" is a song written by Prince that originally appeared on his 1979 self-titled album. It became a hit single in 1984 for female R&B singer Chaka Khan, appearing on her album, which was also called I Feel for You...
" (PrincePrince (musician)Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
) - 5:44 - "Hold Her" (James Newton-Howard, David "Hawk" WolinskiHawk WolinskiDavid J. "Hawk" Wolinski is an American keyboardist, songwriter and record producer probably best known for his work with the funk band Rufus and their lead singer Chaka Khan....
) - 5:14 - "Through the Fire" (David FosterDavid FosterDavid Walter Foster, OC, OBC , is a Canadian musician, record producer, composer, singer, songwriter, and arranger, noted for discovering singers such as Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, and Charice Pempengco; and for producing some of the most successful artists in the world, such as Céline Dion, Toni...
, Tom Keane, Cynthia WeilCynthia WeilCynthia Weil is a prominent American songwriter. She is famous for having written many songs together with her husband Barry Mann....
) - 4:45 - "Caught in the Act" (Joe Mardin, Alec Milstein) - 3:45
- "Chinatown" (Chaka Khan, Rhoda Roberts, Philippe Saisse) - 4:37
Personnel
- Chaka KhanChaka KhanChaka Khan , frequently known as the Queen of Funk, is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus. While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career...
- lead vocals, backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists... - David FrankDavid FrankDavid Frank is an American music producer, composer, classically trained pianist, and founding member of the 1980s R&B group The System. Yamaha Music calls him "the founding father of electronic R&B." -Early Development:...
- keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, synthesizerSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
track: 1, keyboards, synthesizer, programming track: 6 - Mic MurphyMic MurphyMichael "Mic" Murphy is the lead singer/occasional guitarist of the successful 80's synth R&B duo The System. He is well-known for singing the group's biggest hit, "Don't Disturb This Groove," a 1987 US Top Five Pop and R&B hit....
- backing vocals track: 1 - Steve FerroneSteve FerroneSteven "Steve" Ferrone is a British drummer.He was a member of the Average White Band, and has recorded and performed with numerous other high-profile acts, including Slash, Chaka Khan, Eric Clapton, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Scritti Politti...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
tracks: 1, 4 - Paul Pesco - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
track: 1 - Philippe SaissePhilippe SaissePhilippe Saisse is a French Grammy Award-nominated Smooth Jazz and New Age music keyboardist, producer and arranger.He was born in Marseille and raised in Paris. After studying at the Conservatoire de Paris he won a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music. He became the protege of Gary Burton...
- additional keyboards track: 1, keyboards, synthesizer, programming track: 5, 6, 10 - Nathan EastNathan EastNathan Harrell East is a jazz, R&B and rock bass player and vocalist. East holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from the University of California, San Diego...
- bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
track: 2, 8 - J.R. RobinsonJohn Robinson (drummer)John Robinson is an American drummer and session musician...
- drums track: 2, 7, 8 - Dan Huff - guitar track: 2
- Robbie BuchananRobbie BuchananRobbie Buchanan is a Canadian keyboardist, songwriter, arranger, and producer.Buchanan began playing the piano at the age of 6. He acquired his first paying gig as a pianist at the age of 12 playing 6 nights a week in Dawson City, Yukon Territory. While still a teenager, Buchanan joined a band...
- keyboards, synthesizer track: 2, keyboards, synthesizer, programming track: 6 - Craig Siegel - Fairlight programming track: 2
- John Robie - keyboards, synthesizer, programming track: 3
- Cruz Sembello - backing vocals track: 4
- Tony Maiden - rhythm guitar track: 4
- Michael SembelloMichael SembelloMichael Sembello is an American musician and songwriter from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.-Career:Sembello was born and raised in Philadelphia. He studied with jazz great Pat Martino and began his career as a professional musician by becoming a session musician, working increasingly with...
- guitar solo, backing vocals track: 4 - Danny Sembello - keyboards, synthesizer track: 4
- Don Freeman - keyboards, synthesizer track: 4
- Rob MounseyRob MounseyRob Mounsey is an award-winning composer, music producer, and musician. He was born in Berea, Ohio and grew up in Seattle, Washington and several Ohio towns. At the age of 17, he was awarded a BMI Student Composer's Award in New York. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston from 1971 to 1975...
- SynclavierSynclavierThe Synclavier System was an early digital synthesizer, polyphonic digital sampling system, and music workstation, manufactured by New England Digital Corporation, Norwich, VT. The original design and development of the Synclavier prototype occurred at Dartmouth College with the collaboration of...
track: 4 - Hamish StuartHamish StuartHamish Stuart is a guitarist, bassist, singer, composer and record producer.- Biography :Stuart had recorded a couple of singles with his first band, the Dream Police, before he was invited to join the recently formed Average White Band in June 1972.A member of AWB from 1972 to 1982, he went on to...
- backing vocals track: 5 - Mark Stevens - backing vocals track: 5
- Reggie Griffin - guitar, bass, keyboards, synthesizer, programming track: 6
- Stevie WonderStevie WonderStevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
- harmonicaHarmonicaThe harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
track: 6 - Grandmaster Melle Mel - vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
track: 6 - Steve PorcaroSteve PorcaroSteven Maxwell "Steve" Porcaro is an American keyboardist and composer, who was an original member of the rock/pop band Toto....
- keyboards track: 7 - HawkHawk WolinskiDavid J. "Hawk" Wolinski is an American keyboardist, songwriter and record producer probably best known for his work with the funk band Rufus and their lead singer Chaka Khan....
- bass, keyboards track: 7 - James Newton HowardJames Newton HowardJames Newton Howard is an American composer best known for his scores to motion pictures. He is one of the most popular and respected composers for cinema, and has scored over 100 films...
- keyboards track: 7 - Michael LandauMichael LandauMichael Landau is a prolific session musician and guitarist who has played on a large number of albums since the early 1980s with artists as varied as Seal, James Taylor, Helen Watson, Richard Marx, Steve Perry, Pink Floyd and Miles Davis...
- guitar track: 8 - David FosterDavid FosterDavid Walter Foster, OC, OBC , is a Canadian musician, record producer, composer, singer, songwriter, and arranger, noted for discovering singers such as Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, and Charice Pempengco; and for producing some of the most successful artists in the world, such as Céline Dion, Toni...
- keyboards, synthesizer track: 8 - Marcus Ryle - programming track: 8
- Alec Milstein - backing vocals track: 9
- Vadim Zilberstein - guitar track: 9
- Keith "Plex" Barnhart - keyboards, synthesizer track: 9
- Joe MardinJoe MardinJoe Mardin is a music producer, arranger and engineer from New York City. He is a Berklee College of Music graduate and is the son of producer Arif Mardin...
- drums track: 9
Production
- Arif MardinArif MardinArif Mardin was a Turkish-American music producer, who worked with hundreds of artists across many different styles of music, including jazz, rock, soul, disco, and country...
- record producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 7, 9, 10 - Lew Hahn - audio mixingAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
tracks: 1, 2, 5 to 7, 10 - Robbie BuchananRobbie BuchananRobbie Buchanan is a Canadian keyboardist, songwriter, arranger, and producer.Buchanan began playing the piano at the age of 6. He acquired his first paying gig as a pianist at the age of 12 playing 6 nights a week in Dawson City, Yukon Territory. While still a teenager, Buchanan joined a band...
- producer track: 2 - John Robie - producer, audio mixing track: 3
- Russ TitelmanRuss TitelmanRuss Titelman is an American record producer and songwriter. He has to date won three Grammy Awards. He earned his first producing the Steve Winwood song "Higher Love", and his second and third for Eric Clapton's Journeyman and Unplugged albums...
- producer track: 4 - Elliot Scheiner - audio mixing track: 4
- Hawk - producer track 7
- James Newton HowardJames Newton HowardJames Newton Howard is an American composer best known for his scores to motion pictures. He is one of the most popular and respected composers for cinema, and has scored over 100 films...
- producer track: 7 - David FosterDavid FosterDavid Walter Foster, OC, OBC , is a Canadian musician, record producer, composer, singer, songwriter, and arranger, noted for discovering singers such as Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, and Charice Pempengco; and for producing some of the most successful artists in the world, such as Céline Dion, Toni...
- producer, musical arranger track: 8 - Humberto GaticaHumberto GaticaHumberto Gatica is a Chilean-born American record producer, music mixer, audio engineer anda long-time collaborator with producer David Foster....
- producer, audio mixing track: 8 - Joe MardinJoe MardinJoe Mardin is a music producer, arranger and engineer from New York City. He is a Berklee College of Music graduate and is the son of producer Arif Mardin...
- producer, audio mixing track: 9 - Bill Dooley - audio mixing track: 9
- Michael O'Reilly - audio mixing track: 9
Non-album tracks and remixes
- "I Feel for You" (Extended Remix, remixed by Arif Mardin) - 7:12
- "This Is My Night" (Extended Version a.k.a. Dance Remix, remixed by Arif Mardin, Lew Hahn & Michael O'Reilly) - 6:12
- "Eye To Eye" (Extended Remix, remixed by Russ Titelman) - 6:35
- "(Krush Groove) Can't Stop The Street" (Produced by Russ Titelman) - 4:10
- "(Krush Groove) Can't Stop The Street" (Extended Dance Mix, remixed by Russ Titelman) - 6:01
- "(Krush Groove) Can't Stop The Street" (Instrumental) - 5:15
- "Own The Night" (Produced by Arif Mardin) - 4:27
- "Own The Night" (Extended Version, remix by Joe Mardin, Joshua & Michael O'Reilly) - 6:20
- "Own The Night" (Instrumental) - 4:27