LP Review: I Feel For You
Released: 1984
LP Charts: #4 R&B, #16 pop
Holy shit, I Feel For You is a mess.
Every song was written by a different gang of people. Not necessarily bad. All of Khan’s albums had a diversified writing staff. However, Arif Mardin was bumped from his spot as sole producer of the album, a position he’d held since Chaka back in 1978. Mardin still produced the majority of songs, but EIGHT other people got producer or co-producer credits on this LP.
That’s too many cooks in the kitchen and these musical chefs managed to split this album in three ways. Three of the ten songs are stunning triumphs, four are abominable lows, and the remaining three are stuck in the middle.
The Stunning Triumphs
Okay, so the title track is the obvious high point of this album and of 1980s R&B and pop generally. Chaka Khan covered a Prince song, samples Stevie Wonder’s “Fingertips”, has Stevie blowing on harmonica, and had Melle Mel rap over a beat that’s impeccable.
And do not settle for the single version. Get all 5:45 of this song because the final 45 seconds or so has some crunchy guitar and rubber slap bass to die for.
“I Feel For You” (#1 R&B, #3 pop, #1 UK, #1 disco) basically ruled the charts in late 1984 and going into 1985 becoming the 5th biggest hit of ‘85 according to Billboard magazine. Undeniably Khan’s greatest commercial success.
The other recognized classic from this album comes courtesy of David Foster. “Through the Fire” (#15 R&B, #60 pop) performed shockingly low at the time of its release, but this ballad has undeniable staying power. It gets more airplay and streams now than most of its R&B contemporaries. The song also sounds amazingly similar to Earth, Wind & Fire’s “After the Love Has Gone”, which was also co-written by Foster.
The final triumph is much more low key. “Eye to Eye” wasn’t a hit then or now, but man is it great. It has a groovy post-disco vibe courtesy of the Sembello brothers (Danny, Michael, and John). In the best way possible it is shiny mid-80s pop music.
The Crap
“My Love Is Alive” isn’t entirely crappy. The backing track seems interesting for experimental dance music. But it ain’t good thanks to unnecessary st-st-st-stutter vocals. Okay, “La Flamme” suuuuuucks with all kinds of awful synth noises you only find in 80s music. Plus Khan’s voice is out of tune and out of control here. “Chinatown” is more awful clinks and clanks and blips and bloops. Honestly, none of these three sound like songs. It’s brutal to hear Khan’s voice wasted like this.
“Caught in the Act” is another not entirely crappy song. Album probably would have benefited from its absence though.
The Middle of the Road
To varying degrees, “This Is My Night”, “Stronger Than Before”, and “Hold Her” manage to avoid atrocious depths but have their own flaws.
“This is My Night” was written by and performed with Mic Murphy and David Frank, better known as The System. You can tell this is their brand of electronica. Doesn’t really fit Khan’s vocals, but it doesn’t totally bury her personality underneath the keyboards either.
“Stronger Than Before” is a solid, but unremarkable, ‘80s quiet storm ballad. I wish it were recorded two years earlier. The music would have been more earthy fitting Khan’s vocal style better.
I have mixed feelings on “Hold Her”, which was contributed by old Rufus band mate Hawk Wolinski. There’s definitely the bones of a good, yet strange, hi-NRG ballad. There’s something just a bit off on the chorus that keeps me from loving the song. Still, solid enough, especially the guitar riffs.
ALBUM GRADE: C
Like, I said… a hot mess that briefly flies real high and briefly sinks real low, which averages out to pure average. So, of course, this would be the best selling album of Khan’s career.
Song Scores
This Is My Night: 6/10
Stronger Than Before: 6/10
My Love Is Alive: 5/10
Eye to Eye: 8/10
La Flamme: 2/10
I Feel For You: 10/10
Through the Fire: 8/10
Hold Her: 6/10
Caught in the Act: 5/10
Chinatown: 1/10