I Got You (I Feel Good) – James Brown | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#3) & R&B (#1 for six weeks); 1965
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
In the 1960’s James Brown was hot, posting 59 singles on the charts. And in 1965 the Godfather Of Soul was really hot, delivering a one-two punch of his biggest hits: Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag and I Got You (I Feel Good).
I Got You began life in 1962 as I Found You by Yvonne Fair, a singer recruited by James from The Chantels. Changing the lyrics slightly, James cut the song himself in late summer 1964, yet, its release was held up by a legal battle between Brown’s latest label and his earlier one.
In the meantime, James performed it in the teen flick Ski Party, as well as on television. Then, in May of 1965 he re-recorded I Got You, this time laying down a funkier groove than the jazz-influenced feel of the first version. By year’s end, James had the biggest pop hit of his career. (Born 5/3/33)
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- James Brown
Lyrics Written by:
- James Brown
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).