I feel for you - Chaka Khan

'I feel for you' was originally written and recorded by Prince in 1979 on his self-titled album. In 1984, Chaka Khan recorded a cover of this song for her album which was also called 'I feel for you'. The repetition of Khan's name by rapper Melle Mel at the beginning of the song was originally a mistake made by producer Arif Mardin, who then decided to keep it. Khan's version featured an all-star supporting cast, with rapping from Melle Mel, keyboard and guitar by The System, and harmonica playing and sampled vocals by Stevie Wonder.

The single peaked at number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the UK singles chart, it reached number 1 and in the Dutch Top 40 the single peaked at number 7.

My collection: 7" single no. 1047
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'I feel for you' / 'Chinatown'

I feel for you - Chaka Khan

Prince wrote and recorded 'I feel for you' on his 1979 album 'Prince'. When Chaka Khan recorded it for her 1984 album 'I feel for you' and released it as a single, it became a massive hit. In the autumn of 1984, the single reached number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

Khan's version featured an all-star supporting cast, with rapping from Melle Mel, keyboard and guitar by The System, and harmonica playing and sampled vocals by Stevie Wonder. Also, samples from Wonder's 'Fingertips Part 2' are used.

My collection: 12" single no. 167

Found: Record fair, 1993

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'I feel for you (remix)' / 'Chinatown (LP version)'

Download: here (password: discotrax80s.blogspot.com)

Ain't nobody - Rufus and Chaka Khan

'Ain't nobody' was recorded as a bonus studio track on Rufus & Chaka Khan's live album 'Stompin' at the Savoy'. It was released as a single and reached no. 8 in the UK singles chart and no. 29 in the Dutch top 40. It has become one of Khan's best-known and most-played songs. In 1989, she released a remix of this track as a single, but that version was a lot weaker than the original, which has become an R&B/Soul standard.

I went looking for this single in the late nineties, suddenly remembering how I liked it a decade earlier. I still remember asking for it at Beanos in 1997, but it was sold out. I went back there a year later - while still searching for it in the mean time - and... there it was.

My collection: 7" single no. 2988

Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, May 27, 1998

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Ain't nobody'

Download: here