I Got You (I Feel Good)

"I Got You " is a song by the American singer and songwriter James Brown. First recorded for the 1964 album Out of Sight and then released in an alternate take as a single in 1965 and included on the compilation album of the same name, it was his highest-charting song on the US Billboard Hot 100 and is arguably his best-known recording. In 2013, the 1965 recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Description

"I Got You " is a twelve-bar blues with a brass-heavy instrumental arrangement similar to James Brown's previous hit, "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag". It also features the same emphasis "on the one" that characterizes Brown's developing funk style. The lyrics have Brown exulting in how good he feels now that he has the one he loves, his vocals punctuated by screams and shouts. The song includes an alto sax solo by Maceo Parker.

Precursors

"I Got You " developed from an earlier Brown-penned song, "I Found You", with a nearly identical melody and lyrics. "I Found You" had been recorded by Brown's back-up singer Yvonne Fair on January 8, 1962 and released as a single later that year, with little success.
In 1964, Brown recorded an early version of "I Got You " with a different arrangement, including a stuttering rhythm and prominent baritone sax line played by Maceo Parker on September 9, 1964 under the title "I Got You". This version appeared on the Smash Records album Out of Sight and in the 1965 film Ski Party, in which Brown and the Famous Flames appear and lip sync a performance of the song, something James Brown would do on various music TV shows shortly before the film's release on June 30, 1965. It was intended for a single release that month but was withdrawn due to a court order from King Records, with whom Brown was involved in a contract dispute.

Recording

In 1965, after visiting Criteria Studios in Miami and being impressed by the sound of the studio's custom recording console, King Records owner Syd Nathan booked a recording session for Brown on May 6, during which he recorded the version of "I Got You " released by the label as a single.

Reception

The song entered the US Billboard charts on November 13, 1965 following an October release, and reached number three on December 18. Of Brown's 91 hits to reach the Billboard Hot 100, "I Got You " is Brown's highest-charting song. The song remained at the top of the Billboard Rhythm and Blues Singles chart for six non-consecutive weeks, after his previous single, "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag", held the number-one spot for eight weeks. Brown's screams at the beginning and end of the song have been sampled a number of times for hip hop and dance songs. The song has also been covered many times by other performers, and is frequently played at sporting events. The song is played at the Zentralstadion whenever RB Leipzig scores a goal.
Cash Box described it as a "rhythmic, funky ode about a real lucky guy who wants nothing more than to be near his gal."
In 2000, "I Got You " reached No. 21 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs in Rock and Roll and No. 75 on VH1's 100 Greatest Dance Songs, one of only seven songs to make both lists. In 2004, "I Got You " was ranked No. 78 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Personnel

Single version

James Brown – vocals

with the James Brown Orchestra:

Ron Tooley – trumpet
Joe Dupars – trumpet
Levi Rasbury – trumpet
unidentified – trombone
Nat Jones – alto saxophone
St. Clair Pinckney – tenor saxophone
Eldee Williams – tenor saxophone
Al "Brisco" Clark – tenor saxophone
Maceo Parker – tenor saxophone
Jimmy Nolen – electric guitar
David "Hooks" Williams – bass guitar
Melvin Parker – drums

The 1964 recording of the song featured in Out of Sight and Ski Party has the same personnel excluding the trumpet players and including Bobby Byrd on electric organ, Les Buie on electric guitar, Sam Thomas on bass guitar and Maceo Parker playing baritone saxophone.

Charts

Chart	Peak position
Israel International Airplay	16

Certifications

;James Brown version
;Jessie J version

Other versions

Live recordings

Brown performs the song on the live albums Live at the Garden, Live at the Apollo, Volume II, Soul Session Live, and Live at the Apollo 1995.

1975 remake

Brown re-recorded the song with the J.B.'s for his 1975 album Sex Machine Today. This version was featured in the 1992 film White Men Can't Jump, and the video games Rock Band 3 and Don King Presents: Prizefighter.

Paul Dakeyne remix

In 1992, producer and remixer Paul Dakeyne released a 12" remix of "I Got You " on FBI Records under the title "James Brown v. Dakeyne – I Got You ". It reached No. 72 on the UK Singles Chart.

Legacy

During the late 1980's through the mid 1990's, the San Francisco Giants used the song in their publicity campaigns.
The song was used in an animation test for the 2001 film Shrek in 1996, though the clip was considered lost media until 2023.
The song is featured in the 2010 video game Just Dance 2.
The song was sampled by American rapper Yung Gravy in the song "Supa Good!!!", featuring Brown, for the DreamWorks film, Dog Man. The latter song was also used in a Dick's Sporting Goods advertisement.