I Feel For You (5:48)

“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. 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. Also, samples from Wonder’s “Fingertips Part 2” are used.

This version of the song became a million-selling smash in the U.S. and UK, and it helped to relaunch Khan’s career. The song peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1984, matching her previous highest pop chart position from ten years prior (the 1974 hit single, “Tell Me Something Good”, which she recorded with the band Rufus). The single reached #1 on both the U.S. dance and R&B charts in late 1984, remaining atop both for three weeks apiece. In addition, the song also reached #1 on the UK Singles Chart. While touring with Prince in 1998 in support of her collaborative album, Come 2 My House, Khan and Prince performed “I Feel for You” as a duet.