James Brown & The Famous Flames, I Got You (I Feel Good) | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 2nd edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “I Got You (I Feel Good)” by the Godfather of Soul, James Brown. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 2^nd edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2025), we recollect and reflect on “I Got You (I Feel Good)” performed by James Brown & The Famous Flames.

“Wow! I feel good, I knew that I would now / I feel good, I knew that I would now / So good, so good, I got you.” James Brown is the undisputed Godfather of Soul. One of Brown’s most revered songs is “I Got You (I Feel Good)”, which he performed with The Famous Flames. “I Feel Good” is the opener from Brown’s 1966 album, I Got You (I Feel Good).  The song was released as a single in 1965.  It marked Brown’s highest-charting single on the pop charts.  It peaked at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.  On the R&B charts, it reached no. 1.  Brown composed and produced the iconic classic.

“I Got You (I Feel Good)” is an infectious, feel-good song. What makes James Brown feel good? Her, of course! After Brown sets the tone with expressive, spirited vocals, the groove reveals itself in all its glory.  Those Famous Flames ‘bring the heat’ in the musical accompaniment.  The horns are locked in, with a brief but delightful saxophone solo.  Like most James Brown songs, the lyrics are minimal and repetitive.  The funkiness and the vibe take precedent, in addition to the energy ball that was Brown.  “Wow! I feel nice, like sugar and spice,” Brown asserts in the ‘second chorus,’ adding, “So nice, so nice, I got you!” In the bridge, filled with intensity, he sings, “When I hold you in my arms / I know that I can do no wrong / And when I hold you in my arms / My love won’t do you no harm.” Woo! Little needs to be written about “I Got You (I Feel Good)” – it is best experienced by listening to it! Notably, the ending is sweet, with the late, great icon giving his all: “Hey! Oh!”

James Brown // I Got You (I Feel Good) // UMG Recordings, Inc. // 1966

James Brown, I Got You (I Feel Good): Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 2 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; UMG Recordings, Inc.; AcatXlo, OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]