I Got You (I Feel Good)

Today as I went through my morning routines, I was aware of feeling really good. It’s not that I don’t usually feel fine; it was just a little different, more evident. I wasn’t thinking of any nagging worries or any of the bad stuff going on in the world. I suppose I was living in the present moment… you know, that thing that self-help and meditation teachers always advise us to do. Well… news flash: it works!

On I went in my bright mood, with minor chores and making coffee, then settling in to finish an instalment of Guy Garvey’s Finest Hour on the BBC Sounds app (January 8, 2023: “Garvey in a French wood”). I suppose I thought to play the show as it was on my mind a few days ago. After that, the player automatically started the next episode, with English actor Bill Nighy spinning a set drawn from his massive record collection, while sitting in for host Garvey.

Nighy’s playlist was mainly rhythm & blues and soul music titles, many of which I knew. One that jumped out for me was the American singer, bandleader and record producer James Brown (1933-2006) belting out “I Got You (I Feel Good).” Serendipity.

“Wo! 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

Wo! I feel nice, like sugar and spice
I feel nice, like sugar and spice
So nice, so nice, I got you

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

and I feel nice, like sugar and spice
I feel nice, like sugar and spice
So nice, so nice, I got you

When I hold you in my arms
I know that I can’t do no wrong
and when I hold you in my arms
My love can’t do me no harm

and I feel nice, like sugar and spice
I feel nice, like sugar and spice
So nice, so nice, well I got you

Wo! I feel good, I knew that I would, now
I feel good, I knew that I would
So good, so good, ’cause I got you
So good, so good, ’cause I got you
So good, so good, ’cause I got you

Hey! Oh yeah-a”

“I Got You (I Feel Good),” by James Brown.
Lyrics retrieved from AZLyrics.com.

I’ve heard the song countless times, yet it was only today that I realized the main title is “I Got You,” and the I Feel Good mantra is the secondary title. I guess we often view or experience things differently, depending on the mood or state we are in, in the moment.

“I Got You (I Feel Good)” comes from Brown’s ninth studio album, Out of Sight (1964) and appeared on Foundations of Funk: A Brand New Bag, 1964-1969 (released in 1996).

Now you know a little about why this is my Song of the Day for Today. Thanks for joining me here, and please enjoy.

Here’s the audio from the James Brown YouTube channel. Volume up!

How did you like the song? Did it lift your mood? What song or songs do that for you? Let me know in the comments! And thanks again for stopping by.

With my best wishes,

Steve