You know that feeling when you discover a "new" song by your favorite artist, only to realize it's actually decades old? That’s the vibe with Anita Baker Got to Feel the Need in Me. Most people jump straight to the triple-platinum glory of Rapture or the smooth-as-silk perfection of Giving You the Best That I Got. But if you haven't dug into her 1983 debut, The Songstress, you’re missing the literal foundation of the "Quiet Storm" era.
Honestly, "Feel the Need" is a bit of a wild card in Anita’s catalog. It doesn't quite sound like the polished, jazz-adjacent ballads she became famous for later on. It’s grittier. It’s got that early 80s Detroit funk residue on it.
Why Feel the Need Was a Turning Point
Before the Grammys and the sold-out arenas, Anita was basically a receptionist at a law firm. After her group, Chapter 8, got dropped because a label executive thought she "couldn't sing" (imagine being that guy?), she was pretty much done with the industry. It took Otis Smith, who had worked with her previously, to drag her back into the booth for Beverly Glen Music.
Anita Baker Got to Feel the Need in Me isn't just a track on a debut album; it's the sound of a singer finding her solo footing. The song was written and produced by Patrick Moten, a man who doesn't get nearly enough credit for shaping that early Anita sound.
The track itself is a mid-tempo groove. It’s got these bright, punchy horns and a bassline that actually moves. It’s less "candlelight and wine" and more "late-night drive through the city." While "Angel" was the breakout hit from that album, "Feel the Need" became a sleeper hit in the clubs and on soul radio. It eventually peaked at number 67 on the US Billboard Hot Black Singles chart. Not a smash, but a statement.
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The Detroit Soul Connection
There’s often a bit of confusion about the song’s origins. You might hear the title and think of the Detroit Emeralds’ classic "Feel the Need in Me." It’s a natural mistake. Both are Detroit-born soul staples. But Anita’s version isn't a cover of the 1972 hit.
Her track is an original composition by Moten that leans into a different kind of urgency. While the Detroit Emeralds were all about that four-on-the-floor disco-soul energy, Anita’s "Feel the Need" is more about the vocal texture. You can hear her experimenting with that deep, contralto growl that would eventually make her a household name.
Breaking Down the Sound
If you listen closely to the recording, the production is surprisingly layered for an indie label release.
- The Vocals: Anita’s delivery is remarkably confident for someone who had just been told she lacked "star power."
- The Arrangement: You’ve got Jerry Hey on horns and Gene Page handling strings. These are heavy hitters. Page worked with Barry White; Hey worked with Michael Jackson on Thriller.
- The Vibe: It bridges the gap between the funk-heavy late 70s and the sophisticated R&B of the mid-80s.
The Drama Behind the Music
The irony of Anita Baker Got to Feel the Need in Me is that while the song is about emotional reciprocity and needing someone, Anita’s relationship with the label was a total disaster. Beverly Glen Music wasn't paying her royalties. She had to sue them just to leave and sign with Elektra.
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It was a mess.
At one point, she was literally forbidden from recording for other labels while the court case dragged on. When she finally won, she took the lessons from those early sessions—the discipline of working with Moten and the importance of owning her sound—and turned them into Rapture.
What Most People Miss
People forget that The Songstress was actually re-released in 1991 by Elektra. They knew what they had. They wanted to capitalize on her massive success by showing everyone where she started.
When you listen to "Feel the Need" today, it feels like a time capsule. It lacks the digital sheen of modern R&B, and that’s why it works. It’s human. You can hear the room. You can hear the hunger in her voice.
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Actionable Listening Guide
If you want to really appreciate this era of Anita, don't just put it on shuffle.
- Compare the 1983 version of "Feel the Need" with "Sweet Love" from 1986. Notice how her vibrato becomes more controlled and how the production moves from "live band" to "studio perfection."
- Check out the B-side "Sometimes." It’s another Patrick Moten gem that showcases her range.
- Look for the 7-inch vinyl pressing. Collectors love the Beverly Glen 45s because the analog mix has a warmth that the digital remasters sometimes flatten out.
Anita Baker eventually retired, then unretired, then went on a massive farewell tour that seemed to last years. But through all the iterations of her career, tracks like "Feel the Need" remain the blueprint. It’s a masterclass in how to be soulful without being over-the-top. No vocal gymnastics for the sake of it—just pure, raw emotion.
Go back and give it a spin. Skip the greatest hits for a second and go straight to the source. You’ll hear a legend in the making, still a little raw, but already untouchable.
Next Steps for Soul Fans:
Start by listening to the full The Songstress album in its original 1983 track order to understand the flow Patrick Moten intended. Then, track down the live performance of "Feel the Need" from her 1986/87 tours to see how she evolved the song’s arrangement once she had a larger budget and a more sophisticated stage presence.