Feel What You Want

"Feel What You Want" is a 1994 song by American club music singer Kristine W. It was released as the first single from her debut album, "Land of the Living". Produced by British producer Rollo, it became a huge number-one club hit in both the UK and US. The song also reached number 4 in the Netherlands and number 22 in Belgium. On the Eurochart Hot 100, it peaked at number 83. It also charted in the UK twice, first at number 33 when it was first released in 1994, then at number 40 with a 1997 remix by Peter Ries. "Feel What You Want" was also featured on the soundtrack of "" on the Rise FM radio station.
Background.
Kristine wrote "Feel What You Want" with Rollo and Rob Dougan. When asked in an interview about how she came up with this song, she said:
Critical reception.
AllMusic editor John Bush said that on "Feel What You Want", Kristine W. proves that she probably is "the most soulful vocalist in dance music, period." Larry Flick from "Billboard" wrote that "after being the center of a fierce major-label bidding war, this European dance/pop smash is finally available domestically—and the odds are mighty good that it will meet with similar success here both on dancefloors and over radio airwaves. Kristine has a striking voice, and she turns in an urgent performance that transforms the house-rooted song into an anthem to be reckoned with. Will sound great on boom-boxes on the beach." William Stevensen from "Entertainment Weekly" deemed it an "infectious anthem". "Music & Media" commented that "a keyboard and a voice alone usually lead to a ballad. Dance has its own rules though. If there was a prize for the most sparsely arranged pop dance record, this track would win." Andy Beevers from "Music Week" gave it 5 out of 5, stating that "the uplifting and catchy song is highly distinctive." Brad Beatnik from the magazine's "RM" Dance Update wrote, "A record that needs no introduction, suffice to say that if you haven't heard, or heard of, it by now, you must be living like a hermit. The deliciously deep, swinging tune is topped by Kristine's restrained garage vocals and is at its most upfront and moody on the Our Tribe mix." Another editor, James Hamilton declared it a "Vegas lounge singer's Rollo & Rob-D created sparse organ stabbed expressive garage skipper". Michael Morley from "Muzik" described it as "storming". "The Network Forty" noted that it is "displaying a unique dance groove". Ben Wener from "Orange County Register" called it "irresistible". "People Magazine" picked "Feel What You Want" as the "standout cut" on the "Land of the Living" album, noting "the thumping house rhythm, exuberant keyboard motif and her whopping vocal". Frank Own for "Vibe" choose it as the "Vocal House Cut of the Year" and said that "the former Vegas lounge singer moved the muscle boys this year with this sparse, smoldering floor filler."
Music video.
The music video of "Feel What You Want" was directed by Lindy Heymann. It features Kristine W. dressed as many different characters, performing the song. Some scenes show here dressed like a clown and Elvis Presley.
Impact and legacy.
"DJ Magazine" ranked it number 91 in their list of 'Top 100 Club Tunes' in 1998.
Cover versions.
"Feel What You Want" was covered by "Phonique" for their "Kissing Strangers" album in 2010.