Sylvia

Album: Focus III (1972)
Charted: 4 89
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This guitar/organ instrumental, written by band leader Thijs Van Leer, was the follow up single to the silly "Hocus Pocus," but whereas the former reached #9 in the US Billboard Chart, "Sylvia" entered the chart at #94 week ending July 28, 1973 and peaked only at #89.
  • Although this song didn't do well in the United States, it was a big hit in many countries including the UK. Running to 3 minutes 31 seconds, it was released on Polydor backed by "Love Remembered."
  • Van Leer actually wrote "Sylvia" before Focus was formed, and originally it had words. Previously he was with the backing group for the famous Dutch cabaret performers Ramses Shaffy and Liesbeth List. This was made up of two girls and two men. During the evening they would each perform solo. Van Leer didn't like the song performed by fellow member Sylvia Alberts, so he composed a song for her with words by Linda Van Dijck. It had the long winded title "I Thought I Could Do Everything On My Own, I Was Always Stripping The Town Alone," but when he played Sylvia the song, "she didn't like it at all," so it went "on the shelf." Years later he dusted it down, and in his words "it became a world hit." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 3

Comments: 2

  • John from Stockport, United KingdomOne of the greatest hammond organ based songs in the world.
  • Steve from Whittier, CaThe reason that it became a hit, Alexander----IT BECAME INSTRUMENTAL!!! :) Too bad the real Sylvia didn't seem to like it at all, hope she didn't take aciton against Focus..:) Still underrated obscure song.IMOP]
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Prince

PrinceFact or Fiction

Prince is shrouded in mystery, making him an excellent candidate for Fact or Fiction. Is he really a Scientologist? Does he own an exotic animal?

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Amy Grant

Amy GrantSongwriter Interviews

The top Contemporary Christian artist of all time on song inspirations and what she learned from Johnny Carson.

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New York

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New YorkSong Writing

Can you be married in one country but not another? Only if you're part of a gay couple. One of the first famous singers to come out as a lesbian, Janis wrote a song about it.