Feel So High

"Feel So High" was the song that got Des'ree signed to a major label, as it was the song that was on the demo tape she sent to the label. She specifically sent the tape to Lincoln Elias of the Sony label to sign her because it was him who had signed Terence Trent D'Arby and felt only he and his label would understand her music approach.

Ashley Ingram, who eventually produced "Feel So High" and most of the album, said that "[Elias] played me a very rough demo of the song that later became 'Feel So High.' It's not often that a singer can present a demo tape and expect the powers-that-be to acknowledge the full wonders, but on a creative level she shone. She leapt out of the cassette."[1]

The song received good reviews from music critcs, and Des'ree drew comparisons with American singer Anita Baker for her deep voice and her music style. AllMusic editor Tom Demalon described it as a "slinky, mid-tempo" song and noted further that Des'ree "possesses a pleasing vocal delivery".[2] Larry Flick from Billboard said the newcomer "exudes a unique and refreshing style that is at first introspective and folkish, and then sophisticated and jazzy."[3] Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report wrote, "Once again, Des'ree's soothing style compliments the music, giving the listener reason to feel good."[4] Jim Arundel from Melody Maker remarked that her voice "has grace to spare, and a languidly divine tone." He concluded, "Seriously, this is a song so apart from mundanity, it qualifies as Fine Art."[5]

A reviewer from Music & Media felt that the singer-songwriter is a "real asset to the genre. Her soulful debut single could give her the same quick start as Tracy Chapman." Head of programmes Keith Pringle on Piccadilly Radio/Manchester said, "It's a classy record with a great hook. The sound fits the station, as we found out by testing the record with a phone panel. Just like Beverley Craven, it will take some re-releases before it will be a hit, but we're giving this single the lifetime of a hit."[6] John Kilgo from The Network Forty remarked the "smooth polished vocals and a subtle hook that entices you to sing along after just one listen."[7] Michael Odell from NME wrote, "The folky, sandal-wearing vibe of her vocal finds an oddly effective counterpoint in a shuffling dance beat. "Feel So High" has all the makings of one of those inexplicable 'Where'd that come from?' late summer hits."[8] Mark Frith from Select viewed it as a "beautifully haunting gospel-like track".[9]

Three music videos were shot, the first two for the original release and the 1992 re-release, and a new one was filmed for the US release in 1995. The original video features Des'ree walking around a botanical garden with female friends with dancers on the background. There's also shot of Des'ree singing surrounded by candles and shots of Des'ree with a man in a bed and then singing with him embracing her. The video for the 1992 re-release shows Des'ree painting a portrait of a man. Eventually, she enters the portrait to meet the man. The video for the 1995 US release shows Des'ree singing in a desert.

In 1997, "Feel So High" was interpolated into the Janet Jackson song "Got 'til It's Gone" from Jackson's CD The Velvet Rope without due credit to Des'ree as a contributor. The maxi single, released in 2000, lists Des'ree and Michael Graves as two of the song's writers.[27]