Higher

Sly & the Family Stone

About Higher

"I Want to Take You Higher" is a song by the soul/rock/funk band Sly and the Family Stone, the B-side to their Top 30 hit "Stand!". Unlike most of the other tracks on the Stand! album, "I Want to Take You Higher" is not a message song; instead, it is simply dedicated to music and the feeling one gets from music. Like nearly all of Sly & the Family Stone's songs, Sylvester "Sly Stone" Stewart was credited as the sole songwriter.


2:47

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Feeling's gettin stronger
Music's gettin longer too
Music is flashin me
I want to take you higher
Baby baby baby light my fire

Boom shaka-laka-laka Boom shaka-laka-laka

Feeling's nitty-gritty
Sound is in the city too
Music's still flashin' me
Don't ya want to get higher
Baby baby baby light my fire

Boom shaka-laka-laka Boom shaka-laka-laka

Harmonica solo
Higher!

Come on light my fire
Want to take you higher

Boom shaka-laka-laka Boom shaka-laka-laka

Feeling that should make you move
Sounds that should help you groove
Music still flashin' me
Take your places
I want to take you higher
Baby baby baby light my fire.

Boom shaka-laka-laka Boom shaka-laka-laka

Higher!
Let's take you, do you wanna go, etc

Boom shaka-laka-laka Boom shaka-laka-laka, Higher!

Boom shaka-laka-laka Boom shaka-laka-laka, Higher!

Boom shaka-laka-laka Boom shaka-laka-laka

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Sly & the Family Stone

Sly and the Family Stone was an American band originating from San Francisco, California. Active from 1966 to 1983, they were pivotal in the development of funk, soul, R&B, rock, and psychedelic music. Their core line-up was led by singer-songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist Sly Stone, and included Stone's brother and singer/guitarist Freddie Stone, sister and singer/keyboardist Rose Stone, trumpeter Cynthia Robinson, drummer Greg Errico, saxophonist Jerry Martini, and bassist Larry Graham. The band was the first major American rock group to have a racially integrated, mixed-gender lineup.Formed in 1966, the group's music synthesized a variety of disparate musical genres to help pioneer the emerging "psychedelic soul" sound. They released a … more »

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Written by: Daniel McNamee, Daniel Williams, James Finn

Lyrics © DistroKid, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Release
"Higher" by Sly & the Family Stone was first released as part of their debut album, "A Whole New Thing", in 1967.
Genre
The song falls into the categories of funk, soul, and psychedelic music genres - marking a transition from traditional soul into more progressive realms.
Lyrics Meaning
The song's lyrics encourage listeners to aim for higher achievements and aspirations, promoting a positive message of self-improvement and resilience.
Band's Background
Sly and the Family Stone played a critical role in the development of soul, funk, rock, and psychedelic music. They were known for their message of unity and integration, as the band was comprised of different races and genders.
Live Performance
"Higher" was notably performed at Woodstock in 1969. This performance was one of the highlights of the festival and is still remembered as a groundbreaking moment in music history.
Re-Release
In 1970, the song was re-released in a slightly altered version, retitled as "I Want to Take You Higher." This version became a Top 40 hit.
Cover Version
The song has been covered by various artists, including Ike & Tina Turner whose version reached number 34 on the Billboard R&B chart.
Uses in Media
The song has been prominently featured in numerous films and television series, including the popular crime drama "The Wire."
Song's Influence
"Higher" greatly influenced subsequent music, with its screaming vocals, funked-up bass, and smoldering organ lines. It's often recognized as an early instance of the harder-edged funk that would become prevalent in the '70s.
Award Recognition
The band, Sly and the Family Stone, was inducted into the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" in 1993, honoring their significant contribution to the music industry, with songs like "Higher" playing a crucial role in their legacy.

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