I Want to Take You Higher

Sly & the Family Stone

About I Want to Take You 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.


Year:
1970
96 
#1

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

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

All:		Boom shaka-laka-laka Boom shaka-laka-laka

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

All:		Boom shaka-laka-laka Boom shaka-laka-laka

All Repeated: Higher!

Sly:		C'mon light my fire
		Want to take you higher

All:            Boom shaka-laka-laka Boom shaka-laka-laka

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

All:		Boom shaka-laka-laka Boom shaka-laka-laka

All Repeated: Higher!
Sly:		Let's take you, do you want to go, etc. 

All Repeated: Boom shaka-laka-laka Boom shaka-laka-laka, Higher!

All Repeated: Boom shaka-laka-laka Boom shaka-laka-laka, Higher!

All Repeated: Boom shaka-laka-laka Boom shaka-laka-laka

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!


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 »

3 fans

Written by: Sylvester Stewart

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Song Origin
"I Want to Take You Higher" is a popular song by the band Sly & the Family Stone, released in 1969.
Album Information
This song was first released in their fourth studio album "Stand!" with which the band gained significant commercial success.
Not a Standalone Single
Despite its popularity, the song was not initially released as a standalone single. It first appeared in the market as a B-side to the hit "Stand!"
Chart Performance
Consequent upon its surge in popularity, "I Want to Take You Higher" was later released as an A-side single and peaked at #38 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart in 1970.
Live Performances
The song is especially notable for its high-energy amplified performances. One such performance at the Woodstock Festival in 1969 is widely considered one of the best performances of the event.
Cover Versions
The song has been covered by various other artists over the years, including Tina Turner and Ike Turner, who scored a top 40 Pop hit with their rendition in 1971.
Cultural Impact
Capturing the culture and spirit of the late 60s and early 70s, the song became an anthem for the counterculture movement, symbolizing freedom, rebellion, and psychedelic experiences.
Musical Aspects
The song is characterized by its chanted vocals, energetic music, and the band's distinct incorporation of funk, soul, and psychedelic rock.
Influence on Other Artists
The song has influenced other artists, notably, the British band The Beat, who used a similar riff for their popular 80s' hit, "Mirror in the Bathroom".
Role in Advertising
The song was also famously used in a series of Toyota commercials, proving its lasting appeal and recognition factor.
Lyrics Meaning
The song lyrics are notably simple and repetitive, but they are frequently interpreted as a call to uplift one's consciousness, aligning it with the band's overall psychedelic image.
Induction into Grammy Hall of Fame
The album "Stand!" included "I Want to Take You Higher", and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2015. This speaks volumes about the song's influence and stature in the music industry.

Discuss the I Want to Take You Higher Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "I Want to Take You Higher Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/3183425/Sly+%26+the+Family+Stone/I+Want+to+Take+You+Higher>.

    Missing lyrics by Sly & the Family Stone?

    Know any other songs by Sly & the Family Stone? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    I Want to Take You Higher

    1.4M
    14,949     0

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1970

    Billboard #38


    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    "Oh, think twice, 'cause it's another day for you and me ____________".
    A playing dice
    B go exercise
    C in paradise
    D to sacrifice

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Sly & the Family Stone tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!