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Sly & the Family Stone — I Want to Take You Higher
Album: Stand!
Avg rating:
7.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1748









Released: 1969
Length: 5:20
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Feeling's gettin' stronger
Music's gettin' longer too
Music is flashin' me
I want to, I want to, I want to take you higher
I want to take you higher
Baby, baby, baby light my fire
I wanna take you higher

Boom laka-laka-laka, boom laka-laka-laka boom

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

Boom laka-laka-laka, boom laka-laka-laka
Boom laka-laka-laka, boom laka-laka-laka
Boom laka-laka-laka, boom laka-laka-laka

Higher
Higher
Higher

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
I want to take you higher
Baby baby baby light my fire
I wanna take you higher

Boom laka-laka-laka, boom laka-laka-laka
Boom laka-laka-laka, boom laka-laka-laka
Boom laka-laka-laka, boom laka-laka-laka

Higher
Higher
Higher

Boom laka-laka-laka, boom laka-laka-laka
Boom laka-laka-laka, boom laka-laka-laka
Boom laka-laka-laka, boom laka-laka-laka

Higher
Higher
Higher

Read more: Sly & The Family Stone - I Want To Take You Higher Lyrics | MetroLyrics
Comments (207)add comment
Funny, I always thought they were singing 
Boom shaka-laka-laka,
not Boom laka-laka-laka. 

So, I Googled the lyrics and found this:
[Refrain]
Boom laka-laka-laka
Boom laka-lak-goon-ka boom
Hey, hey, hey, hey

I was further off than I thought.
Posted 3 weeks ago by Laptopdog    [ Reply ]
 andy.ormsby955 wrote:

Any song with "Boom laka-laka-laka" in it passes muster with me.


Followed closely by "Shama Lama Ding Dong"!   ; )
Posted 7 months ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Bring back the 60s!
Posted 1 year ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
We need a Repeat Button for this!
Posted 1 year ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
In the summer of 1969, I was 14yrs old. I used to surf on the north side of the Casino Amusement Pier in Seaside Heights, NJ, because that is the side where the waves were. That spot later became iconic after Hurricane Sandy, because the roller coaster wound up in the ocean in that exact spot. In 1969, there was a ride called "The Himalaya" above that spot & it had a very loud sound system. The operator used to play the "Stand" album on a regular basis, mostly "I Want To Take You Higher" & " Sing A Simple Song"! Those 2 songs were my soundtrack for the summer of '69! Great memories! He also played Buffalo Springfield & The Doors, but a LOT of Sly!
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
Released in1969 on the "Stand " album!
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
The beat and rhythm of this track is off the f'ing charts. 
Posted 2 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
 garrettb wrote:

so-effing-amazing-!!!



well...youre only saying that, cause its true
Posted 2 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
so-effing-amazing-!!!
Posted 2 years ago by garrettb    [ Reply ]
Great segue, Bill, from Minnie the Moocher to this!
Posted 2 years ago by pinto    [ Reply ]
I want to take you higher
Baby baby baby light my fire
Boom laka-laka-laka, boom laka-laka-laka

Not much effort in the lyrics department, huh.
Posted 2 years ago by Hippostar    [ Reply ]
If you dig Sly, see Summer of Soul! Great Sly in that, and some Stevie, BB, Nina and a whole buncha other folks gettin down
Posted 2 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
Wherever you are man, God Bless...
Posted 2 years ago by oldviolin    [ Reply ]
 Pedro1874 wrote:
First saw this in the Woodstock movie when it was first released in Vancouver in 1970.  The place went mad when this started!  One of the funkiest pieces of music ever made - "Dance to the Music"! - Thanks Sly {#Sunny}{#Notworthy}


Be sure to see Summer of Soul then, if you haven't already!
Posted 2 years ago by thundrpants    [ Reply ]
 unclehud wrote:

LOVE how the bass is all fuzzed up! 

The master Larry Graham 
Posted 2 years ago by eyke    [ Reply ]
impossible not to play this song at maximum. 
Posted 2 years ago by Tippster    [ Reply ]
Where's the "repeat" button?
Posted 3 years ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
it dat bass

and them horrns

and that harp

and the vocals
Posted 3 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

Hmm, I know these guys were often complimented for being "ahead of their time", but I don't think even they had cell phones in 1969.




No, that's me vibrating... loud enough for you to hear it way over there.
Posted 3 years ago by moto848    [ Reply ]
BTW, if you don't retain any of their albums, this is one bitchin' Greatest Hits collection.
Posted 3 years ago by joelbb    [ Reply ]
I just can't forget his Woodstock movie appearance.  Course, I can't remember what I had for breakfast, but that's another song and verse.
Posted 3 years ago by joelbb    [ Reply ]
Any song with "Boom laka-laka-laka" in it passes muster with me.
Posted 3 years ago by andy.ormsby955    [ Reply ]
9 to 10 today! I've taken it higher!
Posted 3 years ago by BillE    [ Reply ]
 dauerweck wrote:
Remembering Raymond and playing this extremely loud circa 1978. Wow bongs and Sly.


Both still have relevance
Posted 3 years ago by rob3    [ Reply ]
 unclehud wrote:
LOVE how the bass is all fuzzed up!  And that trumpet player is ripping it!

"BOOM-shacka-lacka ..."

"Cynthia on the throne" (from Dance to the Music )

Tony in NJ
W.A.S.T.E.
 

Posted 3 years ago by tonyinnj    [ Reply ]
Remembering Raymond and playing this extremely loud circa 1978. Wow bongs and Sly.
Posted 3 years ago by dauerweck    [ Reply ]
 unclehud wrote:
LOVE how the bass is all fuzzed up!  And that trumpet player is ripping it!

"BOOM-shacka-lacka ..."
 Didn't need to get high to appreciate Sly and the Family Stone - amazing stuff then and still gets us moving now...speaking of which, time to get off my arse!

Posted 3 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
1969, that was a pretty good year. Best music.
Posted 3 years ago by iloveradio    [ Reply ]
 rev_cletus wrote:
Helped define "funk" for my thirteen-year-old self - and I STILL bop to that stuff at sixty-two! YOWZA!
 Me too, an "old rocker from way back" born '46 and still rockin'  Love it!  


Posted 4 years ago by Pedro1874    [ Reply ]
Worst concert I ever saw.  1 1/2 hours late.  Sly was drunk.  

Oh well....
Posted 4 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Hilarious House of Frightenstein anyone?  This tune was used as the intro to the Wolfman.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoIN0XlALDA
Posted 4 years ago by bbjordan400    [ Reply ]
Helped define "funk" for my thirteen-year-old self - and I STILL bop to that stuff at sixty-two! YOWZA!
Posted 4 years ago by rev_cletus    [ Reply ]
 Alastair wrote:
Is it me or has someone got their phone on vibrate through that whole song?
 

Thanks, now that is all I hear!
Posted 4 years ago by freddyfender    [ Reply ]
 unclehud wrote:
LOVE how the bass is all fuzzed up!  And that trumpet player is ripping it! . . .
 
"All fuzzed up"?
Enough with the technical jargon, unclehud!
Try and use terminology that we laymen can understand!  ; )
Posted 4 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 the_jake wrote:
It was quite a number of years before cell phones.
It is a note being played by either the bass player or the bass petals of the keyboard player.
 

Posted 4 years ago by number7    [ Reply ]
This got me moving today, bumping  HIGHER  from 8 to 9
Posted 4 years ago by slikr    [ Reply ]
This always reminds me of The Wolfman on Hilarious House of Frightenstein 
Posted 4 years ago by eyeball    [ Reply ]
LOVE how the bass is all fuzzed up!  And that trumpet player is ripping it!

"BOOM-shacka-lacka ..."
Posted 4 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
 Alastair wrote:
Is it me or has someone got their phone on vibrate through that whole song?
 
I don't hear it all thru the song, but near the end when the fade out begins I can hear it.
Posted 5 years ago by the_jake    [ Reply ]
Please play "If You Want Me To Stay" for some great Sly tune-age.
Posted 5 years ago by marysclark    [ Reply ]
The Was Not Was effort titled Born to Laugh at Tornadoes is superb and features Mitch Ryder, Ozzie, Doug Feiger (theKnack) and Mel Torme in lead vocal roles...Madonna was also doing uncredited back-up vocals...
Posted 5 years ago by chuck.b.meyers    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

Hmm, I know these guys were often complimented for being "ahead of their time", but I don't think even they had cell phones in 1969.

 
That sir, is why I'm going 8 to 9 on this funky Sly tune....this tune is jam packed with funkiness and I approve (and I approve of your smartass remark to Alastair too) - Long Live RP!!

I'm also hearing some clear influences from this song on a lot of what Outkast (yes, the rap duo) with the backing vocals of "boomshakalakaboomshakalakaboom"  
Posted 5 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
My eardrums now need silence for a couple of minutes.
Posted 5 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
Brian Auger.....already heard???
Posted 6 years ago by peter.gerzner    [ Reply ]
 Alastair wrote:
Is it me or has someone got their phone on vibrate through that whole song?
 
Hmm, I know these guys were often complimented for being "ahead of their time", but I don't think even they had cell phones in 1969.

Posted 6 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Is it me or has someone got their phone on vibrate through that whole song?
Posted 6 years ago by Alastair    [ Reply ]
This has got to be the fuzziest fuzz bass in the world. I can dig it!
Posted 6 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
 joetekubi wrote:
The greatest funk/rock fusion.  Likely to never be equaled.

 
Amen to that. 
Posted 6 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
 Steely_D wrote:
Came to see if it was a remake. Feels slower.

 
This is the definitive version in my mind, but the wikipedia article has a list of covers and I'm sure there are a couple live recordings too.
Posted 7 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
First album I ever bought sometime in 69-70? ... on cassette with my jammin' GE AM/FM/cassette unit that was purchased with my paper route savings...so I'll never tire of Sly
Posted 8 years ago by Bandselect    [ Reply ]
 bluematrix wrote:

Ha! Big fan of Was Not Was too! Bill should definitely play some of their stuff, tunes like Maria Navarro or I Blew Up the United States, would be awesome to hear on RP.

But Sly is still certainly ok with me too tho :)

 
Are you listening Bill?? How did Was Not Was get by your nose for the good stuff——Let's play some—-we will all be better for it.
Posted 8 years ago by dsd    [ Reply ]
Nothing from Sly's 'Fresh' album on the playlist, I think it was his masterpiece
.
i see that there is one song from 'Fresh'  that comes from an anthology
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
Came to see if it was a remake. Feels slower.
Posted 8 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
 bluematrix wrote:

Ha! Big fan of Was Not Was too! Bill should definitely play some of their stuff, tunes like Maria Navarro or I Blew Up the United States, would be awesome to hear on RP.

 
luv Maria Navarro, also Papa Was A Rollibng Stone was better than the Temps
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
 mrselfdestruct wrote:

Was thinking the same thing!

 
Me too! Too funny :)
Posted 8 years ago by a_conway    [ Reply ]
 wgsu_1978 wrote:
Sorry, but I lived through this. Today it sounds old and tired. Not denying its impact though.

When I want "boom-acka-lacka" I fire up Was (Not Was).
 
Ha! Big fan of Was Not Was too! Bill should definitely play some of their stuff, tunes like Maria Navarro or I Blew Up the United States, would be awesome to hear on RP.

But Sly is still certainly ok with me too tho :)
Posted 8 years ago by bluematrix    [ Reply ]
The greatest funk/rock fusion.  Likely to never be equaled.
Posted 8 years ago by joetekubi    [ Reply ]
Yikes, that's woken me up....
Posted 8 years ago by planet_lizard    [ Reply ]
 Pedro1874 wrote:
First saw this in the Woodstock movie when it was first released in Vancouver in 1970.  The place went mad when this started!  One of the funkiest pieces of music ever made - "Dance to the Music"! - Thanks Sly {#Sunny}{#Notworthy}

 
{#Notworthy}{#Yes}
Posted 9 years ago by Pedro1874    [ Reply ]
 d48m02h wrote:
The blueprint for funk to mankind.....! {#Good-vibes}

 
Oh yesssssssssss 😄
Posted 9 years ago by Pedro1874    [ Reply ]
 Derecho wrote:

Anyone else think that bass was their phone ringing on Vibrate?

 
Was thinking the same thing!
Posted 9 years ago by mrselfdestruct    [ Reply ]
Sorry, but I lived through this. Today it sounds old and tired. Not denying its impact though.

When I want "boom-acka-lacka" I fire up Was (Not Was).
Posted 9 years ago by wgsu_1978    [ Reply ]
  d48m02h1918 wrote:
Why does it always seem like the music this man helped to create is so under-appreciated?

I know Sly has issues, but what sounds he (and The Family Stone) created back in the day......{#Clap} 

 Johnny-smooth wrote:

What I can't get over is how music like this just doesn't show up anywhere (commercial stations) and it is so good, so pivotal to the development of the music we hear today

 
Right On!

Love the sound of Sly and the Family Stone 
Posted 9 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Great song - unless your're acrophobic.
Posted 9 years ago by Typesbad    [ Reply ]
NothingMouthing like a good Boom shugalka
Posted 9 years ago by Muddyman3019    [ Reply ]

Anyone else think that bass was their phone ringing on Vibrate?
Posted 9 years ago by Derecho    [ Reply ]
 misterbearbaby wrote:
Bootsy Collins'  FB said Sly was doing OK- he's living in a van out in front of some people's house in Crenshaw. They watch over him. Almost 70, he's apparently pretty severely mentally ill, hears voices, etc. but isn't in any real danger. Too bad- he RULED the EARTH in the early 70's. I saw Sly in Madison Square Garden around '72— it was a friggin' AMAZING show.

 
Even in the 70s he was struggling. I bought tickets to 2 shows at the Garden, and he turned up for one of them.
Posted 9 years ago by colt4x5    [ Reply ]
Got up and did the shin-a- ling to this at 0430 at work
Boom, boom , boom, boom
Posted 9 years ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
RP is desperately boom-acka-acka-lacking more funk!
Posted 9 years ago by thatslongformud    [ Reply ]
 d48m02h wrote:
The blueprint for funk to mankind.....! {#Good-vibes}

 
{#Yes}
Posted 9 years ago by Pedro1874    [ Reply ]
"I want to take you higher
Baby, light my fire
Boom laka-laka-laka"

I guess the lyrics were just a way to give the vocalists something to do.


Posted 10 years ago by Hippostar    [ Reply ]
Next 10 - go Bill, go!

Now I know where WAS (Not Was) stole this

"boom-akalaka-boom" from.
Posted 10 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
Thank you Sly! His music means so much to me, it's showed me the way!  Got me shakin' and boppin' right from the start  Joy
Posted 10 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Dancing in my chair!!
Posted 10 years ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
The blueprint for funk to mankind.....! {#Good-vibes}
Posted 10 years ago by d48m02h    [ Reply ]
Fantastic
Posted 10 years ago by Shotoverplain    [ Reply ]
Hell yes you may, Sly!
Posted 10 years ago by EarthMama    [ Reply ]
 d48m02h1918 wrote:
Why does it always seem like the music this man helped to create is so under-appreciated?

I know Sly has issues, but what sounds he (and The Family Stone) created back in the day......{#Clap} 

 
What I can't get over is how music like this just doesn't show up anywhere (commercial stations) and it is so good, so pivotal to the development of the music we hear today
Posted 10 years ago by Johnny-smooth    [ Reply ]
 MinMan wrote:
Ben Harper wanna be ;-)

 

LOL   Maybe the other way around. 
Posted 10 years ago by JeriF    [ Reply ]
When I hear this song I am reminded of the movie Stripes.
Posted 10 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
{#Bananapiano}{#Bananapiano}{#Bananapiano} ..... yeah I'm dancing 
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
we needs da funk...{#Bananasplit}
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
{#Dancingbanana}


Yeah! Makes me move! 
Posted 11 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
 diannemck56 wrote:
So glad I have a riser desk so I can dance while I'm working!! {#Dancingbanana}{#Sunny}

 

I'm wiggling in my chair with people yacking nearby-so I can't sing along!!
Posted 11 years ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
Love the song.
Love the cover.
Love the memories. 
Posted 11 years ago by Rotterdam    [ Reply ]
It's a noisy mess. :) - but it's an ok noisy mess. 
Posted 11 years ago by bb_matt    [ Reply ]
Trying to write a CV and my dancing feet arent helping!! please dont stop tho!
Posted 11 years ago by ralph_creswell    [ Reply ]
So glad I have a riser desk so I can dance while I'm working!! {#Dancingbanana}{#Sunny}
Posted 11 years ago by diannemck56    [ Reply ]
First saw this in the Woodstock movie when it was first released in Vancouver in 1970.  The place went mad when this started!  One of the funkiest pieces of music ever made - "Dance to the Music"! - Thanks Sly {#Sunny}{#Notworthy}
Posted 11 years ago by Pedro1874    [ Reply ]
Bootsy Collins'  FB said Sly was doing OK- he's living in a van out in front of some people's house in Crenshaw. They watch over him. Almost 70, he's apparently pretty severely mentally ill, hears voices, etc. but isn't in any real danger. Too bad- he RULED the EARTH in the early 70's. I saw Sly in Madison Square Garden around '72— it was a friggin' AMAZING show.
Posted 11 years ago by misterbearbaby    [ Reply ]
Ben Harper wanna be ;-)
Posted 11 years ago by MinMan    [ Reply ]
Do I hear a fog horn in the background?
What is that? 
Posted 11 years ago by sajitjacob    [ Reply ]
 tompoll wrote:

I remember one day when I was a little kid and my Dad took me to one of the museums in downtown Chicago. Driving back home we got stuck in what was a bit of a riot near Grant Park. Apparently Sly & Co. were to appear at the Bandshell, and after many hours of delay, it was announced that they would be no-shows. There were people everywhere, climbing over our car, banging on the windows, etc. It was pretty terrifying and has stuck in my memory.
 
Back in the day - working stage crew. Sly had all kinds of demands on the show setup, food, etc. They were late and played - maybe - 40 minutes. Too bad - it was good music.
Posted 11 years ago by stevesaw    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:
Still waiting for the Kenny G. cover.
 
{#Stop} {#No}{#Arghhh}{#Skull}
May you wait until the sun goes dark. 
Posted 11 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Still waiting for the Kenny G. cover.
Posted 11 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 LongGoneDaddy wrote:
definitely not enough funk on this station..
 
I think that's true.   {#Dancingbanana}
Posted 11 years ago by dew34    [ Reply ]
 bill-1956 wrote:
White, pudgy, middle age (56) civil engineer - dancing on his desk.

Well, maybe not on the desk - but rocking out in his chair with the volume turned up as far as he dare.

:-)
 
Headphones my man, Headphones!  {#Music}
Oh that's me also  Sept 1956 - Rocking and all
Posted 12 years ago by DanFHiggins    [ Reply ]
A major talent lost to coke.
Posted 12 years ago by joelbb    [ Reply ]
definitely not enough funk on this station..
Posted 12 years ago by LongGoneDaddy    [ Reply ]
White, pudgy, middle age (56) civil engineer - dancing on his desk.

Well, maybe not on the desk - but rocking out in his chair with the volume turned up as far as he dare.

:-)
Posted 12 years ago by bill-1956    [ Reply ]
Why does it always seem like the music this man helped to create is so under-appreciated?

I know Sly has issues, but what sounds he (and The Family Stone) created back in the day......{#Clap} 
Posted 12 years ago by d48m02h1918    [ Reply ]
Funk Yeah!
Posted 12 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
 Stingray wrote:
NO WAY!!!!

Just gave it a "9"
 
Yes indeed...
Posted 12 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Super cherish this stompin workout!!!

Sly Superior 
Posted 12 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 FrankMc wrote:
I guess I had heard Higher on the radio, but seeing the Sly set in the Woodstock movie made that song live. What a performance. Right up there with Soul Sacrifice by Santana and I'm Going Home by Ten Years After for performances that defined the movie.
 
Plus "we're not gonna take it" by The Who.  Townsend is in another world at the end refrain.
Posted 12 years ago by trailhead    [ Reply ]
boom laka laka laka boom laka laka laka 
Posted 12 years ago by bobzane    [ Reply ]
14 - 15 yrs old when this came out....still it ROCKS!
Posted 12 years ago by DD gypsyman    [ Reply ]
 shakitten wrote:
THIS-SONG-KICKS-ASS!!!!!
 
totally... 
Posted 12 years ago by Nadine    [ Reply ]
...And everybody CHAIRDANCE!
Posted 12 years ago by jmkate    [ Reply ]
THIS-SONG-KICKS-ASS!!!!!
Posted 12 years ago by shakitten    [ Reply ]
One of my top 10 favorite songs of all time. An explosion of fun and funkyness.
Posted 13 years ago by jkscoggin    [ Reply ]
 joe-1 wrote:
OH MY Goodness: the fantastic bass sound, the mix of pure - raw - tribal - energy with the funk sounds and classic copper instruments!
Oh, why of why don't they make music like this anymore these days!
 
It's not quite the same, but check out Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings.

Posted 13 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 Tamster wrote:
Boom shaka-laka-laka Boom shaka-laka-laka
 
{#Bananajam}{#Drummer}
Posted 13 years ago by Imkirok    [ Reply ]
Boom shaka-laka-laka Boom shaka-laka-laka
Posted 13 years ago by Tamster    [ Reply ]
 Lrobby99 wrote:
Has aged well.
 
Yes, this is still awesome.

Posted 13 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
funKAY!!  love it
Posted 13 years ago by socalhol    [ Reply ]
Has aged well.
Posted 13 years ago by Lrobby99    [ Reply ]
simply wonderful ....
Posted 13 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
OH MY Goodness: the fantastic bass sound, the mix of pure - raw - tribal - energy with the funk sounds and classic copper instruments!
Oh, why of why don't they make music like this anymore these days!
Posted 13 years ago by joe-1    [ Reply ]
I always wondered where the "Boom Shaka Laka Laka Laka" came from in Stripes.  Now I know.
Posted 13 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]