It’s that time again, and this week, we tackle “I Wanna Take You Higher” version 1. Originally recorded by Sly & the Family Stone in 1969, Duran Duran includes not one but two versions on Thank You. This week, we’re listening to the first. As we agreed last week, we will listen to Duran’s version, then the original, then back to Duran in our review.
Lyrics
Beat is getting stronger, feel it getting stronger Sound is getting longer, too Music is a thought to me I want to, I want to I wanna take you higher (take you higher) I wanna take you higher (take you higher) Baby, baby, baby, light my fire (light my fire) I wanna take you higher (take you higher) Whoo! Beat is nitty gritty, feel it nitty gritty Sound is in your city, too Music's been a thought to me Don't you, don't you, don't, don't Don't you wanna get higher (take you higher) Don't you wanna get higher (take you higher) Baby, baby, baby, light my fire (light my fire) I wanna take you higher (take you higher) Boom shaka-laka-laka! Boom shaka-laka-laka! Boom shaka-laka-laka! Beat is nitty gritty... I 'm gonna take you high... Beat is there, I'm with you Beating there to lose you Sound is there to help you groove Music's been a thought to me Everybody take your places I'm gonna take you higher (take you higher) I wanna take you higher (take you higher) Baby, baby, baby, light my fire (light my fire) I wanna take you higher (take you higher) Higher, higher, higher, mmm... I wanna take you (take you higher) I wanna take you higher (take you higher) Baby, baby, baby, light my fire (light my fire) I'm gonna take you higher (take you higher) Don't you wanna get higher (take you higher) (Take you higher) I'm gonna take you high (higher) I'm gonna take you high (take you higher) Baby, baby, baby - baby, baby, baby (take you higher) Baby, baby, baby, light my fire (take you higher) Higher (take you higher) (Take you higher) Baby, baby, baby - baby, baby, baby (take you higher) Baby, baby, baby, light my fire (take you higher) Higher (take you higher) (Take you higher) I'm gonna take you (take you higher) I'm gonna take you (take you higher) I'm gonna take, gonna take, gonna take you higher (light my fire) I wanna take you, I wanna take you higher (take you higher) Baby, baby, baby, light my (take you higher)
Written by/copyright: Sylvester Stewart
Audio
Rhonda
The intro to this song is unique, with Tony Thompson on drums at the forefront. It is a huge departure from the original, horn-driven song, and the effect of drums beginning this song works well. You can hear those drums throughout the song, and they do their job of reminding you where the song is going, and how quickly you’re going to get there. Where the original is 100% funk, Duran’s has a fantastic hard-rock, psychedelic edge that begins with those drums, and then the guitar comes in with a warble-y, gravelly effect that makes you wonder for a second just how recently this song was recorded.
The hard rock effect proves that Duran Duran are intent to perform the song on their terms, not looking to rehash, but reimagine. With a magnificent, soaring guitar solo unlike most we ever hear from Duran Duran, I think they are effective in turning the song inside out to be something completely different.
However, the song production is incredibly messy, and way overdone. There are so many effects and samples layered, that the sound is mushy and noisy, rather than crisp and clear. There are just too many effects going on, and they don’t let the song stand on it’s own merit. Simon’s vocals are almost an afterthought rather than at the soul of the song. While Lamya did a beautiful job on backup vocals, and the background chanting by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five makes it feel like a party I should have been invited to join; the spoken word between the backup vocalists Lamya and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five seems very cheesy and makes the party feel like something I gladly missed out on in high school. Musically, the song is incredibly strong, but it’s heft was totally lost in production. The song being just another victim of throwing everything in the mix, and coming out with something far less than what they started with, I’m afraid.
Amanda
Before I sat down to review this song, I followed the directions above about listening to the original. As it began to play, I found myself really paying attention and realizing that I don’t think I had ever done that before. While I know that I heard the song before, obviously, the details had escaped me. So, after really focusing, I pondered the usual question I ask about covers. Did Duran do it justice? Did they make it better? Worse? Add their own spin?
One thing that is extremely clear is that Duran’s version is not like the original in most ways. The original is all funk with instruments such as horns and even harmonica. Duran’s version is a completely different genre. While there are moments of funk, it feels like all hard rock to me. The instrumentation is pretty much guitars with some drums. The only part of the songs that feel comparable is the vocals of sorts. Both versions feature a male and female vocal. They act as if they are doing a call and response format. Of course, Duran’s version adds more than all that with some extra effects, samples, etc. especially towards the end of the song.
Now, the question comes in. Do the changes make it better? Worse? Do the similarities? I have to admit that I like the call and response aspect of the vocals. That said, it feels like the vocals on are lost in the shuffle in the Duran version. Was that intentional? Maybe. Was it because they worried that Simon couldn’t do it justice? Was it to make their version more modern? Something else? I don’t know. No matter, they did not capitalize as much as they should. So what about the instrumentation and change in flavor, so to speak? Did those changes enhance the cover? I have to admit that the hard rock and guitars don’t work for me much. I appreciate that Duran tried to make the song their own but I feel like it is almost too far a departure. Maybe if they had decided to include a bit more funk or more horns or something. In this situation, I have to admit that the original works better for me.
