Tesla's music fit well with the blasting sounds of their 80s hair metal and glam rock contemporaries. Yet it was more bluesy and lyrics dealt with other themes than just the usual, girls, alcohol and violence. But what set them even more apart from their contemporaries was their t-shirt and jeans image, a 'street' look reminiscent of the Ramones (and other 70s punk groups) that was in strong contrast of the leather, spandex, and flashy-make type look of the time.
The band's early lifespan as City Kidd brought them considerable frustration, with them failing to break into the musical mainstream while also competing with another band with the same name. Their mutation into Tesla provided a clear shot at success. 'Mechanical Resonance', their debut that the boys released in 1986, became a commercial smash while also receiving significant critical praise. That album was certified platinum by the RIAA on October 5, 1989.
In total, the group has released six studio albums with original music, the latest of them being 2008's 'Forever More'. They have also created a a double-disc covers album, titled 'Real To Reel', as well as a number of compilations and live albums. Their sound has focused on a particularly melodic and accessible kind of hard rock with strong shades of classic heavy metal as well.
Tesla's popular 1990 remake of Signs, originally recorded by the Five Man Electrical Band (who also inspired the album which the remake came from, Five Man Acoustical Jam), is probably the most mainstream of Tesla's hits. However, many fans remember fondly Tesla's other hits such as Gettin' Better, Modern Day Cowboy, Little Suzi, Edison's Medicine and Love Song.
The band derived their name, certain album and song names (e.g. The Great Radio Controversy, Mechanical Resonance, etc), and some song content from events relating to Nikola Tesla, a Serbian-American inventor and electrical engineer born in the 19th century in Smiljan, Austria-Hungary, modern day Croatia.
I Want To Take You Higher
Tesla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Beat is gettin' stronger
The beat is gettin' longer too
Music's soundin' good to me
But I wanna, said I wanna
I wanna take you higher
Baby, baby, let me light your fire
Ooh yeah, little bit higher
Boom shacka lacka lacka
Boom shacka la boonka boo
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Beat is nitty-gritty
Music's in your city too
Music's gettin' good to me
But now don't ya, I said don't ya
Don't ya wanna get higher?
Yeah, don't ya wanna get higher?
Baby, baby, let me light your fire
Ooh ha, little bit higher
Boom shacka lacka lacka
Boom shacka la boonka boo
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Come on, baby
(Higher)
Don't ya wanna get high
(Higher)
Ooh, yeah
(Higher)
Light your fire
(Fire)
Come on, daddy
(Higher)
A little bit higher
(Higher)
I wanna
(Higher)
Said I wanna light your fire
(Fire)
Boom shacka lacka lacka
Boom shacka la boonka boo
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Beat is here to make you move
Music's here to help you groove
Music's soundin' good to me
But take your places
I'm gonna take you
(Higher, higher)
Yeah, baby
Gonna take ya
(Higher, higher)
Ooh, yeah
Little bit higher
C'mon, daddy
(Higher)
A little bit
(Higher)
The lyrics to Tesla's I Want To Take You Higher express a desire to create a powerful, transcendent experience through music. The song is about the power of music to elevate and transport the listener, to take them to a higher state of being. The repetition of the phrase "I wanna take you higher" is a call to action, inviting the listener to let go and allow the music to lift them up. The use of onomatopoeic phrases like "boom shacka lacka lacka" creates a sense of energy and groove, encouraging the listener to move and dance.
The first verse sets the stage for the rest of the song, with the beat getting stronger and longer as the music starts to take hold. The singer acknowledges that the music is sounding good but wants to take it to the next level, to a place of heightened sensation and pleasure. The second verse takes things up a notch, with the beat becoming "nitty-gritty" and the music spreading throughout the city. The singer encourages the listener to join in and get higher, to light their fire and feel the thrill of the music.
The final verse brings things to a climax, with the beat and music coming together to make the listener move and groove. The singer declares that they are going to take the listener higher, and encourages them to come along for the ride. The repetition of the phrase "higher, higher" creates a sense of urgency and excitement, building towards the ultimate release of the final "boom shacka lacka lacka" and "hey, hey, hey, hey."
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, hey, hey, hey
The song starts with a spirited chant to pump up the energy of the audience.
Beat is gettin' stronger
The rhythm of the music is intensifying.
The beat is gettin' longer too
The rhythm of the music is becoming more complex and prolonged.
Music's soundin' good to me
The singer is enjoying the quality of the music.
But I wanna, said I wanna
Despite the satisfaction the singer is feeling, they desire more.
I wanna take you higher
The singer wants to elevate the emotions and energy of the audience with the music.
Yeah, let me take you higher
The singer is rhetorically asking permission to lift the audience to a higher level of excitement.
Baby, baby, let me light your fire
The singer wants to ignite a spark within the audience, to help them feel passionate and energized.
Ooh yeah, little bit higher
The singer wants to gradually raise the mood, bit by bit, until the entire audience is feeling elevated.
Boom shacka lacka lacka
This phrase is a nonsensical, playful vocalization that adds to the overall fun atmosphere of the song.
Boom shacka la boonka boo
Similar to the previous phrase, this is another playful vocalization that adds to the fun atmosphere of the song.
Beat is nitty-gritty
The rhythm of the music is becoming more intricate and complex.
Music's in your city too
The music is not just confined to the stage or venue, but is also present in the audience's surroundings.
But now don't ya, I said don't ya
The singer is urging the audience to pay attention to what is happening and not miss out on the experience.
Don't ya wanna get higher?
The singer is inviting the audience to participate in the uplifting emotions of the music.
Yeah, don't ya wanna get higher?
The singer is asking the audience if they want to feel more energized and excited by the music.
Baby, baby, let me light your fire
The singer is encouraging the audience to let the music ignite a spark within them.
Ooh ha, little bit higher
The singer wants to gradually raise the energy level of the audience, bit by bit.
Come on, baby
The singer is addressing the audience affectionately, encouraging them to participate in the music.
(Higher)
Don't ya wanna get high
(Higher)
Ooh, yeah
(Higher)
Light your fire
(Fire)
Come on, daddy
(Higher)
A little bit higher
(Higher)
The singer continues to use playful ad-libs and asks various members of the audience to participate with more energy.
I wanna
(Higher)
Said I wanna light your fire
(Fire)
The singer repeats their desire to ignite passion and spark in the audience with the music.
Beat is here to make you move
The rhythm of the music is meant to inspire movement in the audience.
Music's here to help you groove
The music is meant to help the audience enjoy and relax with the energy and rhythm.
Take your places
The singer is signalling for the audience to prepare themselves for more excitement and energy.
I'm gonna take you
(Higher, higher)
Yeah, baby
Gonna take ya
(Higher, higher)
Ooh, yeah
Little bit higher
C'mon, daddy
(Higher)
A little bit
(Higher)
The singer is inviting the audience to join them in climbing to a higher level of energy and excitement, while using playful ad-libs to encourage participation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sylvester Stewart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Christopher N. Savage
on Getting' Better
A shame that you can't see the original video, but this tune has the passion and power to lift you up and brighten your day!!!!!