Higher Plane

Album: Light Of Worlds (1974)
Charted: 37
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • After the commercial success of their previous album, Wild and Peaceful, Kool & the Gang wanted to focus on their artistic side with the jazz-infused Light of Worlds. In a Billboard interview, Ronald Bell, the band's saxophonist and musical director, explained the significance of the first single, "Higher Plane." Said Bell: "This song came after success - gold records, the accolades. But what does it all mean?"

    He added: "The lyric is self-explanatory. For me, it was an offering for people to reach for higher things in life, to strive for excellence. That was the energy behind it."
  • This was a #1 hit on the R&B chart.
  • Ronald Bell admitted to Billboard that the Gang was tapping into a transcendental concept that was popular in songs at the time, like Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground" and Earth, Wind & Fire's "Head to the Sky."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Randy Houser

Randy HouserSongwriter Interviews

The "How Country Feels" singer talks Skynyrd and songwriting.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Subversive Songs Used To Sell

Subversive Songs Used To SellSong Writing

Songs about drugs, revolution and greed that have been used in commercials for sneakers, jeans, fast food, cruises and cars.

Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins

Tom Bailey of Thompson TwinsSongwriter Interviews

Tom stopped performing Thompson Twins songs in 1987, in part because of their personal nature: "Hold Me Now" came after an argument with his bandmate/girlfriend Alannah Currie.

Krishna Das

Krishna DasSongwriter Interviews

The top chant artist in the Western world, Krishna Das talks about how these Hindu mantras compare to Christian worship songs.

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?Song Writing

A big list of musical marriages and family relations ranging from the simple to the truly dysfunctional.