I Get Lifted

Album: Rock Your Baby (1974)
Charted: 37
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Working out of TK Records in Miami, George McCrae had a #1 hit with his first single, "Rock Your Baby," written and produced by Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch at TK. This pair also wrote and produced "I Get Lifted," released on the same album in 1974.

    The song is a sensual slice of dance funk, with McCrae letting his girl know how she brings him to new heights. In a Songfacts interview with Harry Wayne Casey, he talked about the song: "I was just messing around on the piano, like I did at every session, and I came up with that strange piano part. The lyric, 'I get lifted up high,' I wasn't talking about drugs or anything because I really wasn't doing any drugs at that time, so it was just about the spirit of feeling lifted, of being lifted up by someone you love."
  • The song's writers, Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch, formed their own group at TK Records - KC & The Sunshine Band - which became one of the most popular acts of the '70s. The first of their five #1 hits was "Get Down Tonight" in 1975.
  • "I Get Lifted" has been sampled many times, most notably on "Gin And Juice" by Snoop Dogg. Other songs to "lift" it include "How to Rob" by 50 Cent and "The Best Things In Life Are Free" by Janet Jackson.
  • Like Motown, songs created at TK Records were often shared among their acts. KC & The Sunshine Band put it on their 1975 album, and in 1976, Latimore released it as a single, reaching #104. Another TK artist, Jimmy "Bo" Horne, released it in 1979.

Comments: 2

  • Yvette from Ocean Township New JerseyI love the Song I Get Lifted, always motivates me and makes me feel Fantastic!!
  • Bill from UsBeautiful Song. George McCrae, what a voice. Thanks KC for the hits you gave George.
    Hello from Pensacola Mr. McCrae, come back anytime!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up Musicians

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up MusiciansSong Writing

Eddie (played by Johnny Depp in the video) found fame fleeting, but Chuck Berry's made-up musician fared better.

Jello Biafra

Jello BiafraSongwriter Interviews

The former Dead Kennedys frontman on the past, present and future of the band, what music makes us "pliant and stupid," and what he learned from Alice Cooper.

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Modern A Cappella with Peder Karlsson of The Real Group

Modern A Cappella with Peder Karlsson of The Real GroupSong Writing

The leader of the Modern A Cappella movement talks about the genre.

David Paich of Toto

David Paich of TotoSongwriter Interviews

Toto's keyboard player explains the true meaning of "Africa" and talks about working on the Thriller album.

Francis Rossi of Status Quo

Francis Rossi of Status QuoSongwriter Interviews

Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.