Here is a breakdown of major recordings that use “shaka” versus “laka” in the song “I Want to Take You Higher” by Sly & the Family Stone:
“Laka” Recordings
• Sly & The Family Stone (some original and live versions): The earliest studio versions and many live recordings feature the chant as “boom-laka-laka-laka” (sometimes spelled with ‘laka’) .
• Authentic funk and soul covers: Artists aiming to closely mirror the 1969 original tend to use “laka” .
“Shaka” Recordings
• Sly & The Family Stone (some official and remastered releases): Certain well-known releases, possibly remastered or with alternate arrangements, use “boom-shaka-laka-laka” as evidenced by official lyrics and audio .
• Ike & Tina Turner (cover): The iconic cover by Ike & Tina Turner uses “boom-shaka-laka-laka” .
• Many later pop culture references and covers: Various artists, live performances, and adaptations—especially in the 70s and beyond—adapt the chant as “shaka” .
Summary Table
THIS ARTICLE IS A SPOOF (see if you can detect the spoofery!)
This just in: the global “Boom-Laka-Laka-Laka vs. Boom-Shaka-Laka-Laka” debate has reached historic proportions! Music fans everywhere are divided as nations squabble over this critical syllabic difference—because nothing matters more than which nonsense word is correct at Woodstock.
### The Original Funk Council
In Funk Parliament, Sly & The Family Stone strolled in with their classic “boom-laka-laka-laka”—a phrase so funky, it’s believed to power disco balls worldwide[2]. Every time someone says “laka,” another platform shoe gets its groove[9]. But beware! True funk scholars claim using “shaka” in a Sly context is a criminal offense punishable by involuntary bell-bottom wear[2].
### The Cover Revolution
Enter Tina Turner: armed with electrifying legs and a microphone, she shimmied onto the scene singing “boom-shaka-laka-laka.” Purists fainted in horror as “shaka” began appearing everywhere—from NBA Jam dunk contests to planetary celebrations of ‘Boom Shakalaka Day’[5][10]. Young music fans worldwide began to chant indiscriminately—some at concerts, others at sporting events, and many while waiting in line for coffee[5][6].
### The Pop-Cultural Apocalypse
No one was safe. Bill Murray chanted “boom-shaka-laka-laka” in _Stripes_, cementing the phrase as the ultimate signal to drop whatever you’re doing and break into dance[7]. Linguists, anthropologists, and party planners now gather annually to debate the merits of each chant, unable to agree on which one opens more interdimensional portals to funk[2].
Thus, as we contemplate the future, remember: one man’s “laka” is another’s “shaka.” Only by uniting both sides can the groove truly take us higher[2][5][9][10].
Sources
[1] Boom Shaka - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boom_Shaka
[2] Chakalaka. - languagehat.com https://languagehat.com/chakalaka/
[3] Where Did The Saying Boom Shakalaka Come from | TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/discover/where-did-the-saying-boom-shakalaka-come-from
[4] BOOM Shaka-laka-laka! | Timeless - Library of Congress Blogs https://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2015/03/boom-shaka-laka-laka/
[5] boomshakalaka Meaning & Origin | Slang by Dictionary.com https://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/boomshakalaka/
[6] #Boomshakalaka” - Facebook https://www.facebook.com/shaggypalms/videos/boomshakalaka-a-phrase-with-various-originsmany-believe-it-is-derived-from-sly-a/173566352259047/
[7] What is the etymology of “Boom-shaka-laka”? : r/AskReddit https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/qd21g/what_is_the_etymology_of_boomshakalaka/
[8] Why did we used to say boom shakalaka? - Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/237225786368449/posts/8952497288174545/
[9] Sly and the Family Stone I Want to Take You Higher with Lyrics in ...
[10] I Want To Take You Higher - song and lyrics by Ike & Tina Turner ...