Pass the Dutchie

Musical Youth

About Pass the Dutchie

"Pass the Dutchie" is a song produced by Toney Owens from Kingston and the British Jamaican reggae band Musical Youth, taken from their debut studio album, The Youth of Today (1982). The reggae song was a major hit, peaking at number one on the UK Singles Chart. Outside the United Kingdom, it peaked within the top ten of the charts in the United States and sold over 5 million copies worldwide.


Year:
2010
3:24
104 
#3

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This generation
Rules the nation
With version

Music happen to be the food of love
Sounds to really make you rub and scrub

Pass the dutchie on the left hand side
Pass the dutchie on the left hand side
It a gonna burn, give me music make me jump and prance
It a go done, give me the music make me rock in the dance

It was a cool and lovely breezy afternoon
(How does it feel when you've got no food?)
You could feel it 'cause it was the month of June
(How does it feel when you've got no food?)
So I left my gate and went out for a walk
(How does it feel when you've got no food?)
As I pass the dreadlocks' camp I heard them say
(How does it feel when you've got no food?)

Pass the dutchie on the left hand side
(I said) pass the dutchie on the left hand side
It a gonna burn, give me music make me jump and prance
It a go done, give me the music make me rock in the dance

So I stopped to find out what was going on.
(How does it feel when you've got no food?)
'Cause the spirit of Jah, you know he leads you on
(How does it feel when you've got no food?)
There was a ring of dreads and a session was there in swing
(How does it feel when you've got no food?)
You could feel the chill as I seen and heard them say
(How does it feel when you've got no food ?)

Pass the dutchie on the left hand side
(I said) pass the dutchie on the left hand side
It a gonna burn, give me music make me jump and prance
It a go done, give me the music make me rock in the dance

'Cause me say listen to the drummer, me say listen to the bass
Give me little music make me wind up me waist
Me say listen to the drummer, me say listen to the bass
Give me little music make me wind up me waist, (I say)

Pass the dutchie on the left hand side (I say)
Pass the dutchie on the left hand side
It a gonna burn, give me music make me jump and prance
It a go done, give me the music make me rock in the dance

You play it on the radio, a so me say, we a go hear it on the stereo
A so me know you a go play it on the disco
A so me say we a go hear it on the stereo

Pass the dutchie on the left hand side (I say)
Pass the dutchie on the left hand side
It a gonna burn, give me music make me jump and prance
It a go done, give me the music make me rock in the dance

On the left hand side
(I said)
On the left hand side
(I said)
On the left hand side
We meet on the left hand side
(I'm fellin') on the left hand side
I say east, say west, say north and south (on the left hand side)
This is gonna make us jump and shout (on the left hand side)
I say east, say west, say north and south (on the left hand side)
This is gonna make me be able to jump and shout, I say (on the left hand side)

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Musical Youth

Musical Youth is a British reggae band. They are best remembered for their successful 1982 single "Pass the Dutchie", which became a number 1 hit across the world. The band recorded two studio albums, and released a number of successful singles throughout 1982 and 1983, including a collaboration with Donna Summer. Musical Youth earned a Grammy Award nomination before disbanding in 1985 after a series of personal problems. The band returned in 2001 as a duo. more »

1 fan

Written by: Aaron Brown, Fitzroy Ogilvie Simpson, Headley Bennett, Huford Brown, Jackie Mittoo, Leroy Sibbles, Lloyd Anthony Ferguson, Robbie Lyn, Sharna Evelyn Bass, William Alaneme

Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Record Achievement
"Pass The Dutchie" by Musical Youth was a huge hit in the early 80s. In fact, it became one of the fastest-selling singles of its time, achieving over 200,000 sales within a couple of weeks.
High Chart Position
The song topped the UK Singles Chart in October 1982, and held the number one spot for three weeks. It also reached number one in five other countries and was a top ten hit in many other regions, including the US.
Young Band’s Success
The band members were between the ages of 11 to 15 at the time of recording. "Pass the Dutchie" was their debut single and their biggest hit, making them one of the young recording acts to have a number one hit on Billboard Charts.
Controversy
"Pass The Dutchie" is lyrically a cover of "Pass The Kouchie" by The Mighty Diamonds, which is a song about marijuana. To make it more palatable for the young Musical Youth and mainstream radio stations, the producers replaced the word “kouchie” (a slang term for a marijuana pipe) with “dutchie” (a type of cooking pot).
Unique Lyrical Content
The song's music and rhythm is buoyant enough to overcome the potentially baffling lyrics for listeners who aren't used to Jamaican Patois, with the youngsters singing about the hardships of growing up poor in a country hit by economic and political disparity.
Popularity In Media
Due to its widespread success, the song has been featured in various popular media outlets including being used in an episode of the popular series "The Office", in the movie “The Wedding Singer,” and the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.
Band’s Line-up Change
A previous member of the band, Kelvin Grant, who was also one of the lead singers on "Pass the Dutchie," was later replaced by his brother Michael Grant.
Historic Music Video
The music video for "Pass the Dutchie" was one of the first music videos by a black artists to receive heavy airplay on MTV, contributing to the eventual integration of the network that had been criticized for focusing on rock and largely ignoring black music.
Long-Lasting Impact
"Pass the Dutchie" continues to be a favorite on 80's retrospectives and compilations, attesting to the song's appeal and resilience.
Youngest Band Record
Musical Youth are the youngest band to have a UK number one single. This record still stands to this day.

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    Pass the Dutchie

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1983

    Billboard #10


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