One of the timeless classics in the realm of cannabis-themed anthems is the British-Jamaican group Musical Youth’s “Pass the Dutchie.” Unveiled in 1982 as a single from their debut album, “The Youth of Today,” the track achieved monumental success, topping charts in the UK and securing the tenth spot in the U.S.A. Today, it continues to resonate in throwback playlists and serves as a source for hip-hop samples.
Curiously, although widely assumed to be an ode to marijuana, the lyrics of “Pass the Dutchie” do not explicitly mention the substance.
Those familiar with the act of smoking a blunt will likely recognize “Dutchie” as a nod to the Dutch Master brand of cigars. However, the lyrics actually represent a sanitized version of the song “Pass the Kouchie” by the Mighty Diamonds. Consequently, the “Dutchie” in “Pass the Dutchie” is purportedly a playful reference to a type of Dutch oven cooking pot.
Musical Youth’s “Pass the Dutchie” has secured its place as a timeless anthem, celebrated in weed-smoking circles and etched into the musical tapestry of the early ’80s. This British-Jamaican group, with their catchy beats and laid-back vibes, took the world by storm with this track from their debut album, The Youth of Today. Despite the assumption that the song is a straightforward ode to marijuana, the story behind “Pass the Dutchie” is more intricate than it seems.
“Pass the Dutchie” on the Charts
A Reggae Fusion Masterpiece
Released in 1982, “Pass the Dutchie” quickly ascended the charts, claiming the number one spot in the UK and securing a comfortable position at number ten in the USA. Its enduring popularity is evident in its continued presence in throwback playlists and the frequent sampling of its beats in the world of hip-hop.
The Art of Subtle References
Surprisingly, for a song that is synonymous with marijuana culture, “Pass the Dutchie” avoids explicitly mentioning the herb in its lyrics. The sly and subtle references add an extra layer of intrigue to the song’s meaning.
Unraveling the “Dutchie”: More Than Meets the Ear
The Dutch Connection: Beyond Blunts
The term “Dutchie” is a nod to the Dutch Master brand of cigars commonly used for rolling blunts. However, the plot thickens as we delve into the origins of the song. Contrary to popular belief, the “Dutchie” in “Pass the Dutchie” is not a direct cannabis reference.
From Kouchie to Dutchie: A Musical Evolution
The lyrics of “Pass the Dutchie” are an adaptation of a prior reggae track titled “Pass the Kouchie” by the Mighty Diamonds. In the original song, the term “Kouchie” refers to a type of cooking pot, specifically a Dutch oven. Musical Youth’s alteration of “Kouchie” to “Dutchie” transformed the song’s meaning while maintaining its reggae roots.
Legacy of a Reggae Anthem: “Pass the Dutchie” Through the Years
Sampling and Homage in Hip-Hop
The influence of “Pass the Dutchie” extends beyond its original release, with hip-hop artists frequently sampling its distinctive beats. The song’s legacy lives on, resonating with new generations of music enthusiasts.
Cultural Impact and Timeless Appeal
Despite the evolution of musical trends, “Pass the Dutchie” remains a cultural touchstone, reflecting the laid-back vibes of the early ’80s and celebrating the art of reinterpretation in music.
Understanding Musical Youth’s “Pass the Dutchie” Lyrics
“Kouchie” is a Jamaican slang term for a marijuana pipe, and “Pass the Kouchie” is a song that is directly about weed, with the lyrics being about passing the pipe around in a circle.
Since the members of Musical Youth were children at the time of recording, the producers decided to censor the lyrics so as to not make children sing a song about drugs. The result is a song about being poor and hungry, that is also kind of about weed.
“Pass the Dutchie” is a combination “Pass the Kouchie” and U Brown’s “Gimme the Music”. Additionally, the lyrics in the introduction are an altered version of the chant from U Roy’s “Rule The Nation”.
Let’s dig into these lyrics and see what they’re all about, starting with the introduction:
This generation
Rules di nation
With version
Music happen to be the food of love
Sounds to really make you rub an’ scrubIntro to “Pass the Dutchie” by Musical Youth.
In the intro, the Musical Youth introduce themselves as the new generation that will take over the nation. They will use the power of music, the “food of love”, to ease the hunger of all who listen. This lyric was taken from the opening lines of U Brown’s “Gimme the Music”.
U Brown’s original lyric was inspired by Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, or What You Will, which opens with the iconic line: “If music be the food of love, play on.”
They waste no time after the intro, and dive straight into the chorus:
Pass di Dutchie ‘pon di left hand side (I say)
Pass di Dutchie ‘pon di left hand side
It are go bun, give me di music, make mi jump an’ prance
It are go dun, give mi di music, make mi rockin’ at di dance
Jah know!Chorus to “Pass the Dutchie” by Musical Youth.
Here, Musical Youth sing about passing the pot of food to the left, although to many listeners it sounds like he is saying to pass the blunt to the left. When smoking with friends, it is common practice to pass to the person on your left after you have taken your two drags.
The lyrics “it are go bun” and “it are go dun”, were taken from “Pass the Kouchie” and are Jamaican patois for “it will burn” and “it will go down”, bringing to mind the image of a burning joint getting smaller and smaller as it goes around the circle.
Next up, we bounce into the first verse:
It was a cool an’ lonely 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 an’ 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?First verse to “Pass the Dutchie” by Musical Youth.
This verse was taken almost verbatim from “Pass the Kouchie”, except instead of the repeated phrase “How does it feel when you’ve got no herb?”, Musical Youth say “How does it feel when you’ve got no food?”.
In this way, the verse is transformed from a cool, lonely, breezy afternoon in June when you’re out of herb, to the much more serious predicament of being out of food. As Musical Youth sing, the only thing left to do is go out walking.
Then, we pass a “dreadlocks’ camp”, or a group of Rastas before rolling back into the chorus, followed by the second verse:
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 an’ a session was there in swing
How does it feel when you’ve got no food?
You could feel the chill as I seen an’ heard them say
How does it feel when you’ve got no food?Second verse to “Pass the Dutchie” by Musical Youth.
The Musical Youth stop at this Rasta camp to see what’s happening, still looking for food. He follows the spirit of “Jah”, or the spirit of God, and notices the dreadlocks sitting in a ring, fully immersed in a session. This part was not altered from the original, and it’s easy to imagine what these Rastas might be doing in this circle.
Apparently, these gentlemen are also discussing the troubles of going hungry, and perhaps they have some food to share with our young singer. As the chorus says, the Rastas are more than happy to “Pass the Dutchie”.
The next hit of the chorus is followed by the first bridge, which is all about hearing the music and letting your body move:
Now mi say listen to di drum, an’ mi say listen to di bass
Give mi little music, make mi wind up mi waist
Mi say, listen to di drum, an’ mi say listen to di bass
Give mi little music, make mi wind up mi waist (I say)Bridge one to “Pass the Dutchie” by Musical Youth.
Then, we have another chorus before the second bridge, which again discusses the music and where you might hear “Pass the Dutchie”:
You play it on the radio
An’ so mi say, we are go hear it on the stereo
An’ so mi know, we are go play it on the disco
An’ so mi say, we are go hear it on the stereo (Bow)Bridge two to “Pass the Dutchie” by Musical Youth.
The second bridge is followed by another chorus before the Musical Youth close out the rotation with the outro:
Cah mi say, say east, say west, say north an’ south
This is gonna really make we jump an’ shoutOutro to “Pass the Dutchie” by Musical Youth.
With these closing lyrics, Musical Youth sing about projecting their music all around the world, bringing the “food of love” to the people of every nation. They know they’ve got a bop, too, because they admit that it’s really going to make people jump and shout.
Watch the music video for “Pass the Dutchie” by Musical Youth below. Listen to “Pass the Kouchie” and “Gimme the Music” below that.
FAQs
Does “Pass the Dutchie” Explicitly Mention Marijuana?
Surprisingly, the song avoids directly mentioning marijuana. The connection to cannabis culture is inferred through the term “Dutchie” and its association with the Dutch Master cigar brand.
Why Choose “Dutchie” Instead of Direct References?
The decision to use “Dutchie” instead of explicitly mentioning marijuana adds a layer of subtlety to the song, allowing for broader interpretation and perhaps avoiding potential controversies.
How Did “Pass the Dutchie” Impact Musical Youth’s Career?
The success of “Pass the Dutchie” marked a pinnacle in Musical Youth’s career, catapulting them to international fame. The song’s catchy melody and reggae fusion sound left an indelible mark on the music scene.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Musical Youth’s “Pass the Dutchie” is a masterful blend of reggae, subtle references, and cultural evolution. Its journey from “Pass the Kouchie” to “Pass the Dutchie” showcases the transformative power of music. As we continue to groove to its infectious beats, we’re reminded that sometimes, the true magic lies in the unexpected twists of musical alchemy.
