One of the most rock & roll acts out there, Barry Ashworth’s merry band of reprobates — the unstoppable Dub Pistols — are staying true to form with their sixth long-player. It’s called ‘White Lines’, although Barry is keen to stress that the title isn’t some sort of blatant drug reference. “It’s about the number of white lines we see on motorways and at airports when we’re travelling around all the time,” he says.
Bass. The Dubs continue to be one of the busiest bands on the circuit. Seemingly no music festival is complete without their riotous blend of ska, dub, hip-hop, electro, breakbeat, punk and drum & bass. Good times are guaranteed when the Dub Pistols blaze in to fire up the joint, and they’ll party all night — if you let them — until the motorway sun comes up with the morning light.
Over the years the Dubs have earned their ticket to ride the white line highway — and if you aren’t already hooked, baby, it’s nobody else’s fault. They originally grew out of the DJ sound system that Barry Ashworth started with cohort Jason O’Bryan in the mid-90s.
Along with contemporaries the Chemical Brothers and Fatboy Slim, the Dubs initially surfed the late ‘90s big beat wave with tracks like ‘Cyclone’, ‘Westway’ and ‘There’s Gonna Be A Riot’ before swerving into the more political ‘Six Million Ways To Live’ album after the Millennium and their first hook-up with unforgettable Specials frontman Terry Hall.
The procession of guest vocalists who’ve joined them in the intervening decade or so reads like a roll call of urban legends. UK hip-hopper Rodney P, late reggae great Gregory Isaacs, Freak Power man Ashley Slater, Beats International’s Lindy Layton, acid house original Justin Robertson, the sweet tones of Horace Andy, UK rapper Akala, TK from New York, Red Star Lion from the West Indies, Dan Bowskills… the list goes on. Despite these top collaborators, they’ve somehow still managed to remain a cohesive unit, and it’s for their riotous sense of fun, entertainment value and tireless ability to make crowds jump that the Dubs have carved a niche for themselves. Verily, they’re something of a phenomenon.
‘White Lines’ is more of a party album than the conscious vibes of previous LP ‘Worshipping The Dollar’, and also has its fair share of top-notch guests. Reggae don Earl 16, eminent hip-hopper Seanie T,Dark Horizon, Rodney P in-demand rhymer Serocee — as well as regulars TK, Darrison, Sir Real, Ashley Slater and Barry Ashworth himself on vocals — all make an appearance, as well as the dubwise horns of Tim Hutton.
Cyclone
Dub Pistols Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Too much, too often)
I rip rock and gravel when I time travel
My rhyme busts shots with the beats that I battle
When I get in your head my thoughts become lead
Pipes that never get the see's out of bread
Try to come clean
Got intervened by dream that was sweet
With a three-sixty degrees turn on the globe
And now you got me runnin' around my area code.
You got me runnin' in a cyclone
You got me runnin' in a cyclone
You got me runnin' in a cyclone
Coma-overdose and I'm in the zone.
You got me runnin' in a cyclone
You got me runnin' in a cyclone
You got me runnin' in a cyclone
Coma-overdose and I'm in the zone
(A'ight)
Three seats for the future
Birth on this earth
I go up from the step for my pen to exert
And the G's that revert from its natural source
If reversed, I take the opposite course
To avoid the steroids and the jack to my record
Because its style, its the style they neglected
By the natural physique on my way to the mental peak
That's when I flip the Unique Freak
Let my lyrics leak as the mountain goes through
I take one last look and take a giant leap
I take a giant leap
(I said what?)
I take a giant leap
(You got me what?)
I take a giant leap
(You got me what?)
I take a- (what?)
I take a
You got me runnin' in a cyclone
You got me runnin' in a cyclone
You got me runnin' in a cyclone
Coma-overdose and I'm in the zone.
You got me runnin' in a cyclone
You got me runnin' in a cyclone
You got me runnin' in a cyclone
Coma-overdose and I'm in the zone
(A'ight)
(Creation Vibration)
(I said we goin' on vacation)
(We goin' on a freaky vibration)
You got me runnin' in a cyclone
You got me runnin' in a cyclone
You got me runnin' in a cyclone
Coma-overdose and I'm in the zone.
You got me runnin' in a cyclone
You got me runnin' in a cyclone
You got me runnin' in a cyclone
Coma-overdose and I'm in the zone
(A'ight)
You got me runnin' in a cyclone
You got me runnin' in a cyclone
You got me runnin' in a cyclone
Coma-overdose and I'm in the zone.
You got me runnin' in a cyclone
You got me runnin' in a cyclone
You got me runnin' in a cyclone
Coma-overdose and I'm in the zone
(A'ight)
(Too much. Too often.)
The song 'Cyclone' by Dub Pistols speaks to the thrills and excitement that can come with risky behavior, as well as the potentially negative consequences of those actions. The opening lines, "Here are the thrill-seekers, corrupt, and immoral // Too much, too often" set the scene for a narrative that celebrates the rush of adrenaline and the "overdose" of experiences that come with living on the edge. The verses are delivered with rapid-fire rhymes that describe the sensation of being caught up in a whirlwind of activity, never quite sure where it will take you or how you will emerge on the other side.
The chorus repeats the phrase "You got me runnin' in a cyclone" as a way of capturing this feeling of losing control, while the phrase "Coma-overdose and I'm in the zone" hints at the fact that there is a fine line between thrilling chaos and total self-destruction. The song ends with a chant of "Creation Vibration" and suggestions of going on vacation, which could either be a call to transcend the mundane realities of everyday life or a nod to the dangers of constantly seeking new highs without regard for personal safety or responsibility.
Overall, 'Cyclone' is a high-energy, provocative song that invites listeners to examine their relationship to risk-taking and the pursuit of pleasure. It suggests that there is something exhilarating about a lifestyle that is always on the edge of danger, but also acknowledges that this kind of existence can be incredibly risky and potentially deadly.
Line by Line Meaning
(Here are the thrill-seekers, corrupt, and immoral)
This is a group of people who enjoy taking risks, are unethical and dishonest.
(Too much, too often)
This behavior is frequent and excessive.
I rip rock and gravel when I time travel
When I write music and enter a creative flow, I produce strong and intense beats.
My rhyme busts shots with the beats that I battle
My lyrics have a powerful impact and match the intensity of the beats I create.
When I get in your head my thoughts become lead
My music can be overwhelming and my ideas can weigh heavily on the listener's mind.
Pipes that never get the see's out of bread
My vocal cords are constantly working and never stop producing music.
Straight beat the bloodstream
My music pumps through the listener's veins and affects them directly.
Try to come clean
I attempt to expose the truth and inspire positive change through my music.
Got intervened by dream that was sweet
I had a pleasant and inspiring dream that influenced my creative process.
With a three-sixty degrees turn on the globe
I've traveled the world and have a wide perspective on different cultures and experiences.
And now you got me runnin' around my area code.
Despite my travels, I still remain connected to my home and local community.
Three seats for the future
I have big hopes and aspirations for the future.
Birth on this earth
I am grateful for my existence and the opportunity to make music.
I go up from the step for my pen to exert
I use my pen and creativity to push myself upwards and succeed.
And the G's that revert from its natural source
I am inspired by the beauty of nature and use that to fuel my creativity.
If reversed, I take the opposite course
If I encounter obstacles or negativity, I use that to pivot and find new inspiration.
To avoid the steroids and the jack to my record
I refuse to take shortcuts or use unethical tactics to succeed in my music career.
Because its style, its the style they neglected
My unique style has been overlooked or ignored by mainstream music culture.
By the natural physique on my way to the mental peak
I strive to be healthy and focused in order to reach my creative potential.
That's when I flip the Unique Freak
When I'm in my creative zone, I let my unique personality and style shine through.
Let my lyrics leak as the mountain goes through
My music flows out of me naturally, much like a stream flowing down a mountain.
I take one last look and take a giant leap
I'm not afraid to take risks and make bold creative choices.
(Creation Vibration)
This lyric serves as a transition into the chorus and emphasizes the creative energy of the song.
(I said we goin' on vacation)
This is a playful and lighthearted lyric that adds personality to the song.
(We goin' on a freaky vibration)
This lyric continues the playful tone of the previous line and emphasizes the unique and unconventional style of the song.
You got me runnin' in a cyclone
The chorus repeats the title of the song and emphasizes the intense and overwhelming feeling of being swept up in the music.
Coma-overdose and I'm in the zone.
The intense feeling of being completely immersed in the music is compared to a coma or overdose.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TOMMY MCCOOK & THE SKATALITES, BARRY ANTHONY ASHWORTH, JASON DANIEL O'BRYAN, T. K. LAWRENCE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind