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.
STRONGER
Dub Pistols Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Life's the greatest
Glad they made us
Hey
I got the status of courageous
Lions in the cages
You go through stages
See the faces of the different places
Never know who's gonna change us
It's the strangers, like the dangers in the language
Like the way we walk, our body talking
Like were gangsters
Still were nameless
And were shameless
Gonna find a way to make you famous
Spend your soul
Make you brainless
Sell your dreams
Make you stainless
Steel, so you can no longer feel
What's really real
But still were gonna find the ones that's real
To show us the deal
Who's gonna make you jump?
Said who's gonna make you jive?
Say who's gonna come and try and analyse this one?
Whos gonna make you scream?
Said who's gonna make you shout?
Said who's gonna make you wonder what its all about?
Who's gonna make you laugh?
Said who's gonna make you cry?
Say who's gonna make you stay up and wonder why?
Who ? who's gonna come in to your life now ?
Who come to make you stronger?
Yeah it could have been nice
If that path we had gone
And the verse it was vice
Checking roads that I take
Never know want comes next
Who you tryng to fool?
Some fools trying to flex
Oh you trying to stay cool with the soem Its best
Take two to the chest
Then pass to the rest
If you aint got the best
Then you ain't living blessed
Means you sitting on stress like a bird on a nest
Who's gonna make you jump?
Said who's gonna make you jive?
Say who's gonna come and try and analyse this one?
Whos gonna make you scream?
Said who's gonna make you shout?
Said who's gonna make you wonder what its all about?
Who's gonna make you laugh?
Said who's gonna make you cry?
Say who's gonna make you stay up and wonder why?
Who ? who's gonna come in to your life now ?
Who come to make you stronger?
Waking up like a stranger
Creeping out through the danger
Kalidescope eyes
Out late telling lies
I'm the one you despise
The one you love to hate
The one sneaking out of the bed when it's late
Cant be stuck in the past
Four corners form the mast
Speak in to the black hole
Now you've lost all control
While I'm out doing dirt
Getting hurt, I've been told
That I'm still chasing shadows
Whilst my demons take hold.
Who's gonna make you jump?
Said who's gonna make you jive?
Say who's gonna come and try and analyse this one?
Said who's gonna make you shout?
Said who's gonna make you wonder what its all about?
Who's gonna make you laugh?
Said who's gonna make you cry?
Say who's gonna make you stay up and wonder why?
Who ? who's gonna come in to your life now?
Who come to make you stronger?
The lyrics to Dub Pistols' song Stronger is a powerful and introspective exploration of self-discovery, personal growth, and the pursuit of happiness. The artist reflects on the different stages of life, the people we meet, and how strangers and situations can change us. The opening line, "So contagious, rap pages, life's the greatest, glad they made us" sets the tone for the whole song, reflecting energy and positivity. The artist believes in the power of change, referencing that we never know who's going to change us.
The line "Whos gonna make you stronger" is the central theme of the song. The artist muses that sometimes it's a stranger who comes into your life unexpectedly who can provide strength and clarity. This person can make you jump, jive, laugh, cry, scream, and shout, prompting you to analyze and wonder what it's all about. The lyrical composition is an interesting mix of metaphors, emotions, and poetic imagery that paint a picture of life's unpredictability and the human condition.
In summary, Dub Pistols' song Stronger is an insightful and poetic exploration of life's journey, love, self-discovery, and the pursuit of happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
So contagious, rap pages
The music and lyrics have a powerful influence and draw people in.
Life's the greatest
Life is an amazing gift.
Glad they made us
Grateful for existence.
Hey
Greetings or acknowledgement to the listener.
I got the status of courageous
Feeling brave and strong.
Lions in the cages
We are like caged lions, ready to break free.
You go through stages
Life is full of different phases and changes.
See the faces of the different places
We encounter people from all walks of life and different backgrounds.
Meet on a daily basis
Constantly interacting with others.
Never know who's gonna change us
People we meet can have a significant impact on our lives and change us in unexpected ways.
It's the strangers, like the dangers in the language
The unknown can be dangerous, and strangers can pose a threat to us.
Like the way we walk, our body talking
Our body language can communicate a lot about us, even without speaking.
Like were gangsters
Confident and strong like gangsters.
Still were nameless
Despite our strength and confidence, we remain anonymous and unknown to others.
And were shameless
Unapologetic for who we are and what we do.
Gonna find a way to make you famous
Determined to be successful and make an impact.
Spend your soul
Putting in a lot of effort and sacrificing to achieve success.
Make you brainless
Some people may lose their sense of identity and individuality in pursuit of success.
Sell your dreams
Some people may compromise their goals and aspirations to fit the expectations of others or to achieve success.
Make you stainless
Achieving a level of success that leaves you feeling invincible and untouchable.
Steel, so you can no longer feel
Success can lead to numbness and detachment from emotions.
What's really real
Losing sight of what truly matters in life.
But still were gonna find the ones that's real
Despite the challenges and sacrifices, we will find genuine and authentic people in our journey.
To show us the deal
These genuine people will help us understand what truly matters in life.
Who's gonna make you jump?
Who will inspire you to take action and be excited about life?
Said who's gonna make you jive?
Who will make you feel good and energized?
Say who's gonna come and try and analyse this one?
Who will try to understand and interpret our actions and motivations?
Whos gonna make you scream?
Who will make you express your emotions and passions?
Said who's gonna make you shout?
Who will inspire you to speak out and take action?
Said who's gonna make you wonder what its all about?
Who will inspire you to question the meaning of life and seek greater purpose?
Said who's gonna make you laugh?
Who will make you enjoy life and find joy in everyday moments?
Said who's gonna make you cry?
Who will help you experience and process complex emotions?
Say who's gonna make you stay up and wonder why?
Who will inspire you to ponder the deeper questions of life and pursue knowledge and meaning?
Who ? who's gonna come in to your life now ?
Who will enter your life and bring new experiences and opportunities?
Who come to make you stronger?
Who will help you grow and become a stronger person?
Yeah it could have been nice
Acknowledging that things could have been better or different.
If that path we had gone
Reflecting on the choices and decisions made in life.
And the verse it was vice
Past experiences and actions may be negative or harmful.
Checking roads that I take
Evaluating the choices and paths taken in life.
Never know want comes next
Uncertainty about the future.
Who you tryng to fool?
Questioning the motives and intentions of oneself or others.
Some fools trying to flex
Some people may be trying to show off or prove something to others.
Oh you trying to stay cool with the soem Its best
Trying to maintain composure and appear calm in difficult situations.
Take two to the chest
Taking a risk or being brave.
Then pass to the rest
Set an example for others or share the rewards with others.
If you aint got the best
If you don't have the best, you may not be successful.
Then you ain't living blessed
Implying that success and material possessions bring happiness and blessings.
Means you sitting on stress like a bird on a nest
Feeling overwhelmed and trapped in a difficult situation.
Waking up like a stranger
Feeling disconnected from oneself or life.
Creeping out through the danger
Navigating through difficult or risky situations.
Kalidescope eyes
Seeing the world in a unique and colorful way.
Out late telling lies
Dishonesty and deception may be part of one's life.
I'm the one you despises
Others may dislike or resent the artist.
The one you love to hate
Others may have a love-hate relationship with the singer.
The one sneaking out of the bed when it's late
Implies the singer is up to no good or has secrets.
Cant be stuck in the past
It's important to move forward and not dwell on past mistakes or regrets.
Four corners form the mast
Initially unclear meaning. Possibly refers to the four corners of a room forming the structure or framework for something.
Speak in to the black hole
Maybe referring to feeling like one's words and actions have no effect or are not heard by anyone?
Now you've lost all control
Feeling powerless or out of control.
While I'm out doing dirt
Implying that the artist is involved in something secretive or potentially illegal.
Getting hurt, I've been told
Suggesting the singer has received negative consequences as a result of their actions.
That I'm still chasing shadows
Possibly meaning that the singer is searching for something that cannot be found.
Whilst my demons take hold
The singer's internal struggles and negative emotions begin to take over.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BARRY ANTHONY ASHWORTH, JASON DANIEL O'BRYAN, RONNIE WOODROFFE, T. K. LAWRENCE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind