He is the frontman of the immensely popular soca band Xtatik, and is noted for his high energy, fast-paced, and often unpredictable on-stage performances. During his career, which spans over 25 years, he has recorded several songs alongside many of Caribbean music's most popular acts, such as Alison Hinds, Beenie Man, Calypso Rose, Burning Flames, Drupatee, Red Rat, Shaggy, Sparrow, Denise Belfon, Destra, Wyclef Jean, Vybz Kartel, G-Unit, Black Stalin, Mr. Vegas, Doug E Fresh and many others. He now stands as the most sought after soca act in the World.
Born in South Trinidad, Machel attended Presentation College a prestigious secondary school in Trinidad where he was in the choir. Machel first shot to fame as a young boy with the song "Too Young To Soca". In 1984 along with brothers and neighbours the group Parnasonic Express was started and in 1989, the band became Xtatik. The band developed and was re-invented by leader Machel several times as Xtatik 5.0, The Xtatik Circus, Xtatik The Road Marching Band, The Band of the Year and many others. Every year Machel has a new concert to keep his band and his performances fresh.
This year, 2007 they are known as Machel Montano HD (High Definition) and he promotes the concept by saying that he is the first human being to go HD. He is part of the huge campaign in Trinidad and Tobago promoting safe driving - Arrive Alive. Part of the hype surrounding the ever-evolving Machel this year is his HD tour bus. A 20 year old bus from the Public Transport Service Corporation was re-done and includes a bedroom, bathroom facilities, flat screen TVs, inernet access and expansive audio systems. The HD concept seems fitting as the band Xtatik has in the last few years the band has risen to a new level of musicality as each performance is very tight musically and has foreign influences such as Ernesto Luis Gutirrez, its Venezualan percussionist. Kernal Roberts, the son of the late, great Lord Kitchener, internationally famous calypsonian has picked up the role as Xtatik's drummer and musical director and has brought new life to the band.
Montano was also instrumental in the promotion of soca music during the BBC's radio show called 1Xtra. He has released many successful singles, with and without Xtatik, during his career, such as "Big Truck" (Xtatik's most successful single, which won the Road March title in 1997), "Outa Space" (with Beenie Man), "Music Farm" (Xtatik), "It's Carnival" (with Destra), "Band Of The Year" (with Patrice Roberts)(Road March Song for 2006), and "Jumbie" (Road March Song for 2007). Most recently, Montano has taken on a new stage title, refering to himself and his band as "Machel Montano HD" (High Definition), which he claims is a representation of the the evolution of his music over the last 25 years and highly improved style in which his music shall be presented to his fans over radio formats, television, and during live performances.
Energy High
Machel Montano Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey, let me go, get up, get up
Hah, hey, power up, set, power up, we go,
Hey, hey
You getting on high when you on di road
You getting on like if your battery overload
And if you see somebody shuttin down
You better let em know, they gots to go
And di water flowing, me getting soakin wet
And if you see somebody slowin
You better stop and say, that ... way
Everybody know
If you in a fence, getting soaking wet
Boy you’re crossin the stage, start to misbehave
Enjoy yourself but keep in mind
Keep your energy high, high
Keep your energy, jump up
Keep your energy, river,
Keep your energy, right now
Keep your energy high, high
Keep your energy, jump up
Keep your energy, river,
Keep your energy, right now
Walking in your way’s a obsession,
Like you is a wine and joy
Attitude, attitude, attitude
Every flag gets ina bad light... love di tune
Energy, energy, energy
And every fetter gonna find me... ah go crazy
And one day ah be on di road
And on wine... I’m moving like a monster
It’s like I’m bout to overload
If you in a fence, getting soaking wet
Boy you’re crossin the stage, start to misbehave
Enjoy yourself but keep in mind
Keep your energy high, high
Keep your energy, jump up
Keep your energy, river,
Keep your energy, right now
Keep your energy high, high
Keep your energy, jump up
Keep your energy, river,
Keep your energy, right now
You getting on high when you on di road
You getting on like if your battery overload
And if you see somebody shuttin down
You better let em know, they gots to go
We getting high like we in a flat
And di water flowing, me getting soakin wet
And if you see somebody slowin
You better stop and say, that ... way
Everybody know
Say everybody in the costume, living up to my shop these days
Attitude, attitude, attitude
And the sun up in the sky...
Energy, energy, energy,
We driftin on the place like zombie ...
If you in a fence, getting soaking wet
Boy you’re crossin the stage, start to misbehave
Enjoy yourself but keep in mind
Keep your energy high, high
Keep your energy, jump up
Keep your energy, river,
Keep your energy, right now
Keep your energy high, high
Keep your energy, jump up
Keep your energy, river,
Keep your energy, right now
We getting high like we in a flat
And di water flowing, me getting soakin wet
And if you see somebody slowin
You better stop and say, that ... way
Everybody know
Keep your energy high, high
Keep your energy, jump up
Keep your energy, river,
Keep your energy, right now
Keep your energy high, high
Keep your energy, jump up
Keep your energy, river,
Keep your energy, right now.
The song "Energy High" by Machel Montano is a celebration of the power and excitement that comes with participating in carnival festivities. The lyrics are a call to action, urging listeners to get up and move their bodies, to set their energy level to maximum and to keep it high throughout the festivities. The song repeatedly emphasizes the importance of maintaining a high energy level, encouraging listeners to keep dancing, jumping and enjoying themselves, even as the hours and days of the carnival wear on.
Montano also acknowledges the potential for exhaustion and fatigue, identifying and warning against those who may slow down or become less enthusiastic as the festivities go on. These individuals are seen as a negative influence, to be avoided or left behind so that the rest of the revelers can keep their energy high. The song's chorus is perhaps its most memorable component, as it repeats the phrase "Keep your energy high" over and over, imploring listeners to embrace the buzzing atmosphere of carnival and participate fully in the excitement.
Overall, "Energy High" is a song that celebrates the power of music and dance to bring people together in a joyous, energetic celebration. It highlights the transformative effects of the carnival experience, urging listeners to shed their inhibitions and immerse themselves in the cultural traditions of the festivities.
Line by Line Meaning
Energy, energy, energy
Let's bring our energy up!
Hey, let me go, get up, get up
Let's get moving and pumped up!
Hah, hey, power up, set, power up, we go, Hey, hey
Let's power up and get ready to go!
You getting on high when you on di road
Feeling absolutely ecstatic when on the road!
You getting on like if your battery overload
Feeling like your battery is going to overheat!
And if you see somebody shuttin down You better let em know, they gots to go
If you see someone losing energy, let them know they need to pick it up!
We getting high like we in a flat And di water flowing, me getting soakin wet
We're having so much fun, getting drenched in water!
And if you see somebody slowin You better stop and say, that ... way Everybody know
If someone is moving slowly, tell them to pick it up and join in the fun!
If you in a fence, getting soaking wet Boy you’re crossin the stage, start to misbehave
If you're enjoying the festivities, go crazy and let loose!
Enjoy yourself but keep in mind Keep your energy high, high
Have fun, but don't forget to keep your energy levels high!
Keep your energy, jump up Keep your energy, river, Keep your energy, right now
Keep the energy up by jumping up and dancing in the river, right now!
Walking in your way’s a obsession, Like you is a wine and joy Attitude, attitude, attitude Every flag gets ina bad light... love di tune
Walking is like an obsession, enjoying the music and vibe to the fullest!
And every fetter gonna find me... ah go crazy And one day ah be on di road And on wine... I’m moving like a monster It’s like I’m bout to overload
Every chain will be broken and we'll go wild! Moving like an unstoppable monster, full of energy!
Say everybody in the costume, living up to my shop these days Attitude, attitude, attitude And the sun up in the sky... Energy, energy, energy, We driftin on the place like zombie ...
Everyone is in costume, living up the experience! Our attitude is everything as we drift along like zombies, feeling the energy!
Keep your energy high, high Keep your energy, jump up Keep your energy, river, Keep your energy, right now
Let's keep the energy levels high by jumping up, moving to the river, and feeling the vibes right now!
We getting high like we in a flat And di water flowing, me getting soakin wet And if you see somebody slowin You better stop and say, that ... way Everybody know
We're having a blast, getting soaked and having fun! Encourage others to join in the festivities and keep the energy high!
Contributed by Daniel V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nicolas47888
This cud be ah potential Road March inno........it havin the vibes to it!!!!
@everstuntin1
This will be the last time that Machel sing on D same riddim with Bunji ,"Real Talk" "Bunji blaze this riddim"
@paperboy9900
This would be good music to play when running from the cops
@Bhagwell
A song for the gyms and Zumba Training most definitely.
@sexypooh4life1
they play this song in the gym i be feeling it while im working out love it
@Bhagwell
I could see myself getting on like a clong for any song on this Riddim.It just madd.
@airmantritan2225
One love, respect, and 'keep in mind keep yuh energy high'.
@Aaron1234937
His power is def. FLOAT
@mahaliabenjamin6817
Im in love with this song!!!!!!!!!!
@Caribbean2DiWorld
Nadia Batson burn dis riddim mawdd..