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.
In Charge
Machel Montano Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The crazy things you do, oh yeah
Girl you got me gazing, caught up in your maze in
Now ah only want you
Start to wine is high time
Gyul wok that wasit is wine time
When yuh wok it up gyal is my time
Now get down de road like white line
Gyal wok and have ah nice time
Let the bumper have ah nice time
Nice time, Nice time
Jus do it gyal and wine wine
With change ah wine
When ah want to wine say ah coming to you
To you, to you, to you
Now you in charge ah wining
When ah want to wine you know ah coming to you
To you, to you, to you
Well it nice nice baby
Close you eyes right baby
All the truth I salute
You are right baby for you
Girl move, I never seen ah girl like you
Start to wine is high time
Gyul wok that waist is wine time
When yuh wok it up gyal is my time
Gonna wok that day and night time
Now get down de road like white line
Gyal wok and have ah nice time
Let the bumper have ah nice time
Nice time, nice time
Jus do it gyal and wine wine
With change ah wine
When ah want to wine say ah coming to you
To you, to you, to you
Now you in charge ah wining
When ah want to wine you know ah coming to you
To you, to you, to you
Go down, girl yuh have to go down
Oh baby go down, and yuh cannot slow down
Take it down, low down
Go down, yuh have to go down
Og baby go down, and yuh cannot slow down
Take it down, low down
Yuh doing fine fine baby
Keep in time my baby
When yuh wine is ah sign
You are mine, my baby
Girl move, I never seen ah girl like you
Start to wine is high time
Gyul wok that waist is wine time
When yuh wok it up gyal is my time
Gonna wok that day and night time
Now get down de road like white line
Gyal wok and have ah nice time
Let the bumper have ah nice time
Nice time, nice time
Jus do it gyal and wine wine
With change ah wine
When ah want to wine say ah coming to you
To you, to you, to you
Now you in charge ah wining
When ah want to wine you know ah coming to you
To you, to you, to you
Start to wine is high time
Gyul wok that waist is wine time
When yuh wok it up gyal is my time
Gonna wok that day and night time
Go down, girl yuh have to go down
Oh baby go down, and yuh cannot slow down
Take it down, low down
Go down, yuh have to go down
Og baby go down, and yuh cannot slow down
Take it down, low down
Now get down de road like white line
Gyal wok and have ah nice time
Let the bumper have ah nice time
Nice time, nice time
Jus do it gyal and wine wine
Now you in charge ah wining
When ah want to wine say ah coming to you
To you, to you, to you
Now you in charge ah wining
When ah want to wine you know ah coming to you
To you, to you, to you
Now you in charge ah wining
When ah want to wine say ah coming to you
To you, to you, to you
Now you in charge ah wining
When ah want to wine you know ah coming to you
To you, to you, to you
Body so amazing, got me in amazement
The crazy things you do, oh yeah
Girl you got me gazing, caught up in your maze in
Now ah only want you
The song "In Charge" by Machel Montano speaks about being captivated by the beauty and seductive movements of a woman who has the power to control and take charge of a situation. The lyrics describe the admiration and amazement felt towards this woman who captivates with her body and moves. The chorus encourages the woman to start dancing and showcase her curves, while also assuring her that she is the one in charge of the wining (dancing).
The lyrics are a celebration of Caribbean dance culture and the art of the "wine," a style of dancing that involves moving the hips in a sensual way. The song encourages freedom of expression and confidence in one's ability to move and dance. It highlights the power of feminine energy and the ability to command a room with just a few moves.
Overall, the song is a high-energy celebration of Caribbean dance culture and the power of women to command a room with their movements.
Line by Line Meaning
Body so amazing, got me in amazement
Your body is so incredible that it is leaving me in awe
The crazy things you do, oh yeah
You do wild, exciting things that I find irresistible
Girl you got me gazing, caught up in your maze in
You have completely captivated me with your mesmerizing presence
Now ah only want you
I have been so drawn to you that now you are the only one I desire
Start to wine is high time
It is time to start dancing and moving in a rhythmic way
Gyul wok that waist is wine time
When you move your hips and waist in that way, it is time to start dancing
When yuh wok it up gyal is my time
When you start dancing like that, it is now my turn to join in
Gonna wok that day and night time
I am going to dance with you all day and all night long
Now get down de road like white line
Let's dance down the road like we're following a white line
Gyal wok and have ah nice time
Dance and enjoy yourself, have a great time
Let the bumper have ah nice time
Allow your body to bounce and move freely, enjoy yourself
Nice time, nice time
It's a great time, enjoy it
Jus do it gyal and wine wine
Just do it, dance and move your body in a rhythmic way
With change ah wine
Change the way you dance
When ah want to wine say ah coming to you
When I want to dance, I know I can come to you to dance with me
Now you in charge ah wining
You are now the one in control of the dancing and movement
Go down, girl yuh have to go down
Lower your body, move closer to the ground
Oh baby go down, and yuh cannot slow down
Keep moving and don't slow down
Take it down, low down
Lower your body closer to the ground
Yuh doing fine fine baby
You are doing an excellent job, keep it up
Keep in time my baby
Stay in rhythm with the music
When yuh wine is ah sign
Your dancing is an indication that you are mine
You are mine, my baby
You belong to me, I am drawn to you
Writer(s): MACHEL MONTANO, KORY HART, KEVON HART
Contributed by Camden P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@charliejuliet1965
This song is timeless. One of the best riddims too...every tune was a hit😄
@richardmudie7158
I'm feeling so happy i fell in love with soca again 🎉🎉❤
@prisca-treasuremaynard70
Salsa fever!!! I can see myself doing a salsa routine to this song with both my friends Raven and Kiara from work!!!!
@alciniaadams1319
This is still on my playlist.big big big tune
@marerlyn
Takes me back to dance class my senior year in HS lolol
@mekhimorris4447
I'm not even in high school yet
@rosannakhan1
I love this song...especially when hes on stage
@Platinem94
Love this so sooo much. "Tek it down. Low down"
@shellyanndelpeche5205
who's still listening this in 2017 I lv this song ,In charge
@KRocMcNasty
Shelly Ann Delpeche 2018