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.
Indian Gyal
Machel Montano Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Aha
Indian gyal
Wee...
Indian gyal
Yes man
Yuh feel this Indian gyal cyah come and wine and wuk she waist
Drop it to the ground and sh-sh-shake it all around
Push up on ah speaker beat it like ah Indian drum
Callinโ Mr. Lotila
This gyal she popular
She known from all over
She come from India
But she is my sister
My one only sister
If you cominโ over
Come and met me by the bar
So you could wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki
You wah me wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki
Boy come and wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki
You wah me wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki
Callinโ Mr. Lotila
This gyal she popular
She known from all over
She come from India
But she is my sister
My one only sister
If you cominโ over
Come and met me by the bar
Come here Indian gyal
First time in Carnival
Wining like ah animal
Making the man them bawl
The way yuh make it shake
Yuh causing back to break
And meh saying Indian gyal
I saying Indian gyal
Like ah donโt know what to do
Ah donโt know what ah want
All ah know is when I wine on you
I wine to the tablah
Yuh have me in a zone
I cyah leave you alone
Never see no wining so
Yuh wining like ah tornado
Come let me wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki
Boy come and wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki
I say come let me wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki
Boy come and wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki
Callinโ Mr. Lotila
This gyal she popular
She known from all over
She come from India
But she is my sister
My one only sister
If you cominโ over
Come and met me by the bar
Oh goodness sake, to much for my intake
Me wining to the ground
She win the Indian crown
Ever since ah small
This lurki getting on
So you donโt have to tell me
I know about this beti
Callinโ Mr. Lotila
This gyal she popular
She known from all over
She come from India
But she is my sister
My one only sister
If you cominโ over
Come and met me by the bar
So you could wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki
You wah me wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki
Boy come and wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki
You wah me wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki
So you could wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki
Boy come and wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki (x3)
Indian gyal...
The song โIndian Gyalโ by Machel Montano is a tribute to women of Indian descent who participate in Carnival, a festive season celebrated in some countries that features parades, music, and dance. The lyrics depict the persona's admiration for an Indian gyal who is an expert in twerking and belly dancing. The song starts with the repetition of the phrase โIndian gyalโ as if to emphasize the singer's infatuation with her. He appears to be captivated by her dance moves, which he describes as causing a bacchanal, dropping to the ground, and shaking all around. The singer connects her moves to Indian instruments, specifically mentioning the tablah, and describes her as a "tornado" for her mesmerizing skills.
The persona also speaks to the Indian gyal's origins, referring to her home country, India, and calling her "his one only sister," which suggests a feeling of familial bond with his fellow countrywoman. He mentions her popularity and the fact that she is known all over, which positions her as a well-respected figure in the Carnival circuit. He seems to invite others to meet him by the bar so they can join him in admiring her dance moves and perhaps even learn a thing or two about belly dancing. Overall, the song underscores the charm and magnetism of women of Indian descent and recognizes their contributions to the Carnival culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Indian gyal
Machel Montano is referring to a woman of Indian descent.
Yuh feel this Indian gyal cyah come and wine and wuk she waist
This Indian woman has impressive dance moves and can move her waist in a way that is mesmerizing.
Take over the street make ah bacchanal in the place
She can create a lively and chaotic atmosphere in the street wherever she goes.
Drop it to the ground and sh-sh-shake it all around
She can move her body in a way that is very seductive and captivating.
Push up on ah speaker beat it like ah Indian drum
She can dance on the artist while making it vibrate like an Indian drum.
Callinโ Mr. Lotila
Machel is referring to an Indian name (Lotila) that is used to grab attention.
This gyal she popular
This Indian woman is well-known and admired.
She known from all over
People from various places know about her dance skills.
She come from India
This Indian woman originates from India.
But she is my sister
Machel is referring to this woman as his sister because he feels a connection/kinship with her passion for dance.
My one only sister
This woman is like a sister to him and there is no one else quite like her.
If you cominโ over
If you are visiting, Machel invites you to meet him and his amazing Indian sister.
Come and met me by the bar
Machel suggests meeting at the bar.
Wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki
Machel is asking the listener to dance with this Indian woman.
Boy come and wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki, wuk up the ladki
Machel is encouraging the listener (a male) to dance with this Indian woman.
Come here Indian gyal
Machel is asking this Indian woman to come closer.
First time in Carnival
This is this woman's first time participating in Carnival (a festival in the Caribbean).
Wining like ah animal
This Indian woman is dancing like an animal in a wild and untamed way.
Making the man them bawl
Her dance moves are making the men yell in excitement.
The way yuh make it shake
Machel admires the way this Indian woman is moving her body.
Yuh causing back to break
Her dance moves are so intense that Machel feels like his back might break from watching her.
And meh saying Indian gyal, I saying Indian gyal
Machel keeps repeating that he is talking about an Indian woman to emphasize her identity.
Like ah donโt know what to do
Machel feels helpless when watching her dance, like he doesn't know how to respond.
Ah donโt know what ah want
He is indecisive about what he just saw.
All ah know is when I wine on you
Machel knows that he wants to dance with this Indian woman.
I wine to the tablah
Machel is referring to the Caribbean drum 'tablah'.
Yuh have me in a zone
This Indian woman's dance moves have captured Machel's attention, and he is focused on watching her dance.
I cyah leave you alone
Machel can't seem to move away from this woman dancing.
Never see no wining so
Machel has never seen anyone dance so well.
Yuh wining like ah tornado
Machel likens her dancing to a tornado, showing how powerful it is.
Oh goodness sake, to much for my intake
Machel's enjoyment of her dancing is overwhelming.
Me wining to the ground
Machel is also dancing heavily, imitating her in his dance moves.
She win the Indian crown
This Indian woman has won Machel's admiration, and he sees her as the best dancer of Indian descent.
Ever since ah small
Machel has been watching dancers like her since he was young.
This lurki getting on
Machel is deeply captivated by her dance, and he cannot shake off her influence on him.
So you donโt have to tell me
Machel doesn't need to be convinced to appreciate this woman's dance moves.
I know about this beti
Machel understands and recognizes traditional Indian dance.
Contributed by Lila N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jahlincoln5504
Big up the Caribbean Indian Gyal dem. Whether you come from Jamaica, Trinidad, Cuba, Guyana, Surinam where ever you come from...Big song!
@anyafernandes9769
Fr Guyana ๐ฌ๐พ Suriname ๐ธ๐ท on top 2:42
@adonis6332
Yes Definitely โคโคโคโคโค
@hayleannasimon865
Who still playin in 2022 this song will never get old๐ฏ
@gemmamcdonalds8651
Yhs
@night_angel7007
Right her September 7th Wednesday 2022 ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ
@ranishasardar7510
Me like
@itsevagamez2770
Right here me
@alexabrainblast8384
Me
@jumpscare._
10 years ago and this still hits hard ๐ฏ