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.
Shameless
Machel Montano Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cme lets's get physical,
I'm sure that I could handle you.
Yuh like ah chain, yuh holding back.
Yuh wah get ah f for fail
doh do meh dat.
Gyal ah whining on you
When you breathe on me too.
You does get on wassi for true, true.
When you push back on me, back on meh,
Back on meh.
That is when I clearly see, clearly say,
Clearly say.
Dat yuh bumpah devine, (devine)
And I want to make it mine, (mine)
So stay right here in front of me
(Front of meh, front of meh).
Cause I want you to whine it on meh
Soca hit yuh brain, ahead of
The game,
Doh hol it, doh hol it back.
Whine it on meh
Soca hit yuh brain, ahead of
The game,
Doh hol it, doh hol it back.
I in ah zone gyal you whining unstop.
I jus want tuh take ah whine on yuh.
I not givin up. (givin up)
I doh wah take yuh home,
I doh want no money from yuh.
I just want tuh jam up on yuh.
Take ah whine and whine up on yuh
(On yuh)
When you push back on me, back on meh, back on meh.
That is when I cleary see, clearly say,
Clearly say.
Dat yuh bumpah devine, (devine)
And I want to make it mine, (mine)
So stay right here in front of me
(Front of meh, front of meh).
Cause I want you to whine it on meh
Soca hit yuh brain, ahead of
The game,
Doh hol it, doh hol it back.
Whine it on meh
Soca hit yuh brain, ahead of
The game,
Doh hol it, doh hol it back.
So whine and gimme gyal
(I'm ready)
Come lets's get physical,
I'm sure that I could handle you.
And roll and dip it gyal
(Roll and dip it)
I'm sure that I'm ready for you.
(I'm ready for you).
When you push back on me, back on meh, back on meh.
That is when I cleary see, clearly say,
Clearly say.
Dat yuh bumpah devine, (devine)
And I want to make it mine, (mine)
So stay right here in front of me
(Front of meh, front of meh).
Cause I want you to whine it on meh
Soca hit yuh brain, ahead of
The game,
Doh hol it, doh hol it back.
Whine it on meh
Soca hit yuh brain, ahead of
The game,
Doh hol it, doh hol it back.
Do hol it, doh hol it back.
Cause I want you to whine.
Do hol it, doh hol it back.
Cause I want you to whine, whine, whine
Do hol it, doh hol it back.
Cause I want you to whine, whine, whine.
Do hol it, doh hol it back.
So whine and gimme gyal,
Eh, eh, eh, gimme gyal,
Eh, eh, eh, gimme gyal, gimee gyal
I want you to whine, whine, whine.
Gimme gyal, gimme gyal, gimme gyal
Cause I want you to whine
In “Shameless,” Machel Montano encourages a woman to let go of her inhibitions and dance freely with him. He tells her to come closer and get physical, claiming that he can handle her. He notices that she’s holding back, and he urges her to let go completely. He compliments her, saying that he knows what she’s capable of and admiring her curves. He wants her to know that he’s not interested in taking her home or getting money from her; he just wants to dance and enjoy the moment with her. Montano insists that the woman should not hold back and should let the soca music take over her mind. The song has a Caribbean party vibe that encourages the listener to let loose and enjoy themselves, letting the music move their bodies and leaving shame behind.
The lyrics of “Shameless” convey the message of liberation, celebration, and confidence. Montano seems to be encouraging listeners to let go of their inhibitions, embrace their bodies, and enjoy the party without worrying about how they appear from society’s perspective. The track is a perfect example of the type of music that dominates the Caribbean scene, exemplifying the raw energy, power, and fun of soca music. Montano uses repetition as a tool to reinforce the song’s message of the embracing of freedom in dancing. The repeated phrase “doh hol it back” (don't hold it back) drives home the point, encouraging people to dance openly without fear of judgment.
Line by Line Meaning
Come lets's get physical,
Let's get closer and more intimate physically.
Cme lets's get physical,
Let's get closer and more intimate physically.
I'm sure that I could handle you.
I am confident in my ability to keep up with you physically.
Yuh like ah chain, yuh holding back.
You seem hesitant or reluctant to fully engage with me.
Yuh wah get ah f for fail
Doh do meh dat.
You don't want to fail or disappoint me, don't hold back.
Gyal ah whining on you
Cause I know what you could do.
I am encouraging you to dance closely with me because I know what you're capable of.
When you breathe on me too.
You does get on wassi for true, true.
Your physical closeness and breath arouse me.
When you push back on me, back on meh,
Back on meh.
When you dance in close proximity to me and push your body against mine.
That is when I clearly see, clearly say,
Clearly say.
That's when I am certain and vocal about your body being divine and wanting to possess it.
Dat yuh bumpah devine, (devine)
And I want to make it mine, (mine)
So stay right here in front of me
(Front of meh, front of meh).
Your body, particularly your derrière, is incredibly attractive to me and I want to have it, so please stay close to me.
Cause I want you to whine it on meh
Soca hit yuh brain, ahead of
The game,
Doh hol it, doh hol it back.
Whine it on meh
Soca hit yuh brain, ahead of
The game,
Doh hol it, doh hol it back.
I want you to dance closely with me and let the music take over your thoughts and actions, don't hold back.
I in ah zone gyal you whining unstop.
I jus want tuh take ah whine on yuh.
I not givin up. (givin up)
I doh wah take yuh home,
I doh want no money from yuh.
I just want tuh jam up on yuh.
Take ah whine and whine up on yuh
(On yuh)
I am caught up in the moment with you and your dancing and I don't want to stop. I don't want anything from you in return, I just want to dance with you and have a good time.
So whine and gimme gyal
(I'm ready)
Come lets's get physical,
I'm sure that I could handle you.
And roll and dip it gyal
(Roll and dip it)
I'm sure that I'm ready for you.
(I'm ready for you).
Let's dance closely with each other and move our bodies in a sensual way, and I am confident in my ability to keep up with you.
Do hol it, doh hol it back.
Cause I want you to whine.
Do hol it, doh hol it back.
Cause I want you to whine, whine, whine
Do hol it, doh hol it back.
Cause I want you to whine, whine, whine.
Do hol it, doh hol it back.
Don't hold back, I want you to dance and move freely with me.
Gimme gyal, gimme gyal, gimme gyal
Cause I want you to whine
I want you to dance closely with me and move your body sensually.
Contributed by Jack D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@JCF1986
Four years later and I still love this song
@ItsYungLo
Lets dance 🕺🏾
@shanenoel2745
This is one of those slept on songs
@JulianspromosTV
NEW 2014 Machel Montano - EPIC "2014 Trinidad Soca" (Produced By London Future)
@Diana-yz6kl
Love this song!
@daviebellingy1372
2020 & Loving it more!! 👐👏
@kjohntv808
This is one of the best songs ever made.
@anisaj5200
Love this song!!!!!
@ariannasilva4312
Love it
@gretiajames8970
I love it!