The song was a cover version of the song "Pass the Koutchie" by The Mighty Diamonds, which deals with the recreational use of cannabis, "koutchie" being slang for a cannabis pipe. For the cover version, the song's title was bowdlerized to "Pass the Dutchie", and all obvious drug references were removed from the lyrics; e. g., when the original croons "How does it feel when you got no herb?", the cover version refers to "food" instead. (The term "dutchie" has itself become a drug reference; it refers to a blunt rolled in a wrap from a Dutch Masters cigar.) "Dutchie" was slang at the time for "cooking pot" as in cookware. However, it doesn't take much imagination to figure out what they were trying to say.
The song was first championed by radio DJ Zach Diezel and became an instant hit when it was picked up by MCA Records in September 1982.
It debuted at #26 on the chart and rose to #1 the following week. In February of the following year, it reached #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the USA.
The song also scored a top 5 success in the Norwegian chart, eventually selling over 4 million copies worldwide.
The video, shot partly on the banks of the River Thames in London, across from the Palace of Westminster, was one of the first by black artists to get airplay on MTV.
The song achieved recent success in 2022 after appearing in the Fourth Season of Stranger Things.
Pass The Dutchie
Musical Youth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rules the nation
With version
Music happen to be the food of love
Sounds to really make you rub and scrub
I say
Pass the dutchie 'pon the left hand side
It a go bun, give me the music, make me jump and prance
It a go dung, give me the music, make me rockin' at the dance (Jah know)
It was a cool and lonely breezy afternoon
(How does it feel when you got no food?)
You could feel it 'cause it was the month of June
(How does it feel when you got no food?)
So I left my gate and went out for a walk
(How does it feel when you got no food?)
As I pass the dreadlocks' camp I heard them say
(How does it feel when you got no food?)
Pass the dutchie 'pon the left hand side (I say)
Pass the dutchie 'pon the left hand side
It a go bun, give me the music, make me jump and prance
It a go dung, give me the music, make me rockin' at the dance (Jah know)
So I stopped to find out what was going on
(How does it feel when you got no food?)
'Cause the spirit of Jah, you know he leads you on
(How does it feel when you got no food?)
There was a ring of dreads and a session was there in swing
(How does it feel when you got no food?)
You could feel the chill as I seen and heard them say
(How does it feel when you got no food?)
Pass the dutchie 'pon the left hand side (I say)
Pass the dutchie 'pon the left hand side
It a go bun, give me the music, make me jump and prance
It a go dung, give me the music, make me rockin' at the dance (Jah know)
'Cause me say listen to the drummer, me say listen to the bass
Give me little music make me wind up me waist
Me say listen to the drummer, me say listen to the bass
Give me little music make me wind up me waist, I say
Pass the dutchie 'pon the left hand side (I say)
Pass the dutchie 'pon the left hand side
It a go bun, give me the music, make me jump and prance
It a go dung, give me the music, make me rockin' at the dance (Jah know)
You play it on the radio
And so me say, we a go hear it on the stereo
And so me know you a go play it on the disco
And so me say we a go hear it on the stereo (bow)
Pass the dutchie 'pon the left hand side (I say)
Pass the dutchie 'pon the left hand side
It a go bun, give me the music, make me jump and prance
It a go dung, give me the music, make me rockin' at the dance (Jah know)
On the left hand side (I say, I say)
On the left hand side (I say)
On the left hand side
(We meet) On the left hand side (say man)
On the left hand side
Me say east, say west, say north and south (on the left hand side)
This is gonna really make us jump and shout (on the left hand side)
Me say east, say west, say north and south (on the left hand side)
The song "Pass the Dutchie" by Musical Youth is a reggae track that was released in 1982. The song is about the power of music and its ability to bring people together. The lyrics describe a group of people who are hungry and looking for food, and who find solace in the music that they hear from a group of dreadlocks who are playing music in a nearby camp. The lyrics urge the listener to "pass the dutchie 'pon the left hand side," which means to share good vibes and pass around positive energy.
The chorus of the song is catchy, with the repetition of the phrase "pass the dutchie 'pon the left hand side" creating an infectious call-and-response pattern. The use of the word "dutchie" is a reference to a cooking pot used to prepare marijuana, but in this context, it is used as a metaphor for sharing music and good vibes. The song also includes several references to Jah, which is a Rastafarian term for God.
Overall, "Pass the Dutchie" is a feel-good song that celebrates the power of music to bring people together and lift spirits. The song's upbeat melody and catchy chorus make it a classic reggae tune that is beloved by fans of the genre.
Line by Line Meaning
This generation
Rules the nation
With version
This generation dominates and governs the society with the influence of music.
Music happen to be the food of love
Sounds to really make you rub and scrub
I say
Music is a powerful medium that can arouse deep feelings of love and passion in individuals, making them dance and enjoy.
Pass the dutchie 'pon the left hand side (I say)
Pass the dutchie 'pon the left hand side
It a go bun, give me the music, make me jump and prance
It a go dung, give me the music, make me rockin' at the dance (Jah know)
Pass around the marijuana on the left hand side, while the music plays and creates an energetic vibe that makes everyone dance and enjoy themselves.
It was a cool and lonely breezy afternoon
(How does it feel when you got no food?)
You could feel it 'cause it was the month of June
(How does it feel when you got no food?)
So I left my gate and went out for a walk
(How does it feel when you got no food?)
As I pass the dreadlocks' camp I heard them say
(How does it feel when you got no food?)
The singer describes a moment when he's experiencing hunger due to having no food. As he goes for a walk, he hears the rasta community speak about the same feeling.
So I stopped to find out what was going on
(How does it feel when you got no food?)
'Cause the spirit of Jah, you know he leads you on
(How does it feel when you got no food?)
There was a ring of dreads and a session was there in swing
(How does it feel when you got no food?)
You could feel the chill as I seen and heard them say
(How does it feel when you got no food?)
The singer decides to approach the rasta gathering to understand their thoughts about the hunger issue. He discovers that they have a spiritual connection and that the musical session happening can help alleviate their condition by creating a positive vibe.
'Cause me say listen to the drummer, me say listen to the bass
Give me little music make me wind up me waist
Me say listen to the drummer, me say listen to the bass
Give me little music make me wind up me waist, I say
The singer emphasizes the importance of percussion and bass instruments to create a vibrant musical performance that can move the body in a rhythmic way.
You play it on the radio
And so me say, we a go hear it on the stereo
And so me know you a go play it on the disco
And so me say we a go hear it on the stereo (bow)
The song is about to be played on different platforms like radio, stereo, and disco so everyone can hear it and dance to it.
On the left hand side (I say, I say)
On the left hand side (I say)
On the left hand side
(We meet) On the left hand side (say man)
On the left hand side
The phrase 'On the left hand side' is repeated multiple times to create a catchy chorus that people can sing and dance to. It's a call to pass the dutchie so everyone can enjoy the music.
Me say east, say west, say north and south (on the left hand side)
This is gonna really make us jump and shout (on the left hand side)
Me say east, say west, say north and south (on the left hand side)
The singer says that no matter where you are, the music can bring people together, and create joy and happiness. It's a universal language that transcends borders and cultural differences.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Aaron Brown, Fitzroy Ogilvie Simpson, Headley Bennett, Huford Brown, Jackie Mittoo, Leroy Sibbles, Lloyd Anthony Ferguson, Robbie Lyn, Sharna Evelyn Bass, William Alaneme
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@vlynettemcnulty5102
YU-UP, this 🎶🎶Song DOES have a
🕶🕶COOL 'Bop'
🔊🔊Beat to it.
But, unfortunately, it's has the undertone about
🚬🚬🌱🌱Smoking Weed, and these kids 'Musical Youth' who are singing this 🎶🎶 Song: Pass The Dutchie (From The Left Hand Side), are TOO YOUNG, and have 🚫🚫'NO BUSINESS' singing a Song like THAT, though.
I even Remember 'Back' then that people were saying this Singing 'Group' is trying to be a CORRUPT Version of The Jackson 5's singing group!!
Wowww.
😳😳😬😬
People were REALLY, UPSET about THIS Singing Group: Musical Youth singing this song on the radio, and MTV, TOO.
😬😬
I was 13 yrs. old when MTV was FIRST Created and Aired on tv, (😁😁HAHAAA, Yeahh, I'm OLD!! 🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️) and when MTV aired this 🎶🎶'Song' there was a BIG, 'Controversy' going on about THIS 🎶🎶Song!!
💯💯👏🏾👏🏾
Parents were REALLY, UPSET that 📻📻Radio stations, ANND MTV were airing this Video on their show, because THESE kids of the Singing 'Group': Musical Youth, were 🗣🗣singing a 🎶🎶'Song' of Pass The Dutchie, (From The Left Hand Side), which was about the 🌱🌱🚬🚬'Herb' Weed.
😲😲😏😏
So, Parents were REALLY, going OFF, and Protesting 'BACK' then, and wanting to BAN this song from being played on the radio, AND on MTV, cause 'ALL' the kids INCLUDING Me, thought MTV was 'VERY', 🕶🕶 COOL to watch on Tv, Back then.
And Parents DIDN'T like how their kids were getting INFLUENCED by Songs on the radio, and by MTV, and even the music show VH-1, (Yeahh, VH-1 was airing Music Videos BACK then 'TOO', and Now VH-1/MTV have EVOLVED into WHAT it is TODAY.
And also, THAT'S 'WHEN' those Black/White 'Warning' labels started being placed on Album covers, and cassette tapes, when you went to to go buy them at the store to WARN kids, and Parents that the music you were about to buy had Explicit language, or Subliminal messages of Rated-R stuff in it, or something.
And NOW 'LOOK' HOW the World is Today!!
Pretty, DARK. SAD to say. 🤔🤔😕😕
😳😳😔😔
Hardly, NOBODY wants to have The LORD, Jesus Christ of Nazareth in Their Life, and just 'SPREAD' Kindess INSTEAD of Hate, and Violence.
😬😬😱😱
But, it's ALRIGHT.
The LORD, Jesus Christ of Nazareth 'WILL' REPAIR this World The WAY it is SUPPOSE to Be.
AMEN.
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
I 'humbly' 🙏🏾🙏🏾PRAY for ALL who is reading this Post to RECEIVE Salvation from Our LORD, ✝️✝️🕊🕊 Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and just have Love, Joy, Peace, Comfort, Mercy, Grace, Blessings, and Protection be place ALL over You, your ENTIRE family, friends, and pets 'FOREVER' in LORD,
✝️✝️🕊🕊Jesus Christ of Nazareth's MIGHTY-NAME.
AMEN.
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
@vlynettemcnulty5102
YU-UP, this 🎶🎶Song DOES have a
🕶🕶COOL 'Bop'
🔊🔊Beat to it. But, unfortunately, it's has the undertone about
🚬🚬🌱🌱Smoking Weed, and these kids 'Musical Youth' who are singing this 🎶🎶 Song: Pass The Dutchie (From The Left Hand Side), are TOO YOUNG, and have 🚫🚫'NO BUSINESS' singing a Song like THAT, though.
I even Remember 'Back' then that people were saying this Singing 'Group' is trying to be a CORRUPT Version of The Jackson 5's singing group!!
People were REALLY, UPSET about THIS Singing Group: Musical Youth singing this song on the radio, and MTV, TOO.
😬😬
I was 13 yrs. old when MTV was FIRST Created and Aired on tv, (😁😁HAHAAA, Yeahh, I'm OLD!! 🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️) and when MTV aired this 🎶🎶'Song' there was a BIG, 'Controversy' going on about THIS 🎶🎶Song!!
💯💯👏🏾👏🏾
Parents were REALLY, UPSET that 📻📻Radio stations, ANND MTV were airing this Video on their show, because THESE kids of the Singing 'Group': Musical Youth, were 🗣🗣singing a 🎶🎶'Song' of Pass The Dutchie, (From The Left Hand Side), which was about the 🌱🌱🚬🚬'Herb' Weed.
😲😲😏😏
So, Parents were REALLY, going OFF, and Protesting 'BACK' then, and wanting to BAN this song from being played on the radio, AND on MTV, cause 'ALL' the kids INCLUDING Me, thought MTV was 'VERY', 🕶🕶 COOL to watch on Tv, Back then.
And Parents DIDN'T like how their kids were getting INFLUENCED by Songs on the radio, and by MTV, and even the music show VH-1, (Yeahh, VH-1 was airing Music Videos BACK then 'TOO', and Now VH-1/MTV have EVOLVED into WHAT it is TODAY.
And also, THAT'S 'WHEN' those Black/White 'Warning' labels started being placed on Album covers, and cassette tapes, when you went to to go buy them at the store to WARN kids, and Parents that the music you were about to buy had Explicit language, or Subliminal messages of Rated-R stuff in it, or something.
And NOW 'LOOK' HOW the World is Today!!
Pretty, DARK. SAD to say. 🤔🤔😕😕
😳😳😔😔
Hardly, NOBODY wants to have The LORD, Jesus Christ of Nazareth in Their Life, and just 'SPREAD' Kindess INSTEAD of Hate, and Violence.
😬😬😱😱
But, it's ALRIGHT.
The LORD, Jesus Christ of Nazareth 'WILL' REPAIR this World The WAY it is SUPPOSE to Be.
AMEN.
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
I 'humbly' 🙏🏾🙏🏾PRAY for ALL who is reading this Post to RECEIVE Salvation from Our LORD, ✝️✝️🕊🕊 Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and just have Love, Joy, Peace, Comfort, Mercy, Grace, Blessings, and Protection be place ALL over You, your ENTIRE family, friends, and pets 'FOREVER' in LORD,
✝️✝️🕊🕊Jesus Christ of Nazareth's MIGHTY-NAME.
AMEN.
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
@fanficnarrator8384
Lyrics:
This generation
Rules the nation
With version
Music happens to be the food of love
Sounds to really make you rub and scrub
I say...
Pass the Dutchie 'pon the left hand side
Pass the Dutchie 'pon the left hand side
It a go bun (give me the music, make me jump and prance)
It a go dung, ya know? (Give me the music, make me rockin' at the dance)
It was a cool and lonely breezy afternoon
(How does it feel when you've got no food?)
You could feel it 'cause it was the month of June
(How does it feel when you've got no food?)
So I left my gate and went out for a walk
(How does it feel when you've got no food?)
As I pass the dreadlocks camp, I heard them say
(How does it feel when you've got no food?)
Pass the Dutchie 'pon the left hand side (I say)
Pass the Dutchie 'pon the left hand side
It a go bun (give me the music, make me jump and prance)
It a go dung, ya know? (Give me the music, make me rockin' at the dance)
So I stopped to find out what was going on
(How does it feel when you've got no food?)
'Cause the spirit of Jah, you know he leads you on
(How does it feel when you've got no food?)
There was a ring of dreads and a session was there in swing
(How does it feel when you've got no food?)
You could feel the chills as I seen and heard them say
(How does it feel when you've got no food?)
Pass the Dutchie 'pon the left hand side (I say)
Pass the Dutchie 'pon the left hand side
It a go bun (give me the music, make me jump and prance)
It a go dung, ya know? (Give me the music, make me rockin' at the dance)
Now me say listen to the drummer, me say listen to the bass
Give me a little music, make me wind up me waist
Me say listen to the drummer, me say listen to the bass
Give me a little music, make me wind up me waist, I say
Pass the Dutchie 'pon the left hand side (I say)
Pass the Dutchie 'pon the left hand side
It a go bun (give me the music, make me jump and prance)
It a go dung, ya know? (Give me the music, make me rockin' at the dance)
You play it on the radio
And so me say, we a go hear it on the stereo (stereo)
And so me know we a go play it on the disco
And so me say we a go hear it on the stereo, woah
Pass the Dutchie 'pon the left hand side (I say)
Pass the Dutchie 'pon the left hand side
It a go bun (give me the music, make me jump and prance)
It a go dung, ya know? (Give me the music, make me rockin' at the dance)
On the left hand side (I say)
On the left hand side (I say)
On the left hand side (idiot)
On the left hand side (feel it)
On the left hand side
And I say east, say west, say north and south
This is gonna really make us jump and shout
And I say east, say west, say north and south
This is gonna really make us jump and shout
I say
@Ty-vj4wg
This is the song that every 80s stoner pizza man plays. Especially when picking up your friends being chased by military men with guns or making out with a mormon.
@Ranchero72
while the mormon's sister is hacking into a military base
@faye-wb9bk
@@Ranchero72 as she's totally clueless
@THEiNetGamer
LMAOO I know exactly what you mean and I love it😂😂😂
@Godofgaming78
Dude so true
@d3adpotato
XD!!!!
@bigdaddydal7763
All shows and stories aside, this song is fucking gold. That beat and that vibe. God damn
@angelcerda5520
Right😮💨
@Lastman6
Facts
@gia6879
perfect for a field trip or road trip with your friends