Band Members:
[+]Michael Grant - born on 6 July 1969, in Birmingham - Keyboards / Vocals
[+]Kelvin Grant - born on 9 July 1971, in Birmingham - Guitar / Vocals
[+]Dennis Seaton - born on 2 March 1967 - Lead Vocals / Percussion.
[+]Patrick Waite - born on 16 June 1968; died on 18 February 1993 - Bass / Vocals
[+]Freddie "Junior" Waite - Drums / Vocals
Bio:
Although schoolboys, the group managed to secure gigs at certain Birmingham pubs and released a single, "Political" / "Generals", on local label 021 Records. An appearance on BBC disc jockey John Peel's evening show brought further attention to the group, and they were signed to MCA Records.
By that time, founding father Frederick Waite had backed down, to be replaced by Dennis Seaton as lead singer. During the winter of 1982, the group issued one of the fastest-selling singles of the year in "Pass the Dutchie". Based on the Mighty Diamonds "Pass The Kouchie" (a song about cannabis), the title had been subtly altered to feature the patois "dutchie" ,referring to a type of pot used for cooking. This idea is reinforced throughout the political and economic overtones throughout the song about extreme poverty and Musical Youth asking the question "How does it feel when ya got no food?"}. The infectious enthusiasm of the group's performance captured the public's imagination, and duly propelled the record to Number 1 in the UK singles chart. It went on to sell over four million copies, and was nominated for a Grammy Award. A US Top 10 placing also followed. The video made them one of the first black artists to be played on MTV.
The catchy follow-up, "Youth Of Today", reached the UK Top 20, and early in 1983, "Never Gonna Give You Up", climbed to UK Number 6. Minor successes with "Heartbreaker" and "Tell Me Why", were succeeded by a surprise collaboration with Donna Summer on the UK Top 20 hit "Unconditional Love".
A revival of Desmond Dekker's "007" saw them back in the Top 30, but after one final hit with "Sixteen", they fell from commercial grace, and subsequently split up in 1985 when Seaton left the band.
Plans to re-form were initially scotched when Patrick Waite, who had gone on to a career of juvenile crime, died of natural causes (hereditary heart condition) whilst awaiting a court appearance on drug charges. The Grant brothers remained involved in music, while Dennis Seaton released a solo set in 1989, before going on to form his own band, XMY.
In 2001, Musical Youth reformed. They were set to perform at the English ‘Here & Now’ tour, which features performances by many great artists from the 80’s. Due to the 9/11 attacks, the tour was cancelled.
However, by 2003 Musical Youth were back, appearing in a 1980s nostalgia tour. By 2005, now reduced to just a duo of Michael Grant and Dennis Seaton, Musical Youth performed at Wiesen festival in Austria.
On the internet, "Pass the Dutchie" is sometimes mistakenly attributed to Bob Marley.
Similarly, "Pass the Dutchie" is often mistakenly credited as being a Sonic Youth song.
Rockers
Musical Youth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Me say me sweet like unicorn
Me say me young
Me say me sweet like unicorn
Say all of the girls them are mad over me
Say all of the girls them are mad over me
Me say dey call me real name a kelvin, beam!
Tell me say, I love coffee and I love tea
Say I love the girls, them dey mad over me
I love coffee when it real milky
Bum bidly bidly bidly bidly bum, eya
Me say me
They say we odd
If we are dope in a the yard
They say we odd
If we are dope in a the yard
Bum bum bidly bum bidly bum bidly bum
Say say say say...
Say say say say...
The lyrics of Musical Youth's "Rockers" can be interpreted as a bragging song from the perspective of a young man named Kelvin, who seems to be proud of his youthfulness and gentlemanly qualities. The opening lines, "Me say me young / Me say me sweet like unicorn," suggest that the singer is aware of his charm and uniqueness. He repeats this phrase throughout the song as a way of asserting his identity.
The chorus reveals the singer's popularity with the girls, as he sings, "They call me real name a Kelvin / Say all of the girls them are mad over me." He seems to enjoy the attention and validation that comes with being desired by many women. He also mentions his love for coffee and tea, perhaps as a way of showing his refined taste and sophistication. The repeated phrase "Bum bidly bidly bidly bum" serves as a catchy refrain that adds to the song's playful nature.
The second verse introduces the idea that the singer and his friends are considered odd or strange by others. He sings, "They say we odd / If we are dope in a the yard." This could be interpreted as a reference to the group's musical style, which combines reggae and pop elements in a unique way. However, the singer seems unfazed by this criticism and continues to assert his confidence and coolness.
Overall, "Rockers" is a fun and upbeat song that celebrates youth, charm, and individuality.
Line by Line Meaning
Me say me young
I am young
Me say me sweet like unicorn
I am charming like a unicorn
Me say all of the girls them are mad over me
All the girls are crazy about me
Me say dey call me real name a kelvin, beam!
They call me by my real name, Kelvin
Me say, I love coffee and I love tea
I like both coffee and tea
Say I love the girls, them dey mad over me
I love the girls and they all love me
Me say I love coffee when it real milky
I like my coffee really milky
Me say we odd
We are considered unusual
If we are dope in a the yard
If we are good at what we do
Bum bum bidly bum bidly bum bidly bum
Musical interlude
Say say say say...
Repetition of the previous line
Writer(s): Michael Grant, Frederick Sr Waite, Dennis Seaton, Patrick Waite, Kelvin Grant
Contributed by William P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.