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.
Unconditional Love
Musical Youth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know it's a bright and shiny day
I want to say something to you
I love you just like ja do
We know a place
Where ja's people can run free
A new kind of love
Don't take too long to find
True love transcends all time
That non-reacting, everlasting love
[Chorus: x2]
Give me your unconditional love
The kind of love I deserve
The kind I want to return
Don't try to change or tear your
Brother down
Let him make his mistakes
And he will come around
Hasten just to pray and ja's true
Word obey
In non-reacting, everlasting love
[Chorus: x3]
Give me your unconditional love
My torn heart to discern
This agape love to learn
Hasten just to pray and ja's true
Word obey
In non-reacting, everlasting love
[Chorus: x3]
Musical Youth's song Unconditional Love is a beautiful expression of the power and importance of love. The lyrics express a desire for a love that transcends all boundaries and is offered freely, without any conditions. The song begins with the singer proclaiming what a wonderful day it is, and how much they want to express their love to someone special. They talk about a special place where people can run free and love each other without fear or prejudice. This new kind of love is called "agape"- a Greek word that means selfless love, or love that is given without expecting anything in return.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become more specific, and the singer talks about the kind of love they want- one that is unconditional and free from judgment. The song encourages listeners to avoid tearing others down or trying to change them, and instead embrace them with open arms and let them make their own mistakes. The singer urges listeners to pray and obey the teachings of God, in order to experience the kind of love that lasts forever.
Overall, the message of Unconditional Love is a powerful one that encourages listeners to embrace love in all its forms and to give it freely, without expecting anything in return. The song reminds us that love is a powerful force that can change lives and bring people together, and that true love is always selfless and unconditional.
Line by Line Meaning
What a man
Talking about a man who is remarkable, worthy of attention and admiration.
You know it's a bright and shiny day
Expressing that the day is positive, optimistic and full of possibilities.
I want to say something to you
Wishing to communicate something important to the person being addressed.
I love you just like ja do
Loving someone just as Ja, an abbreviation for Jehovah, does, implying a deep and spiritual kind of love.
We know a place
Knowing about a special location or state of mind.
Where ja's people can run free
A place where people who follow Ja can feel free to be themselves without restrictions or judgement.
A new kind of love
Referring to a different and unique way of understanding and expressing love.
And we call it agape
Naming this love 'agape' (a term used for God's love in Christianity), which is selfless and unconditional.
Don't take too long to find
Encouraging the listener to not wait too much before discovering this kind of love.
True love transcends all time
True love is not limited by time, it exists beyond it and endures forever.
That non-reacting, everlasting love
Describing agape love as a love that is not reactive to negative events or circumstances, and lasts forever.
[Chorus: x2]
Repeating the chorus twice, which talks about the desire for unconditional love.
Give me your unconditional love
Asking for someone to provide selfless, unwavering love.
The kind of love I deserve
Expressing that one deserves to be loved unconditionally and that it is a basic human right.
The kind I want to return
Desiring to be able to respond to someone's love with the same agape love.
Don't try to change or tear your
Warning against trying to alter or destroy one's own or someone else's identity.
Brother down
Using 'brother' as a universal term for someone close, reminding not to bring them down in any way.
Let him make his mistakes
Allowing people to learn from mistakes and grow from them instead of judging or criticizing them.
And he will come around
Trusting that people will eventually see the truth and change their ways for the better.
Hasten just to pray and ja's true
Emphasizing the importance of prayer and following Ja's true word, which is a spiritual guide to living a good life.
Word obey
Following Ja's teachings and instructions.
My torn heart to discern
Asking for the ability to distinguish and choose the right kind of love to heal a heart that has been hurt.
This agape love to learn
Wanting to learn and understand this unique and selfless kind of love.
[Chorus: x3]
Repeating the chorus three times, emphasizing the importance and urgency of the message.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GREGORY PHILLINGANES, MICHAEL S. OMARTIAN, DONNA SUMMER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
aūdi3
we sing this song at camp every year and this is the first year i wasn’t able to go because of covid. this song has such a special part in my heart
victor varti
Let's hope and pray for better days
Murigi Wainaina
The year is 1983 and am in form 3. Am a young man who loved life and this song is playing all over and we danced selflessly to it during all the Saturday high school dances... it was great and 34 years later it it is still great. Good memories.
Joseph Matlala
❤️ I was also a Form 3 student when this song bellowed out of Tempest speakers.
J Crash
@Katula Muyendi
Stop talking shit lol you don't remember this song. You're too young for Donna Summer.
J Crash
@Brian Ingudi Juma,
If you were 5 when you heard this in 87 then you would have been born in 1982. You missed out on this classic stuff.
When this song was a hit in 83 you would have been 1 years old.
You 80s babies have no idea what talent you missed out on like Donna Summer
Brian Ingudi Juma
i heard this song when i was 5 years, 1987. always pestering dad to rewind the cassette to play it again!
J Crash
@Katula Muyendi you weren't alive then.
Terayi _
My childhood memories come flooding back. Good times........sigh
victor varti
Damn right