"Pass the Dutchie" was a UK number one single for three weeks in September 1982 for Musical Youth from the album "The Youth of Today".
It was a cover version of the song "Pass the Kouchie" by The Mighty Diamonds, written by Leroy Sibbles and Jackie Mittoo. The term "dutchie" (a cooking pot) may have allowed for a more radio-friendly song than "kouchie" (a slang term for marijuana). The term may also be related to Dutch Master cigars, which could be used as blunts by unwrapping the paper, removing the tobacco and replacing it with marijuana. A slang word for this modified cigar is "dutchie." This, of course, would make much more sense than a song that urged listeners to "pass a large, bulky kettle on the left hand side."
The song was first championed by DJ John Peel 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, one of a handful of records to have risen to the top spot from outside the top 20. 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 Fantastik 50 chart, eventually selling over 4 million copies worldwide.
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