Beresford Hammond (b.August 28,1955 Annotto Bay,St.Mary, Jamaica) has only … Read Full Bio ↴Beresford Hammond (b.August 28,1955 Annotto Bay,St.Mary, Jamaica) has only really risen to become popular in the 'digital' age of Reggae, although his career stretches back to the 1970's. Considered by many to be one of Jamaica's finest contemporary vocalists, his best work has generally been captured on the 'Penthouse' and 'Xterminator' labels as well as his own 'Harmony House' imprint. The singer with his distictive 'Bourbon on the rocks' vocal style remains active today both recording and producing.

Putting Up Resistance Tappa Int
Beres Hammond Lyrics

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Pressure, pressure
Pressure

No I never can understand it
The way the system plan
There's no hope, no chance
No loophole, no escape for a suffering man
'Cause every time I leave my head above water

And try to save myself from drown
There's an overnight scheme all worked out
Designed to keep ah me down

Still I'm (putting up a resistance)
I'm ah gonna work it out
You know I'm (putting up a resistance)
I've got to work it out

No window, no window
I want to stay home tonight
I long to spend some time with the family
But staying home won't make it right
Sometimes the pressure make me feel like
When every sign says no way out
Breaking my back to make an overtime dollar
That just goes from man to mouth

Still I'm (putting up a resistance)
I'm gonna work it out
You know I'm (putting up a resistance)
I've got to work it out
Lord I'm (putting up a resistance)
I'm ah gonna work it out
You know I'm (putting up a resistance)
I'm gonna work it out, Lord!

Got to fight it
Got to fight it

No I never can understand it
The way the system goes
I don't know how they do it
There's only one way things flow
I don't know how they do it
'Cause every time I leave my head above water
And try to save myself from drowning
There's an overnight scheme all worked out
Designed to keep ah me down

Still I'm (putting up a resistance)
I've got to work it out
You know I'm (putting up a resistance)
I'm gonna work it out now
Putting up a resistance
I'm gonna work it out

No window, no window
I want to stay home tonight
I'd like to spend some time with the family
But staying home won't make it right
Sometimes the pressure make me feel like
When every sign says no way out

Breaking my back to make an overnight dollar
That just goes from man to mouth

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Beres Hammond's song “Putting Up Resistance” express the artist’s frustration with and determination to overcome systemic oppression. The repeated use of the word “pressure” throughout the song refers to the intense pressure and obstacles that come with trying to make a living and provide for a family within a system that is stacked against the working class. The singer explains that he can never understand the way the system is planned, as there seem to be no loopholes or escape routes for the suffering man. Conversely, every time he tries to rise above his situation, there is always a new scheme designed to keep him down. Despite this, he is determined to work it out and to put up a resistance to the pressures and obstacles that come his way.

The lyrics also touch on the conflict between work and family life, as the singer expresses a desire to spend more time with his family but feels like he is constantly breaking his back to make an overtime dollar that only goes from “man to mouth.” Despite this, he is still putting up a resistance and working to find a way out of the trap that the system has set for him.

Overall, Beres Hammond uses his powerful lyrics to shed light on the struggles of working-class people who feel trapped in a system that is rigged against them. He urges listeners to put up a resistance and to fight for their rights and their freedom.

Line by Line Meaning

Pressure, pressure
Feeling the burden of society's expectations and demands

No I never can understand it The way the system plan
Unable to comprehend how the system is designed to keep people oppressed

There's no hope, no chance No loophole, no escape for a suffering man
Perceiving a lack of opportunity for those who are struggling

'Cause every time I leave my head above water And try to save myself from drown There's an overnight scheme all worked out Designed to keep ah me down
Experiencing setbacks and obstacles that prevent progress towards success

Still I'm (putting up a resistance) I'm ah gonna work it out You know I'm (putting up a resistance) I've got to work it out
Determined to push back against the oppressive system and overcome adversity

No window, no window I want to stay home tonight I long to spend some time with the family But staying home won't make it right
Feeling torn between personal desires and responsibilities

Sometimes the pressure make me feel like When every sign says no way out Breaking my back to make an overtime dollar That just goes from man to mouth
Feeling hopeless and trapped, with hard work leading to little payoff or improvement

Got to fight it Got to fight it
Must resist and push back against the oppressive system

No I never can understand it The way the system goes I don't know how they do it There's only one way things flow I don't know how they do it
Expressing confusion and frustration at the unyielding nature of the oppressive system

Still I'm (putting up a resistance) I've got to work it out You know I'm (putting up a resistance) I'm gonna work it out now Putting up a resistance I'm gonna work it out
Reiterating the need to resist and overcome the oppressive system

Contributed by Christopher M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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