Before the ascent of Bob Marley, Desmond Dekker was the best-known Jamaican musician outside of his country, and one of the most popular within it. He was orphaned as a teenager. Dekker began working as a welder, singing around his workplace while his coworkers encouraged him. In 1961, he auditioned for Coxsone Dodd (Studio One) and Duke Reid (Treasure Isle). Neither were impressed by his talents, and the young man moved on to Leslie Kong's Beverley record label, where he auditioned before Derrick Morgan, then the label's biggest star. With Morgan's support, Dekker was signed but did not record until 1963, because Leslie Kong wanted to wait for the perfect song. Dekker's "Honour Your Father and Mother" was to be that song.
Problems
Desmond Dekker & The Aces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nigga bust the fire, betta shoot until you can’t stop
I keep making music like a nigga really can’t drop
Bad bitch in my house keep giving slop top
Wet him up with the stick, call the bitch a mop Glock
Gotta keep a blick, ain’t really with the small talk
.223 in the stick, it only take one shot
Nigga eat a Xan, like the shit a fucking candy bar
Rolling off the Perc, like the shit a fucking Addy bar
Put him on a shirt, if a nigga think he acting hard
Lil Uzi Vert, .233’s in the Draco
Get the pack, send the bands back to Clay Co
Put em' on the map, then relax bitch it’s case closed
Nigga won’t drop, like a nigga can’t rap now
Niggas think I’m pussy, little boy I’ll never back down
Nigga think he tuff, bitch it's up you talking cap now
I just bought a new car, ain’t no space to back in
I’m forever rich, I just got paid a backend
Get the pack, then send the racks back in
Welcome back, the whole hood trapped in
Nigga pop a Perc, better work its like I can’t stop
Nigga bust the fire, betta shoot until you can’t stop
I keep making music like a nigga really can’t drop
Bad bitch in my house keep giving slop top
Wet him up with the stick, call the bitch a mop Glock
Gotta keep a blick, ain’t really with the small talk
.223 in the stick, it only take one shot
It only take one shot like I can’t go again
I pull out the gun, pussy nigga you a hoe again
Nigga better run fore’ I’m done it’s a tragedy
I’m really the goat, ain’t nobody out rapping me
Then we spin the Benz, spin again have my back for me
I can’t trust a hoe, have my nigga hold the racks for me
Do what I say, have the girl to relax for me
Know the hood gone spray, they protect the trap for me
Nigga pop a Perc, better work its like I can’t stop
Nigga bust the fire, betta shoot until you can’t stop
I keep making music like a nigga really can’t drop
Bad bitch in my house keep giving slop top
Wet him up with the stick, call the bitch a mop Glock
Gotta keep a blick, ain’t really with the small talk
.223 in the stick, it only take one shot
The lyrics of this song seem to portray a violent and aggressive lifestyle. The first line talks about using drugs to keep going and not stopping, and combined with the rest of the lyrics which mention guns, shooting, and killing, it suggests a culture of violence and disregard for human life. The lyrics also refer to the singer's wealth and success, but it is gained through illegal means, as indicated by the reference to drug use and criminal activity.
The language used in the song is coarse and vulgar, with misogynistic overtones. The reference to a "bad bitch" in the first verse is objectifying and disrespectful, and the references to sexually degrading acts throughout the lyrics are highly offensive. The overall message of the song seems to be one of bravado and aggression, promoting a culture of violence and misogyny.
Line by Line Meaning
Nigga pop a Perc, better work its like I can’t stop
Taking drugs helps me keep going without stopping
Nigga bust the fire, betta shoot until you can’t stop
When you shoot, keep going until the target is no longer a threat
I keep making music like a nigga really can’t drop
I'm always working on music and won't stop creating
Bad bitch in my house keep giving slop top
I have a woman in my house who gives me oral sex
Wet him up with the stick, call the bitch a mop Glock
I shoot so much that the gun becomes a mop to clean up the mess
Gotta keep a blick, ain’t really with the small talk
Always carry a gun and don't waste time on talking
.223 in the stick, it only take one shot
My gun is so powerful that it only takes one shot to take someone down
Nigga eat a Xan, like the shit a fucking candy bar
Taking Xanax is like eating candy to me, it's easy and enjoyable
Nigga split ya man, cut off his hand bitch I had it hard
I've been through a lot and will do anything to protect myself
Rolling off the Perc, like the shit a fucking Addy bar
I use Percocet to feel good, like someone would use Adderall
Put him on a shirt, if a nigga think he acting hard
If someone is acting tough, I have no problem killing them
Lil Uzi Vert, .233’s in the Draco
I have powerful guns like Lil Uzi Vert and am ready to use them
Get the pack, send the bands back to Clay Co
I make money and send it back to my hometown, Clay Co
Put em' on the map, then relax bitch it’s case closed
I've made it big and now can relax, my success is guaranteed
Nigga won’t drop, like a nigga can’t rap now
I won't stop making music and am confident in my skills
Niggas think I’m pussy, little boy I’ll never back down
If someone thinks I'm weak, I won't back down from a fight
Nigga think he tuff, bitch it's up you talking cap now
If someone thinks they're tough, I challenge them to prove it
I just bought a new car, ain’t no space to back in
I'm so successful that I have a car that doesn't fit in my space
I’m forever rich, I just got paid a backend
I am very wealthy and receive money from past work
Get the pack, then send the racks back in
I receive drugs, make money from them, and send it back to the supplier
Welcome back, the whole hood trapped in
I've returned and brought my community with me
It only take one shot like I can’t go again
I only need one opportunity, I won't give up
I pull out the gun, pussy nigga you a hoe again
If someone is scared when I pull out my gun, they're weak
Nigga better run fore’ I’m done it’s a tragedy
If someone doesn't run, I will harm them
I’m really the goat, ain’t nobody out rapping me
I am the best rapper and no one can compete with me
Then we spin the Benz, spin again have my back for me
We drive around and make sure no one is following us
I can’t trust a hoe, have my nigga hold the racks for me
I don't trust women and prefer my male friends to hold my money
Do what I say, have the girl to relax for me
Women should listen to and obey me, and make me feel comfortable
Know the hood gone spray, they protect the trap for me
My community will come to my defense and protect my drug operation
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Terrell Coates
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@audreylaurent9969
Money's hard to get and so easy to blo ho ho
(ya mind, mus you get it juk so)
Just put your hands in your pockets and keep it dusting the fly
(ya mind, mus you get it juk so)
Problems
Everyday is problems
(how god takes ya mouth to defend ya here, another guy Get some bread)
Money's hard to get and so easy to blo ho ho
(ya mind mus you get it juk so)
Just put your hands in your pockets and keep dusting the fly
(ya mind, mus you get it juk so)
Ooh Ah Ooh Ah Ooh
Ah Ah Problems
Everyday is problems
(how god takes ya mouth to defend ya here, another guy Get some bread)
Money's hard to get and so easy to blo ho ho
(ya mind, mus you get it juk so)
Just put your hands in your pockets and keep it dusting the fly
(ya mind, mus you get it juk so)
Problems
Everyday is problems, problems problems
Problems
Everyday is problems, problems problems
Problems
Everyday is problems, problems problems
@stickfeller3673
leftovervictim519
im pretty sure hes saying:
money's hard to get and so easy to go-o-o
my thats a dirty job, sir
just put your hands in your pocket
if it dont sing, goodbye-e-e
my thats a dirty job, sir
problems, every day is problems
however it takes your mouth to be fed,
another day(?), get some bread.
money's hard to get and so easy to go-o-o
my thats a dirty job, sir
just put your hands in your pocket
if it dont sing, goodbye-e-e
ooh, ah, ooh ah ooh ah, ah
@jonathanval-macauley1467
First heard it November 69 woke up from my surgery still love it R. I. P What a music
@michaellock9618
I have always classed Desmond Dekker as the hero of the skinheads.
@garfieldmaloney3861
Desmond Decker - one of a kind. Didn't get his full recognition.
@manuelcobian1021
My Uncle had this record with four songs.
Side A: 1st song: It Miek.
2nd song, My precious love. ( A woman's world)
Side B: 1st song: Problems.
2nd song: Fu Man Chu.
@malcolmcog
Them drums at the start !
@leroyholmes3472
BOOM!!! Haven't heard this in 60+years, but the VIBRANT drumming of ARKLAND 'DRUMBAGO' PARKS keeps it EVER-GREEN.
🇯🇲🖤🇧🇴🥁🔥🔥🔥🆙🙏🏿
@orangasli3344
Le king.
@ChrisLean
My tune now.. the day I had!
@pierreperrin8601
Face B de "It miek", au hit parade en Angleterre en 1969, alors que l-homme posait le pied sur la lune ! Précurseur du Reggae
@francescomaselli1340
great style!!!!