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The Selecter are a British ska revival band from Coventry, formed in the late 1970s as one of the essential bands of the British ska movement.
Much of what set apart The Selecter from many of the other ska bands at the time was the voice of Pauline Black. She had to disguise herself as a man in order for the band to get gigs, but once they did, there was no disguising her voice. Like other ska bands of this movement, The Selecter featured a racially mixed line up, and songs about violence, politics, marijuana, a fictional spy's theme song, James Bond, and reggae classics. The name of the band is a reference to the Jamaican word for a music selecter, known elsewhere as the DJ. Also typical to the style is the mix of one vocalist singing, and the other toasting in a Jamaican style, a precursor to rapping.
The Selecter's first recording Too Much Pressure was recorded at the end of 1979 and beginning of 1980 and issued on the pre-eminent 2 Tone/Chrysalis label. Their second recording Celebrate the Bullet was issued in 1981. Though the band has continued to regroup and reform on and off, most of the many recordings available are recompiled selections from these first two albums, either live or studio recordings. The Selecter's first two albums are essential British ska recordings.
Pauline Black has been the singer in The Selecter since its formation in 1979 when the band spearheaded the Two Tone movement alongside The Specials releasing the singles "The Selecter", "Three Minute Hero", "The Whisper", "Missing Words" and "On My Radio" as well as two albums; "Too Much Pressure" and "Celebrate The Bullet". The Selecter were also featured in the cult film Dance Craze. The band split in 1982, Pauline carved out a career in TV and theatre, appearing in dramas like The Vice, The Bill, Hearts and Minds and 2000 Acres of Sky. She won the 1991 Time Out award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Billie Holiday in the play All or Nothing At All and starred next to Christopher Lee in the schlock horror film The Funny Man. She reformed The Selecter in 1991 and has released several new albums and has toured all over the world.
Nick Welsh is probably best known for being the bassist in The Selecter and formerly Bad Manners but he has worked with some of the biggest names in Ska and Reggae, Prince Buster, Laurel Aitken, Rico Rodriguez, Dave Barker and most recently Lee "Scratch" Perry with whom he received a Grammy Award Certificate for his work on the CD Jamaican ET which won The Best Reggae Category in 2002. Nick also writes music for TV which has been used world-wide on shows as diverse as WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), The Osbournes and even adverts for Ariel soap powder.
Neol Davies the founder and writer of the classic hits returns with a brand new band in 2010.
neoldaviesakatheselecter plays the mainstage at Bestival 2011 with new album and remixes.
Original line-up
Pauline Black : vocals
Compton Amanor: guitar
Charley Anderson: bass guitar
Charley Bembridge: drums
Desmond Brown: Hammond keyboard
Neol Davies: guitar
Arthur Hendrickson: vocals
Anderson and Brown left The Selecter in 1980. They were replaced by James Mackie: Hammond organ and Adam Williams: bass guitar
Reformed line-up: 1991
Pauline Black: vocals
Neol Davies: guitar
Arthur 'Gaps' Hendrickson - vocals
Martin Stewart: keyboards
Nick Welsh : bass
Perry Melius : drums
The Selecter 2010 lineup includes
Founder and songwriter Neol Davies- vocals/guitars
Lead Vocals- John Gibbons
Daniel Crosby- Drums
Andre Buyani- Bass
Tim Cansfield- Guitar
Victor Travino- Congas & Percussion
Dean Ross- Hammond Organ
Selecter Horns
Too Much Pressure
The Selecter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Too much pressure) Too much pressure
(Too much pressure) This pressure got to stop
(Too much pressure) It's getting to my head
(Too much pressure) They're giving me hard times
(Too much pressure) My man made me sad
(Too much pressure) Him try to make me look small
(Too much pressure) End up with no money
(Too much pressure) It's too much pressure
(Too much pressure) It's too much pressure
(Too much pressure) Him fumble up a woman
(Too much pressure) My life's so hard
(Too much pressure) And all them certain kind of people
(Too much pressure) Them having it easy
(Too much pressure) Them sail through life
(Too much pressure) Them have no joy
(Too much pressure) Them have no joy
(Too much pressure) This pressure got to stop
(Too much pressure) This pressure got to stop
(Too much pressure) It's got to stop, it's got to stop
(Too much pressure) It's got to stop, it's got to stop
(Too much pressure) It's got to stop, it's got to stop
(Too much pressure)
(Too much pressure) Oh lord, oh lord
(Too much pressure) Oh what me a go do
(Too much pressure) It's too much pressure
(Too much pressure) It's too much pressure
(Too much pressure) Oh lord, oh lord
(Too much pressure) Somebody help me
(Too much pressure) It's too much pressure
(Too much pressure) It's too much pressure
(Too much pressure) This pressure got to stop
(Too much pressure) This pressure got to stop
(Too much pressure) It's got to stop, it's got to stop
(Too much pressure) It's got to stop, it's got to stop
(Too much pressure) It's got to stop, it's got to stop
(Too much pressure)
(Too much pressure)
(Too much pressure)
(Too much pressure)
(Too much pressure)
(Too much pressure)
(Too much pressure)
(Too much pressure)
(Too much pressure)
(Too much pressure)
(Too much pressure)
(Too much pressure)
(Too much pressure)
(Too much pressure)
(Too much pressure)
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The Selecter's "Too Much Pressure" is a song about feeling overwhelmed by societal pressures and difficulties in life. The repetition of the phrase "too much pressure" emphasizes the weight of these struggles. The lyrics mention various problems, from relationship issues ("my man made me sad") to financial troubles ("end up with no money") to car problems ("my car fail its MOT"). The singer also expresses frustration with how some people seem to have it easier ("all them certain kind of people, them having it easy, them sail through life").
Overall, the song is a call for relief from these burdens. The repeated refrain of "this pressure got to stop" shows the desire for change and release from the stress. The mention of seeking help from a higher power ("oh lord, oh lord, somebody help me") adds a spiritual aspect to the song as well.
The lyrics of "Too Much Pressure" could relate to many people's experiences and struggles, particularly in today's world where stress and pressure from various sources can feel overwhelming. The song's upbeat ska sound and catchy melody help to balance out the heavy theme, making it an enjoyable and relatable listen.
Line by Line Meaning
(Too much pressure)
The singer is expressing that there is a great amount of pressure in their life that is causing difficulties.
(Too much pressure)
The repetition of the line emphasizes the overwhelming feeling of pressure in the singer's life.
(Too much pressure)
The singer wants the pressure in their life to come to an end.
(Too much pressure)
The pressure is becoming mentally and emotionally taxing for the artist.
(Too much pressure)
The other people in the artist's life are adding to their stress by giving them a hard time.
(Too much pressure)
The singer's partner has made them unhappy and treated them poorly.
(Too much pressure)
The singer's partner is trying to undermine their confidence and make them feel small.
(Too much pressure)
The pressures in the artist's life have caused them to lose their financial stability.
(Too much pressure)
The artist's car has failed its Ministry of Transport test, adding to their troubles.
(Too much pressure)
The overall pressure in the artist's life is too much for them to handle.
(Too much pressure)
The repetition of the line emphasizes the overwhelming feeling of pressure in the singer's life.
(Too much pressure)
The artist's partner has made a mistake that has caused them further stress and difficulty.
(Too much pressure)
The singer is expressing that their life is full of hardship and difficulty.
(Too much pressure)
Certain people in the singer's life seem to have an easier time and less pressure than they do, which is frustrating for the singer.
(Too much pressure)
These people are able to navigate life's challenges easily and without stress, which the singer cannot.
(Too much pressure)
These people may not experience the struggles and stress that the artist endures, but they also do not seem to experience joy.
(Too much pressure)
The repetition of the line emphasizes the overwhelming feeling of pressure in the artist's life.
(Too much pressure)
The singer wants to find a way to end the pressure they are experiencing in their life.
(Too much pressure)
The repetition of the line emphasizes the overwhelming feeling of pressure in the singer's life.
(Too much pressure)
The artist is feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do in their situation.
(Too much pressure)
The pressure in the artist's life is too much for them to handle and is causing difficulty.
(Too much pressure)
The repetition of the line emphasizes the overwhelming feeling of pressure in the artist's life.
(Too much pressure)
The repetition of the line emphasizes the overwhelming feeling of pressure in the singer's life.
(Too much pressure)
The pressure in the artist's life is too much for them to handle and is causing difficulty.
(Too much pressure)
The repetition of the line emphasizes the overwhelming feeling of pressure in the singer's life.
Lyrics © Casablanca Media Publishing
Written by: Neol Davies
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind