In Kingston, he met Henry "Raleigh" Gordon and Nathaniel "Jerry" McCarthy, forming a group whose early recordings were attributed to "The Flames" and, possibly, "The Vikings". Having renamed the group the Maytals, the vocal trio recorded their first album, "Never Grow Old - presenting the Maytals", for producer Clement "Coxsone" Dodd at Studio One in 1962-63. With musical backing from Dodd's house band, the legendary Skatalites, the Maytals' close-harmony gospel singing ensured instant success for the 1964 release, overshadowing Dodd's other up-and-coming gospel trio, The Wailers. The original album augmented by studio out-takes from the Studio One sessions was re-released by Heartbeat/Rounder Records in 1997, and is essential listening for Maytals and Skatalites fans.
After staying at Studio One for about two years, the group moved on to do sessions for Prince Buster (released in 1974) before recording their second album produced by Byron Lee in 1965. However, the band's musical career was rudely interrupted in late 1966 when Hibbert was arrested and imprisoned on drugs possession charges.
Following Hibbert's release from jail towards the end of 1967, the band officially changed their name to Toots and the Maytals and began working with Chinese-Jamaican producer Leslie Kong, a collaboration which produced three classic albums and a string of hits throughout the late sixties and early seventies - "Do the Reggay", a 1968 single widely credited with coining the word reggae, "Pressure Drop", "54-46 was my number" and "Monkey Man", the group's first international hit in 1970. The group was featured in one of reggae's greatest breakthrough events - The Harder They Come, the 1972 film and soundtrack starring Jimmy Cliff.
Following Kong's death in 1971, the group continued to record with Kong's former sound engineer, Warwick Lyn; produced by Lyn and Chris Blackwell of Island Records, the group released three best-selling albums, and enjoyed international hits with "Funky Kingston" in 1973 and "Reggae Got Soul" in 1976.
The compositions of Toots & the Maytals (also known as Toots and the Maytals) would be given a second airing in 1978-80 during the reggae-punk and ska revival period in the UK, when the Specials included "Monkey Man" on their 1979 debut album and the Clash produced their version of "Pressure Drop", with other Maytals' covers being recorded by Sublime. Having toured throughout the world for many years, Toots and the Maytals disbanded in the early 1980s, but reformed in the early 90s to continue touring and recording successfully.
The band recently won the 2005 Grammy award for reggae for the album True Love, an album consisting of re-recorded versions of their classics alongside popular and legendary musicians such as Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, and Keith Richards, as well as popular artists today such as No Doubt, Ben Harper, The Roots, and Shaggy.
They also contributed to the album 'Radiodread' (a tribute to Radiohead's OK Computer).
Pressure Drop Feat. Eric Clapton
Toots & The Maytals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hmm hmm hmm, yeah
Hmm hmm hmm, yeah
It is you (oh yeah)
It is you, you (oh yeah)
It is you (oh yeah)
Oh yeah pressure drop a drop on you
I say a pressure drop, oh pressure
Oh yeah pressure drop a drop on you
I say when it drops, oh you gonna feel it
Know that you were doing wrong.
I say when it drops, oh you gonna feel it
Know that you were doing wrong.
Hmm hmm hmm, yeah
Hmm hmm hmm, yeah
Hmm hmm hmm, yeah
I say a pressure drop, oh pressure
Oh yeah, pressure drop a drop on you
Oh yeah, pressure drop a drop on you
It is you (oh yeah)
It is you, you (oh yeah)
It is you (oh yeah)
I say a pressure drop, oh pressure
Oh yeah, pressure drop a drop on you
Oh yeah, pressure drop a drop on you
I say when it drops, oh you gonna feel it
Oh yeah, pressure drop a drop on you
The lyrics of Toots & The Maytals Feat. Ben Harper's song "Pressure Drop" is a warning to someone who is doing wrong and is about to face the consequences. The repetition of "It is you" emphasizes that this person is solely responsible for their actions and that they cannot escape the inevitable pressure drop that is about to occur. The chorus, "Oh yeah pressure drop, a drop on you," has a double meaning – not only will the consequences of their actions come crashing down upon them, but also that the person themselves will drop under the pressure.
The phrase "pressure drop" refers to a sudden decrease in atmospheric pressure that can cause a storm. In the context of the song, it represents the sudden change that is about to occur and the harsh reality that the person will have to face. The line "when it drops, oh you gonna feel it" is a warning that this person will experience the full force of their wrongdoing.
Overall, "Pressure Drop" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of making poor choices and the consequences that inevitably follow.
Line by Line Meaning
Hmm hmm hmm, yeah
Expressing agreement or affirmation.
It is you (oh yeah)
Referring to a specific person or individual.
It is you, you (oh yeah)
Emphasizing the specific person or individual being referred to.
Cause a pressure drop, oh pressure
Warning of the impending consequences of actions.
Oh yeah pressure drop a drop on you
Emphasizing that the consequences will be significant and impactful.
I say a pressure drop, oh pressure
Reiterating the warning of consequences.
I say when it drops, oh you gonna feel it
Predicting that the consequences will be deeply felt.
Know that you were doing wrong.
Indicating that the consequences are a result of wrongful actions.
I say a pressure drop, oh pressure
Continuing to warn of impending consequences.
Oh yeah, pressure drop a drop on you
Reiterating the significant and impactful nature of the consequences.
It is you (oh yeah)
Referring again to the specific person or individual.
When it drops, oh you gonna feel it
Repeating the prediction of deeply felt consequences.
Oh yeah, pressure drop a drop on you
Reiterating once more the significant and impactful nature of the consequences.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FREDERICK HIBBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind