Pressure Drop
Toots & The Maytals Feat. Ben Harper Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hmm hmm hmm, yeah
Hmm hmm hmm, yeah
Hmm hmm hmm, yeah

It is you (oh yeah)
It is you, you (oh yeah)
It is you (oh yeah)

'Cause a pressure drop, oh pressure
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

Overall Meaning

Toots & The Maytals's song "Pressure Drop" is often recognized as a classic representation of rocksteady music of Jamaica. The repetitiveness of the lyrics and the backbone of the song, the bass, give it a hypnotic touch allowing the listener to be captivated by the melody. The lyrics of the song signify a feeling of pressure and how it forcefully drops on an individual who is doing wrong, being dishonest, or doing something immoral. The refrain section of the song states that the pressure drop is going to affect that person and they will feel it, which solidifies the belief that one cannot get away with anything wrong without facing the consequences.

The lyrics appear straightforward and uncomplicated, but they hold a deeper meaning. The song's title, "Pressure Drop," is an allegory that means the buildup of spiritual and emotional energy that a person has concerning a specific situation, and then it releases suddenly, like a bolt of lightning, in another event. The song's protagonist is describing the happening of that release and how it affects the wrongdoer.

Overall, "Pressure Drop" by Toots & The Maytals is a timeless classic that has stood the test of time. The song's lyrics, melody, and message still ring true today as they did when the song was first released.

Line by Line Meaning

Hmm hmm hmm, yeah
The song begins with a simple humming melody.

It is you (oh yeah)
The singer asserts that the pressure drop is directed at the listener.

It is you, you (oh yeah)
The emphasis is placed on the listener being solely responsible.

I say a pressure drop, oh pressure
The singer introduces the concept of a pressure drop and repeats it for emphasis.

Oh yeah pressure drop a drop on you
The pressure drop is stated to be directed at the listener and will take effect.

I say when it drops, oh you gonna feel it
The singer warns that when the pressure drop takes effect, the listener will experience the consequences.

Know that you were doing wrong
The listener is admonished for their wrongdoing that led to the pressure drop.

I say a pressure drop, oh pressure
The singer again repeats the concept of the pressure drop for emphasis.

Oh yeah, pressure drop a drop on you
The pressure drop will take effect and be directed at the listener.

Hmm hmm hmm, yeah
The song ends with the same humming melody as the beginning.

Oh yeah, pressure drop a drop on you
The pressure drop will take effect and be directed at the listener.

I say when it drops, oh you gonna feel it
The singer again warns of the consequences the listener will experience when the pressure drop takes effect.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Frederick Hibbert

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@sifisosibiya135

5y↑1

My song when I was growing up,still love it

@daleboettcherphoto

1y↑1

I just listened to a podcast with Jack Johnson and Ben Harper and they said right before the cameras went live, even after multiple rehearsals, Toots leaned over to Jack Johnson and asked him what song they were about to play 😂