Pressure Drop

• By: Toots and the Maytals

Lyrics:

Vocabulary in this song:

Vocabulary	Meanings
pressure /ˈpreʃər/ B1	noun - the exertion of force upon a surface by an object, fluid, etc., in contact with it.
drop /drɒp/ A2	verb - to fall or allow something to fall noun - a small, distinct mass of liquid
feel /fiːl/ A1	verb - to experience an emotion or sensation
wrong /rɒŋ/ A2	adjective - not correct or true; incorrect noun - an immoral or illegal act
doing /ˈduːɪŋ/ A1	verb - performing an action

Grammar:

• It is you (oh yeah)

  ➔ Cleft sentence using "it is"

  ➔ This structure emphasizes "you". Instead of saying "You cause a pressure drop," the sentence focuses attention on the person being addressed. The typical function of the form is to emphasize.

• Cause a pressure drop, oh pressure

  ➔ Imperative (Implied Subject)

  ➔ While not explicitly stated, the sentence is an imperative. The implied subject is "You". It is a command, though softened by the "oh pressure" interjection.

• Pressure drop a drop on you

  ➔ Ellipsis (Omission of "will be" or similar)

  ➔ The full sentence could be understood as "Pressure drop will be a drop on you". The "will be" is omitted for stylistic effect, common in informal speech and song lyrics. This creates a more direct and impactful statement.

• When it drops, oh you gonna feel it

  ➔ Future Simple with "gonna" (going to)

  ➔ "Gonna" is a colloquial contraction of "going to", used to express future intention or prediction. Here, it indicates a certainty that the person will feel the consequences.

• Know that you were doing wrong.

  ➔ Past Continuous Tense ("were doing") within a "that" clause.

  ➔ The phrase "were doing" indicates an action that was in progress at some point in the past. The "that" clause functions as the object of the verb "know". This structure suggests the speaker is emphasizing the duration of the wrong action.