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Sinéad O'Connor — Downpressor Man
Album: Throw Down Your Arms
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 4707









Released: 2005
Length: 4:43
Plays (last 30 days): 2
Downpressor man
Where you gonna run to
Downpressor man
Where you gonna run to
Downpressor man
Where you gonna run to

Oh... along that day

If you run to the sea
The sea will be boiling
If you run to the sea
The sea will be boiling
If you run to the sea
The sea will be boiling

Oh... along that day

Downpressor man
Where you gonna run to
Downpressor man
Where you gonna run to
Downpressor man
Where you gonna run to

Oh... along that day

If you run to the rocks
The rocks will be melting
If you run to the rocks
The rocks will be melting
If you run to the rocks
The rocks will be melting

Oh... along that day

Downpressor man
Where you gonna run to
Tell me downpressor man
Where you gonna run to
Downpressor man
Where you gonna run to

Oh... along that day

And if you make your bed in hell
I will be there
Make your bed in hell
I will be there
I said, make your bed in hell
I will be there

Oh... along that day

Downpressor man
Where you gonna run to
Tell me downpressor man
Where you gonna run to
Downpressor man
Where you gonna run to

Oh... along that day

If you run to the rocks
The rocks will be melting
If you run to the rocks
The rocks will be melting
If you run to the rocks
The rocks will be melting

Oh... along that day

Downpressor man
Where you gonna run to
Downpressor man
Where you gonna run to
Downpressor man
Where you gonna run to

Oh... along that day

(Grazie a Eszti per questo testo)
Comments (639)add comment
How original.  NOT!  Sad
ugh... just ugh
The quality of the singing is remarkable - precisely controlled while being ferocious 
Just gone from 9 to 10. I don't hand out many 10s.
 trevc wrote:


No, lies and made up nonsense have never ever been valuable and never will be.


Alas easier to drink the cool aid than face the harsh truth of reality and an ACTUAL individual perspective with out anything to say
I miss this Lady and her perspective, a rare individual
 bruceandjenna wrote:

Religion would hold a valuable place in human society if we followed the tenets honestly.  Too often the ambitious and the greedy exploit others by abusing the intents. Too often.


No, lies and made up nonsense have never ever been valuable and never will be.
 Stefen wrote:

Written by Peter Tosh in 1977.



Riffing on a traditional song called Sinner Man that Nina Simone totally rocked.
 MassivRuss wrote:

So many different Sineads in her work. This one is my peculiar favorite. 



For me that would be Black Boys on Mopeds. This one is good but I don’t love the repetetive nature.
Written by Peter Tosh in 1977.
So many different Sineads in her work. This one is my peculiar favorite. 
within 5 minutes after I heard this song play today, I happen to read in the guardian about her rnd. What a loss!

in the same issue you can read a story by Tim Brice about the year he spent with her. That gave me some comfort.
Another tragic loss. Despite her personal turmoil, or because of it, she was an incredible musician and voice. Perhaps one of the all time best debut albums ever IMHO.
I won't rate it now, because I'm afraid I could be influenced by her recent death. But she was great and this is a helluva song
Que tristeza su partida. Y mala leche las de sus detractores cuando el episodio de SLN. Ese papa  merecía la cárcel. So sad her departure. And a shame her detractros when de SLN episode. That pope deserves jail
As we say goodbye to this amazing talent, I wish that I could upvote my already 10...but alas...just have to wish this fierce spirit happy travels and much light...
RIP Ms. O'Connor ,thank you for blessing us with your strong voice and strong soul and conviction.
RIP... What a beautiful voice!!!
funky reggae.... nice.
I'm kind of getting this feeling the very same 4 or 5 Sinead tracks are in constant rotation.  This one is already starting to get wearisome.  I know she's got a lot of older tracks from the late 1980s and early 1990s that aren't getting any play.
 dmiley wrote:


Ironic that she should tear up a photo of the Pope on SNL don't you think? 



Given the oppression carried out by the church over the years - especially (but not exclusively) the Catholic one - no, not ironic at all.
 lizardking wrote:

Hell with it, gonna+1 this to the lofty 10-spot...LLRP!!



Just bumped to a 10 too... Keeps growing on me over the years. chilling...in all senses!
 Ahnyer_Keester wrote:

Sinead is about half insane, but she does this song well.



No, she is about half insane, and she's not doing this song well at all.
Did I hallucinate, or did she say in the final two lines of the song "where you gonna fuckin' run to"? I don't recall hearing that previously.
 bruceandjenna wrote:

Religion would hold a valuable place in human society if we followed the tenets honestly.  Too often the ambitious and the greedy exploit others by abusing the intents. Too often.



Please explain how cutting a living person's heart out to gain favor from Huitzilopochtli would be valuable to human society.
 Ahnyer_Keester wrote:

Sinead is about half insane, but she does this song well.



"Half insane"!? Suspect somewhat greater than 1/2 but can't deny her immense talent and this song is incredibly beautiful!
 Ahnyer_Keester wrote:

Sinead is about half insane, but she does this song well.



she nails it for sure
Very apt today...
Agree with a previous poster… Changed my rating to a 10. Listening to this again made me realize what an incredible singer she is. Too bad about politics/religion/mental health issues get mixed up with her amazing talent.
 TheKing2 wrote:

Oh I love that PSD button. Love it, love it, love.



It's been gone for at least 2 years. Are you just clicking on next song?
 kingart wrote:

Given human kind's choices of leaders and the policies we at least passively or tacitly support, half of the human race is half insane, thus if Sinead is half insane than by relative measures she is entirely normal. Moreover, given some of her observant songs, I would indeed suggest she may be less insane than those questionably assessing her sanity.


Every real artist is half (and whole!) insane, You have to know.
I love this track! Thanks Bill and Rebecca. I have been dying to hear it again
 Ahnyer_Keester wrote:

Sinead is about half insane, but she does this song well.


Given human kind's choices of leaders and the policies we at least passively or tacitly support, half of the human race is half insane, thus if Sinead is half insane than by relative measures she is entirely normal. Moreover, given some of her observant songs, I would indeed suggest she may be less insane than those questionably assessing her sanity.
Oh I love that PSD button. Love it, love it, love.
 Dickieb68 wrote:

Actually prefer this version to Bob 's

You mean Peter yes?



 easmann wrote:
 
 
Actions, rather than appearances, determine who is or is not a downpressor (oppressor). However, silence = complicity, so there's that. Here's the Biblical reference from which the original, and this variation, comes:

"1 Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, 2 to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. 3 What will you do on the day of reckoning, when disaster comes from afar? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches?"
— Isaiah 10:1-3 NIV

There's an interesting pattern that's woven all through The Bible, front to back: If you want to make God really, really angry, then prey on the powerless, particularly widows, orphans, and travelers. African American churches picked up on that long ago, and rightly so.


Ironic that she should tear up a photo of the Pope on SNL don't you think? 
Clearly a badazz and a great talent who got chastised and beat down for no serious offense back in the days when the "non-woke" did the cancelling
I don't agree with the religion she supposedly converted to.  It subjugates women so I don't support it.  Maybe she does.

But she is a great singer and this sounds awesome.
 easmann wrote:
 AndyJ wrote:
"Downpressor"-?   What is that-?  I must be one due to my demographic profile.

Original song used "Sinner Man"  and was a simple folk song updated with a new arrangement...

Why not sing the songs and leave the politics for the pub and a jar-?

I  like my whiskey in a glass, my meat and potatoes  without sauces or frills and coffee black... 
 
Actions, rather than appearances, determine who is or is not a downpressor (oppressor). However, silence = complicity, so there's that. Here's the Biblical reference from which the original, and this variation, comes:

"1 Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, 2 to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. 3 What will you do on the day of reckoning, when disaster comes from afar? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches?"
— Isaiah 10:1-3 NIV

There's an interesting pattern that's woven all through The Bible, front to back: If you want to make God really, really angry, then prey on the powerless, particularly widows, orphans, and travelers. African American churches picked up on that long ago, and rightly so.
 
Religion would hold a valuable place in human society if we followed the tenets honestly.  Too often the ambitious and the greedy exploit others by abusing the intents. Too often.
 mrtuba9 wrote:
What a society she grew up in as well as Dolores O'Riordan...
 

She is from Dublin. It is a beautiful city.
Sounds to be a wee bit derivative of Nina Simone's Sinnerman...?
What a society she grew up in as well as Dolores O'Riordan...
 Proclivities wrote:
 nutrod42 wrote:
Not a bad song, but holy crap is it played a lot on RP. I could stand to hear it quite a bit less than every few days.

2 plays in the last 30 days.
 
2 plays in these 30 days also.
 WeAdmire wrote:
It's a brilliant song and lyric which, though I do not dwell on such things, I take to be about the proliferation of nuclear weapons particularly and WMD driven armageddon generally very well and eloquently expressed.  Great work (an Outstanding 9 to quantify things) Sinead and RP.
 
Hell with it, gonna+1 this to the lofty 10-spot...LLRP!!
 Dickieb68 wrote:
Actually prefer this version to Bob 's
 

Bob Marley? I didn't know he covered this one - checked it out, didn't like it
 Dickieb68 wrote:
Actually prefer this version to Bob 's
 
Peter Tosh as far as I know
Actually prefer this version to Bob 's
It's a brilliant song and lyric which, though I do not dwell on such things, I take to be about the proliferation of nuclear weapons particularly and WMD driven armageddon generally very well and eloquently expressed.  Great work (an Outstanding 9 to quantify things) Sinead and RP.
errata:
"Oh... along that day"

corrige:
"In... five billion years"
Long Live Radio Paradise
My rating stays at 7 - Quite Likeable     Now I Skip  
 xray38 wrote:


I'm not tired of it, but I would like to hear more songs from that album.
 
Ditto.  Great album.
 ziggytrix wrote:
You can call her a flake, but if so, you cannot deny she is a PASSIONATE flake.
 
Lol.. I just read that as "Passionflake" as in the pastry brand 
 Tomasni wrote:
Long Live    Radio Paradise
My rating stays at 7 - Quite Likeable        BUT NOT MORE
 
Same rating forever from me. I tend to let songs up-tick over time. But your right... not sure this one will get more from me anytime soon.
 sb204 wrote:
What a voice. Love it every-time I hear it, for those who grumble about hearing it too often I have three letters for you. PSD. Peace.

Ever reflected on the sense of song comments?

Interesting proposition. Is sense and or meaning a feature of the thing, e.g. the comments. Or, is it something we add to the thing by the way we use it?
Long Live    Radio Paradise
My rating stays at 7 - Quite Likeable        BUT NOT MORE
 AbileneTexas wrote:

Solid 9 for me.  Totally agree with you regarding the emotion conveyed by her voice 
 Same with me too

 VV wrote:
Sooo tired of this song.
 

I'm not tired of it, but I would like to hear more songs from that album.
 nutrod42 wrote:
Not a bad song, but holy crap is it played a lot on RP. I could stand to hear it quite a bit less than every few days.

2 plays in the last 30 days.
 Andy_B wrote:
I too just bumped it from an 8 to a 9.  The emotion in her voice gets me every time and I find myself singing along with her ,...and reggaeing a bit too. 
 
Solid 9 for me.  Totally agree with you regarding the emotion conveyed by her voice 
The cover is ironic, no?  Since she ripped up a picture of Saint pope John Paul II on live tv.
Miss Shuhada Davitt, nowadays....
 lizardking wrote:

LOL...well in that case...in fact I know how it goes sometimes when a song seems to come up more often than you might expect.  Still, I'm pretty much going to like anything that's anti-establishment, so until it's played on a continuous loop, I'm probably going to be OK with how often I hear it here.  PEACE and Long Live RP!!
 
Agreed. To me, this channels "Zombie."
 nutrod42 wrote:

I like Sinead and I like the song and I like her version of it. It just seemed like it was getting an inordinate amount of airplay.
 
LOL...well in that case...in fact I know how it goes sometimes when a song seems to come up more often than you might expect.  Still, I'm pretty much going to like anything that's anti-establishment, so until it's played on a continuous loop, I'm probably going to be OK with how often I hear it here.  PEACE and Long Live RP!!
 lizardking wrote:

I disagree!  And just for that I went 8→9 today;  keep playing Sinead, BillG!  Long Live RP!!
 
I like Sinead and I like the song and I like her version of it. It just seemed like it was getting an inordinate amount of airplay.
I too just bumped it from an 8 to a 9.  The emotion in her voice gets me every time and I find myself singing along with her ,...and reggaeing a bit too. 
 nutrod42 wrote:
Not a bad song, but holy crap is it played a lot on RP. I could stand to hear it quite a bit less than every few days.

 
I disagree!  And just for that I went 8→9 today;  keep playing Sinead, BillG!  Long Live RP!!

 teleskialaska wrote:
What a voice.  Love it every-time I hear it, for those who grumble about hearing it too often I have three letters for you.  PSD.  
Peace. 
 
Ever reflected on the sense of song comments?
What a voice.  Love it every-time I hear it, for those who grumble about hearing it too often I have three letters for you.  PSD.  


Peace. 
Not a bad song, but holy crap is it played a lot on RP. I could stand to hear it quite a bit less than every few days.
Downpressor and strategic blowback seem to be related concepts.
I was never a Sinead O'connor or Reggae fan but I like this one for some reason.
You can call her a flake, but if so, you cannot deny she is a PASSIONATE flake.
I wish PSD worked on SONOS.
Not that I dislike this song or version, but hearing it pretty much every time I turn on RP is too much.
Sinéad is in need of help and support :(
Sinéad Do not give up,we love you!!!!!!!!!
Best version of this song currently playing on RP, by a long way.
 hindsightseer wrote:

{#Naughty}

"Downpressor Man" is Peter Tosh's version of the song "Sinner Man" or "Sinnerman", an African-American traditional spiritual song that has been recorded by a number of artists. The lyrics describe a sinner attempting to hide from divine justice on Judgement Day.

It is referred to as a "gospel" song to many people on the internet, including gospel singers.

Sounds like Bill got it right!

 
Tune is similar.
Side by side comparison of the lyrics, shows they are quite different.
Yes you are right "Sinnerman" is religious in theme.  
"Downpressor Man" is not.
Same tune, different songs.
Similar, granted, but not the same.



I prefer the 16 Horsepower version of sinnerman.
 oldman wrote:
 theInterfacer wrote:
So, the one who tears up the Pope's picture is now singing gospel. Wat a hypocrite!

 Peter Tosh, of Bob Marley & the Wailers, wrote a song called Downpressor Man. It's about the fact that the elites who have oppressed and exploited people and nature throughout history will have to suffer the consequences of their actions. In the end we reap what we sow and there is no where to run to... 

To call someone a downpressor man is to remind them that they are connected to the rest of the world and will suffer with it.

Hardly Gospel
reference to God and biblical terms does not make it Gospel by any stretch.
That's like saying "Happiness is a Warm Gun "  is about firearms.

 
{#Naughty}

"Downpressor Man" is Peter Tosh's version of the song "Sinner Man" or "Sinnerman", an African-American traditional spiritual song that has been recorded by a number of artists. The lyrics describe a sinner attempting to hide from divine justice on Judgement Day.

It is referred to as a "gospel" song to many people on the internet, including gospel singers.

Sounds like Bill got it right!
Sooo tired of this song.
 theInterfacer wrote:
So, the one who tears up the Pope's picture is now singing gospel. Wat a hypocrite!

 
One would think the countless Catholic priest sex abuse scandals that have come to light since her tantrum/protest would vindicate her at least a little in the minds of folks like you, but I guess not.

Are you at least vaguely aware of why she did that?
I won't be a party to any bed-making in Hell... thankyouverymuch!
I could listen to her voice and emotion all day long.
 oldman wrote:
 theInterfacer wrote:
So, the one who tears up the Pope's picture is now singing gospel. Wat a hypocrite!

 Peter Tosh, of Bob Marley & the Wailers, wrote a song called Downpressor Man. It's about the fact that the elites who have oppressed and exploited people and nature throughout history will have to suffer the consequences of their actions. In the end we reap what we sow and there is no where to run to... 

To call someone a downpressor man is to remind them that they are connected to the rest of the world and will suffer with it.

Hardly Gospel
reference to God and biblical terms does not make it Gospel by any stretch.
That's like saying "Happiness is a Warm Gun "  is about firearms.

 
{#Clap}
i used to like this song. but now it seems i hear it every day here and i literally cannot stand it anymore
This one is gettin me every single time.. Solid 8
Sinead definitely had the vocal chops
She is the Joe Buck of music.

Lyrics: Timeless (fearing the worst)
Music: Convincing and very pleasing, great voice
Criticism of plagiarism: For the birds / negligible
Conclusion: Outstanding!


 Alice once Upon a Time in Wonderland.
 bluematrix wrote:
An irish woman doing reggae, and killin it... who'd a thunk it?

 
Beating it senseless, really...

If I press the PSD button, Sinead, you won't be there, right? Right?  {#Stop}
 theInterfacer wrote:
So, the one who tears up the Pope's picture is now singing gospel. Wat a hypocrite!

 Peter Tosh, of Bob Marley & the Wailers, wrote a song called Downpressor Man. It's about the fact that the elites who have oppressed and exploited people and nature throughout history will have to suffer the consequences of their actions. In the end we reap what we sow and there is no where to run to... 

To call someone a downpressor man is to remind them that they are connected to the rest of the world and will suffer with it.

Hardly Gospel
reference to God and biblical terms does not make it Gospel by any stretch.
That's like saying "Happiness is a Warm Gun "  is about firearms.
The saving grace  of downpressor man.
 markybx wrote:
I just checked out a Peter Tosh performance of this and that definitely beats Sinead O'Connors cover. But I still like it.

 
Agreed
 theInterfacer wrote:
So, the one who tears up the Pope's picture is now singing gospel. Wat a hypocrite!

 
Wat?
So, the one who tears up the Pope's picture is now singing gospel. Wat a hypocrite!
An irish woman doing an entire reggae record, and killin it... who'd a thunk it? Dang, I like this song, it fits in so good with my reggae playlist.
Interesting song choice, considering the fact that Sinéad's depression actually made the news today.

I always liked her and her music. I was actually watching SNL the night she tore up the photo of the pope and i was blown away by her boldness... I hope she comes around and realizes what an amazing talent she is, was and will always be.
 TerryS wrote:
Many years ago, I was standing amidst the fragmented bowels of a Chinese large displacement screw piston compressor and the shop radio played this piece. Uproarious laughter ensued from those present.

 
{#Lol}

I just checked out a Peter Tosh performance of this and that definitely beats Sinead O'Connors cover. But I still like it.
 Pezz9 wrote:
I like her.

 
I like her music.  But every time I hear her sing I think if her sitting at home alone swilling wine and after after she polishes off the bottle she gets on the internet and goes on a tirade.{#Beat}
{#Skull}{#Arghhh}{#Headache}{#Iamwithstupid}{#Stop}
I like her.
Many years ago, I was standing amidst the fragmented bowels of a Chinese large displacement screw piston compressor and the shop radio played this piece. Uproarious laughter ensued from those present.
OK, so doesn't Sinead have at least 11 albums? Maybe there are a few other songs by her that you could play? This one is really getting overplayed.
 fredriley wrote:

Really? I reckon she was spot on, and recent events, not least the "shameful" (to put it mildly) history of Catholic priests kiddy-fiddling for decades and being protected by the Church, have borne her out.

The Pope isn't some kindly old geezer in a funny hat and women's clothes, he's the head of a secretive multinational franchise and cult with billions of euros/bucks/whatever in its coffers and dodgy relationships with Masons (see the Roberto Calvi scandal). Like the Scientologists, but with power and history.

I was brought up as a Catholic in Ireland, and saw first hand how the Church exercises arbitrary power, particularly over women. Luckily I only had enough exposure to inoculate, rather than indoctrinate. The Catholic Church is corrupt, despotic and works hand in glove with corrupt and despotic regimes (including the Irish State back in the day). Its downfall is long overdue, and will be celebrated by this 'lapsed' Catholic, for sure. Ripping up a photo of the Pope is small potatoes - what should happen is that he gets it up the 'arris as so many boys and girls got it from priests and bishops.

 
Well stated. Of course, the new Pope is better—but let's not forget what the Catholic church is capable of.
 stunix wrote:
An acceptable cover, nothing very interesting really.    As for her, I just dont appriciate musicians pushing their political views publicly as if they are enlightened and the general populous needs their help.   Why would she think she wouldnt offend people with her documented actions?   that goes for Bono too.   At least Zappa tried to do something about it.  

 
The late great Paul Newman once said about similar criticism aimed at him, "just because I'm a celebrity I'm not going to give up my freedom of speech".

One of the songs learned from Radio Paradise that went into my "all time favorite list"... Thanks. {#Heartkiss}

And BTW: I'd love to hear this song combined with Ben Harper's "With my own two hands"...
I don't care about her politics, it's all bulls**t. The rhythm track is excellent reggae but I don't think her voice is right for reggae 
Reminds one of the COPS opening theme. Remember that lil dose o reality?
An acceptable cover, nothing very interesting really.    As for her, I just dont appriciate musicians pushing their political views publicly as if they are enlightened and the general populous needs their help.   Why would she think she wouldnt offend people with her documented actions?   that goes for Bono too.   At least Zappa tried to do something about it.  
 S-curvy wrote:

Fred, you forgot about the Vatican's transport of Nazi expropriated Holocaust art and fleeing Nazis to Argentina via Poland and Turkey.  Prior to the Peddy Scandal, the Church was the 12th wealthiest corporation in the world and the single largest private land holder in the USA.  And then there's the really demented anti-birth control canons that keep 3rd World countries, well uh, 3rd world; and given the joy of a world with ISIS running wild, let's not forget its genesis, the Crusades — coming back to a village near you and me....

It has always been about money and power, and it still is despite a more enlightened Pope.  Succeed or fail, the Church promises a lot more suffering for common people because it lost its way in trying to relieve people's suffering.

 
So now ISIS doesn't even have accountability for its own atrocities—its behavior is the Catholic Church's fault?
There is no way I can draw that conclusion. 
 
 AndyJ wrote:
"Downpressor"-?   What is that-?  I must be one due to my demographic profile.

Original song used "Sinner Man"  and was a simple folk song updated with a new arrangement...

Why not sing the songs and leave the politics for the pub and a jar-?

I  like my whiskey in a glass, my meat and potatoes  without sauces or frills and coffee black... 
 
Actions, rather than appearances, determine who is or is not a Downpressor (oppressor). However, silence = complicity, so there's that. Here's the Biblical reference from which the original, and this variation, comes:

"1 Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, 2 to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. 3 What will you do on the day of reckoning, when disaster comes from afar? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches?"
— Isaiah 10:1-3 NIV

There's an interesting pattern that's woven all through The Bible, front to back: If you want to make God really, really angry, then prey on the powerless, particularly widows, orphans, and travelers. African American churches picked up on that long ago, and rightly so.

(Edit: Farewell fierce champion of the forgotten and mistreated.)
Seems like a few have an axe to grind when it comes to Skinhead O'Connor {#Frustrated}
 great bass line {#Guitarist}
Tosh On.
i wonder if downpressor man has heard this song
 
 TEG wrote:
Covert art reflects Sinéad complex personnality and engagements too
 
Especially the engagements.
Covert art reflects Sinéad complex personnality and engagements too