Under Pressure

Adam Lambert, Queen

About Under Pressure

"Under Pressure" is a song by the British rock band Queen and singer David Bowie. Originally released as a single in October 1981, it was later included on Queen's 1982 album Hot Space. The song reached number one on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Queen's second number-one hit in their home country (after 1975's "Bohemian Rhapsody", which topped the chart for nine weeks) and Bowie's third (after the 1975 reissue of "Space Oddity" and "Ashes to Ashes" in 1980). The song charted in the top 10 in more than ten countries around the world, and peaked at No. 29 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in January 1982. The song has been described as a "monster rock track that stood out" on the Hot Space album, as well as "an incredibly powerful and poignant pop song". It was listed at number 31 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the '80s, and voted the second best collaboration of all time in a poll by Rolling Stone magazine. It was played live at every Queen concert from 1981 until the end of the band's touring career in 1986. Live recordings appear on the Queen live albums Queen Rock Montreal and Live at Wembley '86. The song was included on some editions of Queen's first Greatest Hits compilations, such as the original 1981 Elektra release in the US. It is included on the band's compilation albums Greatest Hits II, Classic Queen, and Absolute Greatest as well as Bowie compilations such as Best of Bowie (2002), The Platinum Collection (2005), Nothing Has Changed (2014), Legacy (2016), and Re:Call 3 (2017). 


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Mm-noom-ba-deh
Doom-boom-ba-beh
Doo-boo-boom-ba-beh-beh

Pressure pushin' down on me
Pressin' down on you, no man ask for
Under pressure that brings a building down
Splits a family in two, puts people on streets
Mm-ba-ba-beh, mm-ba-ba-beh
Dee-day-da, ee-day-da
That's okay

That's the terror of knowing what this world is about
Watchin' some good friends screamin', "Let me out"
Pray tomorrow gets me higher
Pressure on people, people on streets

Da-da-da, mm-mm
Da-da-da-ba-bum
Okay

Chippin' around, kick my brains 'round the floor
These are the days it never rains but it pours
Ee-doh-ba-buh, ee-da-ba-ba-bop
Mm-bo-bop, beh-lup
People on streets, ee-da-dee-da-day
People on streets, ee-da-dee-da-dee-da-dee-da

It's the terror of knowing what this world is about
Watching some good friends screaming, "Let me out"
Pray tomorrow gets me higher, higher, high
Pressure on people, people on streets

Turned away from it all like a blind man
Sat on the fence but it don't work
Keep comin' up with love but it's so slashed and torn
Why, why, why?
Love
Insanity laughs under pressure we're breaking

Can't we give ourselves one more chance?
Why can't we give love that one more chance?
Why can't we give love, give love, give love, give love
Give love, give love, give love, give love?

'Cause love's such an old-fashioned word
And love dares you to care for
The people on the edge of the night
And love dares you to change our way of
Caring about ourselves
This is our last dance
This is ourselves

Under pressure
Under pressure
Pressure

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Queen

Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of the late Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), John Deacon (bass guitar), and Roger Taylor (drums, vocals). Queen's earliest works were influenced by progressive rock, but the band gradually ventured into more conventional and radio-friendly works, incorporating more diverse and innovative styles in their music. After the late and great Freddie Mercury died, Queen continued to tour with multiple acts including Paul Rodgers, and currently, Adam Lambert. more »

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Written by: David Bowie, John Richard Deacon, Brian Harold May, Freddie Mercury, Roger Meddows Taylor

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


25 facts about this song

Release Date
"Under Pressure" was released on 26 October 1981.
Musical Collaboration
This song was an unusual collaboration between two major rock acts of the time - British rock band Queen and English singer-songwriter David Bowie.
Accidental Creation
It was created during an impromptu jam session at Queen's recording studio in Montreux, Switzerland.
Chart Performance
The song topped the UK Singles Chart and reached number 29 in the US Billboard Hot 100.
Creative Clash
Despite the song's success, Bowie and Queen's lead singer, Freddie Mercury, reportedly clashed over how it should be mixed.
Sample Usage
The bassline from "Under Pressure" was used by Vanilla Ice for his 1990 hit "Ice Ice Baby," which led to copyright disputes.
Live Performance
The song was performed live at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in 1992, with Annie Lennox filling in for Freddie Mercury and David Bowie singing his original parts.
Album Inclusion
Though initially released as a standalone single, it was later included in Queen's 1982 album "Hot Space".
Lyrics Origin
Bowie, according to band member Brian May, had a huge influence in the final version of the lyrics, which depict a world in crisis.
Late Performances
When Queen and Paul Rodgers performed the song, Bowie's lyrics were sung by drummer Roger Taylor, illustrating the song's continued legacy within the band's repertoire.
Featured in Movies
"Under Pressure" has been featured in several films, including "Grosse Pointe Blank," "Joker," and "Highlander II: The Quickening."
Music Video
The song's music video, directed by David Mallet, features a combination of footage from old black-and-white films, with neither Queen nor Bowie appearing in the video.
Love for the Song
In several polls, fans have regularly voted "Under Pressure" as one of Queen’s greatest hits.
Recorded In Multiple Locations
The recording process for "Under Pressure" took place in different locations across three countries.
Spontaneous Title
The song was initially called "People on the Streets". The title "Under Pressure" came about spontaneously during the song's creation, when a high-pressure studio session led to the memorable hook line in the chorus.
Composition
"Under Pressure" was born from an impromptu jam session by David Bowie and Queen in the band's recording studio in Montreux, Switzerland in 1981.
Songwriters
Although the song is fronted by Freddie Mercury and David Bowie, all five of those present during the creation - including Queen's Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon - are credited as songwriters.
Lyrics Inspiration
Bowie is primarily responsible for the song's distinctive, evocative lyrics. Inspired by the pressure he felt in his own life at the time, the song lyrics explore the theme of life's pressures and how they can cause a breakdown of humanity and compassion.
Chart Performance
"Under Pressure" marked Queen's second UK number-one hit, but Bowie's first. Internationally, it reached the top 10 in several countries and was certified gold in the UK and Canada.
Iconic Bassline
The song’s memorable bassline (often misattributed to Bowie) was created by Queen's bassist, John Deacon. This bassline has since become one of the most famous in pop music history.
Sample Controversy
The song's distinctive bassline was famously sampled in Vanilla Ice's 1990 hit "Ice Ice Baby." However, Vanilla Ice initially did not credit Queen and Bowie, which led to a copyright infringement lawsuit and a settlement.
Live Performances
After the song's creation and initial release, it was primarily performed by Queen, with Roger Taylor taking Bowie's part. Though Bowie later included the song in his live performances, it was never performed live by both Queen and Bowie together.
Song Meaning
"Under Pressure" is often interpreted as an anthem for unity and compassion in the face of hardship and struggle, with the ending lyric reiterating the importance, "Love dares you to care for the people on the edge of the night, and love dares you to change our way of caring about ourselves. This is our last dance."
Music Video
The music video for "Under Pressure" is a montage of stock footage clips, reflecting the chaos and hardships referred to in the song. Neither Bowie nor members of Queen appear in the video.
Legacy
Despite its troubled origin and the controversy surrounding the use of its distinctive bassline, "Under Pressure" is now considered a classic, and it remains one of the most recognizable and beloved songs by both David Bowie and Queen. It has been used in numerous commercials, films, and TV shows and has been covered by many artists.

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