David Bowie — Under Pressure (w/ Queen)
Album: Best of BowieAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 4008
Length: 3:47
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Mmm num ba dah
Dum bum ba beh
Doo buh dum ba beh beh
Pressure
Pushing down on me
Pressing down on you
No man ask for
Under pressure
That burns a building down
Splits a family in two
Puts people on streets
Mmm ba ba beh
Mmm ba ba beh
Bee de dah
Ee deh da, that's okay
It's the terror of knowing
What this world is about
Watching some good friends
Screaming "let me out"
Pray tomorrow
Gets me higher
Pressure on people
People on streets
Deh deh dep
Mmm, mmm
Dah dah dah bah buh
Okay
(Ooh) Chipping around
Kick my brains 'round the floor
These are the days
It never rains, but it pours
Ee do ah buh
Ee dah buh bah bop
Mmm do bop
Beh la
People on streets
Dee dah dee dah deh
People on streets
Dee dah dee dah dee dah dee dah
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 a fence, but it don't work
Keep coming up with love, but it's so slashed and torn
Why? Why? Why?
(Love)
Insanity laughs under pressure we're cracking
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 (People on streets) of the night
And love dares you to change our way of
Caring about ourselves
This is our last dance
This is our last dance
This is ourselves
Under pressure
Under pressure
Pressure
Dum bum ba beh
Doo buh dum ba beh beh
Pressure
Pushing down on me
Pressing down on you
No man ask for
Under pressure
That burns a building down
Splits a family in two
Puts people on streets
Mmm ba ba beh
Mmm ba ba beh
Bee de dah
Ee deh da, that's okay
It's the terror of knowing
What this world is about
Watching some good friends
Screaming "let me out"
Pray tomorrow
Gets me higher
Pressure on people
People on streets
Deh deh dep
Mmm, mmm
Dah dah dah bah buh
Okay
(Ooh) Chipping around
Kick my brains 'round the floor
These are the days
It never rains, but it pours
Ee do ah buh
Ee dah buh bah bop
Mmm do bop
Beh la
People on streets
Dee dah dee dah deh
People on streets
Dee dah dee dah dee dah dee dah
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 a fence, but it don't work
Keep coming up with love, but it's so slashed and torn
Why? Why? Why?
(Love)
Insanity laughs under pressure we're cracking
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 (People on streets) of the night
And love dares you to change our way of
Caring about ourselves
This is our last dance
This is our last dance
This is ourselves
Under pressure
Under pressure
Pressure
Comments (562)add comment
RabbitEars wrote:
Thanks for sharing - I wasn't aware of this version!
so so so loooove this song.
i also really dig the live version with Annie Lennox
i also really dig the live version with Annie Lennox
Thanks for sharing - I wasn't aware of this version!
blackjellybean wrote:
Do you mean "have never likeD" and "THEIR own opinion"?
I have never like this song - one of Bowie's worst.
But everyone has there own opinion.
But everyone has there own opinion.
Do you mean "have never likeD" and "THEIR own opinion"?
Right at "Can't we give ourselves one more chance?" is honestly one of the most transcendental moments in all of rock and roll.
I said what I said.
I said what I said.
I have never like this song - one of Bowie's worst.
But everyone has there own opinion.
But everyone has there own opinion.
Paddy_Hannan wrote:
Still don't get it, it's just a mishmash of unconnected ideas to me, both musically and lyrically.
I didn't care for this song for years until I *really listened* to it and read the lyrics exclusively of the song and now think it is nothing short of incredible.
Still don't get it, it's just a mishmash of unconnected ideas to me, both musically and lyrically.
One of favorite songs of all time. Music and lyrics. In case you cared 😊
I didn't care for this song for years until I *really listened* to it and read the lyrics exclusively of the song and now think it is nothing short of incredible.
Genius x 2 plus 3 (Queen) = Timeless and Relevant
Come together and be as one in this time of trouble
Bowie with Queen? I Always thought this was Queen with Bowie. Hmmm....
Mercury and Bowie.
Both dead.
Shake my head -
Both dead.
Shake my head -
ednazarko wrote:
Ee deh da, that's okay!
Any song with lyrics that begin like this is, IMHO, an 11 out of 10.
Mmm num ba dah
Dum bum ba beh
Doo buh dum ba beh beh
Mmm num ba dah
Dum bum ba beh
Doo buh dum ba beh beh
Ee deh da, that's okay!
Preparing for a hearing on a death penalty case in Florida, this song is almost too appropriate.
kingart wrote:
It really does seem more apropos today than 1981
Because of our days and times, I'm bumping this one. 8 > 9.
It really does seem more apropos today than 1981
michela wrote:
I've just done the same!
Me too!!
I've just done the same!
Me too!!
moocray wrote:
Is it Vanilla Ice's best piece?
Now, that is a trick question.
Is it Vanilla Ice's best piece?
Now, that is a trick question.
Special song, maybe my favorite one ? giving the highest score.
Surprisingly nice segue from John Hiatt's "Take it Down", which I would have missed if I skipped that track. Glad I switched back to MP3 stream.
kingart wrote:
I've just done the same!
Because of our days and times, I'm bumping this one. 8 > 9.
I've just done the same!
A 9 for me. It is not in and of itself original like the stone-cold greats. But, boy, is it one heck of a brilliant pastiche by 5 supremely talented performers. It does pass the "turn up the volume when it comes on" test.
Limpopoking wrote:
... The response was the response (in and of itself)
At a recent job interview, I was asked if I could perform under pressure.
I said I didn't really know that one, but I was prepared to have a crack at Bohemian Rhapsody.
I said I didn't really know that one, but I was prepared to have a crack at Bohemian Rhapsody.
... The response was the response (in and of itself)
Tomasni wrote:
It's a 9 at least....that bass line makes this almost a 10.....and DB and FM together....hell with it...it's a 10...Long Live RP!!
Long Live Radio Paradise
My rating a STRONG 8 -Most Excellent almost 9
My rating a STRONG 8 -Most Excellent almost 9
It's a 9 at least....that bass line makes this almost a 10.....and DB and FM together....hell with it...it's a 10...Long Live RP!!
Limpopoking wrote:
Did you get the job? Or a chance to perform?
At a recent job interview, I was asked if I could perform under pressure.
I said I didn't really know that one, but I was prepared to have a crack at Bohemian Rhapsody.
I said I didn't really know that one, but I was prepared to have a crack at Bohemian Rhapsody.
Did you get the job? Or a chance to perform?
At a recent job interview, I was asked if I could perform under pressure.
I said I didn't really know that one, but I was prepared to have a crack at Bohemian Rhapsody.
I said I didn't really know that one, but I was prepared to have a crack at Bohemian Rhapsody.
Long Live Radio Paradise
My rating a STRONG 8 -Most Excellent
My rating a STRONG 8 -Most Excellent
so so so loooove this song.
i also really dig the live version with Annie Lennox
i also really dig the live version with Annie Lennox
Shimmer wrote:
I read the same page and came to a different conclusion. Seems to me they describe a process where Bowie represented one half ("David took over the song lyrically") of the creation process and Mercury ("the song's primary musical songwriter was Freddie Mercury") the other. Guest vocals would indicate that David just sang the words provided, which is not the case. Bowie was also heavily involved in the mixing of the final song, so production was a part of his role as well.
A more generous interpretation would be that the 5 of them produced the song together with equal credit, which is how they handled the credit (to their credit).
Maybe it is listed as David Bowie (w/Queen) because this version is coming off of the album Best of Bowie and no other motivations need be inferred.
Funny that this is listed as a David Bowie song (with Queen in parens). I've always thought of it as a Queen song with guest vocals from Bowie. A quick visit to Wikipedia seems to confirm that it's more of a Queen song than a Bowie song.
I read the same page and came to a different conclusion. Seems to me they describe a process where Bowie represented one half ("David took over the song lyrically") of the creation process and Mercury ("the song's primary musical songwriter was Freddie Mercury") the other. Guest vocals would indicate that David just sang the words provided, which is not the case. Bowie was also heavily involved in the mixing of the final song, so production was a part of his role as well.
A more generous interpretation would be that the 5 of them produced the song together with equal credit, which is how they handled the credit (to their credit).
Maybe it is listed as David Bowie (w/Queen) because this version is coming off of the album Best of Bowie and no other motivations need be inferred.
Any song with lyrics that begin like this is, IMHO, an 11 out of 10.
Mmm num ba dah
Dum bum ba beh
Doo buh dum ba beh beh
Mmm num ba dah
Dum bum ba beh
Doo buh dum ba beh beh
LudicrousMaximus wrote:
Is it Vanilla Ice's best piece?
Is it Bowie's best piece - no, is it Queens best piece - no, is it a true classic - probably not, but hell it's Bowie & Queen - sometimes you just have to rate a moment in time rather than the production - hence a 10 for me.
Is it Vanilla Ice's best piece?
Yes, a definite 10!
LudicrousMaximus wrote:
LudicrousMaximus wrote:
Is it Bowie's best piece - no, is it Queens best piece - no, is it a true classic - probably not, but hell it's Bowie & Queen - sometimes you just have to rate a moment in time rather than the production - hence a 10 for me.
Nice to hear on a wet Florida morning
Yes!
LudicrousMaximus wrote:
Is it Bowie's best piece - no, is it Queens best piece - no, is it a true classic - probably not, but hell it's Bowie & Queen - sometimes you just have to rate a moment in time rather than the production - hence a 10 for me.
Is it Bowie's best piece - no, is it Queens best piece - no, is it a true classic - probably not, but hell it's Bowie & Queen - sometimes you just have to rate a moment in time rather than the production - hence a 10 for me.
rev_cletus wrote:
But that wasn't the fault of either Bowie *or* Mercury; reconsider?
lizardking wrote:
I'm at a 9, rounded up from 8.5, as it looses .5 because of Vanilla Ice "using" that famous bass line.
...you want me to reconsider rounding up from 8.5 to 9? hmmm......no....and damn...unedited typo in my original post...I'm going to LOOSE my mind
scrubbrush wrote:
Exactly !
One of those songs that i will never, ever get tired of.
Exactly !
One of those songs that i will never, ever get tired of.
This song is freighted with so much meaning when you consider the context and singers and time period and where we are now - still faced with the same issues.
Would love to hear
David Bowie — Under Pressure (without/ Queen)
David Bowie — Under Pressure (without/ Queen)
ubuntourist wrote:
Um, no, thank you.
So... Next, Billy Joel's "Pressure"? Not to "pressure" you...
Um, no, thank you.
lizardking wrote:
I'm at a 9, rounded up from 8.5, as it looses .5 because of Vanilla Ice "using" that famous bass line.
<gently>
But that wasn't the fault of either Bowie *or* Mercury; reconsider?
<gently>
But that wasn't the fault of either Bowie *or* Mercury; reconsider?
So... Next, Billy Joel's "Pressure"? Not to "pressure" you...
mlcarroll wrote:
Had to go with a 5. Love Queen, despise Bowie...
Interesting.....I think that you'll find the opposite is true with the average RP listener. I'm at a 9, rounded up from 8.5, as it looses .5 because of Vanilla Ice "using" that famous bass line.
About 12 years or so ago, just before she and I got together, my wife got to see Queen w/ Paul Rodgers. While "the Voice" is NOT Freddie Mercury, she was impressed with Paul's ability to match some of the vocal range of Mr. Mercury. I wonder if there's a good quality live version of that, or perhaps some studio recordings of Paul w/ Queen? PEACE & Long Live RP!!
agd3 wrote:
Maybe collaborate too...
This song always makes me stop and listen.
Maybe collaborate too...
This song always makes me stop and listen.
The version of this song where they stripped out just the vocal tracks is amazing. It will give you a completely new take on the lyrics and power of Bowie and Queen.
Fond of it only because I can still see Bowie/Lennox doing it, and the hero worship in her eyes.
The rehearsal
The rehearsal
Sunday morning, in a cold Beijing, this song, not heard for a very long time is exactly what I needed to get out of bed and start my day 😊🤓
Wonderful beings singing together
It's a ten !âš›
Wonderful beings singing together
It's a ten !âš›
Had to go with a 5. Love Queen, despise Bowie...
Still awesome.
Had to go with a 5, love Bowie, despise Queen.
Good song and performance, but OVERPLAYED!!!! 
kcar wrote:
I've heard this song so many times here and on FM that I'd welcome Vanilla Ice.
Careful what you wish for!
I've heard this song so many times here and on FM that I'd welcome Vanilla Ice.
Careful what you wish for!
pinto wrote:
Crap, I'm getting senile. I thought it WAS Ice, Ice Baby when it first came on.
I've heard this song so many times here and on FM that I'd welcome Vanilla Ice.
Crap, I'm getting senile. I thought it WAS Ice, Ice Baby when it first came on.
I've heard this song so many times here and on FM that I'd welcome Vanilla Ice.
Nothing but redeeming qualities.
pinto wrote:
Better here than North Korea
I bet you like to wander the cancer wards saying "Beats being dead, though!"
Better here than North Korea
I bet you like to wander the cancer wards saying "Beats being dead, though!"
boxofrain wrote:
Better here than North Korea
Perfect for this time in history here in America.
Better here than North Korea
Akazungu wrote:
Crap, I'm getting senile. I thought it WAS Ice, Ice Baby when it first came on.
Someday, just for fun, you should throw Vanilla Ice's "Ice, Ice Baby" at us, just to really mess up our day :).
Crap, I'm getting senile. I thought it WAS Ice, Ice Baby when it first came on.
Crazy, they are now both gone!
For your amusement:
https://youtu.be/a-1_9-z9rbY
https://youtu.be/a-1_9-z9rbY
David I miss you...
This song continues to grow on me over the years. Just bumped from 9-10.
Because of our days and times, I'm bumping this one. 8 > 9.
Heard two guys do a karaoke version of this last night in a little neighborhood beer joint. Fantastic!
Perfect for this time in history here in America.
Someday, just for fun, you should throw Vanilla Ice's "Ice, Ice Baby" at us, just to really mess up our day :).
Two of the finest
This song is TERRIBLE. Following "Pressure Drop" it is (almost) irresistible.
I like to think that there's a lot of happy folks up there, getting to watch David and Freddy sing this live.
RIP, you two magnificent artists. :,)
This is our last dance...
There's a video out here that has just the vocals for the song.
As you might imagine, it's amazing and nearly as good as the full version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMQb9LCNGxs
As you might imagine, it's amazing and nearly as good as the full version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMQb9LCNGxs
What a way to finish your week! Turn it up!
Skydog wrote:
Every F'ing way. And while he's at it, why not bring Freddie along for the ride.
Way cool.
..........damn man, how many ways did Bowie show us how F'ing cool he was
Every F'ing way. And while he's at it, why not bring Freddie along for the ride.
Way cool.
Mackmoney3000 wrote:
Well, it had been a year. Ok let's try this again…
RP SAFETY
IT HAS BEEN
14 DAYS
SINCE A BAD RIP OFF OF THIS SONG HAS BEEN MENTIONED.
Let's keep up the good work!!
It's been over a year since someone mentioned Vanilla Ice in the comments here. Good work everyone
Well, it had been a year. Ok let's try this again…
RP SAFETY
IT HAS BEEN
14 DAYS
SINCE A BAD RIP OFF OF THIS SONG HAS BEEN MENTIONED.
Let's keep up the good work!!
It's been over a year since someone mentioned Vanilla Ice in the comments here. Good work everyone
stevenw888 wrote:
Still? It's only been a couple of months. The man was a influence for decades.
Damnit David, I miss you still!
Still? It's only been a couple of months. The man was a influence for decades.
Damnit David, I miss you still!
...cause love's such an old fashioned, word and love dares you to care for the people on the edge (People on streets) of the night and love dares you to change our way of caring about ourselves...
1zwölff Punkte , viel spaß da obbe
..........damn man, how many ways did Bowie show us how F'ing cool he was
Two very thoughtful artists that will always be missed.
... as we all feel the pressure... with grief, and joy; for those gone before us, deep bows for all their beauty left here for us. 123K
Proclivities wrote:
That's pretty cool. Thanks.
Godspeed Mr. Bowie
That's pretty cool. Thanks.
Godspeed Mr. Bowie
hencini wrote:
That's pretty cool. Thanks.
I'll just leave this here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYXKaAzEJrk
Kermit the Frog content in link— you won't regret it... : )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYXKaAzEJrk
Kermit the Frog content in link— you won't regret it... : )
That's pretty cool. Thanks.
8 > 9.
CLASSIC. Of its time and ours. Great fuckin' tune.
CLASSIC. Of its time and ours. Great fuckin' tune.
Only a few songs leave one grinning with sincere appreciation every time..
LOVE....rock on DB 
smehan55 wrote:
Agree
Great song until Freddie starts caterwauling ... can't take the screeching.
Agree
Great song until Freddie starts caterwauling ... can't take the screeching.
Toots & The Maytals — Pressure Drop
David Bowie — Under Pressure
Is it a pressure set? No pressure.
David Bowie — Under Pressure
Is it a pressure set? No pressure.
hempmandan wrote:
Yep...
F%#@ing Perfect
Yep...
F%#@ing Perfect
These guys really knew how to put a song together!
scraig wrote:
It's the 'tiss' at the end that makes it different.
It's the 'tiss' at the end that makes it different.
scrubbrush wrote:
Hot Space, such an eighties album. :) Wasn't too fond of it. But this song is a masterpiece.
I had this song on "Queen's greatest hits" as a kid... who's album did this originally appear on?
Hot Space, such an eighties album. :) Wasn't too fond of it. But this song is a masterpiece.
Masterpiece
next......
lemmoth wrote:
Mmm ba ba beh
Mmm ba ba beh
Bee de dah
Ee deh da, that's okay! :)
Mmm num ba dah
Dum bum ba beh
Doo buh dum ba beh beh
Dum bum ba beh
Doo buh dum ba beh beh
Mmm ba ba beh
Mmm ba ba beh
Bee de dah
Ee deh da, that's okay! :)
Mmm num ba dah
Dum bum ba beh
Doo buh dum ba beh beh
Dum bum ba beh
Doo buh dum ba beh beh
yanet wrote:
Click the lyrics button
love this, their voices together are great and the rhythm is great
but i think the lyrics are incomprehensible (maybe just me, not smart enough? nah doubt it)
but i think the lyrics are incomprehensible (maybe just me, not smart enough? nah doubt it)
Click the lyrics button
scrubbrush wrote:
Nobody's regular studio album. A single that eventually showed up in compilations by both artists.
Love it by the way.
I had this song on "Queen's greatest hits" as a kid... who's album did this originally appear on?
Nobody's regular studio album. A single that eventually showed up in compilations by both artists.
Love it by the way.
Probably my favorite Bowie song. Evocative. I don't get tired of hearing it.
I had this song on "Queen's greatest hits" as a kid... who's album did this originally appear on?
I'll just leave this here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYXKaAzEJrk
Kermit the Frog content in link-- you won't regret it... : )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYXKaAzEJrk
Kermit the Frog content in link-- you won't regret it... : )
robertdi8 wrote:
Yup! David looks like a kid at junior prom when Annie starts to lay into him.
Love this song. David Bowie and Annie Lennox did the song live at the Freddy Mercury Tribute Concert (1992 I think). Absolutely amazing version, well worth a look on Youtube
Yup! David looks like a kid at junior prom when Annie starts to lay into him.
acupunk wrote:
Great movie. I went to elementary-> high school with a guy who looked a lot like the "Beemer Bobby" Destepello character, the guy who wants to fight John Cusack but winds up reading some poetry to him instead. My classmate Stan Kelleigh was more good-natured...closer to Ralph Wiggums from the Simpsons.
I think Bill must have watched "Grosse Point Blank" last night...
Great movie. I went to elementary-> high school with a guy who looked a lot like the "Beemer Bobby" Destepello character, the guy who wants to fight John Cusack but winds up reading some poetry to him instead. My classmate Stan Kelleigh was more good-natured...closer to Ralph Wiggums from the Simpsons.
Tedious and dated, the worst of both queen and bowie. They have some great stuff, and this isn't it 
If I was picking five stand-out songs from the last half of the 20th century, I think this one would make it. I've been working for two weeks straight on high pressure stuff, and am up on Saturday morning and at it again. Hearing "Pressure Drop" followed by this one couldn't have come at a better time. Thanks, Bill.
Absolute perfection, indeed. This song, Love Reign O'er Me, and Eleanor Rigby are my only "rated 10" songs on here.
Blow everyone's speakers and play Queen's, "Sheer Heart Attack".
i LOVE this song, synergy of two perfect performers... a wonderful rounded superlative 10 from me
Sorry, awful marriage...
love this, their voices together are great and the rhythm is great
but i think the lyrics are incomprehensible (maybe just me, not smart enough? nah doubt it)
but i think the lyrics are incomprehensible (maybe just me, not smart enough? nah doubt it)
https://www.dailymotion.com/vi...