Under Pressure
F.Mercury and D.Bowie Lyrics

Mm ba ba de
The song begins with non-lexical vocables to create a rhythm and establish the song's mood.

Um bum ba de
The use of non-lexical vocables continues to establish the rhythm of the song.

Um bu bu bum da de
The rhythm of the song is further established with the repetition of non-lexical vocables.

Pressure pushing down on me
The pressure of life is bearing down on the artist and causing stress and anxiety.

Pressing down on you no man ask for
The pressure of life is also pressing down on others, even when they do not want it.

Under pressure that brings a building down
The intense pressure of life can cause a building to collapse, which is a metaphor for the destructive effects of too much pressure in life.

Splits a family in two
The pressure of life can cause families to break apart and become divided.

Puts people on streets
The pressure of life can cause people to become homeless and live on the streets.

Um ba ba be
Non-lexical vocables are used again to establish the rhythm and mood of the song.

De day da
Non-lexical vocables are used again to continue the rhythm of the song.

Ee day da, that's okay
Even though life can be difficult and bring a lot of pressure, it's okay to keep going and face the challenges head-on.

It's the terror of knowing
The real terror in life comes from knowing what the world is really like and how it can be overwhelming.

What the world is about
The world can be chaotic and unpredictable, which can create feelings of anxiety and stress.

Watching some good friends
The singer is observing their friends as they struggle with life's pressures.

Screaming 'Let me out'
Life can become suffocating, and the pressure can feel like a prison, leading people to utter cries of desperation.

Pray tomorrow gets me higher
The artist is praying that tomorrow will bring some relief from the pressure and anxiety of today.

Pressure on people people on streets
The pressure of life affects everyone, pushing some people to the brink and causing them to end up on the streets.

Day day de mm hm
More non-lexical vocables are used to establish a rhythm and add emphasis to the song's message.

Da da da ba ba
The use of non-lexical vocables continues to establish the rhythm and mood of the song.

Chippin' around - kick my brains around the floor
The artist feels like their mind is in chaos, constantly being battered around by life's pressures.

These are the days it never rains but it pours
When life is tough, everything seems to go wrong at once, making it feel like an endless storm without any breaks in between.

Ee do ba be
More non-lexical vocables are used to establish a rhythm and add emphasis to the song's message.

Um bo bo
Non-lexical vocables are used again to establish the rhythm and add emphasis to the song's message.

Be lap
More non-lexical vocables are used to establish the rhythm and mood of the song.

People on streets - ee da de da de
The image of people living on the streets is repeated, highlighting how societal pressures can push people to their limits.

People on streets - ee da de da de da de da
The use of non-lexical vocables helps to reinforce the rhythm and message of the song, emphasizing the plight of those who are pushed to the streets.

Turned away from it all like a blind man
Sometimes life's pressures can cause people to turn away from the world like a blind person, as if they are unable to see or cope with reality.

Sat on a fence but it don't work
Sitting on the fence or trying to remain neutral is not a viable solution to life's pressures, as it does not help to alleviate them.

Keep coming up with love but it's so slashed and torn
The idea of love and care is often suggested as a solution to life's pressures, but it is difficult to maintain in reality.

Why why why?
The singer is questioning why life is so difficult and what can be done to ease the burden of pressure.

Love love love love love
The repetition of the word love highlights how it is a powerful force, but it is often difficult to maintain or uphold when life's pressures become too great.

Insanity laughs under pressure we're breaking
The pressure of life can cause people to feel like they are losing their sanity, and sometimes they cannot cope with the constant pressure.

Can't we give ourselves one more chance
The artist is pleading for people to give themselves one more chance to overcome life's pressures and challenges.

Why can't we give love that one more chance
The artist is questioning why love cannot be given one more chance to help ease the burden of life's pressures.

Give love give love give love give love
The repetition of this line emphasizes how love is a powerful force that can help overcome many of life's pressures if given a chance.

'Cause love's such an old-fashioned word
The word love may seem outdated or old-fashioned, but it is still a powerful force that can help alleviate many of life's hardships.

And love dares you to care for
Love challenges people to care for one another, even in the face of life's pressures and challenges.

The people on the (People on streets) edge of the night
The people on the edge of the night are those who are most vulnerable and in need of care and attention, even in the midst of life's pressures.

And loves (People on streets) dares you to change our way of
Love challenges people to change their way of life, to care for one another, and to work together in the face of life's pressures.

Caring about ourselves
The artist emphasizes the importance of caring for oneself, even in the midst of caring for others and facing life's pressures.

This is our last dance
The song is coming to an end, emphasizing that life is fleeting and we must make the most of the time we have.

This is ourselves
The singer is emphasizing the importance of taking control of our own lives, even in the face of life's pressures and challenges.

Under pressure
The repetition of the song's title emphasizes the message of the song - that life can be incredibly difficult and intense pressure can bear down on individuals and societies alike.

Pressure
The song ends with a final repetition of the word 'pressure,' emphasizing the song's message and the challenges that people face every day.