Under Pressure
Featuring Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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 our last dance
This is ourselves
Under pressure
Under pressure
Pressure
"Under Pressure" by Queen is a powerful song that delves into the ups and downs of life and how pressure affects individuals and society as a whole. The repetitive nonsense syllables in the opening lines ("Mm-noom-ba-deh, Doom-boom-ba-beh, Doo-boo-boom-ba-beh-beh") act as an abstract and rhythmic introduction, building up anticipation for what is to come.
The lyrics immediately address the theme of pressure, both external and internal. The pressure is depicted as something that pushes down on individuals ("Pressure pushin' down on me, Pressin' down on you, no man ask for"). It conveys the notion that pressure is an inevitable part of life, affecting everyone and not discriminating against anyone. The consequences of such pressure are explored further, depicting how it can cause buildings to collapse, break families apart, and force people onto the streets. The nonsensical syllables throughout the song emphasize the chaos and confusion that accompanies these situations.
The chorus emphasizes the emotional and psychological toll that pressure takes on individuals. It captures the terror of understanding the harsh realities of the world and witnessing the struggles of friends ("That's the terror of knowing what this world is about, Watchin' some good friends screamin', 'Let me out'"). Despite the hardships, there is a glimmer of hope expressed in the line "Pray tomorrow gets me higher," suggesting a longing for a better future.
The bridge discusses the various ways individuals cope with pressure. Some may try to distance themselves from it, turning a blind eye or sitting on the fence in denial ("Turned away from it all like a blind man, Sat on the fence but it don't work"). Others may attempt to find refuge in love, but even that can be difficult and often feels strained and torn apart. The repeated questioning of "Why, why, why?" reflects the frustration and confusion that arises from trying to make sense of the world.
The song concludes with a plea for change and compassion in society. It encourages giving love another chance and dares individuals to care for those on the fringes of society ("Why can't we give love that one more chance? Why can't we give love, give love, give love?"). Love is described as an old-fashioned word, suggesting that it requires rediscovery and a shift in perspective to truly make a difference. The repetition of "This is our last dance" emphasizes the urgency of the message, implying that it may be our final opportunity to address the pressure and find a way to overcome it.
Overall, "Under Pressure" is a deeply introspective and thought-provoking song that explores the universal experience of pressure, its effects on individuals and communities, and the need for love and understanding to triumph over adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Mm-noom-ba-deh
Making a nonsensical sound
Doom-boom-ba-beh
Creating a rhythmic and catchy beat
Doo-boo-boom-ba-beh-beh
Continuing the rhythmic beat with variations
Pressure pushin' down on me
Feeling overwhelmed by external forces
Pressin' down on you, no man ask for
Experiencing the weight of pressure that is beyond control
Under pressure that brings a building down
The intense pressure that can metaphorically destroy something stable
Splits a family in two, puts people on streets
Causing divisions and homelessness within a family or community
Mm-ba-ba-beh, mm-ba-ba-beh
Continuing the rhythmic beat with vocalization
Dee-day-da, ee-day-da
Adding playful syllables to the rhythm
That's okay
Accepting the challenging reality
That's the terror of knowing what this world is about
The fear that arises from understanding the harsh nature of the world
Watchin' some good friends screamin', "Let me out"
Witnessing friends who are desperately seeking freedom from their circumstances
Pray tomorrow gets me higher
Hoping for a better future
Pressure on people, people on streets
The burden of pressure affecting individuals and leading to homelessness
Chippin' around, kick my brains 'round the floor
Feeling mentally scattered and overwhelmed
These are the days it never rains but it pours
Experiencing a period where problems seem to escalate rapidly
Ee-doh-ba-buh, ee-da-ba-ba-bop
Continuing the rhythmic beat with vocalization
Mm-bo-bop, beh-lup
Adding playful sounds to the rhythm
People on streets, ee-da-dee-da-day
Emphasizing the presence of individuals struggling with homelessness
People on streets, ee-da-dee-da-dee-da-dee-da
Repeating the idea of people facing homelessness
Turned away from it all like a blind man
Avoiding or ignoring the problems and challenges, like someone who is unable to see
Sat on the fence but it don't work
Remaining neutral or undecided, but finding that it is ineffective
Keep comin' up with love but it's so slashed and torn
Continuously trying to share love, but seeing it damaged and destroyed
Why, why, why?
Expressing frustration and seeking answers
Love
The concept of love
Insanity laughs under pressure we're breaking
Feeling that in times of intense pressure, sanity is challenged
Can't we give ourselves one more chance?
Asking for another opportunity to create positive change
Why can't we give love that one more chance?
Questioning why love isn't given another chance to make a difference
Cause love's such an old-fashioned word
Exploring the perception that love may be seen as outdated or irrelevant
And love dares you to care for
Highlighting the challenging aspect of love, which requires genuine care
The people on the edge of the night
Expressing the importance of showing love and empathy to those in desperate situations
And love dares you to change our way of
Encouraging a transformation in the way individuals approach life
Caring about ourselves
Shifting the focus from self-centeredness to genuine concern for others
This is our last dance
Acknowledging that this is the final opportunity for change
Under pressure
Experiencing the weight and stress of external influences
Pressure
The intense force that impacts individuals and society
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David Bowie, John Richard Deacon, Brian Harold May, Freddie Mercury, Roger Meddows Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sanchezsebastian7
"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 ways of
Caring about ourselves
This is our last dance
This is our last dance
This is ourselves"
Literal chills man. Truer words have never been spoken before nor after.
@Readingwithalex42
[Verse 1: David Bowie]
Pressure pushing down on me
Pressing down on you
No man ask for
[Freddie Mercury]
Under pressure
That brings a building down
Splits a family in two
[David Bowie]
Puts people on streets
[Bridge: Freddie Mercury]
Um ba ba be
Um ba ba be
De day da
Ee day da - that's okay
[Verse 2: David Bowie]
It's the terror of knowing
What the world is about
Watching some good friends
Screaming
[Freddie Mercury]
'Let me out'
Pray tomorrow gets me higher
[David Bowie]
Pressure on people people on streets
[Verse 3: Freddie Mercury]
Day day de mm hm
Da da da ba ba
Okay
Chipping around - kick my brains around the floor
These are the days it never rains but it pours
Ee do ba be
Ee da ba ba ba
Um bo bo
Be lap
[David Bowie] People on streets
[Freddie Mercury] ee da de da de
[David Bowie] People on streets
[Freddie Mercury] ee da de da de da de da
[Verse 4: David Bowie]
It's the terror of knowing
What this world is about
Watching some good friends
Screaming
[Together] 'Let me out'
[Freddie Mercury]
Pray tomorrow - gets me higher
Higher
High
[David Bowie]
Pressure on people people on streets
[Freddie Mercury]
Turned away from it all like a blind man
Sat on a fence but it don't work
[Verse 5: David Bowie]
Keep coming up with love
But it's so slashed and torn
[Freddie Mercury]
Why - why - why?
[David Bowie]
Love love love love love
Insanity laughs under pressure we're breaking
[Verse 6: Freddie Mercury]
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 give love
[Verse 7: David Bowie]
Because love's such an old fashioned word
And love dares you to care for
The people on the (People on streets) edge of the night
And loves (People on streets) 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
@ao623
RIP
Freddie Mercury
David Bowie
Elvis Presley
Michael Jackson
Kurt Cobain
Aretha Franklin
John Lennon
George Harrison
Bob Marley
Frank Sinatra
Prince Nelson
Whitney Houston
John Denver
John Bonham
Louis Armstrong
George Michael
Maurice Gibb
Robin Gibb
Andy Gibb
Johnny Cash
Karen Carpenter
Tupac Shakur
Christopher Wallace
They are the legends that we always love.
Edit: RIP to recent death singers, Kenny Rogers and Bill Withers.
@ermiasdeangeli3191
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
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 the streets
Chipping around
kick my brains on the floor
These are the days
It never rains but it pours
People on streets
People on streets
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 the 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
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
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 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
@brontox098
"I used to think the worst thing in life was to end up all alone. It's not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel all alone." - Robin Williams
@yepimfresh
brontox095 no worst thing is to die alone
@Aggie1295
@@yepimfresh We all die alone
@yepimfresh
Thomas Reed I mean with no loved ones there next to you before you go
@ducklips5497
YepImFresh he’s saying a line that a person said dumbass
@gregsander8439
@@yepimfresh lol
@badakputraprasetyo9234
R.I.P Freddie Mercury
R.I.P David Bowie
R.I.P Vanilla Ice's career
@justaguy6415
Rip Eddie Van Halen
@pablomarin2232
Rip Chester Bennington
@RMT0615
R.I.P the taco of the free taco guy
Also R.I.P this joke