Under Pressure
Keane & RDM Lyrics

Mm ba ba de
The song begins with a nonsensical utterance, possibly indicating the sense of losing control or being overwhelmed.

Um bum ba de
Another nonsensical phrase follows, seemingly building up the overwhelming feeling.

Um bu bu bum da de
The chaotic feeling is heightened by another meaningless phrase.

Pressure pushing down on me
The title of the song is introduced, as pressure is exerting its full force on the singer and potentially making them feel suffocated.

Pressing down on you no man ask for
The pressure is not only affecting the singer but also everyone else, possibly indicating that this is not something that anyone would want or seek.

Under pressure - that burns a building down
The consequences of such pressure are dire and can result in the destruction of things that people value, like buildings and houses.

Splits a family in two
Further consequences of pressure are explored, illustrating how it can cause a rupture in familial relationships and potentially lead to isolation and loneliness.

Puts people on streets
The destructive effect of pressure can also result in people losing their homes and becoming homeless, highlighting the devastating impact it can have.

Um ba ba be
The song returns to a seemingly nonsensical phrase, possibly signifying a temporary bit of relief from the pressure.

De day da
Another meaningless phrase follows, transitioning into a more reflective tone.

Ee day da - that's o.k.
Even though pressure can be overwhelming, the singer seems to find comfort in the fact that it's okay to not be okay sometimes.

It's the terror of knowing
The song shifts back to the negative effects of pressure, emphasizing how knowing the potential consequences can cause fear and anxiety.

What this world is about
The source of this pressure can come from societal expectations or norms that people face in their daily lives.

Watching some good friends
The singer reflects on seeing others struggle from the effects of pressure, which can cause feelings of helplessness and despair.

Screaming 'Let me out'
The desperation of those feeling the pressure is made clear, as they feel trapped and unable to escape from its pull.

Pray tomorrow - gets me higher
Despite the fear and anxiety, the singer finds solace in the hope that tomorrow will bring a better day, possibly lifting their spirits higher.

Pressure on people - people on streets
The repetition of this line emphasizes the cyclical nature of pressure and its consequences, with one affecting the other in a perpetual cycle.

Day day de mm hm
A nonsensical phrase follows once more, possibly offering another temporary distraction from reality.

Da da da ba ba
The nonsense continues, leading into a more chaotic and frenzied tone.

O.k.
The song briefly pauses with a simple affirmation, signifying that things might not be truly okay but perhaps there's a hope that they could be.

Chippin' around - kick my brains around the floor
The singer reflects on feeling disoriented and lost, with their thoughts and emotions scattered in different directions.

These are the days it never rains but it pours
The use of a common idiom emphasizes how sometimes everything seems to go wrong at once, leaving one feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope.

Ee do ba be
The nonsense returns, possibly suggesting that all the real words in the song still cannot fully convey the overwhelming feeling of pressure.

Ee da ba ba ba
Another nonsensical phrase follows, emphasizing the chaotic and frenzied tone of this section of the song.

Um bo bo
A final meaningless phrase ends this chaotic section, transitioning into a more contemplative tone once more.

Be lap
A final nonsensical syllable is added, possibly indicating the sense of things coming to an end or the final push of pressure.

People on streets - ee da de da de
The repetition of this line emphasizes how pressure can result in people losing their homes and becoming homeless, highlighting the devastating impact it can have.

People on streets - ee da de da de da de da
The repetition continues, with the addition of more nonsensical syllables possibly signifying the overwhelming feeling that those affected by pressure face.

It's the terror of knowing
The song revisits the fear and anxiety that come with knowing the potential consequences of pressure.

What this world is about
The societal and cultural expectations that make people feel pressure are explored once more, highlighting their all-encompassing nature.

Watching some good friends
The singer once again reflects on the suffering of others from the effects of pressure, emphasizing the pervasive and damaging nature of it.

Screaming 'Let me out'
The desperation and feeling of being trapped resurface, further emphasizing the devastating effects of pressure.

Pray tomorrow - gets me higher high high
The hope for a better day is revisited, with the addition of the repetition emphasizing the longing for relief from the weight of pressure.

Pressure on people - people on streets
The cyclical nature of pressure and its consequences is repeated once more, possibly indicating the futility of trying to break the cycle.

Turned away from it all like a blind man
The singer describes turning away from the pressure and its consequences, shutting themselves off from it in a way that's reminiscent of a blind person.

Sat on a fence but it don't work
The attempts at avoiding the pressure and its consequences don't seem to be working, further emphasizing the pervasiveness of it.

Keep coming up with love
Despite the hopelessness of the situation, the singer seems to keep trying and reaching for love as a way of coping and overcoming the pressure.

but it's so slashed and torn
The love that the singer is trying to hold onto is described as being damaged and torn, suggesting that it's difficult to maintain in the face of pressure.

Why - why - why?
The singer repeats 'why' three times, indicating the frustration and confusion that comes with struggling against pressure and its consequences.

Love love love love love
The repetition of 'love' five times suggests that despite the difficulties, love remains an important and powerful force that can help combat pressure.

Insanity laughs under pressure we're cracking
The pressure and its consequences are taking a toll on the singer's mental and emotional health, with the use of 'insanity' suggesting the disorienting and destabilizing nature of it all.

Can't we give ourselves one more chance
The singer poses a question, asking if it's possible to try once more to overcome the pressure and the damage it's caused.

Why can't we give love that one more chance
The repetition of 'why' signifies the frustration and confusion around why love cannot be given another chance to help combat the pressure.

Why can't we give love give love give love give love give love give love give love give love give love
The repetition emphasizes the singer's plea for love to be given a chance, suggesting that it's the only way to overcome the damaging effects of pressure.

'Cause love's such an old fashioned word
The use of 'old fashioned' emphasizes the enduring nature of love as a means of overcoming struggle and adversity, even in the face of pressure.

And love dares you to care for
Love is described as an action that requires courage and vulnerability, emphasizing the strength and power it has to help overcome the damaging effects of pressure.

The people on the edge of the night
The use of this phrase is evocative of those who are most vulnerable and struggling in the face of pressure, emphasizing the importance of caring for and supporting them.

And love dares you to change our way of
Love is described as a force that can help change the way we look at and deal with the damaging effects of pressure, emphasizing its transformative power.

Caring about ourselves
The song ends with a focus on the importance of caring for ourselves, potentially suggesting that self-love and self-care can help combat the pervasive effects of pressure.

This is our last dance
The repetition of this phrase suggests that this is the last chance to overcome the pressure and its effects, emphasizing the importance of seizing the moment.

Under pressure
The song ends where it began, with the repetition of the title emphasizing that pressure remains a pervasive and damaging force that requires diligence and care to overcome.

Pressure
The final repetition of 'pressure' emphasizes the overwhelming and pervasive nature of this force, perhaps suggesting that it will remain a constant struggle in our lives.