Under Pressure
Michael Gira & Xiu Xiu Lyrics

Pressure pushing down on me
The overwhelming stress and expectations of society is weighing heavily on me.

Pressing down on you, no man ask for
The pressure is also affecting those around me, regardless of whether they asked for it or not.

Under pressure that burns a building down
The stress and anxiety caused by pressure can lead to destructive behavior and actions.

Splits a family in two, puts some people on the streets
The negative effects of pressure are felt by entire families and communities, often leaving them fractured and homeless.

It's the terror of knowing what this world is about
The fear of understanding the true nature of the world and the difficult challenges that come with it can be paralyzing and anxiety-inducing.

Watching some good friends scream, “Let me out”
Witnessing the suffering and emotional turmoil of close friends can be overwhelming and traumatic.

Pray tomorrow, gets me higher
Hoping for a better future can provide motivation and comfort during difficult times, but it can also be a way of escaping the present reality.

Pressure on the people, people on the streets
Society is often characterized by a struggle for power and resources, which leaves many vulnerable and without a home on the streets.

Chipping around, kick my brains around the floor
Trying to make sense of the world and the challenges it presents can feel like an exhausting and futile exercise.

These are the days it never rains but it pours
Life can often feel like a series of endless challenges and hardships, with one problem after another piling up.

It's the terror of knowing what this world is about
The song returns to the theme of fear and anxiety about the unpredictability and harsh realities of the world.

Watching some good friends scream, “Let me out”
Repeating this line emphasizes the trauma of seeing friends and loved ones in distress.

Pray tomorrow, gets me high, high, high
The repetition of this line hints at the cyclical nature of hope and anxiety, with one leading to the other and back again.

Turned away from it all like a blind man
Sometimes it can feel like the best way to deal with the stress and anxiety of the world is to simply shut it all out and become oblivious.

Sat on a fence, but it don't work
Attempts to remain neutral and unaffected by the problems and pressures of the world are ultimately futile and unsustainable.

Keep coming up with love
Despite the challenges, it's important to continue to approach the world with a sense of empathy and love for ourselves and others.

But it's so slashed and torn
The difficulties of life can take a toll on even the best intentions and make it difficult to maintain a sense of love and unity.

Insanity laughs, under pressure we're cracking
The pressure to succeed and survive in the world can lead to mental health issues and breakdowns, as well as a sense of chaos and confusion.

Why can't we give ourselves one more chance?
Despite the overwhelming challenges, there is still a sense of hope and optimism that we can try again to overcome our difficulties.

Why can't we give love that one more chance?
This line echoes the previous one, emphasizing the importance of love and empathy as a way to cope with the harshness of the world.

Why can't we give love, give love, give love, give love
Repeating this line emphasizes the urgency and necessity of coming together to create a more loving and supportive world.

'Cause love's such an old fashioned word
This line acknowledges the outdated and cliched nature of the concept of love, while also recognizing its continued importance and power.

And love dares you to care for the people
Love challenges us to look beyond ourselves and to care for others, particularly those who are struggling and marginalized.

On the edge of the night
This line suggests a sense of foreboding and uncertainty, but also the possibility of hope and change on the horizon.

And love dares you to change our way
Love challenges us to rethink our priorities and values, and to consider new ways of living and interacting with the world.

Of caring about ourselves, this is our last dance
The song concludes with a call to action, to prioritize love and empathy and to make the most of our time in the world, recognizing that it may be our last chance to do so.