Under Pressure
Shawn Mendes Lyrics

Mmm num ba de
The song begins with a nonsensical phrase that sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics.

Pressure pushing down on me
The weight of the world is bearing down on the singer, causing stress and anxiety.

Pressing down on you, no man ask for
The pressure is not selective, it is felt by everyone, regardless of whether or not they asked for it.

Under pressure that burns a building down
The pressure can be so intense that it causes destruction and chaos, like a literal building burning down.

Splits a family in two
The pressure can also create conflict and division between loved ones, literally tearing families apart.

Puts people on streets
The pressure can cause people to lose their jobs or homes, leading to homelessness.

It's the terror of knowing what this world is about
The singer is overwhelmed by the realization of the challenges and hardships that come with living in the world.

Watching some good friends screaming, 'Let me out'
The artist is witnessing the psychological toll that the pressure is taking on their loved ones, causing them to feel trapped and desperate.

Pray tomorrow gets me higher
The artist is looking for a reprieve from the pressure, hoping that the future holds something better.

Pressure on people, people on streets
The pressure has a domino effect, with those affected by it causing additional problems for others.

Chipping around, kick my brains around the floor
The singer is struggling mentally, trying to work through the pressure but feeling as though they are only making things worse.

These are the days it never rains but it pours
The pressure feels unrelenting, with the artist constantly facing additional challenges and stressors.

Turned away from it all like a blind man
The singer is trying to ignore the pressure, but realizes that such avoidance is not effective or sustainable.

Sat on a fence but it don't work
The singer is trying to maintain a neutral stance, but this approach is not effective in dealing with the pressure.

Keep coming up with love but it's so slashed and torn
The singer is trying to combat the pressure with love and positivity, but these efforts are often thwarted or unappreciated.

Why, why, why? (Love, love, love, love, love)
The artist cannot understand why these efforts are not working, and is frustrated that they cannot make a difference.

Insanity laughs under pressure we're breaking
The pressure is causing the artist to feel like they are losing their mind, and that they are reaching a breaking point.

Can't we give ourselves one more chance?
The singer wants to believe that there is still hope, and is asking for an opportunity to try again.

Why can't we give love that one more chance?
The singer believes that love is the key to overcoming the pressure, and is asking for another chance to show this.

Give love, give love, give love, give love
The artist is emphasizing the importance of spreading love and positivity in order to counteract the negativity caused by the pressure.

'Cause love's such an old fashioned word
The artist acknowledges that love may be viewed as outdated or overused, but still sees its value and importance.

And love dares us to care for
The artist believes that love motivates and challenges individuals to care for others and make a positive difference in the world.

The people on the edge of the night
The singer is referring to individuals who are struggling or in need, and who may feel hopeless or forgotten.

And love dares you to change our way of
The artist believes that love challenges individuals to break with negative or harmful patterns of behavior, and to make positive changes in their own lives and in the world around them.

Caring about ourselves
The singer sees the importance of self-care and self-love as a means of building resilience and facing the pressures of life.

This is our last dance
The singer is acknowledging the finality of life and the fact that we must make the most of the time we have.

This is ourselves under pressure
The singer is reminding us that we are all facing pressure in some form, and that we must support and care for one another as we navigate life's challenges.

Under pressure
The chorus repeats the title of the song, emphasizing the theme of pressure and its pervasive influence on our lives.