Vocalist Rob Birch and DJ)/producer Nick Hallam founded their Gee Street recording studio and record label with money they were given to leave their London flat and, dispensing with using a backing band, travelled to early gigs on public transport.
They recorded their debut album, 33-45-78 in 1989 on a shoestring budget, with DJ Cesare, drummer Owen If and backing vocalist Cath Coffey. In 1990, "Elevate My Mind" became first British hip hop single to reach the United States R&B record chart. However, in the emerging UK alternative dance scene, it took an alliance with the Jungle Brothers to ensure chart success for Supernatural. Remix work for U2, PM Dawn, Queen Latifah, The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, Monie Love and Electronic followed.
Their live band included singers Andrea Bedassie and Verona Davis, and they were one of the few hip hop acts to play at rock music festivals at the time. Stereo MCs' mainstream breakthrough came in 1992 with the album Connected, which contained the hit singles "Connected", "Step It Up", "Creation", and "Ground Level", and also won them the BRIT Awards for Best Group and Best Album.
The follow-up to Connected did not appear for almost a decade. Further remix duties for Madonna and the Jungle Brothers in 1998 kept the Stereo MCs' name in the limelight. Madonna went on to use the Stereo MCs remix of "Frozen" as the basis of the live arrangement of the song on her 2001 Drowned World Tour.
2001 saw the release of Deep Down & Dirty, followed by a tour including slots opening for the recently re-united Jane's Addiction. Their sixth studio album, Double Bubble, was released in July 2008, followed by their seventh album, Emperor's Nightingale, in August 2011.
Pressure
Stereo MC's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then keep your mouth shut out the way
You'll get no flattery
If you know the time of day
Then why'd you let yourself go gray
You need a battery
As the watchdog waits to pounce
But he ain't smart as me
With the Bible on his lips
And a pistol on each hip
But he ain't blindin' me
So just remember
Don't believe all you see
Things aren't always how they're meant to be
Some come as villain, dressed as virtue
But all they really wanna do is hurt you
And that's reality
Gotta keep it up, keep it up
Keep up the pressure
We gotta keep it up, keep it up
Keep up the pressure
We gotta keep it up, keep it up
Keep up the pressure
We're gonna keep it up, keep it up
Keep up the pressure
So when it feels like a sit 'n' slide
I treat each day as a brand new ride
Let it all come down on me
You could be north, you could be east
You could be beauty, you could be beast
It don't mean a thing to me
You could be movin', you could be still
As long as it's of your own free will
Don't be a target, see
Well save our souls, Saints preserve us
Hold on tight now, but don't get nervous
Bring it on quick before the light fade
There live a lover, comin' out the shade
At first you act like you don't know me
And all you seem to care about is mourning
And every day it seem to get harder
I don't know how we're gonna reach it farther
Gotta keep it up, keep it up
Keep up the pressure
We gotta keep it up, keep it up
Keep up the pressure
We gotta keep it up, keep it up
Keep up the pressure
We're gonna keep it up, keep it up
Keep up the pressure
Don't tell me what to do
Don't tell me how to live my life
I won't respond to you
You may have my rank, have my file
But I'll resist you like the Nile
Don't matter what you do
Gonna keep it up
Gotta keep it up
Keep up the pressure
The song "Pressure" by Stereo MC's is a call for people to remain resilient in the midst of adversity. The lyrics speak to the idea that life can be difficult, and there will always be people who try to bring you down. However, the message of the song is to keep pressing on, regardless of how hard the pressure becomes. The song begins with the advice to keep one's mouth shut if they do not have anything positive to say, and to keep moving forward despite any obstacles that come your way. The lyrics also touch on the theme of not believing everything you see, as people can appear to be virtuous when, in reality, they seek to hurt you. The chorus repeats the message that one must keep up the pressure, even when times get tough.
The song uses a variety of metaphors to convey its message. For example, the line "You need a battery" is a metaphor for the idea that people need energy to keep going. The line "Let it all come down on me" is a metaphor for the idea that people sometimes need to take on challenges head-on to overcome them. The line "Don't matter what you do" reinforces the theme of resilience, suggesting that no matter what anyone else does or says, one must remain steadfast in their pursuit of success.
Overall, the song "Pressure" is a reminder that life can be challenging, but with perseverance and determination, anything is possible. The lyrics encourage listeners to stay true to themselves, and to never let others bring them down.
Line by Line Meaning
If you don't know what to say
Then keep your mouth shut out the way
You'll get no flattery
If you have nothing wise to say, it's better to be silent as it saves you from receiving unwarranted compliments.
If you know the time of day
Then why'd you let yourself go gray
You need a battery
If you understand the current state of things, don't let yourself falter, instead recharge yourself to keep going strong.
'Cause every moment counts
As the watchdog waits to pounce
But he ain't smart as me
In every moment, you need to stay alert, because danger lurks nearby, but you can overcome it with your wit.
With the Bible on his lips
And a pistol on each hip
But he ain't blindin' me
People may portray themselves as righteous and powerful, but it doesn't deter me from seeing the truth.
So just remember
Don't believe all you see
Things aren't always how they're meant to be
Some come as villain, dressed as virtue
But all they really wanna do is hurt you
And that's reality
Remember to question everything and everyone, as things may not be as they appear. Sometimes evil disguises itself as good and hurts us in the end.
Gotta keep it up, keep it up
Keep up the pressure
We gotta keep it up, keep it up
Keep up the pressure
We gotta keep it up, keep it up
Keep up the pressure
We're gonna keep it up, keep it up
Keep up the pressure
We need to keep pursuing our goals and ideals relentlessly, so that we don't falter under pressure.
So when it feels like a sit 'n' slide
I treat each day as a brand new ride
Let it all come down on me
When life feels like a rollercoaster, I just embrace each day with renewed expectations and take on everything.
You could be north, you could be east
You could be beauty, you could be beast
It don't mean a thing to me
Your location and appearance may not matter to me, but your character does.
You could be movin', you could be still
As long as it's of your own free will
Don't be a target, see
Your movement doesn't determine whether you're a target or not, as long as it's based on your own decisions.
Well save our souls, Saints preserve us
Hold on tight now, but don't get nervous
Bring it on quick before the light fade
There live a lover, comin' out the shade
We need salvation and better things to come our way, we must hold on tight and remain steadfast in the face of adversity before all hope fades away. I expect a lover to come out and bring light and happiness.
At first you act like you don't know me
And all you seem to care about is mourning
And every day it seem to get harder
I don't know how we're gonna reach it farther
At first, you pretended to not know me, and all you're focused on is sorrow. It's getting harder every day, and I'm not sure how we'll make it through.
Don't tell me what to do
Don't tell me how to live my life
I won't respond to you
I won't allow anyone to control or manipulate me, I can make my own decisions and live the way I want.
You may have my rank, have my file
But I'll resist you like the Nile
Don't matter what you do
Gonna keep it up
Gotta keep it up
Keep up the pressure
You may have power over me, but I'll resist you strongly like the Nile. No matter your actions, I'll keep pursuing my goals and never give up.
Contributed by Thomas C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.