Xiu Xiu (pronounced "shoo shoo") is an American experimental group, formed … Read Full Bio ↴Xiu Xiu (pronounced "shoo shoo") is an American experimental group, formed in 2002 in San Jose, California by original members Jamie Stewart, Lauren Andrews, Yvonne Chen, and Cory McCulloch. Currently, the line-up consists of Jamie Stewart (the only constant member since formation) and Angela Seo. The group is based out of Los Angeles and New York.

Over the life of the band, their music has taken influence from noise, modern classical, dance, post-punk, minimalism, Asian percussion music, and American folk music. Frequently noted as well are the films of Todd Solondz, Shohei Imamura, David Lynch, and Seijun Suzuki and the books of Elfriede Jelinek, V.S, Naipaul, Yukio Mishima, and Ingeborg Bachmann.

Over both song concepts or music videos, the art of Xiu Xiu is often memorable to a newcomer by its divisive response. The music of Xiu Xiu has been noted for the lead singer's bleakness either contrasting or complementing the chaotic instrumentation, lyrics commonly including references to depression, suicide, family issues, militarized violence, abuse, sexual disaffection, and body dysmorphia. The band's public image has taken a similar tone, including the insertion of a poster into an LP sleeve (for the album "Dear God, I Hate Myself") of photographs of band-related cuts, brands, and tattoos sent by listeners. They have been critically divisive.

To date, they have released well over 50 titles including albums, 7inches, books, film works and dance pieces. They have collaborated with a number of artistic and musical luminaries such as Carla Bozulich, Michael Gira, Merzbow, Dahn Vo, Monika Gryzmala, Grouper, Larsen, These Arches, Deerhoof, John Congleton, Dirty Beaches, Oxbow, and Shearwater.

The name Xiu Xiu is taken from the film "Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl." They currently release albums on Bella Union and Polyvinyl Records.

Under Pressure
Xiu Xiu Lyrics

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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 some people on the streets

It's the terror of knowing what this world is about
Watching some good friends scream, “Let me out”
Pray tomorrow, gets me higher

Pressure on the people, people on the streets

Chipping around, kick my brains around the floor
These are the days it never rains but it pours
People on the streets, people on the streets

It's the terror of knowing what this world is about
Watching some good friends scream, “Let me out”
Pray tomorrow, gets me high, high, high

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

Insanity laughs, under pressure we're cracking
Why 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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Xiu Xiu's "Under Pressure" speak to the overwhelming feelings of anxiety and desperation that come with living in a world full of pressure. The opening lines describe the weight of the world bearing down on individuals, causing them great pain and struggle. It's a metaphor for the many difficulties and stresses that people experience in their daily lives. The following lines speak directly to the impact that this pressure has on families and individuals, causing them to be split apart and pushed into the streets. It's a powerful image that speaks to the difficulties faced by those who live on the fringes of society.

The chorus reveals the true terror of living in a world full of pressures. It is a call to action for people to hold onto hope and to stay strong in the face of adversity. The lyrics suggest that the future may be bleak, but it's important to keep pushing forward and to strive for better things. The second verse continues the themes of the first, with the singer expressing frustration and confusion over the unfairness of the world. The line "turned away from it all like a blind man" speaks to the sense of helplessness that people sometimes feel when confronted with the crushing weight of their problems.

Overall, Xiu Xiu's "Under Pressure" is a deeply emotional and evocative song that speaks to the real struggles that people face every day. It's a powerful reminder that we all need to keep pushing forward, no matter how difficult things get.

Line by Line Meaning

Pressure pushing down on me
The overwhelming stress of life is weighing down on me.

Pressing down on you, no man ask for
The same stress is affecting you despite not asking for it.

Under pressure that burns a building down
The stress and anxiety is so intense that it feels like it could destroy everything, including physical structures.

Splits a family in two, puts some people on the streets
The pressure is destructive enough to cause families to fall apart, and even leave some people homeless.

It's the terror of knowing what this world is about
Knowing the cold, harsh reality of the world can be terrifying.

Watching some good friends scream, “Let me out”
Witnessing the pain and suffering of loved ones can be unbearable.

Pray tomorrow, gets me higher
Hoping for a better future can be comforting and uplifting.

Pressure on the people, people on the streets
The pressures and failures of society can lead to homelessness and desperation.

Chipping around, kick my brains around the floor
Being mentally scattered and unfocused can feel like a physical blow.

These are the days it never rains but it pours
Sometimes, everything seems to go wrong at once.

People on the streets, people on the streets
The image of people living on the streets is a recurring symbol of the struggles of society.

Turned away from it all like a blind man
Ignoring the problems of the world can feel like ignorance and blindness.

Sat on a fence, but it don't work
Trying to maintain neutrality in the face of suffering is ineffective.

Keep coming up with love
Despite the difficulties, love is still an important motivator and force for good.

But it's so slashed and torn
Love has been damaged and corrupted by life's challenges.

Insanity laughs, under pressure we're cracking
The absurdity of life and its pressures can drive people to the brink of madness.

Why can't we give ourselves one more chance?
The hope that we can still make things better for ourselves and the world.

Why can't we give love that one more chance?
A plea to not give up on love and compassion in the face of adversity.

Give love, give love, give love, give love
Repeating the call to love and care for others.

'Cause love's such an old fashioned word
Despite being an old concept, love is still relevant and needed in the world.

And love dares you to care for the people
Love is a challenge to be empathetic and compassionate towards others, even in difficult circumstances.

On the edge of the night
This suggests a time of transition or change that could either be good or bad.

And love dares you to change our way
Another challenge, to change the way we live our lives and treat others.

Of caring about ourselves, this is our last dance
This could suggest that life is finite, and we have only one chance to make things right and show love to ourselves and others.

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

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