Hear Legends David Bowie + Freddie Mercury Sing “Under Pressure” A Cappella

Hear Legends David Bowie + Freddie Mercury Sing “Under Pressure” A Cappella | Society Of Rock Videos

upsocl.com

“Under Pressure” Sessions, 1981

As the world mourns the loss of visionary music legend David Bowie, another visionary music legend comes to mind and with him, one of the greatest collaborations in rock history: Queen’s Freddie Mercury and the incredible chart topper “Under Pressure”. Recorded in 1981 and featured on Queen’s 1982 album Hot Space, “Under Pressure” featured the talents of both Freddie and David Bowie, who according to Queen guitarist Brian May was an integral part of the song’s birth as he lyrically took control of the recording sessions. More importantly, however, are the vocal performances delivered by Freddie and Bowie – as heard in this exclusive audio these men were an absolute force to be reckoned with vocally, second to none as they traded licks in the studio that day; moments of strength and power interwoven among moments of quiet vulnerability and something a little desperate at times are what make up the powerhouse team Bowie and Mercury made for “Under Pressure”.

Brian May Looks Back On Writing “Under Pressure”

“The procedure was each of us went into the vocal booth consecutively, without listening to each other, and, listening to the track, vocalised the first things that came into our heads, including any words which came to mind, working with the existing chord structure.”

Sadly, we’d never get to see them take the stage together – Queen ceased touring in 1986 and Freddie’s death came just a few short years later. This exclusive audio from the original “Under Pressure” recording session is absolutely fantastic in that it’s two of the greatest entertainers the world has ever seen as you’ve never heard them before – raw and at their most vulnerable, creating something meant to last several lifetimes.

+ Under Pressure lyrics +

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 people on streets

Bah bah bah bah bah bah

It’s the terror of knowing
What this world is about
Watching some good friends
Screaming let me out!
Pray tomorrow takes me higher
Pressure on people
People on streets

Do do do bah bah bah bah
O-kay
Chippin’ around
Kick my brains round the floor
These are the days
It never rains but it pours

People on streets
People on streets

It’s the terror of knowing
What this world is about
Watching some good friends
Screaming let me out!
Pray tomorrow takes me higher higher higher
Pressure on people
People on streets

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
Why why why?
Love love love love

Insanity laughs under pressure we’re cracking
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 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 under pressure
Under pressure
Pressure

Don’t Miss Out! Sign up for the Latest Updates

Premium Partners

Society of Rock partner World War Wings
Society of Rock partner Daily Rock Box
Society of Rock partner Country Music Nation
Society of Rock partner Country Rebel
Society of Rock partner I Love Classic Rock
Society of Rock partner Rock Pasta

Interested in becoming a partner?

Contact us for more info.