Queen, Under Pressure - A Classical Musician’s First Listen and Reaction

[@LeeKennison]

Thanks Amy. I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. Like "Another One Bites the Dust" this one has a very prominent bassline as the hook that many aspiring bass players learn early on. I don't think you initially realized it was two different voices exchanging lead vocals, with Bowie singing in the lower registers. It wasn't Freddie using a more baritone voice. Later on in the video you do realize it is Bowie. If you would have heard one of Bowie's other well known songs I think you would have noticed the second lower voice as Bowie early on. When you heard Bowie singing in "Warszawa" you were not hearing Bowie in his more signature voice. Great reaction, and words on collaborations at the end.

[@annatraustadottir4387]

Yes, Bowie's singing style in Warszawa is based on a polish folk song he was impressed by.

[@lynby6231]

Where’s Queen 1&2?

[@lynby6231]

Where’s Queen 1&2? (Father to Son, March of the Black Queen, Fairy feller’s master stoke, Liar, My fairy Queen?

[@LeeKennison]

@@annatraustadottir4387 Yeah, many opportunities for Amy to hear some great Bowie songs that he sings in one of his more signature styles. Hopefully they will do a David Bowie Special Weekend sometime in the future, in order for Amy to get exposed to a few of his well known songs. He was a significant enough artist to warrant a Special Weekend. Of course there are still a lot of other significant artists for Amy to devote Special Weekends to, Bowie among them.

[@konradtomala3580]

@@lynby6231 Unfortunately Vlad missed some of the best music they recorded and, instead of this, included 6 (sic!) songs from The Game album which is one the least ambitious they recorded (commercially successful though).

[@annatraustadottir4387]

Bowie is also singing here, and that's the reason the voice you hear, at times, sounds unlike Freddie, simply another singer. David Bowie has very recognizable voice, sounds like no one else.

[@mightyV444]

Yes, I actually kept asking myself throughout the video if Amy wasn't realising that Bowie himself was singing in this song, too! 😅

[@morganlewis2667]

@@mightyV444 Yeah, with all due respect she doesn't have such an ear or appreciation for voice, vocals and lyrics. But with her background it's understandable maybe.

[@lk-music]

27:14 "And this is not Freddy singing"

[@mightyV444]

@@lk-music - Thank you for pointing this out! It must've gone past me as the music's quite loud over her voice there 🙂

[@javiervelasco3921]

Yep, afaik she's not heard Bowie sing yet elsewhere. Just an instrumental with Eno.

[@Jontor11]

David Bowie is another rabbithole to fall into. His 70s collection is magnificent.

[@grahamokeefe9406]

"It's the terror of knowing what this world is about" is a line that rings truer and truer as I age.

[@coffeegator6033]

One of the best endings in music lyrics history to me: "'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 ourselves Under pressure"

[@shack_SI]

"The song is highly rhythmic but not percussive." Super interesting insight into a song I have heard a million times and that I had never really thought about. Why I watch this channel. 😀

[@joyceharkin3641]

Forged from the fire of two massive egos battling together (Freddie and David). Created a masterpiece!

[@richlisola1]

Oh the rest of Queen had bigger egos than Freddie. John Deacon and Brian in particular. But according to Brian, they had to relent a bit to David Bowie on this one. He out egoed them.

[@joyceharkin3641]

@@richlisola1 I read that the biggest disagreements were at the mixing stage and it was Brian and David who were butting heads!!

[@cutthr0atjake]

​@@joyceharkin3641I've not heard that, but I can easily believe it! 😁

[@tmage23]

You should really start exploring Bowie now. I think you'd enjoy something like "'Heroes'" for its complicated production.

[@mightyV444]

A big "YES!" from me! 😀👍 Also because that's my favourite song of his! 😊

[@41Forethought]

...or Space Oddity or Starman or Life on Mars (perhaps Bowie's best vocal performance) or Young Americans or Rebel Rebel or Heroes or... 😉

[@dmaguire2453]

Station to Station would be amazing

[@rjlchristie]

To do Bowie's catalogue full justice is going to be a hell of a big project. It'll dwarf Queen.

[@mana3735]

NOT the live version of Heroes, though. It HAS to be the original album version.

[@jaumepiquebernaus1853]

Dying for more Bowie !!! Hundrets of greats and quality hits and productions , master of changes , fantàstic diferents voices. THE ARTIST !!!!

[@jenscee7679]

Get more Bowie. You’ll never know how wide his music is just after listening to this and Warszawa.

[@jaumepiquebernaus1853]

Yessssss please !!!!!

[@jaumepiquebernaus1853]

From The rise and fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars till Black Star !!! Are Fastination from t'he man who fell to Earth !! R.I.P Starman will bright for ever ❤

[@patmcgroin6916]

Space Oddity. For starts...

[@rjlchristie]

@@jaumepiquebernaus1853 F Nope, start with Space Oddity, starting at Spiders leaves out three earlier seminal albums, but he material prior to Space Oddity isn't worth any/much consideration.

[@jaumepiquebernaus1853]

@@rjlchristie The world of David Bowie

[@shilohauraable]

I remember Bowie as Ziggy. Then, the 1st time I realized that he really had an absolutely BEAUTIFUL voice was when he sang the Christmas duet with crooner Bing Crosby! I never lost appreciation for his talent after that! ❤

[@ellet6560]

Queen added Under Pressure to their live shows but Bowie didn't perform it live until 1992 at Freddie's tribute concert (with Annie Lennox).

[@mori1bund]

Interestingly Bowie then added it to his live shows in all his following tours from 1995 on. Probably because 1995 he got a new bassist, Gail Ann Dorsey, who's also an excellent singer, so she could sing Freddie's parts in a duet and she really could do them justice.

[@DavidLindes]

@@mori1bund nice! I'll have to go look for recordings of that. :) (I just watched the Lennox one... good stuff.)

[@mori1bund]

@@DavidLindes KZbin doesn't allow me posting a link, but copy "David Bowie & Gail Ann Dorsey - Under Pressure | Live in Dublin - A Reality Tour 2003" into the KZbin search. That one is an excellent live version and imho even better than the fabulous Annie Lennox duet.

[@DavidLindes]

@@mori1bund Thanks! About to watch. And just as an FYI, while full links can't always be copied, one can often copy the video id -- in this case v=U_h_qKX8dwY .... listening now... yeah, this is good stuff; thanks so much!

[@mori1bund]

@@DavidLindes oh yeah, I didn't think about the video id 😅 thanks for the tip.

[@davidskidmore4189]

Amazing tune. I have deeply loved that song since it came out, and hearing it as an older man now will move me to the point of my eyes welling up with tears. As another act said, in a different field: Corinthians 13-2 And though I have the gift of prophesy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith,so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. I think that song says the same thing. Beautiful.

[@altabox1]

My favourite song of all time. Also the Live at Wembley concert version. Thank you!

[@kendallneason3645]

Another genius compilation with Mr. Stardust himself- David Bowie. It features another iconic bass hook from Deacon and a sing-off that turns into a foot stomping duet between Freddie Mercury and David Bowie. To me this song sounds masterful from musicians who knew how to create from scratch a song both fascinating and catchy. Thanks for sharing!

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Great dive into this absolute classic track. Freddie’s incredibly wide glissando towards the end just knocks me out. Thanks Virgin Rock

[@AndICanTalk2]

You never fail to reinvigorate my passion for a song, I have often already loved for decades. So glad you are enjoying the experiences.

[@cutthr0atjake]

Hope you do more Bowie. He's an artist who truly deserves a 50 song dive!

[@javiervelasco3921]

100% - and I somehow like his later work the best.

[@ozmaile7938]

They Queen with Freddie and David never sang this live together BUT there a wonderfully edited video that make it look like they did. You be served by seeing so you can see each of their vocals

[@buca505]

Wait, wait, I just realized that Amy never heard Bowie sing. “Warsaw”is not singing pop or rock song, it is one his musical pieces that he experimented with new sounds and styles, so she may have disadvantage to realize which voice is which. If she listened some more famous songs from Bowie, she might understand better this wonderful collaboration. So I am suggesting Bowie weekend and for Amy to go on the beginning of David Bowie career and to listen and analyze for us classics like: “Space Oddity”, “ Changes”, “Life on Mars”, “Rebel Rebel” for start. That would be treat, and if there is no copyright problems, that would be so awesome. Keep on good work Amy, greetings for Vlad and Kid’o✌️ P.S. They never performed this song together live, but there is one video that is edited to look like they are singing together this one, it was done after Freddie’s death, when Bowie performed live with Queen in Freddy’s honor this song, I also suggest Amy to watch it, just to catch better the genius of both David and Queen.

[@matthewwilliams80]

Yep the first Bowie track she did was one that was generally instrumental.

[@matthewwilliams80]

Oh! You Pretty Things should make the list for being one of the great lesser known tracks.

[@S0ldeed]

I'm 21:42 and wondering when Amy will pick up that the fuller baritone is Bowie, not Fred

[@S0ldeed]

27:17 there it is 😁 I know it's not one of the most appreciated Bowie recordings, but his cover of God Only Knows is an incredible showcase for his lower register.

[@ZENOBlAmusic]

The parts she point out was Freddie. He also sang some sections in this song that was low for him.

[@mightyV444]

​@@ZENOBlAmusic - True, but she still didn't realise this was an actual duet! 😅

[@S0ldeed]

To be fair, if Warszawa was the only Bowie she's listened to, it would be easy to not really know what Bowie sounds like

[@celsonicoliniTV]

John Deacon created the bass line, but when Bowie and Queen went to lunch, he forgot it. It was drummer Roger Taylor who ended up remembering it. David Bowie suggested that he and Mercury should go to separate studios and create something based on Deacon's bass line. Freddie was impressed by how the material David brought fit perfectly with what he created until Mack, the sound engineer, revealed to Mercury that Bowie secretly opened the door so he could hear what Freddie was doing. Brian May wanted the track to have more guitars, but preferred to step back and leave the decisions more up to Bowie and Mercury. Later, after Freddie's death, Queen released a new version of the song, Under Pressure - Rah Mix - with more guitars.

[@dianecourtney2724]

Great comment … and anyone who knows Queen’s biography and all these players here… knows this comment is true.

[@bobtheskutterbot]

"Brian May says this needs more guitars" should be a meme.

[@gradypatterson1948]

@@bobtheskutterbot - "I got a fever - and the only cure is ..." 😛

[@LemmyD_from_Germany]

Instead of more cowbells 😂​@@bobtheskutterbot

[@Fionabarn123]

Enjoy your Queen series! Please consider going beyond 50. More, more. 🙂

[@angelesmondragon5140]

It is David!

[@DavidAntrobus]

I think of this song as humanity's last appeal, our final broadcast to the universe: we were here, and this is how it felt to be us.

[@zzzaphod8507]

The best Queen song, for me. Great to see this reaction video

[@petertreid]

When a song also doubles as a lifebuoy. I have a tendency to associate this song with Peter Gabriel's, Don't Give Up (a duet with Kate Bush). I think of it as a kind of sister song. They are both equally life-affirming whilst remaining cognisant of life's adversities and our all-too-human susceptibility to pain and anguish. I think of these kind of songs as free therapy sessions on the airwaves. Simple messages like when Bowie implores us to understand that we are 'not alone' in his song, Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide.

[@xtiants]

I look forward to you exploring the work of David Bowie further. He is a true genius! Imagine being a Queen fan and a Bowie fan, and hearing them collaborate on this song out of the blue. It's a brilliant song!

[@fasteddiek]

Freddie's anguish as he sings why can't we give love one more chance and repeats himself...to me is one of the most beautiful lines in music. It has always carried more meaning to me after he passed away...like he knew that love and being loved mattered more than anything else.

[@peterweaver5919]

I would love to hear your take on more of Bowie's catalogue. This month marks the 50th anniversary of the album Diamond Dogs. The trilogy of Sweet Thing/Candidate/Sweet Thing Reprise is an excellent example of Bowie's vocal range and wonderful song writing. A classic album from Bowie at his creative best.

[@seanmcmichael2551]

Omg ... I was just thinking that this would be great for Amy to hear and review. One of the best written, best performed songs ever. Simple but complex at same time. And very emotive.

[@mokeboi3328]

I just stumbled accross your channel..so addictive and heart warming. I am a massive queen fan. Its a great skill to disect such an absract art form. Great work.

[@crazy1234573]

Insanity laughs under pressure. We're breaking!!!! This song makes me forget about absolutely everything happening around me, if only just for a few minutes ❤

[@ZENOBlAmusic]

Awesome reaction! This is an interesting song since it is rare example of a tenor and baritone duet in contemporary music. Roger Taylor actually first started writing this song, John Deacon created the iconic bass line. It is great to listen to the acapella version of this song. I hope you will do Cool Cat from Hot Space, it is an awesome song.

[@kriton78]

Looking forward to this, but moving to Hot space must mean we are missing out on Flash... AAAAH!

[@79BlackRose]

Gordon's ALIIIIIVE!

[@LemmyD_from_Germany]

He's a miracle!

[@geopapa80]

You should drive deep into David Bowie's work. He's a treasure. You'll love it. Actually Bowie is so important to pop/rock music that he deserves a whole series..

[@YourBeingParanoid]

From The Works ... Is This The World We Created

[@tdratt]

I really like when you go back and point out your observations. Enjoyed that

[@rabbitfishtv]

Ugh, the annoyed fanboy in me was screaming “IT’S BOWIE SINGING” at the screen, but I’m over it now. I love watching you explore. BUT IT’S BOWIE SINGING, TOO!

[@ricardo_miguel13]

a pity her first listened bowie song was an instrumental..ofc she won’t recognize his voice

[@melee2776]

She literally said in the intro that it's a duet between Bowie and Queen

[@ricardo_miguel13]

@@melee2776 but as she only heard a song by Bowie where he doesn’t sing she probably thinks he just helped recording or producing the song..

[@melee2776]

@ricardo_miguel13 Perhaps, but it seemed like she got it, she's not stoopid. Really hope she hears Bowie solo soon 👍

[@grahamokeefe9406]

The deep voice is Bowie. He had amazing range. I don't know what THEY were thinking about the mix, but I'd like to have heard more separation between Bowie's and Freddie's voices.

[@kenhutchingame2606]

I was in college when this song was released. We had a prof. named Prasser. It was an easy subtition to sing "Under Prasser"

[@capt.k6554]

This is one where I wish we could have heard the song first uninterrupted, because it is so beautiful and profound, THEN heard it a second time with the analytical comments. It really needs to be experienced at an emotional level before picking it apart at a musical level.

[@cutthr0atjake]

Not surprising you're caught up with the vocals. Bowie & Mercury are two of the best rock singers of their generation!

[@perjohanaxell9862]

Of all time even!?

[@lk-music]

Mercury yes no question. Bowie? As much as I love Bowie, I don't recognise his singing ability as anywhere near as good, it's distinctive, charismatic, etc, but a lot of other aspects apart from his singing are what makes Bowie one of the greatest, I like his voice, but even himself he admitted he's technically not a great singer.

[@cutthr0atjake]

@lk-music Thats just what Beth Gibbons says about her singing. Both are/were too modest. Bowie was self taught, but by the time he reached his Thin White Duke phase, he was fantastic. Just relisten to "Word on a Wing" or "Wild is the Wind".

[@incamoran9532]

Not only, but also... both highly intelligent, trend-stepping rather than trend-setting, advanced beyond their musical time and peers.

[@ricardo_miguel13]

@@lk-musictechnically no, charismatic yes, his songs are all time classics, with his voice

[@chergui77]

Thank you Amy for another incite full critique. This song became very popular AGAIN during COVID as the theme song for first responders and medical personnel/healthcare workers. It’s truly a song that spans the decades and is relatable to just about any world crises.

[@hughaskew6550]

The word is 'insightful'.

[@raulperez375]

Holy carp, those lyrics are so raw it hurts

[@deboraclark5791]

Bowie and Freddie sang their parts in separate rooms, they were supposed to not listen to what each were doing. Bowie kept sneaking over and listening to Freddie. When Freddie listened to what Bowie was singing, Freddie was amazed how Bowie was blending with him, then Mach the engineer told Freddie Bowie was listening and cheating, Freddie said what the F. Freddie kept his word, but Bowie didn't 🤣 Great reaction as always.

[@paulhagger3895]

It's a duet. Hence the two voices

[@FK-pq4vr]

I enjoy in your queen deconstruction videos very much.thank you!

[@IanHodgetts]

Yet AGAIN Amy SOMEHOW manages to point out something I've never picked up on before. Although I'm very VERY familiar with the song, I've never noticed the "horns" synth sound during the intro! Bravo Amy! One thing I find interesting about the lyrics is that I'm sure Roger Taylor has claimed the "People on streets" section was his (if not the basis for the whole song). Roger certainly has used that line as the TITLE of one of his solo songs.

[@torstenkaudt4793]

One of my favourite songs. I often use it to show my guitar students how to work with dynamics in a song.

[@XFLexiconMatt]

The song is iconic, and probably resonates more as the world got more complicated. Leave it to Bowie to push the band in a new direction.

[@ZENOBlAmusic]

Queen were always going in very different directions, they did not need Bowie for that.

[@dianecourtney2724]

@@ZENOBlAmusicAMEN !!!

[@richlisola1]

@@ZENOBlAmusicNo, but the fact is. This song wouldn’t have been what it was without all of them-Bowie included. Brian May will attest to that.

[@XFLexiconMatt]

​@ZENOBlAmusic I disagree, if you are familiar with Bowie's experimental history, and his cut up method, Bowie likely encouraged them to move out of their comfort zone, when they are jamming, Bowie probably heard possibles he steered them towards.

[@rog2224]

Freddie's speaking voice was mostly baritone, but his singing sat mostly in tenor (which is more common for popular rock and pop songs) but his full range was F2 to F6 via a belted F5 across his recorded performances.

[@PUNKinDRUBLIC72]

I'm biased,but Bowie owned this one. I understand if mega Freddie fans feel the opposite,both greats!🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@jodawson5268]

Freddie scats which is a old jazz technich often used by singers like Ella Fitgerald. Both singers where absolutley iconic. David Bowie is the barratone in this, Freddie is singing the higher notes, especially when he goes through 2 octives on the word ," "why "but when they come togèther its life afirming.

[@F.Robichaud]

The most competent and articulate music reactor out there. No one but her has the ability to examine a song and surgically take it apart for a better understanding. Only people who have practiced music understand the privilege we have to listen to her rare talent on KZbin. A gem !

[@LuddyVonBeat]

Do more Bowie please!

[@melissamajoy]

There is much magic in Bowies work. Great collaboration. Thanks Amy.

[@bigappleINA]

Una joya de Queen y David Bowie que transcenderá en el tiempo de la música!

[@lnautomobile3248]

The crescendo at the end of this songs always brings me to tears, in a good way! Don’t worry about not knowing it was Bowie singing baritone. You only listened to him once.

[@LemmyD_from_Germany]

Another very good reaction video, a precise analysis and great interpretation. I didn't expect anything else, dear Amy. Continue on your journey to discover new musical universes. 🤗🎶🎵🌌 We would all be happy to accompany you...! Best regards from Northern Germany 🇩🇪♥️

[@nebnep]

This is a masterpiece!

[@thomassharmer7127]

Finding a link between the intro and African vocal styles is brilliant, and so right. I think you would really enjoy listening to Paul Simon with the South African a capella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo on his track Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes from his multi-Platinum Graceland album.

[@richlisola1]

Amy you really should listen to this song to the music video-It enhances the message so well.

[@gwengoodwin3992]

You never know when you collaborate with Bowie. Sometimes you get "Under Pressure." Sometimes you get "Dancing in the Streets."

[@alisonh7229]

Amy, I would love to see your reflections on some of the earliest songs you listened to on your journey, now you've learned so much and got more used to the rock sound. Particularly some of the big classics or those which you didn't really enjoy at the time. I'd love to know if, with your newfound experience, you have any new appreciation of those pieces, or if you can find enjoyment in songs you may not have cared for back then. I'd be fascinated to hear how things have changed for you and whether your relationship with these songs has changed...

[@alisonh7229]

Which songs do you find yourself humming, which ones move you the most, etc?

[@VirginRock]

Let me get to the end of this journey!

[@dar6266]

Amy, thank you for the efforts you have made in the Queen series. I am a long time Queen fan. You do an excellent job reviewing and provide enlightening insights into their music. I really hope you cover “It’s A Hard Life”. In my opinion it is one of their best!

[@KenTadeo]

Your analysis was very insightful (as usual) and def. displays your musical knowledge and expertise. Entertaining. Well done.

[@barriehull7076]

Wikipedia: John Richard Deacon (born 19 August 1951) grew up in Oadby, Leicester, said as lester, lol, England, playing bass guitar in a local band, The Opposition, before moving to study electronics at Chelsea College, London. He joined Queen in 1971 on the strength of his musical and electronic skills, particularly the home-made Deacy Amp which guitarist Brian May used to create guitar orchestras throughout Queen's career. From the third album, Sheer Heart Attack, onwards, he wrote at least one song per album, several of which became hits. As well as bass guitar, Deacon played some guitar, keyboards and piano on Queen's studio work.

[@maz.6525]

Bowie is my all time Hero

[@ActualFactualMagic]

You seem to be confusing David Bowie's vocals with Freddie's at times. Bowie has the lower lead vocal parts here. Freddie and David are basically trading off through the whole song. This song was almost an adlib with genius musicians working on top of Deacon's bass line. That is the magic of this song. It really came out of an unplanned jam session between project tracks Bowie and Queen were working on for themselves.

[@mightyV444]

Yes, that also was my own impression 😅

[@Sabine-t2i]

Thank you Amy for your great analysis. Montserrat Caballe` once said that Freddy was in fact a natural baritone singer

[@ZENOBlAmusic]

She was wrong, Freddie was really a tenor.

[@brucestuart466]

A duet that places itself as the masterclass. You should also view the video of Bowie & Queen, then watch the Freddy Mercury tribute concert when with surviving Queen members backing David Bowie pairs up with Anne Lennox - a very sensual performance.

[@sjsuismylife]

I was waiting for her to say, "Isn't that Vanilla Ice?"

[@LemmyD_from_Germany]

That will never happen... 😜

[@corbydaniel4256]

I enjoy this song. I think of it as a conversation happening in one mind. Someone who wants love, yearns for it in fact, but because he's been hurt his is afraid and untrusting. Freddy Mercury is the voice of yearning and hope and David Bowie is the voice of fear and pessimism. I love the way they flow back and forth, tugging against one another. It's a beautiful track.

[@PeterKaagh]

Please listen to both "Young Americans" and "Heroes" by Bowie. Oh, and his pared down live version of Simon and Garfunkel´s "America".

[@prueba9348]

One of my favourite Queen songs together with Bohemian Rapsody

[@phungbili]

This song is indeed like a sizzling safety valve in a pressure cooker. 😊 I often listen to it to relieve pressure and remind myself that love and humanity still exist.

[@jaumepiquebernaus1853]

Bowie's touch always fresh and diferent.

[@-R.Gray-]

Part of the popularity came from the collaborative aspect. That wasn't a fuller voiced Freddie singing the melody, but he and Bowie singing in unison. They were trading vocals throughout the piece. It's too bad you weren't more familiar with Bowie's voice before hearing this.

[@typxxilps]

strong feelings for the song which has been released during our dance class year back then like Kim Wilde and Visage Fade to grey and Betty Davis eyes by Kim Carns which instantly remind me for the time during the peak of the cold war which many tend to forget cause we were at the front line back then. ircon curtain just 100 km away, Berlin was a hotspot for british and american musicians, a must visit and stay to record an album like ACHTUNG BAY by U2 or KAYLEIGH by Marillion and of cause Queen and David Bowie. Strong tentions in the society, a government on the edge to collapse (which they did about 2 years later) and the anti nuclear power movement to stop biuilding new nuclear power plants and to get rid off the nuke on our territory. great reaction, these are the gems I love to watch here.

[@ono1dij]

Hey, Amy!!! I really love your journey with Queen, as a very old fan, I love your reactions, so deeply analyzed, it is a real pleassure... And of course you got to start with David Bowie, one of the biggest artist ever, just to name a few incredible songs: Life On Mars, Ashes To Ashes, Aladdin Sane, Lady Grinning Soul, Space Oddity, Quicksand, The Bewlay Brothers, Moonage Daydream... Incredible discography to discover... Cheers from Argentina!!!

[@samfisher6606]

I love this song so much. And there's such a great story there. Notice how Freddie and David never sing together and always at opposite pitches. Dissonant. And they're arguing. Arguing about politics, romance, arguing about whatever you argue about and they are on opposite sides. It's only after Freddie does his falsetto where he sounds like a releasing pressure cooker or tea kettle that they start singing in harmony and can find some "common ground". If you want to check out more of David Bowie's work, I highly recommend the song "Young Americans". It's on an album co-written by John Lennon and it references the Beatle's song "A Day In a Life". And also "Lazarus" which is Bowie basically writing about the end of his life. It came out on his 69th birthday and he died 2 days later. No one knew he had cancer.

[@wiemasen]

The distinctive voice is David Bowie

[@simianmoonstudios]

OMGoodness, Amy I believe you would enjoy hearing the other half of this song's contributor, by listening David Bowie: Ashes to Ashes, Life on Mars, Fame, and so many more...

[@bartoldome]

Likely, one of the best no-chorus songs rendered.

[@killianlpc]

It's hard to believe this film is now 35 years old! This is a pure classic, so many stand out moments the best of which is when Archie Moonlight Graham steps over the threshold to assist the little girl choking and becomes The Doc Graham again, and we realise he can't go back. A beautiful ending when he meets is father again and we see all the people start to come in a great panoramic fade out.

[@RockinLocks4u]

It probably would've helped to have the lyrics pulled up with the breakdown of who was singing at each part of the song...David Bowie is one of my favorites

[@mdhensel750]

After I started to really listen I find that this song I makes me cry every darn time. Give love a chance. Give ourselves a chance.

[@sambirch6784]

If you listen to Bowie's back catalogue it's noticeable how his lyrics influence his music, and vice versa. An obvious example is 'Space Oddity' where he sings about the doomed astronaut Major Tom and the music is suitably cosmic. There's a small detail in 'Under Pressure' which I would put money on being instigated by Bowie. The music ebbs and flows as if it's building and subsiding pressure but when it comes to the line 'Turned away from it all like a blind man' the song suddenly becomes quieter and slower, suggesting an absence of pressure due to being ignorant of the plight of others. It's a small detail but it's typical of Bowie's songwriting.

[@grahamokeefe9406]

Fun side project: Read up on the controversy surrounding the rap artist Vanilla Ice's sampling of the bass riff for his song "Ice Ice Baby"

[@rjlchristie]

Bowie is rock music's premier deity.

[@GuitarLean]

One of the 2 best artist in the history !!

[@mrbenn1489]

How on earth can Bowie's name be omitted from the title to this post?

[@alangeo4]

The ‘wide variety of voices’ that you mentioned is due to David Bowie singing with Freddie Mercury on this song.

[@HedwigvanWuijkhuijse]

You really, really, really need to dive into Bowie next. There's so much joy to be had from his music.

[@jeremiahmacclure]

David Bowie adds so much magic to music, I highly recommend the album Low, Bowies collab with Brian Eno.

[@diegosandman2700]

Since this is the last song on the album I have a feeling it must be the only one reviewed. I think cool cat deserves a listen and reaction

[@DavidLindes]

Fascinating. I'd love to hear a deep dive on this from you, should you ever choose to do one. Because I think a bit like some of the early songs in The Wall, there was a lot you missed in the first listen (much remedied by the later deep dives), that I'm sure you've since caught up with. On the surface, and as others have said, at 15:40 you seem to have missed (though perhaps you realized it later? I was never clear on that point) that it's David singing alongside Freddie... another thing that I think gets missed here (and I'm not faulting you for this at all, mind you -- just something I would love to have heard you talk about; alas, you didn't know!) is the possibility to interpret this as being about being in the closet about one's sexuality -- especially in the early days of AIDS (this song being written in 1981)...... I mean, I don't know what their actual motivations were for writing the song, but I think interpreting it in that manner certainly puts a lens on it that brings depth to the lyrics that went unexplored here. E.g. one could interpret the line "let me out" being about being in the "closet", and the lines about families being split and people ending up on the streets could be thought of as about the many gay and queer kids who become rejected by their own parents for their queerness (even now), etc. etc. So, that's always been how I've interpreted the song, and... I think you'd have a lot of interesting things to say had you had that lens... so, again, I'd love to hear a deep dive from you on this, that, among other things, explores that interpretation, that social context.

[@dr.zoidberg4313]

Just one small request. Please, please Vlad, don't force this fine lady to sit through Vanilla Ice.

[@barriehull7076]

Not on the channel at least, possibly

[@iris67si]

I bet that Vlad's comment on this would be: Vanilla WHO??? Not on our channel ...😂 Freddie would say: Darling, don't be f**king ridiculous ... I really don't like vanilla ice, dear. 😂

[@buning_sensations5437]

The Freddi tribute concert with David Bowie and Anne Lennox singing Under Pressure is a classic version and a must watch.