"Under Pressure" by Queen and David Bowie
1Digest
This episode delves into the iconic 1981 collaboration between Queen and David Bowie, "Under Pressure." It begins by introducing the concept of "special" guitars, referencing Brian May's Red Special. The podcast then focuses on the genesis of "Under Pressure," detailing the artists' careers at the time and their previous collaboration attempts. A significant portion is dedicated to dissecting the song's musical structure, including John Deacon's foundational bassline, the percussive elements, Brian May's guitar work, Freddie Mercury's piano, and David Bowie's subtle saxophone. The analysis extends to the vocal dynamics between Mercury and Bowie, the evolving bassline and chord progression, the dramatic shift in the bridge section with a key change, and the strategic use of guitar riffs and drum fills. The episode highlights Freddie Mercury's octave glissando and Bowie's impactful delivery of "love" leading to the song's cathartic rock outro. Finally, Kirk reflects on the song's emotional resonance and its timeless message of unity, concluding with announcements about a live show, merchandise, and future content.
Outlines
Special Announcement & Introduction to "Special" Guitars
Kirk announces the first-ever Strong Songs live show in Portland, Oregon, on July 11th. The episode then introduces the theme of "special" guitars, highlighting Brian May's Red Special.
The Genesis of "Under Pressure"
This section focuses on the 1981 collaboration "Under Pressure" between Queen and David Bowie, exploring their careers at the time and the song's development, including initial attempts and the final recording.
Deconstructing the Iconic Bassline and Sonic Layers
The podcast analyzes John Deacon's foundational seven-note bassline, its sampling history, and the song's sonic architecture, including percussion, Brian May's guitar with a D pedal tone, and Freddie Mercury's piano riff. David Bowie's subtle saxophone part is also highlighted.
Vocal Dynamics and Harmonic Evolution
This part examines the interplay between Freddie Mercury and David Bowie's vocals, their improvisational exchanges, and the evolving bassline and chord progression that transform the song's harmonic structure.
The Bridge: Transformation and Lyrical Intensity
The episode explores the song's dramatic bridge section, characterized by a shift in energy, Bowie's intense lyrics, a driving drum groove, and a key change that introduces a Hammond organ and a confessional tone.
Harmonic Transitions and Rhythmic Flourishes
This section details the harmonic transition back to the original key, Brian May's strategic guitar riffs, and Roger Taylor's drum fills, which are compared to Keith Moon's style.
Climax and Catharsis: Vocal Crescendo and Rock Outro
The analysis focuses on Freddie Mercury's octave glissando and David Bowie's delivery of "love," leading to the song's powerful eruption into a hard-rocking D major catharsis with a classic rock and roll turnaround.
Enduring Message and Episode Wrap-up
Kirk reflects on the song's emotional impact and timeless message of unity, concluding the episode with discussions on learnings, upcoming content, and promotions for the Patreon and merchandise.
Keywords
Red Special
A unique electric guitar built by Queen guitarist Brian May and his father in the 1960s, known for its distinctive sound and construction.
"Under Pressure"
A 1981 hit song by Queen and David Bowie, famous for its iconic bassline, collaborative vocals, and themes of societal and personal pressure.
John Deacon Bassline
The iconic seven-note bassline created by Queen's John Deacon, which forms the foundational groove of "Under Pressure" and was famously sampled by Vanilla Ice.
Pedal Tone
A musical technique where a sustained note is held under changing harmonies, used in "Under Pressure" by Brian May to create a suspended feel.
Vocal Interplay
The dynamic and improvisational exchange between Freddie Mercury and David Bowie's vocals in "Under Pressure," contributing to the song's emotional depth.
Song Structure Analysis
A detailed examination of the musical components and progression of "Under Pressure," including its bassline, percussion, guitar, piano, vocals, and structural shifts.
Lydian Mode
A musical mode characterized by a raised fourth scale degree, giving it a bright, ethereal sound, evoked in "Under Pressure" during the bridge section.
Strategic Brian May Deployment
The podcast host's term for Queen's skillful and impactful use of Brian May's guitar parts, introduced strategically to enhance a song's arrangement and intensity.
Octave Glissando
A vocal technique where a singer slides rapidly between notes an octave apart, notably used by Freddie Mercury in "Under Pressure" to add intensity.
Rock and Roll Catharsis
The powerful and triumphant conclusion of "Under Pressure," characterized by a hard-rocking D major section with Freddie Mercury taking the lead vocals.
Q&A
What is the significance of the Red Special guitar mentioned at the beginning of the podcast?
The Red Special is a unique guitar built by Queen's Brian May and his father, highlighting the episode's theme of "special" guitars and the ingenuity of musicians.
How did the collaboration between Queen and David Bowie for "Under Pressure" come about?
They had previously attempted a collaboration where Bowie provided backing vocals for Queen's "Cool Cat," but it wasn't satisfactory. "Under Pressure" was their second, more successful attempt, recorded in a single night.
What is the role of John Deacon's bassline in "Under Pressure"?
Deacon's seven-note bassline is the foundational element of the song, providing its iconic groove. It was famously sampled by Vanilla Ice in "Ice Ice Baby."
How does the song "Under Pressure" musically represent the feeling of pressure?
The song uses techniques like pedal tones, suspended harmonies, and a dynamic shift from a tight, contained sound to a more expansive one to musically convey the feeling of pressure and release.
What is the significance of David Bowie's saxophone in "Under Pressure"?
Bowie's subtle saxophone part, often layered with other instruments, adds a unique timbral quality and a noble, dramatic sound to the verses, contributing to the song's overall atmosphere.
How does the bridge section transform the song "Under Pressure"?
The bridge marks a significant transformation with a key change, a shift in instrumentation (introducing Hammond organ), and a change in lyrical tone, moving from introspection to a plea for love.
What is the "strategic Brian May deployment" mentioned in the podcast?
This term refers to Queen's deliberate and effective use of Brian May's guitar parts, often introduced at key moments to build intensity and enhance the song's arrangement, rather than being present throughout.
How does the song's ending provide catharsis?
The final section erupts into a hard-rocking D major catharsis, with Freddie Mercury taking the lead vocals and the band playing a classic rock and roll turnaround, creating a powerful and triumphant conclusion.
Show Notes
Kirk heaps on a second helping of TWO previous Strong Songs artists: Queen and David Bowie, whose 1981 collaboration "Under Pressure" topped the charts while showing how a mid-song transformation is done.
Written by: David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon, Roger Taylor
Album: Hot Space, 1982
Listen/Buy via Album.Link
ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:
- Previous Strong Songs episodes on Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and David Bowie's "Space Oddity" and "Starman"
- “Killer Queen” by Queen from Sheer Heart Attack, 1974
- “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen from A Night At The Opera, 1975
- “Somebody To Love” by Freddie Mercury from A Day at the Races, 1976
- “We Are The Champions” by Freddie Mercury from Jazz, 1977
- “Flash Gordon Theme” from Flash Gordon Original Soundtrack, 1980
- “Another One Bites The Dust” by John Deacon from The Game, 1980
- “Back Chat” by John Deacon from Hot Space, 1982
- “Cat People” by Giorgio Moroder and David Bowie from Cat People OST (1982) and Just Dance, 1983
- Brian May in Total Guitar, March 2024
- Freddie Mercury TV interview with Lisa Robinson, 1984
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