01 July 2008

Tuesday, July 01, 2008 - 4 comments

New Music Monday okay well...Tuesday

Here we are another new song and this one is a good one, actually I've yet to find a song that isn't a good one.

Under Pressure was released in 1981 and was actually recorded during a jam session between Queen and David Bowie. Queen had been working on the song under the title "Feel Like" but were unhappy with the result. Obviously the end result is a truly fantastic song. The baseline, which has been used in a 1990's hit, has been said to be created by Bowie and also to have been created by Queens bassist, John Deacon, each pointing their finger at the other. Regardless who came up with that sound, it is one that is known within seconds of hearing it. By the way, can you tell me who used that beat in 1990??

The lyrics deal with how stress, daily life and pressure can destroy lives, but love can be the answer. Oh so true! The song was primarily written by Freddie Mercury which is tell-tail in the lyrics as classic Mercury. The song reached #1 on the UK Singles Chart, #29 on the US charts and was also number 31 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the 80s. Along with being #1 in the UK, it has been used in many movies and commercials while being covered by at least a dozen performing artists.

One interesting tidbit to note... On the morning of December 14, 2006, the song was played at the International Space Station. It was used as a wake-up call for the crew of the Space Shuttle. It was especially chosen for crew member and mission specialist Robert Curbeam.

So this wraps up yet another NMM. What memories did this song bring to mind for you? Can you relate to the meaning of the song? And most importantly, who was that 1990's one hit wonder guy that used the ever famous baseline?

LOVE!

4 comments:

LOVE this song, love Freddie and Bowie!

And Vanilla Ice was the thief who sampled that base line.... what a way to ruin a classic!!!

This song rocks.

Word to your Mother :)

Love, love, love this song! It brings back some pretty care free feelings for me! Oh yeah, for sure. I was smoking then too! LOL!

Lea
xo

Ice ice baby....
I was going through a huge Bowie faze when this came out, seeing all his old movies at the art-house theater, listening to his old albums, and this got all my friends interested in him too.
I think it's a perfect song for all of us still waiting on China too.
This is ourselves... under pressure.
xx~
Di