How “Under Pressure” Can Teach Us to Love
/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
I can't think of a better forward to pop epic than the opening fourteen bars of the Queen and David Bowie classic Under Pressure. That iconic bass line is the foundation, framed by hushed hi-hats, finger snaps, and handclaps. Brian May's meandering lead guitar follows a few naked A and D piano chords. The kettle is steaming, but it isn't yet whistling when Freddie Mercury's baritone scatting ties everything together in a bow of attentive lusciousness. By the time the snare hits and we hear the opening "pressure," we're locked in for three minutes and thirty seconds of musical magic.
Under Pressure is one of those songs that is never too far away. It is a karaoke staple. It was sampled by one of the biggest one-hit wonders of the last forty years. It's been used to sell just about any product imaginable. It is so familiar that it's easy to lose sight of the song's radical message. In a world where more people live in the margins, we must see and value the humanity of the people "living on the edge of the night" as much as ourselves.
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
How can anyone listen to David Bowie's earnest vocals in the song's final act and not believe that the world needs something more than love, sweet love? In a biblical sense, Under Pressure is an anthemic contemplation of 1 John 3:17-18. "How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action."
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 (people on streets) dares you to change our way of
Caring about ourselves
Recorded almost forty years ago, Under Pressure is still as poignant as ever. 2020 has been a year unlike any other, and almost everyone has felt that pressure in some part of their life. The pressure is mounting for the millions of Americans already on the margins long before the Covid-19 pandemic and recession. Thankfully, some people and organizations don't sit on the fence, but they are under pressure too. To love in truth and action, I am making a financial contribution to two nonprofits that dare to change the way we care about ourselves. And I am asking you to consider joining me in that support.
Youth Sentencing and Reentry Project works to keep children out of adult jails and prisons, and to bring home people who were sentenced as children to life in prison without the possibility of parole. YSRP recently developed Intergenerational Healing Circles to center healing from trauma and to build power among young Black men and former Juvenile Lifers who share the experience of being prosecuted as teenagers in the adult justice system. Click here to help make more Intergenerational Healing Circles possible.
Youth Service, Inc. has provided immediate shelter and support services to Philadelphia's children, youth, and families for over 67 years, including Philadelphia's only Crisis Nursery program and the area's oldest shelter for runaway and homeless teens. This recent CBS3 story highlights the work YSI does to support young people like Donnell Powell, who left the foster system without consistent housing or employment. Click here to help YSI support more young people like Donnell.
Can't we give ourselves one more chance?
Why can't we give love that one more chance?
Why can't we give love?
We can still give love one more chance in 2020. Gifts or donations of any type would help both YSRP and YSI continue their essential work. No gift is too small to have an impact. If you prefer to support another worthy organization, thank you for loving in truth and action. And if you are unable to donate at the moment, there is always next year. I have a feeling that 2021 is going to need all the love we can give.
This is ourselves under pressure
Under pressure
Pressure