Brian May, the iconic Queen guitarist, shared his nuanced feelings about the creation and final mix of “Under Pressure,” the legendary collaboration between Queen and David Bowie. Despite the song’s massive success, May revealed in an interview with Total Guitar that he was never fully satisfied with the recording, specifically Bowie’s decision to remove some of his heavier guitar parts.
The track, which emerged from a session fueled by a meal and drinks, initially had a sound reminiscent of The Who, something May appreciated. However, Bowie’s vision for the song diverged, leading to a “very difficult” collaboration marked by differing ideas on its final mix. May described stepping back from the mixing process, a decision he has never made at any other point in his career, to avoid conflict, particularly between Bowie and Freddie Mercury.
The result was a version of “Under Pressure” that omitted much of May’s electric guitar work, favoring instead the acoustic demos. Despite his reservations about the mix and the absence of his preferred guitar riff, May acknowledged the song’s enduring appeal and success. He admitted, “I do recognize that it works,” although he personally never liked the mix.
Reflecting on the dynamic of having multiple strong creative forces in the studio, May concluded that it can lead to difficulties, implying that the collaboration with Bowie was no exception. “Under Pressure,” despite the behind-the-scenes tension, has become an iconic track, celebrated for its musicality and the unique partnership it represented.
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