Queen And David Bowie: Under Pressure Single (1981)

Queen
Oct 30, 1981
3 min read

A Legendary Rock Collaboration

Queen and David Bowie’s “Under Pressure” 7-inch vinyl single, was released in the UK on October 30, 1981, on EMI Records (catalogue: EMI 5250). Backed with Queen’s “Soul Brother,” this iconic collaboration, written by Queen and David Bowie, emerged from a spontaneous jam session in Montreux, Switzerland. Produced by Queen and Bowie, the single featured Freddie Mercury’s soaring vocals, Bowie’s distinctive delivery, and John Deacon’s unforgettable bassline, peaking at No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart for 2 weeks. Issued in a picture sleeve with a minimalist design, it’s a landmark of ‘80s rock.

Single Overview

A-Side: “Under Pressure” (4:02, Queen/David Bowie)

A powerful rock anthem blending Queen’s theatrical flair with Bowie’s art-rock edge, driven by a pulsing bassline and lyrics about compassion under stress. Produced by Queen and Bowie, it became a timeless classic.

B-Side: “Soul Brother” (3:36, Freddie Mercury)

A soulful, upbeat Queen track with Mercury’s playful vocals and a funky groove, exclusive to the single. Produced by Queen, it showcased their versatility.

Release Details:

7-Inch Vinyl (EMI 5250) UK:

“Under Pressure” / “Soul Brother.” In a picture sleeve with minimalist artwork.

No cassette or CD formats for this single in 1981; later included in CD reissues of Hot Space (1982).

12-Inch Vinyl (EMI – 1A 052Z-64626) EU:

Format: Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo

Country: Europe

Released: 1981

A Queen & David Bowie– Under Pressure

Performer, Composed By, Producer [Produced By] – David Bowie, Queen

4:03

B Queen– Soul Brother

Co-producer [Co-produced By] – Mack

Producer [Produced By] – Queen

3:34

Production and Context

Recorded in July 1981 at Mountain Studios, Montreux, and The Power Station, New York, the single was produced by Queen and David Bowie. The lineup featured Freddie Mercury (vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar), Roger Taylor (drums), John Deacon (bass), and David Bowie (vocals, keyboards). “Under Pressure” arose from an impromptu session, blending Queen’s operatic rock with Bowie’s experimental flair. Released during the new wave and post-disco era, it competed with The Police and The Rolling Stones, becoming a cultural touchstone.

Singles Released and Chart Performance

“Under Pressure” was a standalone single, later included on Hot Space (1982):

“Under Pressure” (1981, EMI 5250):

UK Chart Data: Entry November 8, 1981 - November 14, 1981; Peak No. 1;

11 weeks Chart Run: No. 7 (Nov 7), No. 1 (Nov 14), No. 1 (Nov 21), No. 2 (Nov 28), No. 3 (Dec 5), No. 4 (Dec 12), No. 6 (Dec 19), No. 8 (Dec 26), No. 10 (Jan 2, 1982), No. 13 (Jan 9).

International: US No. 29 (Billboard Hot 100, 12 weeks), Australia No. 6 (Kent Music Report, 14 weeks), Ireland No. 2, Germany No. 21, Netherlands No. 1, New Zealand No. 6, Canada No. 3 (RPM), Switzerland No. 10, Austria No. 10, Norway No. 6, Sweden No. 10.

Single Chart Performance

“Under Pressure” reached No. 1 in the UK, charting for 11 weeks, and achieved strong international success, particularly in the Netherlands (No. 1) and Canada (No. 3), reflecting its universal appeal.

Legacy and Collectibility

“Under Pressure” is a rock masterpiece, with its iconic bassline and heartfelt duet enduring in pop culture, later sampled by Vanilla Ice.

Verify catalogue EMI 5250. Streams on Spotify via Hot Space or Queen compilations preserve the analog energy. This single is a must-have for Queen, Bowie, and ‘80s rock fans.

Have you snagged this iconic single in your vinyl collection? Does “Under Pressure” still give you chills? Share in the comments!

Sources

Discogs: Under Pressure (1981)

Official Charts Company: Queen Singles

Official Charts Company: David Bowie Singles

AllMusic: Queen Discography

AllMusic: David Bowie Discography

Wikipedia: Under Pressure

Billboard Chart History: Queen

Billboard Chart History: David Bowie