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Understanding Under Pressure

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  • čas přidán 5. 09. 2019
  • In the history of music, there have been many great duets, but for my money, there's one that stands above them all: Under Pressure, by Queen and David Bowie. It's the result of two generational talents coming together to create a song neither could've made on their own, and it's absolutely brilliant, from the iconic bass riff to the lyrics to, yes, Freddie Mercury's pitch-perfect voice. It tells a timeless story both lyrically and musically, and it captures the best of everyone who helped make it.
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    Script: docs.google.com/document/d/1w...
    SOURCES:
    en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Antoine...
    guitaralliance.com/songs/Q/qu...
    tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/...
    www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic...
    nicksdrumlessons.com/multimedi...
    Huge thanks to our Elephant of the Month Club members:
    Susan Jones
    Jill Jones
    Ron Jones
    Howard Levine
    Duck
    Brian Etheredge
    Gabi Ghita
    Elaine Pratt
    Ken Arnold
    Khristofor Saraga
    Len Lanphar
    Paul Ward
    Benjamin DeLillo
    Mitchell Fund
    William (Bill) Boston
    Susan Lingenfelter
    Owen Campbell-Moore
    Anton Smyk
    Chris Prentice
    Jack Carlson
    Dov Zazkis
    James Treacy Bagshaw
    Christopher Lucas
    Hendrik Payer
    Andrew Beals
    Thomas Morley
    Jacob Helwig
    Duncan Dempsey
    Patrick James Morley
    Tyler Leite
    Paul Grieselhuber
    Ben in RI
    Thomas Linevitch
    Braum Meakes
    And thanks as well to Corvi, Henry Reich, Gene Lushtak, Eugene Bulkin, Logan Jones, Abram Thiessen, Anna Work, Oliver, Jc Bq, Adam Neely, nico, Michael Fieseler, Rick Lees, Ben LaRose, Justin Donnell, rhandhom1, Dave Mayer, Thomás, Davis Sprague, Paul Quine, Alex, Harold Gonzales, CodenaCrow, Nikolay Semyonov, Marc Himmelberger, Chris Borland, Arnas, Sarah Spath, Skylar J Eckdahl, Daniel Gilchrist, Caroline Simpson, billy roberts, Elliot Burke, Alex Atanasyan, Alex Knauth, Michael Alan Dorman, Greg Borenstein, Tim S., David Tocknell, Elias Simon, Nathan Petchell, Blake Boyd, Trevor, Michael McCormick, Lilith Dawn, Jonathan Beck, Dmitry Jemerov, Ian Seymour, Charles Gaskell, Luke Rihn, Rob Holton, Jerry D. Brown, Elliot Jay O'Neill, Elliot Winkler, Payden Nissen, Tom Evans, Fabian, Ohad Lutzky, Kurtis Commanda, James A. Thornton, Benjamin Cooper, Kevin, Ken Bauso, Brian Dinger, Max Wanderman, Stefan Strohmaier, Adam Wurstmann, Kelsey Freese, Shadow Kat, Adam Kent, Hape Company, Lee Rennie, Richard T. Anderson, Angela Flierman, Mark Feaver, Kevin Johnson, Brian McCue, Stephan Broek, JH, Jake Lizzio, David Conrad, ml cohen, Sylvain Chevalier, Darzzr, Roger Grosse, Rodrigo Roman, Francois LaPlante, Jeremy Zolner, Rowan Fox, Paper Coelacanth, Britt Ratliff, Eddie O'Rourke, Ryan, Jon Bauman, John July, Volker Wegert, Danny, Matthew Kallend, Patrick Callier, Joshua Gleitze, Emilio Assteves, Alex Keeny, Alexey Fedotov, Charles Hill, Valentin Lupachev, Joshua La Macchia, John Paul Welsh, DSM, Chris Chapin, Gary Butterfield, Niko Albertus, Luke Wever, Elizabeth von Teig, Steve Brand, Rene Miklas, Connor Shannon, max thomas, Jamie Price, Kennedy Morrison, Red Uncle, Darrell Milton, Kirk Natoza, Doug Nottingham, Scott Howarth, Barendo, Smackdab, Nicholas Wolf, Ben Phillips, Todd Davidson, Alex Larking, Paul Guziewski, Scott Nystrom, Douglas Anderson, Greg Hodgdon, ZagOnEm, Robert Beach, veleum, Kevin Boyce, Peter Leventis, Greg, Aaron Zhu Freedman, Hexa Midine, Nicholas Steicke, John Polgreen, Tuna, Mathew Wolak, Mark Sibly, Killian Hackenschmidt, Lamadesbois, Eric J Amorelli, T, Lincoln Mendell, Vincent Engler, Noam Fields-Meyer, Luke, Blake White, Michal Mikolaj Maslowski, Cattus_ex_Machina, Todd Hauser, Phillip D Neal, Aaron Epstein, Chris Connett, Scott Frazer, salman karout, Carsten Lechte, Sam Rezek, Lucas Augusto, Matt McKegg, Dominic Montanez, Marcus Doyle, Beth Martyn, Caitlin Olsen, and Taylor Martin! Your support helps make 12tone even better!
    Also, thanks to Jareth Arnold for proofreading the script to make sure this all makes sense hopefully!

Komentáře • 980

  • @12tone
    @12tone  Před 4 lety +422

    Some additional thoughts/corrections:
    1) I have a merch store now! I'll be talking more about the specific stuff in a future episode, but in the meantime, check it out! standard.tv/12tone
    2) Technically speaking, in the bridge, I'd analyze the F and G7 as secondary chords temporarily tonicizing the Ami: I don't believe it's a real key change, and if I had infinite time I probably would've gotten into that, but the distinction didn't seem that important so I'm clarifying here instead.
    3) In retrospect, I think it might have been more accurate to call the repeated bass figure under the guitar chords an ostinato rather than a pedal, but eh, terminology is boring. The point is that it's not changing: Which term you use to describe that fact has very little impact on the effect of that sound.
    4) Some people are objecting to the idea that Freddie was a baritone, so here's a source on that: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/14015439.2016.1156737 "Analysis of six interviews revealed a median speaking fundamental frequency of 117.3 Hz, which is typically found for a baritone voice."

    • @SuryanIsaac
      @SuryanIsaac Před 4 lety

      I LOVE that book!

    • @ZipplyZane
      @ZipplyZane Před 4 lety +13

      4) I would argue that the usual pitch with which someone speaks is not necessarily indicative of their vocal fach. What is more important is quality of the voice within certain ranges. While this usually correlates with one's speaking voice, I think singers with a broad range may wind up being outliers.
      I know I have known wide ranged sopranos who speak lower than some altos and nearly all mezzos I've ever met. I also know plenty of tenors who lowered their speaking voice. (Heck, I did this as a young teen, to sound more "manly.")
      That said, I'm not sure where Mercury's voice lies. I have no problem calling him a baritone, as he has a full chest voice in the baritone register. However, I could also see calling him a tenor due to the quality of his vocal blend in the tenor register.
      He may even be best classified as that elusive vocal fach colloquially known as the "baritenor." Bartenors are so named because they have the range and vocal quality to sing either part.

    • @lazarus2950
      @lazarus2950 Před 4 lety +1

      Appreciate the retrospective comments/edits. No one's perfect but your content is great and is a really engaging way of communicating musical theory in a relatable way. Hope more people find your videos

    • @yetz2291
      @yetz2291 Před 4 lety +2

      I would still say Freddie was a tenor, despite his low speaking voice. People with nodules typically speak pretty low compared to their actual vocal classification.

    • @cheriremily9360
      @cheriremily9360 Před 4 lety +1

      There were three singers for Under Pressure: David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, & Roger Taylor. Those ridiculous high notes were Taylor, not Freddie. Taylor had an amazing vocal range which is displayed throughout Bohemian Rhapsody and Under Pressure.

  • @TheEyrie
    @TheEyrie Před 4 lety +3159

    'Pointlessly low to unnecessarily high' is definitely a teacher's way of saying Freddie has ridiculous range!

    • @robinw77
      @robinw77 Před 4 lety +21

      F2 to F5 or something like that. Crazy!

    • @meteor74
      @meteor74 Před 4 lety +61

      freddie had a pretty average range, what set him apart from other singers is that he knew how to use it incredibly well

    • @sayethwe8683
      @sayethwe8683 Před 4 lety +21

      @@robinw77 google says f2 to f6. three full octaves.

    • @jackulstrom9150
      @jackulstrom9150 Před 4 lety +58

      @@robinw77 F#2 to G5 - actually a very, very standard low tenor range. As Thomas McMurty said, Mercury's real defining feature was his tastefulness and versatility (as well as the fact that he wasn't trained).

    • @jackulstrom9150
      @jackulstrom9150 Před 4 lety +30

      Although, now that I'm saying that, he actually hits an A5 in Under Pressure (and when he hits hit, he sounds like he could possibly squeeze a note or two higher). I guess Google ain't as reliable as I expected it to be ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

  • @MoniBahaa
    @MoniBahaa Před 4 lety +1580

    "Bowie offers us survival while Mercury offers us hope"
    I'm not crying, you are.

    • @macm.3889
      @macm.3889 Před 4 lety +12

      You’re right... I am...

    • @marquisdelafayette1929
      @marquisdelafayette1929 Před 4 lety +5

      Should be Bernie’s campaign song.

    • @eggboi8475
      @eggboi8475 Před 4 lety +5

      So under pressure is actually about Star Wars? I thought Freddie didn’t llike it

    • @lenaliu463
      @lenaliu463 Před 4 lety +5

      i never thought i'd cry during a song analysis video...

    • @halometallicalover27
      @halometallicalover27 Před 4 lety

      Idk why that line got to me 😭

  • @edwardjaydonh2984
    @edwardjaydonh2984 Před 4 lety +1507

    “He didn’t need to - so he didn’t.”
    Yep thats John

    • @user-yx9yi2kv5y
      @user-yx9yi2kv5y Před 4 lety +17

      Keegan H yup you gotta love em’

    • @skylerclyne6542
      @skylerclyne6542 Před 4 lety +8

      Sounds just about right

    • @audigex
      @audigex Před 4 lety +15

      John is my spirit animal

    • @MICKEYISLOWD
      @MICKEYISLOWD Před 4 lety +10

      He always played the perfect notes just like McCartney although they are very different:)

    • @str8kronic
      @str8kronic Před 4 lety

      Classic john

  • @heldmusic
    @heldmusic Před 4 lety +1852

    John Deacon is one of the most underappreciated members of Queen... heck, one of the most underappreciated musicians ever.

    • @thevoid99
      @thevoid99 Před 4 lety +145

      agreed, he came up with the foundation of the song with that bass line and he played it for long and when he, queen, bowie, and producer mack went out for a pizza. deacon suddenly forgot the bass line until roger taylor remembered it. it must've been some damn good pizza.

    • @spamsingles5948
      @spamsingles5948 Před 4 lety +30

      He's really not "one of the most underappreciated musicians ever

    • @nox4298
      @nox4298 Před 4 lety

      Agreed

    • @5roundsrapid263
      @5roundsrapid263 Před 4 lety +13

      thevoid99 Pizza and German beer. Lots of German beer.

    • @edwardjaydonh2984
      @edwardjaydonh2984 Před 4 lety +11

      sqrnookle he is a genius, musically and as an engineer.

  • @TomMilleyMusic
    @TomMilleyMusic Před 4 lety +1425

    I think what also makes it great is that it's a duet that isn't a love song or something cheesy. It's an actual song, and doesn't feel forced or anything. It's just a good song with two great artists.

    • @TomMilleyMusic
      @TomMilleyMusic Před 4 lety +13

      @Manuel Salokangas I'm talking about the duet aspect of it.

    • @TomMilleyMusic
      @TomMilleyMusic Před 4 lety +14

      @Manuel Salokangas Fair enough. I did consider mentioning the others actually, but decided to just stick to the duet aspect of it. Because technically, most duets also have others involved. But yes, the band should have all the praise they deserve.

    • @TomMilleyMusic
      @TomMilleyMusic Před 4 lety +8

      @Manuel Salokangas True enough, you too

    • @sonyabladesbooty3890
      @sonyabladesbooty3890 Před 4 lety +1

      It's a bad song that happens to have one great artist in it, that being Bowie.

    • @TomMilleyMusic
      @TomMilleyMusic Před 4 lety +11

      @@sonyabladesbooty3890 k

  • @a-dino
    @a-dino Před 4 lety +572

    I literally know nothing about music and don't understand what you're saying, but I still _understand_ what you're saying

    • @poisonpotato1
      @poisonpotato1 Před 4 lety +15

      I feel the same way. Like yeah I can see how music sounds upbeat and happy or sound sad, so but I didn’t understand all of the analysis

    • @chaitanya.shankar
      @chaitanya.shankar Před 4 lety +1

      I don’t understand what you are saying

    • @str8kronic
      @str8kronic Před 4 lety +14

      I've been watching these musical theory videos all day with the same feeling u just described. I am the most musically challenged person ever, I dont know anything but I feel like I am understanding what they are saying while being clueless at the same exact time

    • @Murglie
      @Murglie Před 3 lety +2

      Music is intrinsically human. Like, evolutionary and culturally, we are musical creatures. Music theory just puts words to the things we already instinctively know.

  • @matthewjamestaylor
    @matthewjamestaylor Před 4 lety +685

    Great video. I saw Queen in concert 5 times back in the 70s. Freddie didn't always sing the high notes live, and I got the impression that his voice was somewhat fragile. It was certainly weathered on long tours. That said, he did have great nights, and I saw a couple of them. On one occasion I remember him actually remarking to the crowd that his voice felt great that night. I will never forget the night he played with the "repeater" for some time while the rest of the band was taking a break. That "play" turned out to be the intro for the Prophet's Song when the other 3 returned to the stage. That technology (repeating and looping) seems old now, but it was mind blowing at the time. Cheers.

    • @crazy1234573
      @crazy1234573 Před 4 lety +10

      I love The Prophets Song!! Freddie blended every note he sang perfectly. 🎵🎵Listen to the wise man🎵🎵🎵🎵

    • @Fitzroyfallz
      @Fitzroyfallz Před 4 lety +42

      Most singers don't sing as high on their records on tour. You need to preserve your voice as much as possible.

    • @agave20091
      @agave20091 Před 4 lety +7

      You are so lucky!

    • @edwardjaydonh2984
      @edwardjaydonh2984 Před 4 lety +9

      Matthew Taylor you saw Queen in concert. I hope you remember those nights forever. Cheers, mate. 

    • @matthewjamestaylor
      @matthewjamestaylor Před 4 lety +26

      @@edwardjaydonh2984 Thanks for the reply. One quick story. I went to the NOTW concert (LA Forum), and since I was late getting a ticket, I had to settle for an "obscured view" seat. I was high up stage left (almost even with the front of the stage). The concert started with We Will Rock You. You could hear the thump/thump/Clap but the stage was dark. What I couldn't see were two platforms built way up in the air on each side of the stage (it was dark when I got there). When Brian May hit that first chord, a spot light lit him up and he was at my level about 10 feet in front of me. Shocker! Sometimes, "obscured view" was the best seat in the house. LOL I was in awe for the entire evening. Queen not only had great music, but their shows were off the charts. Cheers.

  • @ColWilBald
    @ColWilBald Před 4 lety +1315

    Vanilla Ice: Hippity Hoppity, this song is now my property

    • @PapaWheelie1
      @PapaWheelie1 Před 4 lety +43

      Keep an eye on your AC units, he will “borrow” those too.

    • @powerthrashingdeath
      @powerthrashingdeath Před 4 lety +4

      ColWilBald haha very funny fuck you

    • @dawson_cashwell
      @dawson_cashwell Před 4 lety +45

      RNKV 2.0 jeez, you must be a fun person in real life. Take a joke.

    • @brixitz9722
      @brixitz9722 Před 4 lety +25

      @@powerthrashingdeath vanilla ice is not a musician.

    • @Andrew-qb9bi
      @Andrew-qb9bi Před 4 lety +69

      @@brixitz9722 He's a stand user

  • @might_e
    @might_e Před 4 lety +959

    How dare you hit me with Loss

    • @amaice
      @amaice Před 4 lety +4

      wtf 8bit

    • @oravlaful
      @oravlaful Před 4 lety +12

      fUCK i can't believe they trolled us so hard
      i feel betrayed

    • @GameLimbs
      @GameLimbs Před 4 lety +29

      I literally lost it at that. XD

    • @roachdoggjr3786
      @roachdoggjr3786 Před 4 lety +7

      where

    • @wes4439
      @wes4439 Před 4 lety +20

      @@roachdoggjr3786 8:32

  • @recklessroges
    @recklessroges Před 4 lety +494

    6:15 "The vocals are a pretty crucial part of a duet" 12tone 2019

  • @glang00098
    @glang00098 Před 4 lety +171

    "That man's voice was cheating"...I died laughing. Best line!

    • @arnoldwardenaar127
      @arnoldwardenaar127 Před 3 lety +4

      That, combined with the ridiculously low to unnecessarily high...
      Not that he is jealous or anything🤣🤣🤣

  • @PetiscoMC
    @PetiscoMC Před 4 lety +369

    3:30 that sneaky "Never gonna give you up" lick though

    • @Zeupater
      @Zeupater Před 4 lety +9

      @PetiscoMC Did Queen and David Rick-Roll us, did 12 or did you? (Or all of the above?)

    • @kikojavier3804
      @kikojavier3804 Před 4 lety

      Dont get it

    • @uselessshroob
      @uselessshroob Před 4 lety +9

      @@kikojavier3804
      Here, made a video to explain the joke.
      czcams.com/video/dQw4w9WgXcQ/video.html

    • @hizon525
      @hizon525 Před 4 lety +16

      Key Co.
      12tone drew the notes of he chorus for Never Gonna Give you up

    • @daliish233
      @daliish233 Před 4 lety

      Unrelevant but that yasuo on your pfp...

  • @almoglevin
    @almoglevin Před 4 lety +432

    What singer has not been jealous of Freddie Mercury?.. :-)

    • @andrewsparkes8829
      @andrewsparkes8829 Před 4 lety +7

      Marc Martell.

    • @Teedo_
      @Teedo_ Před 4 lety +11

      @@andrewsparkes8829 same hights but he is missing the character

    • @pisos2.0
      @pisos2.0 Před 4 lety

      Dimash

    • @iamgroot3727
      @iamgroot3727 Před 4 lety +3

      Freddie himself

    • @yetz2291
      @yetz2291 Před 4 lety

      @@iamgroot3727 czcams.com/video/VCP0wrsWYwg/video.html if this Freddie wasn't jealous of this Freddie: czcams.com/video/mtyChIwokr0/video.html, then I don't know what he was thinking.

  • @dougthemoleman
    @dougthemoleman Před 4 lety +495

    I like your analyses, but I think it's important that people understand one thing: Queen likely didn't arrive at that bass line by thinking of adding an A first and syncopation second. It's okay, and very likely, to arrive at stuff like this intuitively. What you're doing is analyzing why it works, not how they got there.

    • @laradunphy1647
      @laradunphy1647 Před 4 lety +46

      actually legend had it that deacon came up with the bassline and forgot it when he and the other band members went out to lunch, and then I think it was roger who remembered it. so yeah it was probably just a casual thing deacon thought of rather than thinking of this from a music theorists' point of view. subconsciously though it seems he understands music theory, just maybe not the terminology and/or why the bassline works the way it does.

    • @lunakid12
      @lunakid12 Před 4 lety +9

      Exactly. That first 4 minutes of blatantly over-analysing that _very_ simple riff was kinda shocking to see, quite frankly. It forced me to reevaluate my opinion about this (otherwise great) channel.

    • @dougthemoleman
      @dougthemoleman Před 4 lety +65

      @@lunakid12 Oh come now, it doesn't take away from the channel. What he's saying is true. My comment was meant for people who may confuse analysis with writing. Analysis can be important, and even fun. But when you're writing, most often, you won't be in that headspace. Unless you're going for a very deliberate style or doing some sort of exercise.
      All that said, the channel is great, please don't get me wrong.

    • @lunakid12
      @lunakid12 Před 4 lety +11

      @@dougthemoleman Yes, and please you don't get me wrong either: it doesn't take away anything from _your_ (perception of the) channel, but it did from mine. (But I'll still keep being subscribed: I didn't say I now suddenly dislike it, just toned down my enthusiasm a little. I'll now feel more comfortable disagreeing, or ignoring sections etc.)
      I think we can agree that just about any one of us could have presumably come up with a riff like that, once in a while, and we know that if such building blocks work, it's because they organically match the musical context, not because of some artificial micro-considerations that filled those 4 full minutes.
      I do acknowledge that such a dissection can be a fun exercise (there's a reason I'm here...), and I don't mean to ruin it. It just made me realize (contrary to how I previously felt) how arbitrary and subjective these can actually be.
      (E.g. when he tried selling the idea of "they could've as well come up with" just a monotonic repetition of the same note as a viable bass "riff" there, that's not "truth", that's just an opinion, and one so disconnected from the actual musical subject at hand, that for me it invalidated the whole train of thought automatically.)
      And, again: this is just _my opinion_. (Sharing a crucial bit (the overwhelming importance of intuition) with yours, whether you like it or not. ;) Where we differ is that you call the analysis "true", and I call it over-the-top and unsubstantiated, but still entertaining (to others).)

    • @erinpeterson3202
      @erinpeterson3202 Před 4 lety +26

      yes, but the point of this video is analysis. and even if the conception of the riff was organic, there is still plenty to analyze

  • @VanGugenhiemer
    @VanGugenhiemer Před 4 lety +63

    I've always love the fact that this song is on both of their best of albums.

  • @TheInselaffen
    @TheInselaffen Před 4 lety +68

    They weren't just some 'finger snaps,' they are the relentless beat of human society, remember the intro is snaps and claps.

    • @1992thGuitarist
      @1992thGuitarist Před 4 lety

      Its not just that. I do not have perfect pitch or whatever but the snaps do feel like an extension of the baseline in the intro. It does feel like a G which is the starting chord, and actually the 4th in the scale creating a tension immediately.

    • @zackbuildit88
      @zackbuildit88 Před rokem

      @@1992thGuitarist but... aren't claps pitchless percussion?

  • @morosorodubuc5110
    @morosorodubuc5110 Před 4 lety +22

    “In my opinion ‘Under Pressure’ is one of THE best duets in the history of popular music.”
    I’VE BEEN SAYING THIS FOR YEARS! ITS SO GOOD! FINALLY SOMEONE ELSE UNDERSTANDS!

  • @CrimsionVision
    @CrimsionVision Před 4 lety +109

    David Bowie and Freddie Mercury?!
    Best Crossover in Music History!

    • @tonimacaroni2809
      @tonimacaroni2809 Před 4 lety

      Yes

    • @giovannigobbi4832
      @giovannigobbi4832 Před 4 lety +1

      Drew Bell Pictures I think that Lennon and Mercury would be a better crossover, the only problem is, it didn't happen

    • @tyuiocool
      @tyuiocool Před 4 lety +4

      Have you heard the song between Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury? It'll blow your mind.

    • @giovannigobbi4832
      @giovannigobbi4832 Před 4 lety +1

      @@tyuiocool I heard it, r u talkin about state of shock or there must be more to live than this? (there other duets I think

    • @xFireStyle
      @xFireStyle Před 4 lety +1

      @@giovannigobbi4832 'There Must Be More To Life Than This' MJ&Queen William Orbit Mix

  • @walkerdeserttracer6767
    @walkerdeserttracer6767 Před 4 lety +118

    Bowie had a much higher voice early on in his career just listen to life on Mars. But after he quit Cocaine in the late seventies his voice changed and in later songs in the nineties whenever he sang a little too high his voice would have a weird two tone sound. No one ever mentions it, not even Bowie, but I think he damaged his voice and probably wore a hole through his septum or upper palate according to some light googling.
    In an interview Bowie said he realized he had to quit when he sneezed and “half my brains came out”.

    • @turnleftaticeland
      @turnleftaticeland Před 4 lety +16

      There’s definitely a noticeable descent in range throughout his 70s albums. Ziggy Stardust (72) has an almost squealy tone to it, Aladdin Sane (73) becomes raspier and more theatrical, Diamond Dogs (74) the rasp is practically trademarked, and by Young Americans (75)/Station to Station (76) he’s a full-on deep resonant baritone. (And somehow it’s stellar no matter what.)

    • @253timeandtimeagain2
      @253timeandtimeagain2 Před 4 lety +6

      I think that his vocal performances on albums like Young Americans ('75), Scary Monsters ('80) or Outside ('95) are way more impressive than the ones on the early albums. However, i obviously love the high tone of Hunky Dory or Ziggy Stardust.

    • @turnleftaticeland
      @turnleftaticeland Před 4 lety +7

      253 timeandtimeagain Oh, I agree. He definitely refined his technique over time, especially once he escaped cocaine land lol. Lodger and Scary Monsters have some of the best vocals he ever recorded (Look Back In Anger anyone??). Personally, though, I think Sweet Thing from Diamond Dogs is his best vocal performance of all time. Just over 3 octaves spanned in a matter of measures, and with such buildup of intensity and release of emotion... Bowie is truly unmatched, no matter the time period.

    • @253timeandtimeagain2
      @253timeandtimeagain2 Před 4 lety +6

      @@turnleftaticeland "it'safe in the cityyy..." just amazing!

    • @jaschabull2365
      @jaschabull2365 Před 3 lety +7

      So, he displayed both trauma-induced heterochromia and trauma-induced two-toned vocals? Sounds like a thematic motif for an anime character or something.

  • @Andres33AU
    @Andres33AU Před 4 lety +7

    There was a quote from I think Brian May, in regards to why Queen's music was so popular, and he said something along the lines that they don't sing about fame and fortune, but about daily struggles in everyday life, and about being human, and I think that resonates most with their listeners. Also I love the presentation and discussion from this channel! Instantly subscribed! :)

    • @Inverse_to_Chaos
      @Inverse_to_Chaos Před rokem

      That’s exactly what I love about Queen.
      This is how you appeal rock to a pop audience or vice versa.
      And I never see Queen as Freddie up front, although he legitimately was and rightfully so was. But I have always seen four normal English men in a row that have some gifted talent and passion towards writing and performing some of the most iconic hits in rock 'n' roll history.

  • @xFireStyle
    @xFireStyle Před 4 lety +250

    Fun fact: we almost lost Under Pressure to a pizza because of deacon.

    • @veronicag4593
      @veronicag4593 Před 4 lety +4

      xFireStyle 🤔explain ...

    • @xFireStyle
      @xFireStyle Před 4 lety +118

      @@veronicag4593 deacon played the bass line, then they ate pizza and john forgot it, but luckily roger and brian remembered it so he could play it again.

    • @nickgriffin7710
      @nickgriffin7710 Před 4 lety +21

      Dammit pizza...

    • @agave20091
      @agave20091 Před 4 lety +5

      It was his riff.

    • @sleepingdragons57
      @sleepingdragons57 Před 4 lety +22

      @@agave20091 yeah but he forgot it because he only played it once then just left it alone for a couple hours

  • @cavaleriedesmarresetdesguetres

    I'm tired, my English is not perfect and I don't know anything about music
    I didn't understand a thing and yet I still watched this video entirely because it sounded so interesting
    Anyway keep on the good work, I guess

  • @abramthiessen8749
    @abramthiessen8749 Před 4 lety +103

    8:31 Minimalist loss comic spotted.

    • @louisnixon9870
      @louisnixon9870 Před 4 lety +2

      nice

    • @radicaledward84
      @radicaledward84 Před 4 lety +1

      Yeah, I was in this serious mood since when he said that Bowie=survival and Mercury=hope and then the hylarious unexpected happened. Well, the meme is hylarious, not what was depicted in the original comic of course. That's just sad.

  • @crazy1234573
    @crazy1234573 Před 4 lety +16

    I have always loved this song so much!! The fact that they just improvised and came up with it in the studio is amazing.

  • @artysanmobile
    @artysanmobile Před 4 lety +19

    It’s a long held maxim for musicians that the magic is in the rests.

  • @christianwalters2226
    @christianwalters2226 Před 4 lety +253

    Now were getting close to our final form. *proceeds to draw frieza*
    SUBSCRIBED
    *later on* It does help that Mercury was holding a high G, then jumps to a high A, that man's voice was cheating *proceeds to write the Konami code*
    TURNS ON NOTIFICATIONS

    • @JohnnyTortel
      @JohnnyTortel Před 4 lety +12

      Still the descending line gives you a sense of loss and defeat. Proceeds to draw loss

    • @Xrysalys
      @Xrysalys Před 4 lety

      Throws in a subtle rickroll
      LIKED

    • @arthurdamato2668
      @arthurdamato2668 Před 4 lety +2

      9:31 "...so it doesn't feel completely resolved." Draws element 117, tennessine (Ts). CHEMISTRY NERDERY IN THE MIDDLE OF A MUSIC THEORY LESSON I AM SO IN.

  • @12tone
    @12tone  Před 4 lety +29

    Some additional thoughts/corrections:
    1) I have a merch store now! I'm gonna be showing the stuff off more in a future video, but if you want to check it out you can find it here: standard.tv/12tone
    2) Technically speaking, in the bridge, I'd analyze the F and G7 as secondary chords temporarily tonicizing the Ami: I don't believe it's a real key change, and if I had infinite time I probably would've gotten into that, but the distinction didn't seem that important so I'm clarifying here instead.
    3) In retrospect I think it would've been more accurate to describe the bass riff under the guitar line as an ostinato rather than a pedal but eh, terminology is boring anyway. The point is it doesn't change: What you call the non-changing thing has little impact on its musical effect.

    • @MisterAppleEsq
      @MisterAppleEsq Před 4 lety

      I think it's fair to call it a pedal as well as ostinato, because it's the bass and it essentially changes all the chords to be slash chords over the tonic, like a pedal would.

    • @obliviousotterI
      @obliviousotterI Před 3 lety

      You should probably pin this

  • @andreborges2881
    @andreborges2881 Před 3 lety +4

    As a person who actually prefers Bowie's theatrical baritone to Mercury's unabashed mastery and spectacle: this duet is perfect. I couldn't imagine these two building something more beautiful together (along with good ole Deacon, May and Rogers, of course).

  • @ethanjaspers8580
    @ethanjaspers8580 Před 4 lety +315

    The question remains. Did Mercury have cheats enabled or was he just exploiting the existing system?

    • @Yungblut
      @Yungblut Před 4 lety +89

      Freddie was and untrained singer that also smoked, so he was playing in hard mode actually XD

    • @ethanjaspers8580
      @ethanjaspers8580 Před 4 lety

      @@Yungblut ha.

    • @Mr_Stanley888
      @Mr_Stanley888 Před 4 lety +5

      @@Yungblut He smoked something for sure.

    • @rainersnookh
      @rainersnookh Před 4 lety +21

      That’s why he got banned and have to leave early

    • @agave20091
      @agave20091 Před 4 lety +2

      What are cheats?

  •  Před 4 lety +17

    I literally burst into tears when I finally understood the geniality of the bass riff... it is not just an awesome riff, it is The Riff.

  • @madebyike
    @madebyike Před 4 lety +3

    Just listening to this description of this song gives me goose bumps by shear proximity to greatness.
    As a side note, the line, "...because that man's voice was cheating" is the best description I think I've ever heard of Mercury.

  • @lincolnjezek4370
    @lincolnjezek4370 Před 4 lety +8

    the emotion this song gives me, I cant quite put my finger on it

  • @00SNIVY00
    @00SNIVY00 Před 4 lety +69

    11:23 "...because that man's voice was *cheating*"

  • @turtle4llama
    @turtle4llama Před 4 lety +22

    I laughed so loud at "that man's voice was cheating" that I scared my cat

  • @finw-k6805
    @finw-k6805 Před 4 lety +5

    Never really fully appreciated the brilliance of Deacon until this video; he's one hell of a musician.

  • @Producelikeapro
    @Producelikeapro Před 3 lety +10

    How am I now only just seeing this? This is such an amazing video! Thanks ever so much for making this!

  • @ValouIka
    @ValouIka Před 4 lety +8

    David Bowie and Queen is indeed an *explosive* duo.

  • @OldHumbleDistillingCompany

    Bowie offers us survival, Mercury offers us hope. That's absolutely beautiful. I love this video and love this song even more now.

  • @OneNvrKnoz
    @OneNvrKnoz Před 4 lety +1

    This is legit your best analysis yet. Keep up the amazing work!

  • @playgroundchooser
    @playgroundchooser Před 4 lety +9

    Dare I say this was my single favorite episode of 12 Tone?? I laughed so hard multiple times.

  • @girllionness5944
    @girllionness5944 Před 4 lety +23

    loved this, especially the explanation of the bass part! you should do one on duran duran's rio or girls on film, would love to see you deconstruct the bassline on those

    • @5roundsrapid263
      @5roundsrapid263 Před 4 lety +2

      Yes, please. John Taylor is right up there with John Deacon.

  • @angelvu
    @angelvu Před 4 lety +1

    thank you for covering this, I feel like everyone has forgotten or never cared to look at these two

  • @SendyTheEndless
    @SendyTheEndless Před 4 lety +2

    3:33 I love it when you bring it home like this. Just... wow. Thanks!

  • @Chuwie18
    @Chuwie18 Před 4 lety +11

    I've been waiting for this so long. It makes so happy to finally see it. Thank you!!
    PS: Everlong by Foo Fighters would be amazing. Anyway, love the channel.

  • @5up3rp3rs0n
    @5up3rp3rs0n Před 4 lety +55

    3:30 tfw rickroll

  • @MycelianNetwork
    @MycelianNetwork Před 4 lety

    your videos always give me a new appreciation for my favorite songs!

  • @hacerclic1020
    @hacerclic1020 Před 4 lety

    That was brilliant. It adds to my appreciation of this incredible song. Thanks!

  • @Heyiya-if
    @Heyiya-if Před 4 lety +5

    There really is a reason this is one of the best rock songs ever.

  • @diabalotia
    @diabalotia Před 4 lety +3

    well done on jamming in the loss meme
    also an interesting fact about this was that as far as ive heard, both mercury and bowie didnt know who they were going to be dueting the song with until after each part was already recorded

  • @kiaraarts5156
    @kiaraarts5156 Před 4 lety

    This was the most fun I have ever had watching a educational video about music- I LOVE how you broke the song apart and added the notes as you spoke about them, (Audibly and drawing them) that made this really interesting and amazing to watch!

  • @vatorudy
    @vatorudy Před 4 lety

    Thank you. It's great listening to you have such enthusiasm in dissecting this great music.

  • @EvilSapphireR
    @EvilSapphireR Před 4 lety +7

    Best gift for my birthday! A 12tones video and with a song that is one of my most favorites. Really a treat to watch your break-down videos man.

    • @bv1989ro
      @bv1989ro Před 4 lety +1

      Happy birthday🎉🎉🎉
      I totally get your fillings, even if today is not my birthday I still enjoyed this video almost as much as a gift

    • @EvilSapphireR
      @EvilSapphireR Před 4 lety

      @@bv1989ro thank you. Happy belated birthday to you too!

    • @bv1989ro
      @bv1989ro Před 4 lety

      @@EvilSapphireR thx

  • @TimSimon69
    @TimSimon69 Před 4 lety +4

    Finally, a Queen song!!!! Keep it up Corey!! Awesome analysis 💗💗💗

  • @user-fn1ot9es3b
    @user-fn1ot9es3b Před 4 lety

    I got chills from that riff analysis, that was so inspirational... I never thought of it that way, but I could feel it

  • @kirk001
    @kirk001 Před 4 lety

    Thank you for making this video. I've never studied music or music theory in any way so you're giving me a great introduction to it. And, especially this song--you've given me a whole new appreciation of it--like really hearing it for the first time--and man, I can really relate to it in this world. So thank you again so much!

  • @RogerAlan
    @RogerAlan Před 4 lety +13

    I've never come across your videos or anything like this before. I'm not saying I understand everything you just said, but hearing music explained in this way is almost the emotional equivalent of translating an ancient language. Bravo.

    • @rileynavra
      @rileynavra Před 4 lety

      Roger Alan that’s because music IS an ancient language

  • @MattMoney
    @MattMoney Před 4 lety +4

    “This weeks gonna be a good one”
    You couldn’t be more right!

  • @RemyLuciani
    @RemyLuciani Před 4 lety

    As usual, thank you for your amazing work!

  • @NightRogue77
    @NightRogue77 Před 4 lety

    Love ur content - subbed! Nothing better than when someone opens your eyes in such a way that you find more ways to love something you already love 🙏👍

  • @eldorados_lost_searcher
    @eldorados_lost_searcher Před 4 lety +27

    6:44
    "Pointlessly low to unnecessarily high..."
    That bat you drew. Is that a Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas reference?

  • @rurichan6455
    @rurichan6455 Před 4 lety +7

    Well David Bowie's Stand, Killer Queen is a representation of his fighting ability. Thats why they were so perfect for each other

    • @jaschabull2365
      @jaschabull2365 Před 3 lety

      I always wondered why his stand is Killer Queen if Bowie doesn't even sing in that song.

  • @yvc9
    @yvc9 Před rokem

    Wonderful channel. Thank you for all the insights.

  • @marisa4942
    @marisa4942 Před rokem

    I really appreciate the effort you put in analysing the chords and cute drawing! Thank you!

  • @rglover444
    @rglover444 Před 4 lety +7

    That Frieza drawing lol. Top tier references

  • @fankidtastic
    @fankidtastic Před 4 lety +16

    "because that mans voice was cheating" thats so accurate ahaha

  • @saam6768
    @saam6768 Před 4 lety

    Great analysis of a great song. Thank you especially for this one.

  • @Sammy71ful
    @Sammy71ful Před 4 lety

    I love the way this video is done! The drawings are great! Also very fascinating content.

  • @pororokun1597
    @pororokun1597 Před 4 lety +14

    now i understand how they made Yoshikage Kira and Killer Queen

    • @albumkosong
      @albumkosong Před 4 lety +1

      Kira bait the dust is basically Kira under pressure

  • @ArthurDWolfe
    @ArthurDWolfe Před 4 lety +5

    When the video hit 08:30 and "a sense of loss" I almost lost my shit. Never have I been so happy about my own meme literacy.

    • @Lyander25
      @Lyander25 Před 4 lety

      That, Frieza, the Konami code... 12tone is all the memes.

  • @CaptainWastrel
    @CaptainWastrel Před 4 lety

    I just found your channel via youtube recommended. I loved every single video i watched so far, you're an AMAZING content creator, I swear if you don't have a million subs by december 2020 I'll riot

  • @cheesecakelasagna
    @cheesecakelasagna Před 4 lety +1

    Your way of drawing keywords in visual/abstract perfectly compliments my learning/studying technique! I remember your points more and easier this way even though I still don't know how to read music nor understand it much. Thank you!

  • @deanyona6246
    @deanyona6246 Před 4 lety +30

    You should make a video about Yes' Close to the Edge.

    • @hpoz222
      @hpoz222 Před 4 lety +13

      The first 2-hour-long 12tone video

    • @Cyssane
      @Cyssane Před 4 lety +3

      Hmm, bit long for a typical 12Tone video. Tell ya what -- split the difference and make it Moonlight Desires by Gowan, since Jon Anderson of Yes sang backing vocals.

    • @CreativityCurve
      @CreativityCurve Před 4 lety

      Waiting for a 5 hour video on Art of Life personally

  • @tatomar001
    @tatomar001 Před 4 lety +3

    I always found amazing how the song was constructed, i remember hearing that they had actually forgotten the riff, then someone (i think roger) rembered it and they recorded what i think was freddies part, without leaving space for davids part, and david then came and started recording his part in the free spaces in freddies singing and that's why there is this feeling of counterpoint or answering in some parts of the song.

    • @zbr76
      @zbr76 Před 11 měsíci

      David was actually listening in secretly on Freddie's takes. That's how he filled in the gaps so well.

  • @RobbyBloodshed
    @RobbyBloodshed Před 4 lety

    Man, you break it down perfect. Top notch.

  • @johnellisbushbush
    @johnellisbushbush Před 4 lety

    This was awesome man, this is my favourite song!

  • @klatix100
    @klatix100 Před 4 lety +12

    You hid a rickroll and loss in this video.
    I feel violated

  • @lz4005
    @lz4005 Před 4 lety +18

    With this song I feel like you could have gone on twice and long and still not covered everything.

  • @MrKite_
    @MrKite_ Před 4 lety

    So much magic in one song,thanks! 💫💫💫

  • @videosofjaymzstudio
    @videosofjaymzstudio Před 4 lety +2

    Ive learned more in this video than i have in music class. Great video!

  • @OtherSideOfMorning
    @OtherSideOfMorning Před 4 lety +26

    The use of that angler fish was absolutely brilliant!
    Hmm, they are under some serious pressure as well

    • @AmandaKaymusic
      @AmandaKaymusic Před 4 lety +2

      Talking about hooks, scales and lines I'm surprised there aren't more fish in these terrific clips.

  • @Zestrayswede
    @Zestrayswede Před 4 lety +10

    I have this song on my phone and I never knew David Bowie was singing the low bits (I just assumed it was someone else in the band).

    • @Blhanhell
      @Blhanhell Před 4 lety +5

      Blasphemy!

    • @michelthibodeau3474
      @michelthibodeau3474 Před 4 lety +3

      @@Blhanhell It's a bigger blasphemy to say that the Shawn Mendes version is better (like my teen daughter claims) SMH!

    • @HobGungan
      @HobGungan Před 4 lety +3

      As good as Bowie is, it's blasphemy to call it a Bowie song ft. Queen. It's a Queen song ft. Bowie

  • @Aleyi7
    @Aleyi7 Před 4 lety

    Thanks man. Great video, very informative. 👍

  • @supersaiyancommenter
    @supersaiyancommenter Před 4 lety

    Awesome! I was curious about this song when I first heard it, thanks!

  • @jacob.southern
    @jacob.southern Před 4 lety +8

    David Bowie uses Killer Queen, Stray Cat, and Bites the Dust, what do you not under**stand**

  • @Mageling55
    @Mageling55 Před 4 lety +10

    I laughed so hard at the Konami code slipped in there

  • @fugithegreat
    @fugithegreat Před 4 lety +1

    This song gives me chills every single time.

  • @yusufylmaz6417
    @yusufylmaz6417 Před 4 lety

    This videos are so helpful to me as i am studying music theory and i can't get this anywhere at all. Thank you so much.

  • @oNTiger
    @oNTiger Před 4 lety +4

    “Now we’re getting close to our final form”
    Then he drew Frieza.

  • @raghavsinghal3056
    @raghavsinghal3056 Před 4 lety +4

    "Understanding Under Pressure" why did I think this was a guide to studying one day before the exam? Lol

  • @lollinelson5549
    @lollinelson5549 Před 4 lety

    Brilliant! Thank you!

  • @DoubleBassX2
    @DoubleBassX2 Před 4 lety +1

    You are so open-minded.
    Love this channel; keep it up man!

  • @lucasdriessen5369
    @lucasdriessen5369 Před 4 lety +24

    8:30 is this...?

  • @Scrimzy
    @Scrimzy Před 4 lety +7

    The 75 people who disliked the video came from Ice Ice Baby.

  • @faizh8618
    @faizh8618 Před 4 lety

    This is so well made, definitely subscribed

  • @ocean037
    @ocean037 Před 4 lety +1

    I really love that you went extra nerd with some of your drawings here!

  • @shingshongshamalama
    @shingshongshamalama Před 4 lety +6

    "But then it goes down to A"
    *pachelbel ptsd flashback*

  • @hallamhal
    @hallamhal Před 4 lety +36

    Bowie? Not much range?
    Don't let me hear you say life's taking you nowhere...
    ANNNNGELLLLLLLLLL!!!

  • @KingstonCzajkowski
    @KingstonCzajkowski Před 3 lety

    Great video analyzing the song! And nice job dropping in a Saint-Exupéry quote in there; that alone made me subscribe.

  • @PatrickMoon994
    @PatrickMoon994 Před 4 lety

    Perfect.
    Din't know this song before but after watching Amazon prime Good Omen , I've been listening Under Pressure almost everyday.
    The melody , the lyrics and duet between Freddie Mercury and David Bowie are just enchanting. Love it.