I felt some pressure earlier that brought to mind one of my favorite karaoke songs. Under Pressure gives its attention to society-wide economic pressures that lead to homelessness, panic attacks, and apathy. It weighs the idea of love as a salve for these societal wounds but concludes that to authentically love those who are impoverished and suffering, and therefore refuse to accept the state of things, is too much to bear.

The song as performed by Queen and David Bowie is bombastic and energizing, though this energy dissipates when shared with the listener due to the song's lack of a call to action. This choice makes sense since each listener has a unique relationship to these pressures. There's not an easy answer, but shining a spotlight on the issue is useful.

The title of the 80's anthem reminded me of another favorite song, Under the Pressure by The War on Drugs. The pressure discussed in this song is more vague and personal, perhaps something to do with relationship woes. It has a more mellow sound and long instrumental breaks that leave space to consider one's own pressures. The most interesting lyrics of the song feel intensely personal:

When you come here and I'm wasted
Lyin' on a field, dancin' in the rain
Hidin' in the back, loosenin' my grip
Wadin' in the water, just tryin' not to crack
Under the pressure

The singer uses an unspecified substance and frivolity to cope with their situation. They cannot face the pressure directly, which is also the case in Under Pressure.

I wonder whether this a general truism about pressure, that confronting it head-on is unbearable? My gut response is that I'm skeptical about the nature of pressure as these songs present it. The songs frame pressure as a result of certain conditions, but isn't being under that pressure a choice? Isn't there always space between stimulus and response? Just because one experiences financial distress or heartbreak doesn't mean feeling pressure must accompany the experience.

The pressure that I chose to feel earlier was due to internal conditions. I was stuck feeding an unhealthy narrative related to recent trouble finding essay topics: "Why don't I have some philosopher or artist or historical event I'm eager to write about? Everyone on twitter has so much to talk about all of the time, why not me? Am I really such a boring person?" But this self-loathing / narcissism is a distraction from doing the work I know I'm capable of doing. Case in point.