| Rubbersuit 20.03.2009 14:13 |
Hey QZers, I'm having a bit of a debate with someone over something silly. Who was it that sang the high note in Under Pressure (you know the one!). To my ears, it sounds just like Roger Taylor, but the other person is saying it's Freddie. Is there a definitive word on this? I don't think either attempted it live. Thanks! |
| Saif 20.03.2009 14:31 |
It was David Bowie!...just kiddin'. It was Freddie. |
| Yara 20.03.2009 14:55 |
Reinhold Mack. : -) Well, it was him in many ways indeed, but, let's say, taking Reinhold Mack huge factor out of the equation, if the note you have in mind is the same as the one I have in mine, then "Freddie", or Freddie, for christ's sake. Hahaha. Anyway, it's such a beautifully produced and composed song. The album version is terrific. But I (I=me=Yara=personal opinion, and so on) thought the live versions were usually so bad, that I kind of skipped the song in Live at the Bowl and Wembley 86. :-) I was growing more tolerant, though, until I discovered Bowie's live versions with brilliant bassist/singer Gail Ann Dorsey - that's the way the song should sound live, in my opinion. In some of their concerts, I'd dare to say they are definitive live renditions of the song. |
| Crisstti 20.03.2009 15:46 |
I love the song. I haven't heard Bowie's version, but I think Queen played it great live!. I think it's a song that always worked great live. By the way, has anyone heard that interview in which Freddie talks about some problem they had with Bowie over the song, and he calls him "asshole"?. I hope they fixed things later!. |
| Major Tom 20.03.2009 15:55 |
Yara wrote: Reinhold Mack. : -) Well, it was him in many ways indeed, but, let's say, taking Reinhold Mack huge factor out of the equation, if the note you have in mind is the same as the one I have in mine, then "Freddie", or Freddie, for christ's sake. Hahaha. Anyway, it's such a beautifully produced and composed song. The album version is terrific. But I (I=me=Yara=personal opinion, and so on) thought the live versions were usually so bad, that I kind of skipped the song in Live at the Bowl and Wembley 86. :-) I was growing more tolerant, though, until I discovered Bowie's live versions with brilliant bassist/singer Gail Ann Dorsey - that's the way the song should sound live, in my opinion. In some of their concerts, I'd dare to say they are definitive live renditions of the song.YEAH! She is by far the coolest bassplayer ever...female that is. Male...well, any competition there? Deaky and Adam Clayton. |
| Mercury 90 20.03.2009 15:59 |
Yara wrote: Reinhold Mack. : -) Well, it was him in many ways indeed, but, let's say, taking Reinhold Mack huge factor out of the equation, if the note you have in mind is the same as the one I have in mine, then "Freddie", or Freddie, for christ's sake. Hahaha. Anyway, it's such a beautifully produced and composed song. The album version is terrific. But I (I=me=Yara=personal opinion, and so on) thought the live versions were usually so bad, that I kind of skipped the song in Live at the Bowl and Wembley 86. :-) I was growing more tolerant, though, until I discovered Bowie's live versions with brilliant bassist/singer Gail Ann Dorsey - that's the way the song should sound live, in my opinion. In some of their concerts, I'd dare to say they are definitive live renditions of the song. Funny thing^^ My opinion of this song goes in the complete opposite direction, I don't like the studio version or the live version of bowie and love Queens Live renditions! But as Yara said: I=me=Mercury 90= personal opinion, and so on^^ |
| Sebastian 20.03.2009 16:23 |
Back to topic: of course it's Freddie. Roger sounds completely different when doing that note (e.g. Lap of the Gods) |
| Legy 20.03.2009 16:25 |
It was young Merc. |
| mike hunt 20.03.2009 17:36 |
people are strange on this site, that high note sounds nothing like roger. |
| Rick 20.03.2009 18:00 |
The Montreal version is my favourite. The duet between Roger and Freddie works damn well. Plus Freddie's doing a falsetto, which sounds great. |
| Claudio_CQI 20.03.2009 18:39 |
For me i'ts Freddie voice, but somebody used to talk about an interaction with Red Special thru the end of the high note... |
| beautifulsoup 20.03.2009 20:31 |
claudiox wrote: For me i'ts Freddie voice, but somebody used to talk about an interaction with Red Special thru the end of the high note... That's what I've always thought from listening to it. |
| emma246000 21.03.2009 02:49 |
It was definitely Freddie! [img=/images/smiley/msn/regular_smile.gif][/img] |
| Rick 21.03.2009 09:35 |
It's definitely Freddie. Keep in mind that his voice was truly at its peak at the time. If you listen to Soul Brother, you'll get why. |
| Marcos Napier 22.03.2009 12:30 |
beautifulsoup wrote:claudiox wrote: For me i'ts Freddie voice, but somebody used to talk about an interaction with Red Special thru the end of the high note...That's what I've always thought from listening to it. That's Freddie, but up to a certain point where it mixes with the RS which is what finishes it. |
| Valentine '90 28.03.2009 05:37 |
Yara wrote: Reinhold Mack. : -) Well, it was him in many ways indeed, but, let's say, taking Reinhold Mack huge factor out of the equation, if the note you have in mind is the same as the one I have in mine, then "Freddie", or Freddie, for christ's sake. Hahaha. Anyway, it's such a beautifully produced and composed song. The album version is terrific. But I (I=me=Yara=personal opinion, and so on) thought the live versions were usually so bad, that I kind of skipped the song in Live at the Bowl and Wembley 86. :-) I was growing more tolerant, though, until I discovered Bowie's live versions with brilliant bassist/singer Gail Ann Dorsey - that's the way the song should sound live, in my opinion. In some of their concerts, I'd dare to say they are definitive live renditions of the song. Live perfoming of Under Pressure always is the one of mine favourites moments from every show. I hate Bowie sang the song on Tribute Concert. I think, album verison a bit cuted - I mean, it does not sounds like one song, but like a few lines mixed together. But Freddie is brilliant here, better then Bowie. Fred's lines are more various, if you understand me :( |
| Bigfish 02.04.2009 07:55 |
Yes Mr. Mack, ha ha excellent. The best answer by far. Watch out for my new poll coming soon - " The best ever reply to QZ forum answers"....coming soon (though probably not on the outside of the tracks). |
| comingsoonkid 30.05.2009 04:18 |
freddie... It doesnt sound like roger at all... I love his high notes though xxx |
| Wiley 31.05.2009 13:13 |
According to the Queen Myths and Misinformation Society (M&M'S) it was David Richards.You can quote me on that. Don't believe me? Believe Brian: "It was David Richards..." - Brian May, 1981 - See? Talk to you in five years, when this is considered an unquestioned fact by some. Queen Myths and Misinfirmation Society "Spreading Internet FACTS since 1996" |
| i-Fred 04.06.2009 01:51 |
John did..... |
| doxonrox 05.06.2009 20:31 |
Strong rumor has it that Delilah had to swoop up to that one! |
| Daniel Nester 05.06.2009 22:12 |
Here's a slightly still on topic question: Did Freddie ever try for the high notes in his verse live? Did he always sort of talk-sing the "chippin' around" bit? |
| Dusta 03.11.2009 00:18 |
Revising an old thread because I have recently become enamoured of this song and didn't want to start a new thread: What is everyone's favorite live version? I do not care for Bowie's particularly. There are two things about that song that really do it for me: JD's bass line and Freddie's voice. I have listened to the live versions a great deal recently, and, can't really decide which I like most. I like the Wembley version because of the overall flow and I enjoy the way Freddie sings it, however, the tempo seems a bit speedy. I like the Montreal version because I think it is the best, vocally. Freddie sings it beautifully, even adding his falsetto(which is really not that great for Freddie, but, still...). I like the MK version because of the overall jam like feel the band gives. This is a song I didn't much care for when it first began playing in clubs. It got almost no air play in my area. I don't know why, recently, I have come to enjoy it so much. |
| Angeline 03.11.2009 12:38 |
Yara wrote: Reinhold Mack. : -) Well, it was him in many ways indeed, but, let's say, taking Reinhold Mack huge factor out of the equation, if the note you have in mind is the same as the one I have in mine, then "Freddie", or Freddie, for christ's sake. Hahaha. Anyway, it's such a beautifully produced and composed song. The album version is terrific. But I (I=me=Yara=personal opinion, and so on) thought the live versions were usually so bad, that I kind of skipped the song in Live at the Bowl and Wembley 86. :-) I was growing more tolerant, though, until I discovered Bowie's live versions with brilliant bassist/singer Gail Ann Dorsey - that's the way the song should sound live, in my opinion. In some of their concerts, I'd dare to say they are definitive live renditions of the song. Hi Yara, Just wondering if I'm taking the right meaning from this - are you saying it's enhanced and sped up, hence use of speech marks in 'Freddie'? |
| Dane 04.11.2009 04:18 |
Have a listen to the isolated vocal(+some other stuff) track from RockBand. (goose bumps!) Very obviously Freddie. or Mack or David or Deaky :p |
| Dusta 05.11.2009 20:24 |
I believe in the Montreal version, he just sticks to(pretty much) how it was done in the studio, even doing his falsetto, which sounds pretty much as it did on the studio version(I always thought Fred's falsetto was not on par with himself on the studio version of UP. Perhaps it was intentional...hard to know). That is one reason that this is my favorite version. He and Roger do a lovely job singing, and, the bass is more prominant.
He talk-sings it in the MK version, and, also at Wembley, I believe. I cannot do youtube at home, so I am going by memory, here.
Oh, and, back on topic: as everyone else has said, I think it has got to be Freddie. I never doubted it, and, have heard him sing similarly in some of the vocal improvs(one from Japan comes to mind), so have no doubt he can manage it.
Daniel Nester wrote: Here's a slightly still on topic question: Did Freddie ever try for the high notes in his verse live? Did he always sort of talk-sing the "chippin' around" bit? |