Karen O And Willie Nelson Link Up For Cover Of Queen And David Bowie's Under Pressure

Karen O and Willie Nelson have teamed up for a cover of Queen and David Bowie's iconic hit Under Pressure.

The revamp deviates far from the 1981 cut with the pair transforming the song into an acoustic guitar-driven country ballad.

Produced by TV On The Radio's Dave Sitek, it also features the talents of Karen O's Yeah Yeah Yeahs bandmate Nick Zinner alongside Imaad Wasif, Johnny Hanson and Priscilla Ahn. Press play below.

The unlikely collaboration was inspired by the imminent American presidential election and sparked after Karen asked the country legend through a mutual friend if he'd ever be willing to duet. In a statement, she said:

"At this point my mind was melting but I had to focus and pull a song out of the ether that was worthy of a living legend and spoke to the people in troubled times, not an easy assignment. Then like a bolt out of the blue Under Pressure came to mind.

"I've heard this song countless times without processing the gravity of what Bowie and Freddie were singing about, maybe because their performances are so exhilarating you get swept away in the high of that duet."

"Our cover was meant to be more intimate but just as saturated with the power of love. I can't listen to this song without tearing up every time Willie comes in, one of the purest voices which of course reflects a pure heart, and I get to sing alongside it. I never knew if it was actually going to happen but you must dare to dream. I hope the song brings as much light to the listener as it has to me in dark times."

Yeah Yeah Yeahs' last album was 2013's 'Mosquito'. Nelson, meanwhile, put out his 70th full-length, 'First Rose Of Spring', in July. 

Related News