The War on Drugs “Under the Pressure” released

Under the Pressure The War on Drugs

Writer(s): Adam Granduciel (see lyrics here) Released: May 26, 2014 First Charted: March 21, 2015 Peak: 19 AA, 1 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 24.5 video, 62.54 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: The War on Drugs formed in Philadelphia in 2005. The rock band’s original lineup consisted of singer/guitarist Adam Granduciel and guitarist/keyboardist Kurt Vile with bassist David Hartley. Vile left after the band’s debut album, 2008’s Wagonwheel Blues, for a solo career. Neither that album nor its follow-up, 2011’s Slave Ambient, charted in the United States although the latter petered onto the UK charts at #127. The band’s third album, 2014’s Lost in the Dream, became a critical favorite and the commercial highpoint of their career reaching #26 in the U.S. and #18 in the UK. Allmusic.com called it the “most fully realized statement from the group thus far…with a sense of purpose and understated brilliance.” AMG The album produced five singles, none of which had huge chart implications, although “Under the Pressure” got to #19 on the adult alternative chart. The song title reflected Adam Granduciel’s struggles after the band came off their tour supporting their second album. He struggled to readjust to everyday life, dealing with loneliness, anxiety, depression, and paranoia. The band’s music has been viewed “as an update to the wild-eyed sermons of [Bob] Dylan and [Bruce] Springsteen or the summer-night abandon that Tom Petty perfected, all filter through walls of decidedly indie guitar noise.” AMG One Reddit user called the track “a freakin’ force of nature” “among the greatest songs of the decade.” RD Another described it as “a masterpiece” built on a “simple piano melody, the backing drums, the yearning vocals…[and] warbling guitars.” RD Songtell.com breaks down the song, saying, “In the first verse, the narrator talks about how the ‘comedown’ is easy, but without you (presumably a loved one), everything felt wasted and pointless. The chorus then captures the theme of the song: under the pressure of life, we often forget that we are not alone in our struggles, and that there is comfort in knowing somebody is there for us despite the hardships. The post-chorus and last verse touch on the idea of fleeing from life's problems and the fear of allowing oneself to become consumed by it. Ultimately, the song conveys the need for connection and understanding during difficult times.” ST Resources: DMDB encyclopedia entry for The War on Drugs AMG All Music Guide album review by Fred Thomas RD Reddit ST Songtell.com WK Wikipedia page for Lost in the Dream First posted 2/24/2024.