Karen O and Willie Nelson shared their cover of the David Bowie and Queen track “Under Pressure.” The two also teamed up Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and TV on the Radio’s Dave Sitek.
The collaboration began when Karen O reached out to Willie Nelson about signing a petition to aid independent music venues. She also asked about a potential collaboration, believing that part of the query would be dismissed.
The Texas musician signed the petition and accepted O’s music collaboration request. O was surprised, saying, “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.”
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs frontwoman decided on Bowie’s and Queen’s classic tune.
“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.”
O went on to say, “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.”
Hear the cover below.
Photo: YouTube
