Pressure

Album: Age/Sex/Location (2021)
Charted: 66
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Here, Ari Lennox implores her lover not to be timid during foreplay. She tells him she's a "tough cookie" and urges him to "apply pressure."
  • Lennox linked up with an R&B superteam of songwriters and producers for this sensual track. They are:

    Legendary producer Jermaine Dupri and songwriting giants Bryan-Michael Cox and Johnta Austin. All three are members of the musical collective Ocean's 7, whose hits include "Burn" and "Confessions, Pt. 2" by fellow member "Usher"; "Be Without You" by Mary J. Blige; and "We Belong Together" and "Don't Forget About Us" by Mariah Carey.

    Hip-hop producer Anthony "Elite" Parrino. He is known for his work with J. Cole, including "Crooked Smile" and "4 Your Eyez Only."

    Lennox's friend, the Atlanta singer-songwriter Jai'len Josey.
  • Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, and Elite built the production over a sample of Shirley Brown's 1977 soul hit "Blessed Is The Woman (With A Man Like Mine)."
  • Lennox told Apple Music she was initially very intimidated by Jermaine Dupri, but once he started creating some "beautiful beats," she relaxed. When Lennox heard this song's instrumentation in her headphones, she told him it was the one she wanted to work on. The singer and Austin started writing to it, then she sat on it for some weeks. When Lennox returned to the studio, she called in Jai'len Josey, and her pal completed the song for them.
  • The word "Pressure" is repeated 28 times throughout the song.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Chris Frantz of Talking Heads

Chris Frantz of Talking HeadsSongwriter Interviews

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz on where the term "new wave" originated, the story of "Naive Melody," and why they never recorded another cover song after "Take Me To The River."

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.