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| Length = 3:32 <small>(Album version)</small><br/>3:15 <small>(No rap edit)</small>
| Length = 3:32 <small>(Album version)</small><br/>3:15 <small>(No rap edit)</small>
| Label = [[Cash Money Records|Cash Money]] / [[Universal Motown Republic Group|Universal Republic]]
| Label = [[Cash Money Records|Cash Money]] / [[Universal Motown Republic Group|Universal Republic]]
| Writer = [[Jay Sean|K. Jhooti]], [[Lil Wayne|D. Carter]], J-Remy, [[Bobbybass]], [[Jared Cotter]] & J Perkins
| Writer = [[Jay Sean|K. Jhooti]], [[Lil Wayne|D. Carter]], J-Remy, Bobby Bass, [[Jared Cotter]] & J Perkins
| Producer = J-Remy & [[Bobbybass]]
| Producer = J-Remy & Bobby Bass
| Certification = Platinum <small>([[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]])</small> <br> Platinum <small>([[Canadian Recording Industry Association|CRIA]])</small> <br> 3x Platinum <small>([[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]])</small><ref name=Platinum>{{YouTube|3fz9cJxDZIo|Is Jay Sean Set to be the UKs Biggest Male R&B Artist Ever?}}</ref> <br> Platinum <small>([[Recording Industry Association of New Zealand|RIANZ]])</small> <br> Gold <small>([[British Phonographic Industry|BPI]])</small>
| Certification = Platinum <small>([[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]])</small> <br> Platinum <small>([[Canadian Recording Industry Association|CRIA]])</small> <br> 3x Platinum <small>([[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]])</small><ref name=Platinum>{{YouTube|3fz9cJxDZIo|Is Jay Sean Set to be the UKs Biggest Male R&B Artist Ever?}}</ref> <br> Platinum <small>([[Recording Industry Association of New Zealand|RIANZ]])</small> <br> Gold <small>([[British Phonographic Industry|BPI]])</small>
| Chronology = [[Jay Sean]] singles
| Chronology = [[Jay Sean]] singles

Revision as of 17:28, 18 January 2010

"Down"
Song

"Down" is a song by British artist Jay Sean. The song was released in North America as his debut single from his debut album there, All or Nothing. In other markets, including the UK, the song serves as Jay Sean's lead single from what will be his third studio album there. The single features American rapper and label mate Lil Wayne and is produced by J-Remy and Bobby Bass. "Down" is the seventh-best selling single of 2009, having sold more than three million digital copies in the United States alone,[2] and has been certified Platinum in several countries. In addition, the song rose in airplay to over 115 million listener impressions on US radio.[3]

The track was released to US radio on May 31, 2009 and on iTunes on June 30, 2009. "Down" hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the issue dated October 17, 2009, knocking The Black Eyed Peas off the top of the chart after their 26 week reign at #1. This made Jay Sean the first British act to score a Billboard Hot 100 number-one single since Coldplay's "Viva la Vida" in 2008, and the fourth British act overall this decade.[4] The song has also made him "the first UK Urban act ever to top Billboard's Hot 100",[5] the ninth (second British) male solo performer to top the US charts with his debut single in the US, and the first British act to have reached #1 in the US and not in the UK with a song since Seal's "Kiss From A Rose" in 1995. It is also the best-selling single by a British/European male artist in North America since Elton John's "Candle in the Wind" in 1997,[6][7][8] the first single by a solo artist of Asian origin to top the US charts, and the first by an British Asian artist in general since Freddie Mercury in 1980.[9]

History

On October 15, 2008, at the MOBO Awards, Jay Sean announced that he had signed with the American hip hop record label Cash Money Records. He explained, “It’s always been a dream for me to sign to an American label. And it’s great to be accepted by the best in the game.”[10]

It was rumoured that his first single in the US would be a remix of the single, "Tonight" featuring Lil Wayne. In fact, a remix had not been produced but the song "Down" which was originally recorded in December 2008. The song was written by Jay Sean with Jared Cotter, J Perkins and producers J-Remy and Bobby Bass. The track was originally for My Own Way: Deluxe Edition without Lil Wayne, alongside "War". The CEO of Cash Money Ronald "Slim" Williams liked the track, played it to Wayne and wanted Wayne to be on the track; Wayne loved it and added a new verse on the track.

Sean told MTV News that he recorded this song in 90 minutes, after which he received a call from Ronald "Slim" Williams. He recalled: "Slim called me up and was like, 'Yo, man, there's something wrong on the second verse that just doesn't sound right.' I was like, 'Really? What?' He played the song. All of a sudden I heard Wayne's Auto-Tune stuff, and I'm like, 'OK. What's going on? Right! That's Lil Wayne on my song right now!' That day was brilliant."[11]

"The news was on, everything was depressing and we were like 'look at this man — everything's so down in the dumps. Why don't we write a song to take everyone's mind away from being down?'" explains Sean about how the track came about during a late night recording session in Miami's Hit Factory studio. According to Sean, "Wayne heard it, fell in love and dropped a verse on it," which resulted in the up-tempo summer record peppered with Wayne's gritty pipes.[12]

After the release

The BBC reports that Jay Sean is "The Most Successful Male U.K. Urban artist in U.S chart history". "I want to do my best to represent the UK in America and let people really understand that it doesn't matter if we're from a little place called Hounslow. As long as you work hard and strive to do you best and make good music, and of course with a bit of luck, it is possible," Jay told the BBC.[13] The success of "Down" has also led to Sean being considered the most successful European urban artist in North America.[8]

When the track topped the Billboard Hot 100, Jay Sean was on stage with labelmate Lil Wayne, on the first night of the US rapper's London concert tour. Before he returned to the US, Jay Sean was asked, "How does it feel to have the top song of the week?", and replied, "This is insane. It's just incredible to have reached #1 with my first release in America. It's difficult for me to put into words. My head is spinning. I've been grinding hard for the last seven years releasing records independently and now to have the biggest record in the USA this week. It's just a dream come true."[14] gtygtvygt The second time the song hit #1 again was he performing at "The Justin Timberlake and Friends Concert Benefiting Shriners Hospitals For Children" on October 17, 2009 with Justin Timberlake.

Track listing

iTunes Digital download
  1. "Down" (feat. Lil Wayne) - 3:32
Promo US CD
  1. "Down" (Clean featuring Lil Wayne) - 3:32
  2. "Down" (Clean without Rap) - 3:15
  3. "Down" (Instrumental) - 3:32
  4. "Down" (Bobbybass Dance Remix) - 4:00
UK Single CD
  1. "Down" (featuring Lil Wayne) - 3:32
  2. "Down" (Jason Nevins Edit) - 3:39
  3. "Down" (Roll Deep Mix) - 4:05
  4. "Down" (K-Warren Remix) - 5:45
  5. "Down" (Chasing Pluto Remix) - 3:47

Music video

The music video for "Down" was produced alongside the video for "Written On Her". The "Down" video was first shot in London on April 24, 2009, with Cash Money crew without Lil Wayne. The video was shot over two days. The Buckinghamshire mansion featured is Hedsor House, an enormous private mansion and park where Mark Ronson hosted his 33rd birthday and where scenes for the feature film The Golden Compass were filmed.[15] The video was completed in Miami, with Jay Sean heading to the US to finish the video with Lil Wayne on May 20, 2009.[16][17] The video features Hispanic American model Korrina Rico as the lead lady, dancers, bright blue lights and bottles. The video was produced by Shurwin Beckford and directed by Richard Pengelley for Jayded Entertainment/Guerilla Hype/Hey Buddy and edited by Jamie Mac and Adam Wood. During the rap break, Lil Wayne is seen wearing a red t-shirt with the word 'COMMUNIST' in white capitalized letters. The prelude of his previous single "Ride It" can be heard in the music video as the introduction to this song.

On July 23, 2009, the video premiered on Jay Sean's YouTube page; it was the #1 most viewed music video on YouTube for its first two weeks and has over 5 million views as of December 24, 2009.[18] During the week of August 10, 2009, the music video was featured as iTunes' Free Music Video of the Week. The video was added to MTV's rotation on August 5, 2009 include MTV Hits and MTV America. The video was also added to the Universal Music Group's channel where the video had more than 20 million views as of November 23, 2009.[19] The video was added to the Island Records channel where his UK fans can see the video, which has around 5 million views as of December 20, 2009.[20] The video was also added to the Jay Sean Vevo channel, where it has more than 30 million views as of January 8th, 2010.[21]

Reception

Critical reception

Ginger Clements from Billboard gave the song a positive review, stating that Jay Sean's "melodic vocals [...] resonate with impressive tonal clarity".[22] Billboard gave the song a score of 91/100.[23] Alex MacGregor of UK Mix gave the song 4 out of 5 stars, stating that it "is actually a creditable offering of world beating R&B pop that reminds the listener of some of the better moments in Usher's back catalogue."[24]

Popularity

"Down" has been included in various compilation albums, including Now That's What I Call Music! 32 (US), which debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200.[25] It has also been included in Now That's What I Call Music! 74 (UK), Clubland 16 and the Australian compilation So Fresh: The Hits of Summer 2010 & The Best Of 2009. The song has also been featured in the "Canon" episode of Melrose Place.[26]

According to data released by Google, "Down" is one of the top five most searched-for songs of 2009 on the internet.[27] "Down" has been used and covered in numerous user videos on YouTube, including a breast cancer awareness video by the Providence St. Vincent Medical Center.[28][29] A cover version of the song was also performed on Episode 2 of The Sing-Off by the a capella group Nota. After Nota went on to win the contest during the finale, Sean himself made an appearance, performing "Down" with the group in the show's ending.[30] The single was also include on DJ Earworm's mash-up of all the Top 25 Billboard hits of the year.[31]

In early December 2009, the song appeared at #20 on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 2009 and at #14 on the Billboard Year-End Pop Songs of 2009.[32] Later in the month, it appeared at #4 on Z100's Top 100 Songs of 2009.[33] It also appeared on VH1's Top 40 Music Videos of 2009 List at #20. Having sold more than three million digital copies in the United States alone, "Down" is the seventh-best selling single of 2009,[2] in a year noted for having the highest record sales of all time.[34] The title "Urban Desi Boy of 2009" was given to Jay Sean by DesiHits.[35]

Chart performance

"Down" debuted at #72 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the chart week of August 6, 2009, and stayed at #2 for three weeks. After fourteen weeks on the chart, the song reached number one for the chart week ending October 17, 2009, making Jay Sean the first Indian-origin (and Asian-origin in general) solo artist to achieve a #1 single in the US. "Down" ended the Black Eyed Peas' 26-week reign at the #1 spot on the Hot 100.[36] Furthermore, "Down" had managed to top one of the most competitive weeks in the US charts this decade, with the top five titles (Sean's "Down", Miley Cyrus' "Party in the U.S.A.", Jay-Z's "Run This Town", Jason DeRulo's "Whatcha Say", and Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling") being "separated by the tightest point margin in more than six years."[37] After spending a week at the top spot, "Down" was succeeded by Britney Spears' "3", but the following week, it reached #1 again.[38] On the American Top 40, "Down" debuted at #27 on August 22, 2009, and reached #1 on October 24, 2009, his first AT40 entry to peak at the top. On the Canadian Hot 100, it debuted at #40 for the week of August 17, 2009, and peaked at #3 in the week of October 15, 2009. The song also peaked at #1 on Pop Songs, #1 on Radio Songs, #1 on Rhythmic Top 40, #2 on Digital Songs, #3 on Ringtones, and, one week before it was charted on the Hot 100, debuted-peaked at #4 on Heatseekers Songs.

On the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand singles chart, "Down" debuted at #18, and after six weeks the song peaked at #2 (where it spent four weeks) for the week of November 5, 2009. On Sverigetopplistan, "Down" debuted at #52 and, in its second week, peaked at #29 beginning November 5, 2009, where it spent ten weeks at that position. In Switzerland, for the week of October 8, 2009, the song debuted on the Swiss Music Charts at #65 and peaked at #57 five weeks later. The single debuted at #9 on October 22, 2009 on the Norwegian Singles Chart, and after two weeks the song peaked at #5. In the UK, although "Down" charted highly, it did not reach the same level of success as it did in the US market. "Down" entered and peaked at #3 on the UK Singles Chart and spent one week at #1 on the UK R&B Chart. It is his highest charting single in the UK since "Stolen" charted at #4 in 2004.

On Austrian Singles Chart debuted the song at #70, for the week beginning of November 5, 2009, and peaked at #52. On the Australian ARIA Charts, the song debuted at #9 that same week and peaked at #2 three weeks later. On the Belgian Singles Chart, the song peaked at #2. The song debuted at #9 on the European Hot 100 and at #94 on the Japan Hot 100 during the week dated November 9, 2009.[39] In Japan, it peaked at #34 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart[40] and at #2 on the ZIP-FM Hot 100 chart.[41]

Charts, sales and certifications

Jay Sean knocked the Black Eyed Peas out of the top spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending October 7, 2009. That makes him the first Indian-origin solo artist to top the U.S. charts with a debut single.[42] His first single (American-debut single) with Cash Money Records and Universal Music Group became his first #1 on U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and first single to sell more than two million copies in America,[43] and the second for featured artist Lil Wayne who first led for five weeks last year with "Lollipop" at #1 on Billboard Hot 100.[44]

"Down" entered the UK Singles Chart on 1 November 2009 at #3, and went straight to #1 on the UK R&B Chart, replacing Oopsy Daisy by Chipmunk which had been at #1 for 3 consecutive weeks.

Release history

Region Date Format Label
United States May 31, 2009 Airplay Cash Money / Universal Republic
United Sates June 30, 2009 Digital download
Canada
Norway[65] August 18, 2009 Airplay Universal Music
Belgium August 24, 2009 Digital
France
Sweden
New Zealand
United Kingdom[66] September 10, 2009 Airplay Jayded Records / Island Records
Switzerland September 23, 2009 Digital Universal Music
Norway October 13, 2009
United Kingdom[67] October 25, 2009 Digital, CD Jayded Records / Island Records

References

  1. ^ Is Jay Sean Set to be the UKs Biggest Male R&B Artist Ever? on YouTube
  2. ^ a b c d Keith Caulfield (January 6, 2010). "Taylor Swift Edges Susan Boyle For 2009's Top-Selling Album". Billboard. Retrieved 2009-01-07.
  3. ^ Silvio Pietroluongo (October 07, 2009), Jay Sean Sends Peas Packing From Hot 100 Penthouse, Billboard, retrieved 2009-11-01 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ Bhansali, Akshay (2009-04-15). "Lil Wayne Gives A Boost To British R&B Star Jay Sean". Mtv.com. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  5. ^ Jay Sean's the Urban US legend, Daily Mirror, 2009-10-10, retrieved 2009-09-30 {{citation}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ Nick Duerden (6 December 2009). "Jay Sean: Ahead of the race". The Independent. Retrieved 2009-12-06.
  7. ^ Live from Studio Five, Episode #1.38, Channel 5, 04/11/2009 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) (see Jay Sean's Interview live from Studio 5 on Channel 5 -- 04 / 11 / 2009 on YouTube)
  8. ^ a b "Jay Sean Live Interview with Jessie Jordan Q102 Philadelphia Jingle Ball". StreetTalkin. December 14, 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-15.
  9. ^ Robin Millard (December 1, 2009). "Freddie's the champion of Indian communities". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2009-12-06.
  10. ^ Shuhel Miah (2008-10-16). "Jay Sean to take on the U.S". Insidedesi.com. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  11. ^ "Down Songfacts". Songfacts.com. 2007-04-27. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  12. ^ Breaking and Entering: Jay Sean
  13. ^ Youngs, Ian (2009-09-23). "British R&B star conquers America". BBC News. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  14. ^ Jay Sean hits #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the UK Top 40 Chart
  15. ^ 18 mei 2009. "Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne - Down "Behind The Scenes"". Youtube.com. Retrieved 2009-10-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ "Lil Wayne, Jay Sean Rock The 'Down' Video Shoot In Miami". Newsroom.mtv.com. 2009-05-21. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  17. ^ Jay Sean & Lil Wayne Are “Down, Down, Down, Down, Down”
  18. ^ 23 July 2009. "Jay Sean - "Down" feat. Lil Wayne - OFFICIAL VIDEO HD". Youtube. Retrieved 2009-12-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ Jay Sean - Down: Closed-Captioned - Clean Version on YouTube
  20. ^ Jay Sean ft. Lil Wayne - Down on YouTube
  21. ^ Jay Sean - Down ft. Lil Wayne on YouTube
  22. ^ "Jay Sean Featuring Lil Wayne, "Down" - Preview". Billboard. Retrieved 2009-11-07. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  23. ^ "Down". Billboard. Retrieved 2009-11-07. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  24. ^ Alex MacGregor (October 2009). "Jay Sean: "Down"". UK Mix. Retrieved 2009-12-05.
  25. ^ Idol Chatter (2009-11-11). Carrie Underwood tops country, pop album charts. USAToday.com.
  26. ^ Jay Sean at IMDb
  27. ^ "How Many Times Did You Google 'Bluffin' With My Muffin' in 2009?". New York. 2009-12-03. Retrieved 2009-12-03. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  28. ^ "Hospital Gets 'Down' For Good Cause". DesiHits. November 19, 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-19.
  29. ^ "Hospital Gets Down In "Pink Glove Dance" For Breast Cancer Awareness". The Huffington Post. 11-18-09. Retrieved 2009-11-19. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ Jay Sean Surprises A Cappella Group Nota on NBC's The Sing-Off
  31. ^ Jay Sean's 'Down' Makes 'United State of Pop 2009' Mash-Up
  32. ^ a b c d "Year End Charts - Year-end Singles - The Billboard Hot 100". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2009-12-11.
  33. ^ "Z100's Top 100 Songs of 2009". Z100. Retrieved 2009-12-25.
  34. ^ "Overall music sales hit an all-time high in 2009; Taylor Swift's 'Fearless' is the year's top-selling album". Los Angeles Times. January 6, 2010. Retrieved 2009-01-07.
  35. ^ [1]
  36. ^ a b Jay Sean Sends Peas Packing From Hot 100 Penthouse
  37. ^ Silvio Pietroluongo (October 08, 2009). "Jay Sean Leads Packed Hot 100 Top Five". Billboard. Retrieved 2009-11-04. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  38. ^ "Down" continues to break records Stateside
  39. ^ a b "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard charts. 2009/11/09. Retrieved 2009-12-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  40. ^ a b "Adult Contemporary Airplay". Billboard charts. 2009/11/16. Retrieved 2009-12-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  41. ^ "ZIP Hot 100". ZIP-FM. November 15, 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-15.
  42. ^ Jay Sean, a British-Indian singer, tops US chart
  43. ^ Arifa Akbar (30 October 2009). "After 2,000 gigs, Hounslow singer tops the US charts". The Independent. Retrieved 2009-10-30. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  44. ^ Jay Sean Leads Packed Hot 100 Top Five
  45. ^ a b c "Australia Singles Top 50". Australian Recording Industry Association. ARIA Charts. November 16, 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-30.
  46. ^ http://charts.orf.at/oe3/single
  47. ^ "Ultratop 50". Ultratop 50. (ultratop.be. November 7, 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-01.
  48. ^ http://www.lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Jay+Sean+feat.+Lil+Wayne&titel=Down&cat=s
  49. ^ Jay Sean Album & Song Chart History
  50. ^ [2]
  51. ^ Dutch Charts
  52. ^ http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100#/artist/jay-sean-featuring-lil-wayne/623772
  53. ^ [3]
  54. ^ http://www.irma.ie/aucharts.asp
  55. ^ Steffen Hung. "Jay Sean - Down: New Zealand Peak". Charts.org.nz. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  56. ^ Steffen Hung. "Norwegian Singles Chart". Norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  57. ^ Steffen Hung. "Swedish Singles Chart". Swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  58. ^ Steffen Hung. "Swiss Singles Chart". Hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  59. ^ The Official UK Top 40 Singles Chart
  60. ^ UK Top 40 RnB Singles
  61. ^ "Prita part of Jay Sean show". South Asian Focus. December 9, 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-09.
  62. ^ "New Zealand Singles Chart: Chart #1696". RIANZ. 2009-11-23. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
  63. ^ "New Zealand Chart Facts". RIANZ. 2009-11-24. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
  64. ^ Nick Curtis (2009-11-16). "Jay Sean could teach the X Factor contestants a thing or two". Evening Standard. Retrieved 2009-11-16.
  65. ^ "Jay Sean ft. Lil' Wayne - Down". Thevoice.no. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  66. ^ ""Down" sells 1 million units in the USA". Jaysean.com. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  67. ^ "The UK prepares to get "Down"". Jaysean.com. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
Preceded by
"I Gotta Feeling" by Black Eyed Peas
"3" by Britney Spears
 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 number-one single
October 17, 2009
October 31, 2009 		Succeeded by
Preceded by U.S. Billboard Pop Songs number-one single
October 17, 2009 - October 31, 2009 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
"Oopsy Daisy" by Chipmunk feat. Dayo Olatunji
 UK R&B Chart number-one single
November 1, 2009 		Succeeded by
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