Down (Jay Sean song)
"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 his third studio album. 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,[1] and has been certified Platinum in several countries.[2] The song has sold six million copies worldwide,[3] and also received a large airplay of two billion listener impressions on radio worldwide.[4][5]
The track was released to US radio on May 31, 2009, and digital retailers on June 30, 2009. "Down" hit number one 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 number one. 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.[6] The song has also made him "the first UK Urban act ever to top Billboard's Hot 100",[7] 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,[8][9][10] and the first by an British Asian artist since Freddie Mercury in 1980.[11]
History
Development
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.”[12]
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."[13]
"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.[14]
Of the song, Jay Sean said, "I'm a very positive, optimistic person and thought let me write a song about the idea that if you've got someone special in your life then nothing else really matters, how you need to appreciate the little things. The title is a play on the word 'down.' That's why Lil Wayne says, 'Are you down like the economy.' It's a fun, very easy track something to pump in your car".[citation needed] Lil Wayne said, "Everybody is used to what Cash Money is, and that’s why he has a new sound. It’s for the ladies. We’re used to getting in your face... and now we are getting more mature here".[citation needed]
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.[15] The success of "Down" has also led to Sean being considered the most successful European urban artist in North America.[10]
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."[16] The second time the song hit #1, he was 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
- "Down" (feat. Lil Wayne) - 3:32
- Promo US CD
- "Down" (Clean featuring Lil Wayne) - 3:32
- "Down" (Clean without Rap) - 3:15
- "Down" (Instrumental) - 3:32
- "Down" (Bobbybass Dance Remix) - 4:00
- UK Single CD
- "Down" (featuring Lil Wayne) - 3:32
- "Down" (Jason Nevins Edit) - 3:39
- "Down" (Roll Deep Mix) - 4:05
- "Down" (K-Warren Remix) - 5:45
- "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.[17] The video was completed in Miami, with Jay Sean heading to the US to finish the video with Lil Wayne on May 20, 2009.[18][19] 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 had over 5 million views as of December 24, 2009.[20] 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.[21] The video was added to the Island Records channel where his UK fans can see the video, which had around 5 million views as of December 20, 2009.[22] The video was also added to the Jay Sean Vevo channel, where it has more than 80 million views as of September 12, 2010.[23]
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".[24] Billboard gave the song a score of 91/100.[25] 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."[26]
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.[27] 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.[28]
According to data released by Google, "Down" is one of the top five most searched-for songs of 2009 on the internet.[29] "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.[30][31] 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.[32] DJ Bikram Keith and DJ Vix made a "Desi Remix" to "Down".[33] The single was also include on DJ Earworm's mash-up of all the Top 25 Billboard hits of the year.[34] The title "Urban Desi Boy of 2009" was given to Jay Sean by DesiHits.[35] On Grammy Awards 2010 where Jay Sean was,[36] told Taylor Swift that "Down" was her favorite song of 2009.[37] The electronica band Breathe Carolina covered this song for the compilation album Punk Goes Pop 3 that will be release in November 2, 2010.
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.[38] Later in the month, it appeared at #4 on Z100's Top 100 Songs of 2009.[39] 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,[1] in a year noted for having the highest record sales of all time.[40] To date, it has sold six million copies worldwide.[3]
Live performance
After the track leaked on web 21 May 2009 did Jay Sean perform the "Without Rap" version of the track for the first time live in Chicago.[41] He has also performed the track on Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade,[42] in Toronto,[43] on Jimmy Kimmel Live,[44] on Madison Square Garden, alongside "Do You Remember",[45][46] on The Wendy Williams Show,[47] on BBC 1Xtra Live 2009,[48] a "Acoustic version" for Billboard.com and Yahoo! Music,[49][50] and the "Candle Light Remix" for BBC Radio 1.[51] On December 21, 2009, he performed the song on The Sing-Off with the winning group Nota.
Chart performance
"Down" debuted at number 72 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the chart week of August 6, 2009, and stayed at number two 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 solo artist to achieve a number-one single in the US. "Down" ended the Black Eyed Peas' 26-week reign at the number-one spot on the Hot 100.[49] 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."[52] After spending a week at the top spot, "Down" was succeeded by Britney Spears' "3", but the following week, it returned to number one.[53] On the Canadian Hot 100, it debuted at number 40 for the week of August 17, 2009, and peaked at number three for the week of October 15, 2009. The song also peaked at number one on Billboard's Pop Songs, Radio Songs (airplay), and Rhythmic Top 40 charts, and number two on the Digital Songs (sales) chart.
On the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand singles chart, "Down" debuted at number 18, and after six weeks the song peaked at number two (where it spent four weeks) for the week of November 5, 2009. On Sverigetopplistan, "Down" debuted at number 52 and, in its second week, peaked at number 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 number 65 and peaked at number 57 five weeks later. The single debuted at number nine on October 22, 2009, on the Norwegian Singles Chart and peaked at number five two weeks later. In the UK, "Down" entered and peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart and spent one week at number one on the UK R&B Chart. It is his highest charting single in the UK since "Stolen" charted at number four in 2004.
On the Austrian Singles Chart, "Down" debuted at number 70 for the week beginning of November 5, 2009, and peaked at number 52. On the Australian ARIA Charts, the song debuted at number nine that same week and peaked at number two three weeks later. On the Belgian Singles Chart, the song peaked at number two. The song debuted at number nine on the European Hot 100 and number 94 on the Japan Hot 100 during the week dated November 9, 2009,[54] and peaked at number 79 on the week dated March 6, 2010.[55] The song debuted on the French SNEP chart at number 19 on February 27, 2010.
Charts, sales and certifications
Jay Seasn's first single with Cash Money Records and Universal Music Group (and his American-debut single) became his first number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and first single to sell more than two million copies in America,[56] and the second for featured artist Lil Wayne who first led for five weeks last year with "Lollipop" on the Hot 100.[57]
"Down" entered the UK Singles Chart on 1 November 2009 at #3, and #1 on the R&B Chart becoming Sean's highest charting positions on both charts.[58]
Charts
|
Year-end charts
Sales and certificationsThe song has sold 6,000,000 copies worldwide.[3]
|
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
United States | May 31, 2009 | Airplay | Cash Money Records, Universal Republic |
United Sates | June 30, 2009 | Digital download | |
Canada | |||
Norway[85] | August 18, 2009 | Airplay | Universal Music Group |
Belgium | August 24, 2009 | Digital | |
France | |||
Sweden | |||
New Zealand | |||
United Kingdom[86] | September 10, 2009 | Airplay | Jayded Records, 2Point9 Records |
Switzerland | September 23, 2009 | Digital | Universal Music Group |
Norway | October 13, 2009 | ||
United Kingdom[87] | October 25, 2009 | Digital, CD | Jayded Records, 2Point9 Records |
Worldwide | October 31, 2009 | Digital | Universal Music Group |
Destine version
"Down" | |
---|---|
Song |
In 2010 the Dutch Pop punk band released a cover version of "Down" as a stand alone single. The single was released October 1, 2010 and was released toiTunes on October 4. Although the official music video was ment to debut on EFM on October 8, the video was released through the band official YouTube page three days earlier on October 5, 2010, although it was deleted the next day. [88]
Digital single
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Down" | 3:19 |
2. | "Down (Instrumental Version)" | 3:19 |
Breathe Carolina version
"Down" | |
---|---|
Song |
American electropop band Breathe Carolina covered the track for the compilation album Punk Goes Pop 3[89], which is scheduled to be released on November 2, 2010. It was available for digital download on September 16, 2010.[90]
See also
- List of number-one R&B hits of 2009 (UK)
- List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 2009 (U.S.)
- List of Mainstream Top 40 number-one hits of 2009 (U.S.)
- List of Rhythmic Top 40 number-one singles of 2009 (U.S.)
References
- ^ a b c Keith Caulfield (January 6, 2010). "Taylor Swift Edges Susan Boyle For 2009's Top-Selling Album". Billboard. Retrieved 2009-01-07.
- ^ Cash Money/Universal Republic Newcomer Jay Sean Hits One Million Platinum Single Milestone with Smash Debut 'Down'
- ^ a b c Kim Dawson (27 February 2010). "Jay Sean's Boycott Plan Over Brits Snub". Daily Star. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
- ^ 4Music 360 SESSION I Jay Sean interview in Miami I Part 1/3 on YouTube
- ^ Silvio Pietroluongo (October 7, 2009), Jay Sean Sends Peas Packing From Hot 100 Penthouse, Billboard, retrieved 2009-11-01
{{citation}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ Bhansali, Akshay (2009-04-15). "Lil Wayne Gives A Boost To British R&B Star Jay Sean". Mtv.com. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
- ^ 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) - ^ Nick Duerden (6 December 2009). "Jay Sean: Ahead of the race". The Independent. Retrieved 2009-12-06.
- ^ 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) - ^ a b "Jay Sean Live Interview with Jessie Jordan Q102 Philadelphia Jingle Ball". StreetTalkin. December 14, 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-15.
- ^ Robin Millard (December 1, 2009). "Freddie's the champion of Indian communities". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2009-12-06.
- ^ Shuhel Miah (2008-10-16). "Jay Sean to take on the U.S". Insidedesi.com. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
- ^ "Down Songfacts". Songfacts.com. 2007-04-27. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
- ^ Breaking and Entering: Jay Sean
- ^ Youngs, Ian (2009-09-23). "British R&B star conquers America". BBC News. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
- ^ Jay Sean hits #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the UK Top 40 Chart
- ^ 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) - ^ "Lil Wayne, Jay Sean Rock The 'Down' Video Shoot In Miami". Newsroom.mtv.com. 2009-05-21. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
- ^ Jay Sean & Lil Wayne Are “Down, Down, Down, Down, Down”
- ^ "Jay Sean - "Down" feat. Lil Wayne - OFFICIAL VIDEO HD". Youtube. 23 July 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-24.
- ^ Jay Sean - Down: Closed-Captioned - Clean Version on YouTube
- ^ Jay Sean ft. Lil Wayne - Down on YouTube
- ^ Jay Sean - Down ft. Lil Wayne on YouTube
- ^ "Jay Sean Featuring Lil Wayne, "Down" - Preview". Billboard. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ "Down". Billboard. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ Alex MacGregor (October 2009). "Jay Sean: "Down"". UK Mix. Retrieved 2009-12-05.
- ^ Idol Chatter (2009-11-11). Carrie Underwood tops country, pop album charts. USAToday.com.
- ^ Jay Sean at IMDb
- ^ "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) - ^ "Hospital Gets 'Down' For Good Cause". DesiHits. November 19, 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-19.
- ^ "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) - ^ Jay Sean Surprises A Cappella Group Nota on NBC's The Sing-Off
- ^ Jay Sean's DJ Bikram Keith and DJ Vix Remix 'Down'
- ^ Jay Sean's 'Down' Makes 'United State of Pop 2009' Mash-Up
- ^ [1]
- ^ Akon, Kelly Rowland and Brandy attend Grammy party
- ^ Video: Country Starlet Taylor Swift Gets Down to 'Down'
- ^ a b c d "Year End Charts - Year-end Singles - The Billboard Hot 100". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2009-12-11.
- ^ "Z100's Top 100 Songs of 2009". Z100. Retrieved 2009-12-25.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Jay Sean Performs 'Down' and 'Ride It' in Chicago
- ^ Jay Sean at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
- ^ Jay Sean to Perform in Toronto on December 19
- ^ Video: Jay Sean Performs 'Down' on Jimmy Kimmel Live
- ^ Video: Jay Sean Wows Crowd at Madison Square Garden
- ^ Behind the Scenes Video: Jay Sean Performs 'Do You Remember' at Madison Square Garden
- ^ Video: Jay Sean Brings 'Down' the House on The Wendy Williams Show
- ^ BBC 1XTRA LIVE 2009 I Jay Sean Performing 'Down' Live at Sheffield Arena
- ^ a b Jay Sean Sends Peas Packing From Hot 100 Penthouse
- ^ Watch Jay get “Down” in New York City’s High Line Park.
- ^ http://abmp3.com/download/7964936-down.htmlJay Sean performing 'DOWN' piano version Live on BBC Radio 1 live lounge
- ^ Silvio Pietroluongo (October 8, 2009). "Jay Sean Leads Packed Hot 100 Top Five". Billboard. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ "Down" continues to break records Stateside
- ^ "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard charts. 2009/11/09. Retrieved 2009-12-15.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ "Jay Sean". Billboard charts. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
- ^ 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) - ^ Jay Sean Leads Packed Hot 100 Top Five
- ^ http://www.musicweek.com/MusicWeekWeb/DisplayChart.aspx?chartname=&title=down&artist=jay%20sean&chartFamilyId=family-2§ionHeader=Sales&artistId=8471&titleId=18876&search=2&selArtist=Jay+Sean+feat.+Lil+Wayne&selTitle=Down&selRecordLabel=Island&menuname=promoCharts&pageName=&chartId=&rid=108&groupBy=chartName
- ^ "Jay Sean – Down". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ^ "ARIA Top 40 Urban Albums & Singles Chart". ARIA Charts. 01/02/2010. Retrieved 2010-02-01.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ "Jay Sean – Down" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
- ^ "Jay Sean – Down" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "Jay Sean – Down" (in French). Ultratip.
- ^ "Jay Sean Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Jay Sean – Down". Tracklisten.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Jay Sean" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
- ^ "Jay Sean – Chart Search" Billboard European Hot 100 Singles for Jay Sean. [dead link]
- ^ "Jay Sean – Down" (in French). Les classement single.
- ^ "Chart Track: Week 44, 2009". Irish Singles Chart.
- ^ "Jay Sean Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Jay Sean – Down". Top 40 Singles.
- ^ "Jay Sean – Down". VG-lista.
- ^ "Jay Sean – Down". Singles Top 100.
- ^ "Jay Sean – Down". Swiss Singles Chart.
- ^ "Jay Sean: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
- ^ http://www.theofficialcharts.com/archive-chart/_/16/2009-11-07/
- ^ "Jay Sean Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Jay Sean Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "New Zealand Top 50 Singles of 2009". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 2010-02-01.
- ^ http://www.ariacharts.com.au/pages/charts_display.asp?chart=1U50
- ^ "Mexico Singles Chart: Chart #1696". RIANZ. 2009-11-23. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
- ^ Nick Curtis (2009-11-16). "Jay Sean could teach the X Factor contestants a thing or two". Evening Standard. Retrieved 2009-11-16.
- ^ http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH
- ^ Alan Jones (February 5, 2010). "Lady Antebellum top US chart". Music Week. Retrieved 2010-02-15.
- ^ "Jay Sean ft. Lil' Wayne - Down". Thevoice.no. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
- ^ ""Down" sells 1 million units in the USA". Jaysean.com. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
- ^ "The UK prepares to get "Down"". Jaysean.com. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
- ^ [2]
- ^ http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=428048118&blogId=539482888
- ^ http://www.myspace.com/punkgoes/