"Down" is a song by the American rock band Blink-182, released to radio on May 10, 2004, as the third single from the group's 2003 untitled album. The song peaked at number 10 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart.
| "Down" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Blink-182 | ||||
| from the album Blink-182 | ||||
| Released | May 10, 2004 | |||
| Recorded | 2003[1] | |||
| Length | 3:03 | |||
| Label | Geffen | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Jerry Finn | |||
| Blink-182 singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background
editThe song revolves around longing in a relationship, set to a rain-drenched soundscape.[2] The original version of "Down" ran over six minutes long, and contained a drum and bass breakdown from drummer Travis Barker.[3] Rumors circulated following the song's release that DeLonge penned the track on experiences with a previous girlfriend.[2]
It is one of the few Blink-182 songs to feature vocal contributions from Travis Barker, who provides the whispered lines before the choruses.
Release and live performances
edit"Down" was issued as a single in May 2004, and the band promoted the release with tour dates featuring Cypress Hill and on a nationwide tour with No Doubt.[4] The single was a mixed success, peaking at number 10 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart during the week of July 31, 2004, but quickly falling off afterward.[5] The song also peaked at number 24 on the UK Singles Chart.[4]
"Down" was one of few Blink-182 songs performed by Tom DeLonge's next band, Angels & Airwaves.[6] During an August 2009 concert in Hartford, CT, the band dedicated the song to Adam Goldstein (DJ AM), who had died the night before following a drug overdose.[7][8][9]
Music video
editThe song's music video was directed by Mr. Scandalous, and made its premiere on MTV on June 2, 2004.[10] In the clip, Blink-182 are playing a house party when the police arrive and search for a gang member named Trouble, who slips away immediately.[10] The cops, fronted by a lead policeman played by actor Terry Crews, unsuccessfully chase Trouble on foot, in cars, and in helicopters throughout South Central Los Angeles, but he evades their capture in the concrete L.A. River.[4] The party scene features over 100 former gang members; these performers were signed to Suspect Entertainment, a company founded to provide a safe, legal alternative to joining such groups.[4][10]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Blink-182
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Down" (Single Version) | 3:12 |
| 2. | "I Miss You" (James Guthrie Mix) | 4:38 |
| 3. | "Down" (Video) | 3:32 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Down" (Single Version) | 3:14 |
| 2. | "Down" (T.L.A. Arrangement) | 3:40 |
| 3. | "Down" (Multimedia Track) | 3:21 |
| 4. | "Blink Behind the Scenes" (video) | 5:00 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Down" (Album Version) | 3:12 |
- T.L.A. stands for Tom Lord-Alge
- Side 2 of the Picture Disc contains artwork and information, not music
- The "behind the scenes" video is the same one featured on the "Blink-182" Tour Edition DVD and the "Greatest Hits" Deluxe DVD
Charts
edit| Chart (2004) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[11] | 35 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[12] | 59 |
| Germany (GfK)[13] | 76 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[14] | 32 |
| Scotland (OCC)[15] | 25 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[16] | 24 |
| US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[17] | 10 |
Personnel
editBlink-182
edit- Mark Hoppus - bass, vocals
- Tom Delonge - guitar, vocals
- Travis Barker - drums, backing vocals
Additional musicians
editRelease history
edit| Country | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | May 10, 2004 | Alternative radio | Geffen | [18] |
References
edit- ^ Wiederhorn, Jon (November 8, 2003). "Blink-182 Tone Down Pranks, Get Down to Real 'Action' on Next LP". MTV. Archived from the original on February 3, 2004.
All of the tracks were recorded over the past six months...
- ^ a b Shooman, 2010. p. 122
- ^ Tom Bryant (November 1, 2003). "But Seriously Folks…". Kerrang!. London: Bauer Media Group. ISSN 0262-6624.
- ^ a b c d Shooman, 2010. p. 132
- ^ "Alternative Songs Chart - "Down"". Billboard. July 31, 2004. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
- ^ Kaufman, Gil (August 31, 2009). "Blink-182 Cancel Show Due To DJ AM's Death". MTV News. MTV News. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
- ^ "Blink-182's Travis Barker Pays Tribute to DJ AM Onstage". Rolling Stone. August 29, 2009. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
- ^ Kasica, Isley (August 30, 2009). "Blink-182 Struggles Through Show After DJ AM's Death". People. Time Inc. Archived from the original on August 31, 2009. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
- ^ a b c Joe D'Angelo (May 20, 2004). "Blink-182 Get 'Down' With Former Gang Members". MTV News. Archived from the original on April 14, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
- ^ "Blink 182 – Down". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
- ^ "Blink 182 – Down" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
- ^ "Blink 182 – Down" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
- ^ "Blink 182 – Down". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
- ^ "Blink-182 Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
- ^ "FMQB – Available for Airplay Archive". FMQB. Archived from the original on March 22, 2013. Retrieved April 24, 2017.