:Down (Jay Sean song)
{{Short description|2009 song by Jay Sean featuring Lil Wayne}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Down
| cover = Jay Sean Ft. Lil Wayne - Down.jpg
| alt =
| border = yes
| type = single
| artist = Jay Sean featuring Lil Wayne
| album = All or Nothing
| released = 31 May 2009
| recorded = 2008–2009
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = {{hlist|Electropop|R&B}}
| length = {{ubl|3:32 (single version)|3:17 (without rap)}}
| label = {{hlist|Jayded|2Point9|Cash Money|Universal Republic}}
| writer = {{hlist|Kamaljit Jhooti|Dwayne Carter|Jared Cotter|J-Remy|Bobby Bass|Jonathan Perkins}}
| producer = {{hlist|Orange Factory Music}}
| chronology = Jay Sean
| prev_title = Tonight
| prev_year = 2009
| next_title = Written on Her
| next_year = 2009
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Lil Wayne
| type = singles
| prev_title = Maybach Music 2
| prev_year = 2009
| title = Down
| year = 2009
| next_title = Forever
| next_year = 2009
}}
{{External music video|{{YouTube|oUbpGmR1-QM|"Down"}}}}
}}
"Down" is a song by British singer Jay Sean featuring American rapper and labelmate Lil Wayne.{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/7514155/Jay-Sean-and-Taio-Cruz-wowing-America.html | location=New York | work=Daily News | title=Jay Sean and Taio Cruz wowing America | first=Neil | last=McCormick | date=24 March 2010|access-date=12 September 2011}} The song was released in North America as his debut single from his first album there, All or Nothing. In other markets, including the United Kingdom, the song serves as Jay Sean's lead single from his third studio album. Produced by J-Remy and Bobby Bass, "Down" is the seventh-best selling single of 2009{{cite magazine|title=Taylor Swift Edges Susan Boyle For 2009's Top-Selling Album|first=Keith|last=Caulfield|magazine=Billboard|date=6 January 2010|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/960801/taylor-swift-edges-susan-boyle-for-2009s-top-selling-album|access-date=7 January 2009}} and has been certified Platinum in several countries.{{cite web|url=http://www.universalmusic.com/artist-news/cash-moneyuniversal-republic-newcomer-jay-sean-hits-one-million-platinum-single-mileston |title=Cash Money/Universal Republic Newcomer Jay Sean Hits One Million Platinum Single Milestone with Smash Debut 'Down' |publisher=Universalmusic.com |access-date=11 January 2012}} The song went on to sell six million copies in the United States.{{citation|first=Silvio|last=Pietroluongo|title=Jay Sean Sends Peas Packing From Hot 100 Penthouse|magazine=Billboard|date=7 October 2009|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267156/jay-sean-sends-peas-packing-from-hot-100-penthouse|access-date=1 November 2009}}
The track was released to US radio on 31 May 2009 and digital retailers on 30 June 2009. "Down" hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the issue dated 17 October 2009, unseating "I Gotta Feeling" by The Black Eyed Peas after their 14-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 in the 2000s decade.{{cite web |last=Bhansali |first=Akshay |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1609331/20090415/lil_wayne.jhtml |title=Lil Wayne Gives A Boost To British R&B Star Jay Sean |work=Mtv |date=15 April 2009 |access-date=8 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423104444/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1609331/20090415/lil_wayne.jhtml |archive-date=23 April 2009}} The song also made him "the first UK urban act ever to top Billboard
History
=Development=
On 15 October 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."{{cite web |first=Shuhel |last=Miah |url=http://www.insidedesi.com/2008/10/16/jay-sean-cash-money/ |title=Jay Sean to take on the U.S |publisher=Insidedesi.com |date=16 October 2008 |access-date=8 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081019055217/http://www.insidedesi.com/2008/10/16/jay-sean-cash-money/ |archive-date=19 October 2008 |url-status=dead }}
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 originally began recording in December 2008. Jay Sean and Lil Wayne co-wrote the song with Jared Cotter, Jonathan Perkins, J-Remy, and Bobby Bass. It was also produced by 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."
"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.[http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267673/breaking-and-entering-jay-sean Breaking and Entering: Jay Sean]
=After the release=
The BBC reported in 2009 that Jay Sean became "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.{{cite news|last=Youngs |first=Ian |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8269400.stm |title=British R&B star conquers America |work=BBC News |date=23 September 2009 |access-date=8 October 2009}} The success of "Down" has also led to Sean being considered the most successful European urban artist in North America.{{cite web|title=Jay Sean Live Interview with Jessie Jordan Q102 Philadelphia Jingle Ball|publisher=StreetTalkin|date=14 December 2009|url=http://streettalkin.com/streettalkin-video-jay-sean-live-interview-with-jessie-jordan-q102-philadelphia-jingle-ball|access-date=15 December 2009}}
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 number one 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."{{cite web |url=http://www.jaysean.com/news.shtml?116 |title=Jay Sean hits No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the UK Top 40 Chart |publisher=Jaysean.com |access-date=11 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928071629/http://www.jaysean.com/news.shtml?116 |archive-date=28 September 2011 |url-status=dead}} The second time the song hit number one, he was performing at "The Justin Timberlake and Friends Concert Benefiting Shriners Hospitals For Children" on 17 October 2009 with Justin Timberlake.
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 24 April 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.{{cite web|author=18 mei 2009 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNNA1dPz-64 |title=Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne – Down "Behind The Scenes" |work=Youtube |access-date=8 October 2009}} The video was completed in Miami, with Jay Sean heading to the US to finish the video with Lil Wayne on 20 May 2009.{{cite web |url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2009/05/21/lil-wayne-jay-sean-rock-the-down-video-shoot-in-miami/ |title=Lil Wayne, Jay Sean Rock The 'Down' Video Shoot In Miami |publisher=Newsroom.mtv.com |date=21 May 2009 |access-date=8 October 2009 |archive-date=22 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822035923/http://newsroom.mtv.com/2009/05/21/lil-wayne-jay-sean-rock-the-down-video-shoot-in-miami |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.newlilwayne.com/2009/06/video-jay-sean-lil-wayne-are-down-down-down-down-down/ |title=Jay Sean & Lil Wayne Are "Down, Down, Down, Down, Down" |publisher=Newlilwayne.com |access-date=11 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220014035/http://www.newlilwayne.com/2009/06/video-jay-sean-lil-wayne-are-down-down-down-down-down/ |archive-date=20 February 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} 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 23 July 2009, the video premiered on Jay Sean's YouTube page; it was the number one most viewed music video on YouTube for its first two weeks and had over 5 million views as of 24 December 2009.{{cite web|date=23 July 2009 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_8V_RyijlI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/M_8V_RyijlI |archive-date=2021-12-20 |url-status=live|title=Jay Sean – "Down" feat. Lil Wayne – OFFICIAL VIDEO HD |publisher=YouTube |access-date=24 December 2009}}{{cbignore}} During the week of 10 August 2009, the music video was featured as iTunes' Free Music Video of the Week. The video was added to MTV's rotation on 5 August 2009 include MTV Hits and MTV U.S.A. The video was also added to the Universal Music Group's channel where the video had more than 20 million views as of 23 November 2009.{{YouTube|id=m34xyw8E-Qs|title=Jay Sean – Down: Closed-Captioned – Clean Version}} 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 20 December 2009.{{YouTube|id=pgA09CaCmB8|title=Jay Sean ft. Lil Wayne – Down}} The video was also added to the Jay Sean Vevo channel, where it has more than 300 million views as of November 2021.{{YouTube|oUbpGmR1-QM|Jay Sean – Down ft. Lil Wayne}} Chipmunk and Tinie Tempah make cameo appearances in the video.
Reception
=Critical reception=
The song received generally favorable reviews. Ginger Clements from Billboard gave the song a positive review, stating that Jay Sean's "melodic vocals [...] resonate with impressive tonal clarity".{{cite magazine|title=Jay Sean Featuring Lil Wayne, "Down" – Preview|magazine=Billboard|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/1071086/jay-sean-featuring-lil-wayne-down|access-date=7 November 2009}} Billboard gave the song a score of 91/100.{{cite magazine|title=Down|magazine=Billboard|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=jay sean|chart=all}}|access-date=7 November 2009}} 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."{{cite web|first=Alex|last=MacGregor|title=Jay Sean: "Down"|publisher=UK Mix|date=October 2009|url=http://www.ukmix.org/reviews/release.php?release_id=13871|access-date=5 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517200310/http://www.ukmix.org/reviews/release.php?release_id=13871|archive-date=17 May 2011|url-status=dead}}
=In pop culture=
The song was in the "Canon" episode of Melrose Place.{{IMDb name|id=1915047|name=Jay Sean}} "Weird Al" Yankovic covered "Down" as part of "Polka Face," the polka medley from his 2011 album Alpocalypse.
"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.{{cite web|title=Hospital Gets 'Down' For Good Cause|publisher=DesiHits|date=19 November 2009|url=http://www.desihits.com/blog/article/hospital-gets-down-for-breast-cancer-awareness-20091119|access-date=19 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091123202004/http://www.desihits.com/blog/article/hospital-gets-down-for-breast-cancer-awareness-20091119|archive-date=23 November 2009|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Hospital Gets Down In "Pink Glove Dance" For Breast Cancer Awareness|work=The Huffington Post|date=18 November 2009 |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/18/hospital-gets-down-in-pin_n_362403.html|access-date=19 November 2009}} A cover version of the song was also performed on the episode 2 of The Sing-Off by the a cappella 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.desihits.com/news/view/jay-sean-surprises-a-cappella-group-nota-on-nbc-s-the-sing-off-20091223 |title=Jay Sean Surprises A Cappella Group Nota on NBC's The Sing-Off |publisher=Desihits.com |date=23 December 2009 |access-date=11 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305091939/http://www.desihits.com/news/view/jay-sean-surprises-a-cappella-group-nota-on-nbc-s-the-sing-off-20091223 |archive-date=5 March 2012 |url-status=dead }} DJ Bikram Keith and DJ Vix made a "Desi Remix" to "Down".{{cite web |url=http://www.desihits.com/news/view/dj-bikram-keith-remixes-jay-seans-down-20091105 |title=Jay Sean's DJ Bikram Keith and DJ Vix Remix 'Down' |publisher=Desihits.com |date=5 November 2009 |access-date=11 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305092520/http://www.desihits.com/news/view/dj-bikram-keith-remixes-jay-seans-down-20091105 |archive-date=5 March 2012 |url-status=dead }} At the Grammy Awards 2010, where Jay Sean was,{{YouTube|L3MnqvcN0vM|Akon, Kelly Rowland and Brandy attend Grammy party}}{{dead link|date=January 2012}} Taylor Swift stated that "Down" was her favorite song of 2009.{{cite web |url=http://www.desihits.com/news/view/video-country-starlet-taylor-swift-gets-down-to-down-20100202 |title=Video: Country Starlet Taylor Swift Gets Down to 'Down' |publisher=Desihits.com |date=2 February 2010 |access-date=11 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305094111/http://www.desihits.com/news/view/video-country-starlet-taylor-swift-gets-down-to-down-20100202 |archive-date=5 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}
In early December 2009, the song appeared at number 20 on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 2009. As a result, the single was also included on DJ Earworm's mash-up of all the top 25 Billboard hits of the year.{{cite web |url=http://www.desihits.com/news/view/jay-sean-in-united-state-of-pop-2009-20091228 |title=Jay Sean's 'Down' Makes 'United State of Pop 2009' Mash-Up |publisher=Desihits.com |date=28 December 2009 |access-date=11 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305093027/http://www.desihits.com/news/view/jay-sean-in-united-state-of-pop-2009-20091228 |archive-date=5 March 2012 |url-status=dead }} The song also appeared at number 14 on the Billboard Year-End Pop Songs of 2009.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2009/hot-100-songs?begin=11&order=position |title=Year End Charts – Year-end Singles – The Billboard Hot 100 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=11 December 2009}} Later in the month, it appeared at number 4 on Z100's Top 100 Songs of 2009.{{cite web|title=Z100's Top 100 Songs of 2009|publisher=Z100|url=http://www.z100.com/pages/top100/2009.html?article=6485011|access-date=25 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104110950/http://www.z100.com/pages/top100/2009.html?article=6485011|archive-date=4 January 2010|url-status=dead}} It also appeared on VH1's Top 40 Music Videos of 2009 List at number 20. Having sold more than three million digital copies in the United States alone, "Down" is the seventh-best-selling single of 2009, in a year noted for having the highest record sales of all time.{{cite web|title=Overall music sales hit an all-time high in 2009; Taylor Swift's 'Fearless' is the year's top-selling album|work=Los Angeles Times|date=6 January 2010|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/01/overall-music-purchases-hit-an-alltime-high-in-2009.html|access-date=7 January 2009}}
The song has been made into a playable track on the Kinect game Dance Central for the Xbox 360 which was released on 4 November 2010.
Live performance
After the track was leaked on the Internet on 21 May 2009, Jay Sean performed the "Without Rap" version of the track for the first time live in Chicago.{{cite web |url=http://www.desihits.com/news/view/video-of-jay-sean-performing-down-and-ride-it-in-chicago-20090527 |title=Jay Sean Performs 'Down' and 'Ride It' in Chicago |publisher=Desihits.com |date=27 May 2009 |access-date=11 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305094625/http://www.desihits.com/news/view/video-of-jay-sean-performing-down-and-ride-it-in-chicago-20090527 |archive-date=5 March 2012 |url-status=dead }} He has also performed the track on Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade,{{cite web |url=http://www.desihits.com/news/view/jay-sean-at-the-macy-s-thanksgiving-day-parade-20091126 |title=Jay Sean at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade |publisher=Desihits.com |date=26 November 2009 |access-date=11 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305095130/http://www.desihits.com/news/view/jay-sean-at-the-macy-s-thanksgiving-day-parade-20091126 |archive-date=5 March 2012 |url-status=dead }} in Toronto,{{cite web |url=http://www.desihits.com/news/view/jay-sean-to-perform-in-toronto-20091201 |title=Jay Sean to Perform in Toronto on 19 December |publisher=Desihits.com |date=1 December 2009 |access-date=11 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305095636/http://www.desihits.com/news/view/jay-sean-to-perform-in-toronto-20091201 |archive-date=5 March 2012 |url-status=dead }} on Jimmy Kimmel Live!,{{cite web |url=http://www.desihits.com/news/view/video-jay-sean-performs-down-on-jimmy-kimmel-live-20091210 |title=Video: Jay Sean Performs 'Down' on Jimmy Kimmel Live |publisher=Desihits.com |date=10 December 2009 |access-date=11 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305100138/http://www.desihits.com/news/view/video-jay-sean-performs-down-on-jimmy-kimmel-live-20091210 |archive-date=5 March 2012 |url-status=dead }} on Madison Square Garden, alongside "Do You Remember",{{cite web |url=http://www.desihits.com/news/view/video-jay-sean-wows-crowd-at-madison-square-garden-20091214 |title=Video: Jay Sean Wows Crowd at Madison Square Garden |publisher=Desihits.com |date=14 December 2009 |access-date=11 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305100650/http://www.desihits.com/news/view/video-jay-sean-wows-crowd-at-madison-square-garden-20091214 |archive-date=5 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.desihits.com/news/view/behind-the-scenes-video-jay-sean-performs-do-you-remember-at-madison-square-garden-20091229 |title=Behind the Scenes Video: Jay Sean Performs 'Do You Remember' at Madison Square Garden |publisher=Desihits.com |date=29 December 2009 |access-date=11 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305101203/http://www.desihits.com/news/view/behind-the-scenes-video-jay-sean-performs-do-you-remember-at-madison-square-garden-20091229 |archive-date=5 March 2012 |url-status=dead }} on The Wendy Williams Show,{{cite web |url=http://www.desihits.com/news/view/jay-sean-brings-down-the-house-at-the-wendy-williams-show-20100127 |title=Video: Jay Sean Brings 'Down' the House on The Wendy Williams Show |publisher=Desihits.com |date=27 January 2010 |access-date=11 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305101707/http://www.desihits.com/news/view/jay-sean-brings-down-the-house-at-the-wendy-williams-show-20100127 |archive-date=5 March 2012 |url-status=dead }} on BBC 1Xtra Live 2009, an "acoustic version" for Billboard and Yahoo! Music,[http://new.music.yahoo.com/programs/pepsi-music/jay-sean/311/20091020/?vid=218598153 Watch Jay get "Down" in New York City's High Line Park.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091026181630/http://new.music.yahoo.com/programs/pepsi-music/jay-sean/311/20091020/?vid=218598153 |date=26 October 2009 }} and the "Candle Light Remix" for BBC Radio 1.{{cite web|url=http://abmp3.com/download/7964936-down.html |title=Jay Sean performing 'DOWN' piano version Live on BBC Radio 1 live lounge |publisher=Abmp3.com |access-date=11 January 2012}} [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmsVxpD_ysY Youtube.com] On 21 December 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 6 August 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 17 October 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267156/jay-sean-sends-peas-packing-from-hot-100-penthouse|title=Jay Sean Sends Peas Packing From Hot 100 Penthouse|website=billboard.com}} 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."{{cite magazine|title=Jay Sean Leads Packed Hot 100 Top Five|magazine=Billboard|first=Silvio|last=Pietroluongo|date=8 October 2009|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267143/jay-sean-leads-packed-hot-100-top-five|access-date=4 November 2009}} After spending a week at the top spot, "Down" was succeeded by Britney Spears' "3", but the following week, it returned to number one.{{cite web |url=http://www.jaysean.com/news.shtml?120 |title="Down" continues to break records Stateside |publisher=Jaysean.com |access-date=11 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928071649/http://www.jaysean.com/news.shtml?120 |archive-date=28 September 2011 |url-status=dead}} On the Canadian Hot 100, it debuted at number 40 for the week of 17 August 2009, and peaked at number three for the week of 15 October 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. Since its release, it has sold over 4,000,000 downloads.{{cite web|url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/74329/week-ending-feb-6-2011-songs-katy-stands-alone/|title=Week Ending Feb 6, 2011: Songs: Katy Stands Alone – Yahoo! Chart Watch|publisher=New.music.yahoo.com|date=9 February 2011|access-date=11 February 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004054636/http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-feb-6-2011-songs-katy-stands-alone.html|archive-date=4 October 2012}}
On the Recorded Music NZ, "Down" debuted at number 18, and after six weeks the song peaked at number two (where it spent four weeks) for the week of 5 November 2009. On Sverigetopplistan, "Down" debuted at number 52 and, in its second week, and peaked at number 29, beginning on 5 November 2009, where it spent ten weeks at that position. In Switzerland, for the week of 8 October 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 22 October 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 5 November 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 9 November 2009,{{cite web|title=Japan Billboard Hot 100|publisher=Billboard charts|date=2009-11-09|url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/system/jp_charts/hot100/51-100/page:6|access-date=15 December 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513085610/http://www.billboard-japan.com/system/jp_charts/hot100/51-100/page:6|archive-date=13 May 2012}} and peaked at number 79 on the week dated 6 March 2010.{{cite web|title=Jay Sean|publisher=Billboard charts|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=jay sean|chart=all}}|access-date=26 February 2010}} The song debuted on the French SNEP chart at number 19 on 27 February 2010.
Track listing
;iTunes digital download
- "Down" (featuring Lil Wayne) – 3:32
;Promo US CD
- "Down" (Clean featuring Lil Wayne) – 3:32
- "Down" (Clean Without Rap) – 3:17
- "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
Charts
Jay Sean's first single with Cash Money Records and Universal Music Group (and his American-debut single), became his first number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 and first single to sell more than two million copies in America,{{cite news|title=After 2,000 gigs, Hounslow singer tops the US charts|first=Arifa|last=Akbar|work=The Independent |location=UK|date=30 October 2009|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/after-2000-gigs-hounslow-singer-tops-the-us-charts-1811724.html|access-date=30 October 2009}} and the second for featured artist Lil Wayne who first topped the chart for five weeks the previous year with "Lollipop" on the Hot 100.{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267143/jay-sean-leads-packed-hot-100-top-five|title=Jay Sean Leads Packed Hot 100 Top Five|website=billboard.com}}
"Down" entered the UK Singles Chart on 1 November 2009 at number 3, and number one on the R&B Chart, becoming Sean's highest-charting positions on both charts.{{cite web|url=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 |title=Music Week |publisher=Music Week |access-date=11 January 2012}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
scope="col"|Chart (2009–2011)
! scope="col"|Peak |
---|
{{single chart|Australia|2|artist=Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne|song=Down}} |
{{single chart|Australiaurban|1|url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20091204130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20091205-0000/issue1031.pdf|urltitle=Issue 1031|access-date=18 November 2021}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} |
{{single chart|Austria|8|artist=Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne|song=Down}} |
{{single chart|Flanders|32|artist=Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne|song=Down}} |
{{single chart|Wallonia Tip|2|artist=Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne|song=Down}} |
{{single chart|Canada|3|artist=Jay Sean}} |
{{single chart|CIS|35|artist=Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne|song=Down|songid=18800|access-date=6 May 2022}} |
{{single chart|Czech Republic|20|year=2010|week=2}} |
{{single chart|Denmark|7|artist=Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne|song=Down}} |
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles){{cite magazine|title=Hits of the World: European Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Billboard|volume=121|issue=45|page=51|date=14 November 2009}}
| style="text-align:center;"|9 |
{{single chart|France|17|artist=Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne|song=Down|date=20100206}} |
{{single chart|Germany|9|artist=Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne|song=Down|songid=601917}} |
{{single chart|Hungaryradio|33|year=2009|week=43}} |
{{single chart|Ireland2|10|artist=Jay Sean featuring Lil Wayne|access-date=18 January 2020}} |
Italy (FIMI){{cite web|url=http://www.fimi.it/ricerca#/type:artists/show:charts/keyword:Jay+Sean+Feat.+Lil+Wayne/page:0|title=FIMI – Database Top of the music – FIMI|website=www.fimi.it}}
| style="text-align:center;"|30 |
{{single chart|Billboardjapanhot100|79|artist=Jay Sean|artistid=623772}} |
{{single chart|Dutch40|17|artist=Jay Sean|song=Down}} |
{{single chart|Dutch100|31|artist=Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne|song=Down}} |
{{single chart|New Zealand|2|artist=Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne|song=Down}} |
{{single chart|Norway|5|artist=Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne|song=Down}} |
Russia Airplay (TopHit){{cite web|url=https://tophit.com/chart/top/radio/hits/ru/weekly/20091016-20091022|title=Top Radio Hits Russia Weekly Chart: Oct 22, 2009|publisher=TopHit|access-date=29 April 2024}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 22 |
{{single chart|Scotland|4|date=20091107}} |
{{single chart|Slovakia|1|year=2009|week=49}} |
{{single chart|Sweden|25|artist=Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne|song=Down}} |
{{single chart|Switzerland|8|artist=Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne|song=Down}} |
{{single chart|UKrandb|1|artist=Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne|song=Down|date=7 November 2009}} |
{{single chart|UK|3|artist=Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne|song=Down|date=20091107}} |
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|1|artist=Jay Sean|artistid=623772}} |
{{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|1|artist=Jay Sean|artistid=623772}} |
{{single chart|Billboardrhythmic|1|artist=Jay Sean|artistid=623772}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
scope="col" | Chart (2011)
! scope="col" | Position |
---|
Germany (Official German Charts){{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-2011|title=Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts|language=de|work=GfK Entertainment|publisher=offiziellecharts.de|access-date=4 April 2020}}
|style="text-align:center;"|97 |
=All-time charts=
class="wikitable" |
Chart (1992–2017)
!Position |
---|
US Pop Songs (Billboard){{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/greatest-of-all-time-pop-songs|title=GREATEST OF ALL TIME POP SONGS|magazine=Billboard|access-date=4 July 2018}}
| style="text-align:center;"|28 |
class="wikitable" |
Chart (1958–2018)
! Position |
---|
US Billboard Hot 100{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100-60th-anniversary|title=Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart|magazine=Billboard|access-date=10 December 2018}}
| style="text-align:center;"|128 |
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2009|certyear=2010}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|title=Down|artist=Jay Sean|award=Gold|type=single|certyear=2024|relyear=2009|access-date=25 June 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|artist=Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne| title=Down|award=Platinum|id=10291|relyear=2009|certyear=2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2009|certyear=2018|artist=Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne|title=Down|access-date=1 May 2018}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2009|certyear=2023|artist=Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne|source=radioscope|access-date=2025-01-16|title=Down}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2009|certyear=2011|artist=Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne|title=Down|access-date=July 26, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2009|certyear=2024|artist=Jay Sean ft Lil Wayne|title=Down|access-date=13 December 2024|id=9786-2827-1}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|award=Platinum|number=6|relyear=2009|certyear=2014|artist=Jay Sean|title=Down|refname=riaa}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true}}
Release history
Destine version
{{Infobox song
| name = Down
| cover = Destine - Down.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Destine
| album = Lightspeed (2011 Japan release)
| released = 1 October 2010
| recorded = 2010
| studio =
| genre = Pop punk
| length = 3:19
| label = Sony
| writer = {{hlist|Kamaljit Jhooti|Dwayne Carter|Jared Cotter|J-Remy|Bobby Bass|Jonathan Perkins}}
| producer =
| prev_title = Spiders
| prev_year = 2010
| next_title = Stay
| next_year = 2011
}}
The Dutch pop punk band Destine released a cover version of "Down" as a stand-alone single on 1 October 2010 and as an iTunes download on 4 October. The official music video was meant to debut on EFM on 8 October, but was released through the band official YouTube page three days earlier on 5 October 2010, although it was deleted the next day.{{cite web |url=http://destinemusic.com/blog/ |title=Destine | The Official Website » Blog |publisher=Destinemusic.com |date=26 September 2011 |access-date=11 January 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110709015700/http://destinemusic.com/blog/ |archive-date=9 July 2011 |url-status=dead }} Their debut album, Lightspeed, was released on 3 August 2011 in Japan, and included "Down" as a bonus track.
=Digital single=
{{Track listing
| title1 = Down
|length1 = 3:19
| title2 = Down (Instrumental Version)
|length2 = 3:19
}}
Breathe Carolina version
{{Infobox song
| name = Down
| cover = Bc single 400x400.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Breathe Carolina
| album = Punk Goes Pop 3
| released = 16 September 2010
| recorded = 2010
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Electronicore
| length = 3:42
| label = Fearless
| writer = {{hlist|Kamaljit Jhooti|Dwayne Carter|Jared Cotter|J-Remy|Bobby Bass|Jonathan Perkins}}
| producer = Mike Green
| prev_title = I.D.G.A.F.
| prev_year = 2010
| next_title = Blackout
| next_year = 2011
}}
American electronicore band Breathe Carolina covered the track for the compilation album Punk Goes Pop 3,{{cite web |url=http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=428048118&blogId=539482888 |title=Punk Goes Pop 3 Now Available For Pre-Order van Punk Goes... op Myspace |publisher=Blogs.myspace.com |date=27 September 2010 |access-date=11 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207065936/http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view |archive-date=7 February 2009}} which was released on 2 November 2010. It was available for digital download on 16 September 2010.{{cite web|url=https://www.myspace.com/punkgoes/ |title=Punk Goes... | Gratis muziek, tourneedata, foto's, video's |publisher=Myspace.com |access-date=11 January 2012}} A music video including live footage of the band performing the song was released on 2 February 2011.{{cite web|author=Andrea Holmes |url=http://music.aol.com/blog/2011/02/02/breathe-carolina-down-video/ |title=Breathe Carolina, 'Down' – Video Premiere – AOL Music Blog |publisher=Music.aol.com |date=2 February 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204210825/http://music.aol.com/blog/2011/02/02/breathe-carolina-down-video/ |archivedate=February 4, 2011 |access-date=11 January 2012}} Singer David Schmitt explained why the group chose the song to cover for the album as it "appealed to the band on a technical level" and how it "struck a chord with the way the duo talks."{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/bbfede/breathe-carolina-jay-sean-down-pop-goes-pun|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221027170521/https://www.mtv.com/news/bbfede/breathe-carolina-jay-sean-down-pop-goes-pun|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 October 2022|title=Video: Breathe Carolina On Their 'Punk Goes Pop 3' Cover Of Jay Sean's 'Down'|website=MTV|author=Chris Ryan|date=November 2, 2010|access-date=October 27, 2022}} Alternative Press named their version of the song as the 41st best "Top 50 Punk Goes Pop covers of all time".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.altpress.com/best-punk-goes-pop-covers-ranked/|title=Here are the top 50 Punk Goes Pop covers of all time|magazine=Alternative Press|author=Ariana Leo|date=January 7, 2021|access-date=November 25, 2022}}
=Charts=
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Chart performance for "Down" |
scope="col"| Chart (2010)
! scope="col"| Peak |
---|
scope="row"| US Rock Digital Song Sales (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/breathe-carolina/chart-history/rkt/|title=Breathe Carolina Chart History (Rock Digital Song Sales)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=28 August 2022}}
| 31 |
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Jay Sean}}
{{Lil Wayne singles}}
{{Destine}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles
Category:Song recordings produced by Drumma Boy
Category:Cash Money Records singles
Category:Songs written by Drumma Boy
Category:Songs written by Jay Sean
Category:Songs written by Lil Wayne
Category:Songs written by Jared Cotter
Category:Breathe Carolina songs