:Kisses Down Low
{{Infobox song
| name = Kisses Down Low
| cover = Kelly_Rowland-Kisses_Down_Low.png
| alt =
| border = yes
| type = single
| artist = Kelly Rowland
| album = Talk a Good Game
| released = {{start date|2013|02|01}}
| recorded =
| studio = Eardrum Studios (Atlanta, Georgia)
| venue =
| genre = {{hlist|Electropop|R&B{{cite news |last1=Sam |title=Kelly Rowland Unveils 'Kisses Down Low' Single Cover |url=https://thatgrapejuice.net/2013/01/kelly-rowland-unveils-kisses-low-single-cover/ |access-date=January 19, 2013 |publisher=ThatGrapeJuice.net |archive-date=January 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122005108/http://thatgrapejuice.net/2013/01/kelly-rowland-unveils-kisses-low-single-cover/ |url-status=live }}}}
| length = {{duration|m=4|s=14}}
| label = Republic
| writer = {{flat list|
- Kelly Rowland
- Michael L. Williams II
- Marquel Middlebrooks
- Timothy Thomas
- Theron Thomas}}
| producer = {{flat list|
- Mike Will Made It
- Marz}}
| prev_title = Neva End
| prev_year = 2012
| next_title = Without Me
| next_year = 2013
}}
"Kisses Down Low" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Kelly Rowland and is the first single from her fourth studio album Talk a Good Game. The song was written by Rowland, Marquel Middlebrooks, Timothy and Theron Thomas and Michael Williams, the latter of whom also produced the song under his production moniker, Mike WiLL Made It. Complimented for its lyrics about oral sex and steamy content, "Kisses Down Low" was released on February 1, 2013, serving as the lead single from Talk a Good Game.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/1556565/kelly-rowland-talk-a-good-game-features-beyonce-wiz-khalifa-exclusive|title=Kelly Rowland Reveals 'Talk A Good Game' Features With Beyonce, Wiz Khalifa: Exclusive|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2013-04-07|archive-date=2013-09-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907021434/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/1556565/kelly-rowland-talk-a-good-game-features-beyonce-wiz-khalifa-exclusive|url-status=live}} The song has been certified gold by the RIAA.
The Colin Tilley-directed music video features colorful scenes, featuring several different pin-up looks and multiple vibrant wigs and costumes. Critics noted similarities between the video for "Kisses Down Low" and "Say My Name" by Rowland's former group Destiny's Child
Background and composition
Following the chart success of her Lil Wayne-backed single "Motivation" (2011), Rowland started to work on her upcoming fourth studio album.{{cite web|last=Thomas|first=Rebecca|title=Kelly Rowland Is Giddy To Go Down Under With Chris Brown|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1682857/kelly-rowland-chris-brown-supafest.jhtml|access-date=August 24, 2012|publisher=MTV News. Viacom|date=April 11, 2012|archive-date=September 4, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904135646/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1682857/kelly-rowland-chris-brown-supafest.jhtml|url-status=dead}} She said, "I'm in the studio. Man, it's been so much fun. I do wish that some of my fans could be in there for that ... [so] I have taped a lot of moments for my fans." She went on to add that the follow-up to her third album, Here I Am, will have a theme: "I made sure that I locked in on a concept and everyone that's come in to work on this album, we've all built around it. It's just building up so beautifully. I'm so proud! So I can't wait till all of my fans hear it." The song was written by Marquel Middlebrooks, Timothy Thomas, Theron Thomas, Kelly Rowland, Michael Williams with production helmed by Williams under his production name Mike WiLL Made It.
Critical reception
A reviewer from Rap-Up described the song as a "bedroom banger".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2013/01/18/new-music-kelly-rowland-kisses-down-low/|title=New Music: Kelly Rowland – 'Kisses Down Low'|magazine=Rap-Up|access-date=March 15, 2013|date=January 18, 2013|archive-date=March 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314011931/http://www.rap-up.com/2013/01/18/new-music-kelly-rowland-kisses-down-low/|url-status=live}} A writer for UK magazine Fact magazine wrote that "Kisses Down Low" as memorable as 2011 world-beater "'Motivation', [it's] a step-up from previous single, "Ice".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.factmag.com/2013/01/18/listen-to-kelly-rowlands-kisses-down-low-produced-by-hitmaker-mike-will-made-it/|title=Listen to Kelly Rowland's 'Kisses Down Low', produced by hitmaker Mike WiLL Made It|magazine=Fact|access-date=March 15, 2013|date=January 18, 2013|archive-date=March 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316011547/http://www.factmag.com/2013/01/18/listen-to-kelly-rowlands-kisses-down-low-produced-by-hitmaker-mike-will-made-it/|url-status=live}} Carl Williott of Idolator liked the song describing it as a "sluggishly shimmering track" and along with "Ice" "[it's] shaping up to be quite the steamy affair."{{cite web|last=Williott|url=http://idolator.com/7397872/kelly-rowland-kisses-down-low-listen|title=Kelly Rowland Likes Her "Kisses Down Low" & You Will, Too: Listen|publisher=Idolator (Buzz Media)|access-date=March 15, 2013|date=January 18, 2013|archive-date=June 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626000645/https://www.idolator.com/7397872/kelly-rowland-kisses-down-low-listen|url-status=live}} Meanwhile, not all reviews for the song were positive, in a review in The Sowetan, an editor said that Rowland's vocals were stronger than what was displayed in "Kisses Down Low". The reviewer said "to be honest, the song, produced by Mike WiLL Made It, doesn't really challenge her vocal abilities, which we believe are a lot stronger, but who said a girl can't play around in the studio every now and then?!"{{cite web |url=http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/entertainment/2013/04/12/seductive-kelly-rowland-loves-her-kisses-down-low |title=Seductive Kelly Rowland Lovers Her Kisses Down Low |work=The Sowetan |publisher=Avusu |date=2012-04-12 |access-date=2012-04-13 |archive-date=2013-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130415115254/http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/entertainment/2013/04/12/seductive-kelly-rowland-loves-her-kisses-down-low |url-status=live }}
Chart performance
In the United States "Kisses Down Low" debuted at number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the issue dated March 10, 2013.{{cite web|url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-march-10-2013-songs-record-setter-220555683.html|title=Week Ending March 10, 2013. Songs: The Record-Setter That Isn't #1|last=Grein|first=Paul|publisher=Yahoo!|access-date=March 14, 2013|date=March 14, 2013|archive-date=March 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316113206/http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-march-10-2013-songs-record-setter-220555683.html|url-status=live}} On its third week the song peaked at number 72.{{cite web|url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-march-24-2013-songs-5-million-025825701.html;_ylt=ArPUI0zGTu.fk9uLByrdnwoPwiUv;_ylu=X3oDMTFkYTZnZmZkBG1pdANNdXNpYyBCbG9nIEluZGV4BHBvcwMxBHNlYwNNZWRpYUJsb2dJbmRleA--;_ylg=X3oDMTFpMm9iMzh1BGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANibG9nBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25z;_ylv=3|title=Week Ending March 24, 2013. Songs: 5 Million "Thrift Shoppers"|last=Grein|first=Paul|publisher=Yahoo!|access-date=March 27, 2013|date=March 29, 2013|archive-date=June 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624150330/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-march-24-2013-songs-5-million-025825701.html|url-status=live}}
Music video
= Background =
The music video for "Kisses Down Low" was directed by Colin Tilley.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2013/02/25/behind-the-video-kelly-rowland-kisses-down-low/#more-151070|title=Behind the Video: Kelly Rowland – 'Kisses Down Low'|magazine=Rap-Up|access-date=March 15, 2013|date=February 25, 2013|archive-date=May 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515114848/http://www.rap-up.com/2013/02/25/behind-the-video-kelly-rowland-kisses-down-low/#more-151070|url-status=live}} On February 10, 2013, Rowland posted behind-the-scenes video, Rowland spoke about the theme of the video saying, "I’m so excited about this video. The theme is fun and flirty and pinup. The makeup is poppin’, the hair is poppin’, the styling is so cool, but it feels just really flirty. I wanted to bring that out of the song instead of making it as racy." The video premiered on VEVO on March 12, 2013.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2013/03/12/video-kelly-rowland-kisses-down-low/|title=Video: Kelly Rowland – 'Kisses Down Low'|magazine=Rap-Up|access-date=March 15, 2013|date=March 12, 2013|archive-date=June 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610181639/http://www.rap-up.com/2013/03/12/video-kelly-rowland-kisses-down-low/|url-status=live}}
= Synopsis =
The video concept focuses on a number of vanity shots and costume changes.{{cite web |url=http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/?p=199953 |title=New Video: Kelly Rowland, 'Kisses Down Low' |work=MTV Buzzworthy |publisher=MTV (Viacom) |last=Rubenstein |first=Jenna Hally |date=2013-03-13 |access-date=2013-04-13 |archive-date=2013-06-29 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629220951/http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/?p=199953 |url-status=dead }} Various scenes from the video feature Rowland dressed as a pin-up girl, on a floral swing, with a curly blonde wig and hot pants. Another scenes features Rowland dressed in a red wig and retro bikini.
= Reception =
Sam Lansky from Idolator, gave the video a mixed review writing, " it's not the most thrilling video we’ve ever seen — all those splashy hues and chic looks don't entirely make up for a feeling that it's all a little insubstantial — but it's certainly not bad to look at."{{cite web|last=Lansky|first=Sam|url=http://idolator.com/7446185/kelly-rowland-kisses-down-low-video|title=Kelly Rowland's "Kisses Down Low" Video: Watch The Candy-Colored Clip|publisher=Idolator (Buzz Media)|access-date=March 12, 2013|date=March 28, 2013|archive-date=June 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626000646/https://www.idolator.com/7446185/kelly-rowland-kisses-down-low-video|url-status=live}} John Boone from E! Online compared the video to a number of other music videos by Rowland's former group Destiny's Child, in particular "Say My Name
Track listings and formats
Credits and personnel
;RecordingKelly Rowland — Talk a Good Game. [Album Booklet]. Republic Records (Universal Music Group). Catalog Number: 602537415168.
- Vocals Recorded at Triangle Sound, Atlanta, Georgia
- Music recorded at Eardrum Studios, Atlanta, Georgia.
- Mixed at Larrabee Sound Studios, North Hollywood, California.
- Mastered at Sterling Sound, New York City, New York.
- Sam Thomas - Recording Engineer
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
- Trehy Harris – assistant mixing engineer.
- Jaycen Joshua – mixing engineer.
- Beau Vallis – recording engineer.
- Marquel "Marz" Middlebrooks – co-producer, songwriter.
{{col-2}}
- Kelly Rowland – songwriter, lead vocals.
- Timothy and Theron Thomas (Rock City) – songwriter, additional vocals.
- Michael L. Williams (Mike Will Made It) – producer, songwriter.
{{col-end}}
Charts
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= Weekly charts =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2013)
!scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| {{singlechart|Billboardhot100|72|artist=Kelly Rowland|rowheader=true|refname=hot100|accessdate=March 13, 2013}} |
| {{singlechart|Billboardrandbhiphop|25|artist=Kelly Rowland|rowheader=true|refname=randb|accessdate=May 4, 2013}} |
| {{singlechart|Billboardrhythmic|31|artist=Kelly Rowland|rowheader=true|date=May 11, 2013}} |
{{col-2}}
= Year-end charts =
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=Kisses Down Low|artist=Kelly Rowland|type=single|award=Gold|certyear=2013|relyear=2013|date=December 12, 2013}}
{{Certification Table Bottom| nosales=true}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release dates and formats for "Kisses Down Low" ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format(s) ! scope="col"| Label(s) ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="2"| United States
| February 1, 2013 | rowspan="2"| Republic |
|---|
| February 5, 2013 |
| scope="row"| Italy
| February 8, 2013 | rowspan="3"| Digital download | rowspan="2"| Universal Music |
| scope="row"| Germany
| February 11, 2013 |
| scope="row"| United Kingdom
| March 15, 2013 |
| scope="row"| United States
| March 26, 2013 | Republic |
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{YouTube|V0DJUTgkUIA|Official music video}}
{{Kelly Rowland}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Song recordings produced by Mike Will Made It
Category:Music videos directed by Colin Tilley
Category:Songs written by Timothy Thomas
Category:Songs written by Theron Thomas
Category:Republic Records singles
Category:Songs written by Mike Will Made It