Windows Down
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Windows Down
| cover = Big_Time_Rush_-_Windows_Down_Album_Cover.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Big Time Rush
| album = Elevate
| released = June 25, 2012
| recorded = 2012
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = {{hlist|Electropop|post-dubstep}}
| length = 3:11
| label = *Nickelodeon
- Columbia{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/windows-down-single/536331831|title=Windows Down - Single|publisher=iTunes Store|access-date=June 26, 2012}}
| writer = *Alexander James
| producer = *Kesha
| chronology = Big Time Rush
| prev_title = Music Sounds Better with U
| prev_year = 2012
| next_title = Call It Like I See It
| next_year = 2021
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|Z_Al0GXbCm8|"Windows Down"}}}}
}}
"Windows Down" is a song by American boy band Big Time Rush from the re-release of their second studio album Elevate. The song was released on June 25, 2012, and was released to US radio on July 24, 2012.{{cite web|url=http://bigtimerushtv.com/?p=10201|title=Big Time Rush's "Windows Down" – Your source for Nickelodeon's Big Time Rush!|website=Bigtimerushtv.com|author=Tim|date=June 11, 2012|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130117210320/http://bigtimerushtv.com/?p=10201|archivedate=January 17, 2013|accessdate=2012-06-30}} The song's hook is sampled from "Song 2" by English rock band Blur.
Background and release
"Windows Down" was made available for streaming exclusively via Cambio.com on June 11, 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.cambio.com/2012/06/11/windows-down-by-big-time-rush-exclusive-first-listen/|title='Windows Down' by Big Time Rush: Exclusive First Listen!|website=Cambio.com|author=Linda Friedman|date=June 11, 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120613181906/http://www.cambio.com/2012/06/11/windows-down-by-big-time-rush-exclusive-first-listen/|archivedate=June 13, 2012|access-date=June 10, 2024}} The group revealed the album artwork on June 13.{{cite web|url=http://ryanseacrest.com/2012/06/13/big-time-rush-debut-new-album-art-and-windows-down-audio/|title=Big Time Rush Debut New Album Art and 'Windows Down' - News - American Top 40 With Ryan Seacrest|author=Gabrielle Alvidrez|publisher=At40.com|date=2012-06-13|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618164102/http://ryanseacrest.com/2012/06/13/big-time-rush-debut-new-album-art-and-windows-down-audio/|archivedate=June 18, 2012|accessdate=2012-06-30}} The song was officially released as a single on June 25, via iTunes. Kendall Schmidt believed that the track would "appeal to people of all ages," while Carlos PenaVega hoped it "bring in some of the older demo."
Composition
The song was written by Blackbear, Mike Posner, Alexander James, Damon Albarn, Dave Rowntree, Graham Coxon, Bei Maejor, and Matt Squire, with production handled by the latter two while additional by CJ Baran.{{cite AV media notes |title=Elevate |type=Standard edition liner notes |publisher=Columbia Records |year=2011 |id= }} It features samples from "Song 2" by Blur.{{cite web|url=https://www.twincities.com/2012/07/27/review-big-time-rush-show-is-everything-youd-expect-from-a-boy-band/|title=Review: Big Time Rush show is everything you'd expect from a boy band|website=St. Paul Pioneer Press|author=Ross Raihala|date=July 27, 2012|access-date=June 10, 2024}} American singer/songwriter Kesha originally created an early demo of the track, expected to appear on her second studio album Warrior with the title "Woo Hoo", still using the Blur sample, but later sold the instrumental to Big Time Rush, and the song was re-written to create "Windows Down".{{cite web|url=https://tonedeaf.thebrag.com/boy-band-rip-blur-keha/|title=US Boy Band Rip Off Blur, With Thanks To Ke$ha|website=Tone Deaf|publisher=The Brag Media|author=Al Newstead|date=June 25, 2012|access-date=June 10, 2024}}
Critical reception
Nick Bassett from UK site The Re-View called "Windows Down" a "surefire summer pop hit", complimenting the use of the "Song 2" sample and wrapping up his article saying that it should "mark Big Time Rush as some hot, home-grown competition for our Transatlantic invading boybands".{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}
Chart performance
"Windows Down" peaked at number 97 on Billboard Hot 100 and lasted one week on chart. The song also peaked at number 35 on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 and stayed on chart for three weeks.
Music video
The music video was filmed in Maui, Hawaii and was released on Vevo on June 22, three days before the single's iTunes release.{{cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/big-time-rush-star-carlos-pena_n_1616289|title='Big Time Rush' Star Carlos Pena Dishes On His Breakup And 'Windows Down' Video Premiere (Exclusive)|website=HuffPost|author=Lee Hernandez|date=June 21, 2012|access-date=June 10, 2024}} It was directed by Marc Klasfeld and was recorded over the course of five days.{{cite web|url=http://www.vevo.com/watch/big-time-rush/Windows-Down/USSM21200785|title=Big Time Rush – Windows Down|publisher=VEVO|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623202406/http://www.vevo.com/watch/big-time-rush/Windows-Down/USSM21200785|archivedate=June 23, 2012|access-date=June 10, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/news/big-time-rush-songs-memories-stories-dale-pa-ya-spanglish-boyfriend-worldwide-the-turd-song-interview-tour-reunion|title=Big Time Rush Share Favorite Memories From Their Biggest Hits, New Songs And One Unexpected Fan Favorite|author=Taylor Weatherby|publisher=Grammy Awards|date=August 25, 2022|access-date=June 10, 2024}} The video features the band doing various activities in Hawaii like surfing, paddle boarding, swimming in the ocean, and standing on top of Jeep Wranglers.{{cite web|url=http://ryanseacrest.com/2012/06/22/big-time-rush-go-shirtless-in-hawaii-for-windows-down-video/|title=Big Time Rush Go Shirtless in Hawaii for 'Windows Down' [VIDEO] | Ryan Seacrest - The official entertainment news site of American Idol host and American Top 40 on air radio personality!|author=Michael Vulpo|publisher=Ryan Seacrest|date=2012-06-22|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120624010312/http://ryanseacrest.com/2012/06/22/big-time-rush-go-shirtless-in-hawaii-for-windows-down-video/|archivedate=June 24, 2012|accessdate=2012-06-30}} Logan Henderson described the song as one that "embodies fun" and wanted to create a video to capture that.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/see-big-time-rush-go-shirtless-in-windows-down-sneak-peek-2012216/|title=See Big Time Rush Go Shirtless in Windows Down Sneak Peek|magazine=US Weekly|author=Nicole Eggenberger|date=June 21, 2012|access-date=June 10, 2024}}
Track listing
- "Windows Down" – 3:12
- EU CD single{{cite web|title=Big Time Rush: Windows Down (CD Single)|url=https://www.amazon.de/dp/B008F65S4O}}
- "Windows Down" – 3:13
- "Windows Down" (Instrumental) – 2:59
Charts
{{Col-start}}
{{Col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Weekly chart performance for "Windows Down" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2012)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| {{Single chart|Flanders Tip|49|song=Windows Down|artist=Big Time Rush|accessdate= September 1, 2012|refname="Flanders"|rowheader=true}} |
| {{Single chart|Wallonia Tip|26|song=Windows Down|artist=Big Time Rush|accessdate=September 1, 2012|refname="Wallonia"|rowheader=true}} |
| {{Single chart|Billboardhot100|97|artist=Big Time Rush|accessdate=July 14, 2012|refname="The Hot 100"|rowheader=true}} |
| scope="row"| US Kid Digital Song Sales (Billboard){{Cite magazine|title=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/search/results/?chart-artistname=Big+Time+Rush&chart-charttitle=Windows+Down&chart-label=Nickelodeon&chart-date=2012-07-14&chart-chartcode=KDT|magazine=Billboard}}
| 1 |
| {{Single chart|Billboardpopsongs|35|artist=Big Time Rush|accessdate=August 20, 2012|refname="Pop Airplay"|rowheader=true}} |
| scope="row"| US Pop Digital Song Sales (Billboard){{Cite magazine|title=Big Time Rush {{!}} Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/big-time-rush/chart-history/ppd/song/750788|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728015824/https://www.billboard.com/music/big-time-rush/chart-history/ppd/song/750788|archive-date=July 28, 2021}}
| 24 |
{{Col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Yearly chart performance for "Windows Down" ! scope="col" | Chart (2012) ! scope="col" | Position |
| scope="row" | Ukraine Airplay (TopHit){{cite web|url=https://tophit.com/ru/chart/top/radio/hits/ukraine/annual/2013-01-01|title=Top Radio Hits Ukraine Annual Chart 2013|publisher=TopHit|language=ru|access-date=March 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329163735/https://tophit.com/ru/chart/top/radio/hits/ukraine/annual/2013-01-01|archive-date=March 29, 2023}}
| 195 |
|---|
| scope="row"| US Kid Digital Song Sales (Billboard){{Cite magazine|year=2012|title=Kid Digital Songs : Jun 09, 2013 {{!}} Billboard Chart Archive|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/year-end/2012/kid-digital-songs|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609055843/http://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/year-end/2012/kid-digital-songs|archive-date=June 9, 2013}}
| 2 |
{{Col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Windows Down"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=United States|artist=Big Time Rush|title=Windows Down|award=Gold|relyear=2012|certyear=2022|digital=true|refname=riaa}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release dates and formats for "Windows Down" ! scope="col" | Region ! scope="col" | Date ! scope="col" | Format ! scope="col" | Label ! scope="col" | {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row" | Various
| June 25, 2012 | rowspan="3" | Columbia |
|---|
| scope="row" | United States
| July 24, 2012 |
| scope="row" | Europe
| July 27, 2012 | CD |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Big Time Rush (group)}}
Category:Columbia Records singles
Category:Songs written by Mike Posner
Category:Song recordings produced by Maejor
Category:Songs written by Maejor
Category:Songs written by Matt Squire
Category:Songs written by Damon Albarn
Category:Songs written by Dave Rowntree
Category:Songs written by Graham Coxon