Down (311 song)

"Down" is a song by the band 311. It is the first song on their third album, 311. It was their first #1 single on the Billboard Alternative Songs charts, and along with their self-titled album, was largely responsible for launching them into mainstream success. An accompanying video for the song was in rotation on MTV at the time of its release. Due to its massive popularity it was also included as the first song on their live album, Live, and on their greatest hits album, Greatest Hits '93–'03. Since its release it has also become a staple of their live concerts, and is usually dedicated "to all the old-school 311 fans." However, following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, it was placed on the list of post-9/11 inappropriate titles distributed by Clear Channel.

"Down"
Single by 311
from the album 311
ReleasedJuly 9, 1996 (radio release)
November 26, 1996 (CD single release)
FormatCD single
Recorded1995
GenreAlternative rock, rap rock, funk rock, funk metal
Length2:53
LabelCapricorn
Songwriter(s)Nick Hexum, S.A. Martinez
Producer(s)Ron Saint Germain
311 singles chronology
"Don't Stay Home"
(1995)		 "Down"
(1996)		 "All Mixed Up"
(1996)

"Down" was released as downloadable content for the music video game Rock Band 3 on October 2, 2012. It has also been featured in other video games such as Big Air Freestyle, BMX XXX, and Major League Baseball 2K7.

On July 20, 2018, The Offspring released a cover version of this song, while 311 released a "reggaefied" version of the latter's "Self Esteem". Those cover versions coincided with the beginning of their 2018 Never Ending Summer co-tour.[1]

Composition

"Down" contains dancehall vocals, hard rock guitars and turntable scratches.[2] At Spin, the song was compared to the band Bad Brains, and described it as having a "dynamic" verse.[3]

Music video

The music video consists of the band performing in a warehouse and includes scenes of the band members singing the song in various backgrounds, such as a rotating coin, a circle with flowing sparks, dancing in front of a paper wall display. Also included are scenes in which the band members are meditating with an obese spiritual man who sometimes floats in the air through the power of meditation while one of the band members experiences it.

Track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Down"2:53
2."Down" (live)3:06
3."Jackolantern's Weather"3:25
4."Do You Right"4:18

Charts
Chart (1996) Peak
position
Canadian RPM Top Singles[4] 60
Canadian RPM Alternative 30[5] 4
US Billboard Hot 100 Airplay 37
US Billboard Alternative Songs[6] 1
US Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks[6] 19
KROQ Top 106.7[7] 1

See also
  • Number one modern rock hits of 1996

References
  1. "311 and the Offspring Recorded New Versions of Each Other's Material: Exclusive". July 19, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  2. "Billboard". Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  3. "SPIN". Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  4. "Top Singles – Volume 64, No. 8, October 07 1996". RPM. Archived from the original on 2012-10-19. Retrieved 2010-12-06.
  5. "Rock/Alternative – Volume 64, No. 4, September 09 1996". RPM. Retrieved 2010-12-06.
  6. American singles chart
  7. "List of KROQ Top 106.7 Countdowns". RadioHitlist.
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