Down (Blink-182 song)

"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]
Genre	Alternative rock
Length	3:03
Label	Geffen
Songwriter(s)	Tom DeLonge Mark Hoppus Travis Barker
Producer(s)	Jerry Finn
Blink-182 singles chronology
"I Miss You" (2004) "Down" (2004) "Always" (2004)

Background

The 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

"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

The 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

All tracks are written by Blink-182.

Down Single CD 1

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Down" (Single Version)	3:12
2.	"I Miss You" (James Guthrie Mix)	4:38
3.	"Down" (Video)	3:32

Down Single CD 2

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

Down Single 7-inch Picture Disc

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

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

Blink-182

• Mark Hoppus - bass, vocals
• Tom Delonge - guitar, vocals
• Travis Barker - drums, backing vocals

Additional musicians

• Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. - keyboards

Release history

Country	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
United States	May 10, 2004	Alternative radio	Geffen	[18]