"Down" is a song by British rock band the Kooks. It was released on 18 April 2014 through Virgin EMI Records[1] as the lead single from the band's fourth studio album Listen, which was scheduled to be released on 1 September 2014.[2] The song debuted on UK Singles Chart at number 40.[3] It has also reportedly divided fans.[4]

"Down"
Single by the Kooks
from the album Listen
Released18 April 2014 (2014-04-18)
RecordedLos Angeles, United States
London, United Kingdom
Genre
Length2:41
LabelVirgin EMI
Songwriter(s)Luke Pritchard, Inflo (Dean Josiah)
Producer(s)Inflo
The Kooks singles chronology
"Rosie"
(2013)
"Down"
(2014)
"Around Town"
(2014)

Background and release

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"Down" is the first song released by the Kooks since their 2012 single "Rosie". The song was written by the band's frontman Luke Pritchard and hip-hop pioneer Inflo for the band's upcoming studio album Listen.[5] "Down" was recorded in Los Angeles and London.[4] According to reports, the song is "a mission statement from a band that have rediscovered what they loved about making music in the first place." The R&B-inspired track features "looped hooks and crazy percussion" and has a "contagious swagger."[5][6]

The song premiered on 11 March 2014 on BBC Radio 1 as Zane Lowe's 'Hottest Record'.[4][5] It was released digitally on 18 April 2014,[1] and as a 7" vinyl on 21 April 2014.[7]

Music video

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A music video for the song was released onto YouTube on 20 March 2014.[8] It was directed by Davis Silis.[9]

Track listing

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Digital download
No.TitleLength
1."Down"2:41
2."Hooray for Henry"3:46
3."Hold On"2:42
4."Melody Maker"2:24
7" vinyl
No.TitleLength
1."Down"2:41
2."Hooray for Henry"3:46

Personnel

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Charts

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Chart (2014) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[10] 19
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[11] 25
Scotland (OCC)[12] 48
UK Singles (OCC)[3] 40

Release history

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Region Date Label Format Ref.
United Kingdom 18 April 2014 Virgin EMI Records Digital download [1][13]
21 April 2014 7" vinyl [7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Down EP - The Kooks [digital]". Virgin EMI Records. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  2. ^ "The Kooks announce new album 'Listen'". NME. 24 April 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  3. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  4. ^ a b c Murray, Robin (12 April 2014). "Listen: The Kooks - Down". Clash. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  5. ^ a b c d e "The Kooks Return With New Single 'Down,' Available April 20 [Listen]". Contactmusic.com. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  6. ^ "The Kooks unveil R&B-inspired new single 'Down' – listen". NME. 12 March 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  7. ^ a b "Down EP - The Kooks [vinyl]". Virgin EMI Records. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  8. ^ "The Kooks - Down". YouTube. 20 March 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  9. ^ Eames, Tom (21 March 2014). "The Kooks unveil video for new single 'Down' - watch". Digital Spy. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  10. ^ "The Kooks – Down" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  11. ^ "The Kooks – Down" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  12. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  13. ^ "Down EP by The Kooks". iTunes (GB). Retrieved 24 April 2014.