"Take Me Down" is a song by American rock band The Pretty Reckless from their third studio album, Who You Selling For (2016). It was released on July 15, 2016, as the album's lead single. The song topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart in 2016, the band's fourth single to do so at the time, following "Heaven Knows", "Messed Up World (F'd Up World)", and "Follow Me Down".
| "Take Me Down" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by The Pretty Reckless | ||||
| from the album Who You Selling For | ||||
| Released | July 15, 2016 | |||
| Recorded | 2015 | |||
| Studio | Water Music (Hoboken, New Jersey) | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 4:13 | |||
| Label | Razor & Tie | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | Kato Khandwala | |||
| The Pretty Reckless singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background
editThe song was released as the lead single for the band's third studio album Who You Selling For in July 2016.[1] The single's artwork was also revealed, keeping with the band's past allusion to religion and the devil, this time being consisting of a human hand shaking hands with a red demonic hand.[2][1] A music video for the song was released on September 29, 2016, which continued the theme of allusions to a diabolical nature.[3] The video consists of footage of the band performing in a stylized black and white setting, with the only color visible being a few things in red, including some parts of the background, and frontwoman Taylor Momsen's lips and pendant necklace.[4] In October 2016, the song topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs, making the band the first to ever send their first four songs on the chart to the number one spot.[5] The song also extended the band's record for most number ones on the chart by a female-fronted band.[5]
The band performed the song on Conan O'Brien's late-night talk show Conan on February 28, 2016.[6]
Themes and composition
editThe song tells the story of a musician who sold her soul to the devil in exchange for success in music, harking back to the old legend of musicians going down to the crossroads in the Mississippi Delta to make deals with the devil for fame and fortune.[3][7]
Credits and personnel
edit- Taylor Momsen – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Ben Phillips – lead guitar
- Mark Damon – bass
- Jamie Perkins – drums
Charts
editRelease history
edit| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | July 15, 2016 | Digital download | Razor & Tie | [13] |
| United States | July 19, 2016 | Active rock radio | [14] |
References
edit- ^ a b "The Pretty Reckless Releases New "Take Me Down" Single: Listen". Fuse. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
- ^ "The Pretty Reckless Announce New Single "Take Me Down"". Idolator. July 12, 2016. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
- ^ a b "The Pretty Reckless Unleash 'Take Me Down' Video". Loudwire. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
- ^ "The Pretty Reckless Are Seeing Red in Striking 'Take Me Down' Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
- ^ a b "The Pretty Reckless Sets Mainstream Rock Songs Record With New No. 1". Billboard. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
- ^ "Watch THE PRETTY RECKLESS Perform 'Take Me Down' On 'Conan'". Blabbermouth.net. March 1, 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
- ^ "Pretty Reckless Hit Crossroads With 'Take Me Down' Single". Loudwire. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
- ^ "The Pretty Reckless Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
- ^ "The Pretty Reckless Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
- ^ "The Pretty Reckless Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
- ^ "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
- ^ "Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ "Take Me Down – Single by The Pretty Reckless". iTunes Store (US). Archived from the original on July 21, 2016. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
- ^ "Rock Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on July 10, 2016. Retrieved March 19, 2019.