| Cover | Big_Time_Rush_-_Windows_Down_Album_Cover.jpg |
|---|---|
| Artist | Big Time Rush |
| Album | Elevate |
| Released | June 25, 2012 |
| Recorded | 2012 |
| Genre | Electropop · post-dubstep |
| Length | 3:11 |
| Label | |
| Writer | |
| Producer | |
| Chronology | Big Time Rush |
| Prev year | 2012 |
| Next year | 2021 |
"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.[2] 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.[3] The group revealed the album artwork on June 13.[4] The song was officially released as a single on June 25, via iTunes.[3] 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."[5]
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.[6] It features samples from "Song 2" by Blur, but is up-tuned to the key of B minor.[7] 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".[8]
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]
Chart performance
"Windows Down" peaked at number 97 on Billboard Hot 100 and lasted one week on chart.[9] The song also peaked at number 35 on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 and stayed on chart for three weeks.[10]
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.[5] It was directed by Marc Klasfeld and was recorded over the course of five days.[11][12] 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.[13] Logan Henderson described the song as one that "embodies fun" and wanted to create a video to capture that.[14]
Track listing
- Digital download[1]
- "Windows Down" – 3:12
- EU CD single[15]
- "Windows Down" – 3:13
- "Windows Down" (Instrumental) – 2:59
Charts
Weekly charts
| Chart (2012) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Kid Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[16] | 1 |
| US Pop Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[17] | 24 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (2012) | Position |
|---|---|
| Ukraine Airplay (TopHit)[18] | 195 |
| US Kid Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[19] | 2 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | June 25, 2012 | Digital download | Columbia | [1] |
| United States | July 24, 2012 | Contemporary hit radio | [20] | |
| Europe | July 27, 2012 | CD | [15] |
References
- ^ "Windows Down - Single". iTunes Store. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
- ^ Tim (June 11, 2012). "Big Time Rush's "Windows Down" – Your source for Nickelodeon's Big Time Rush!". Bigtimerushtv.com. Archived January 17, 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2012-06-30.
- ^ Linda Friedman (June 11, 2012). "'Windows Down' by Big Time Rush: Exclusive First Listen!". Cambio.com. Archived June 13, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ Gabrielle Alvidrez (2012-06-13). "Big Time Rush Debut New Album Art and 'Windows Down' - News - American Top 40 With Ryan Seacrest". At40.com. Archived June 18, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2012-06-30.
- ^ Lee Hernandez (June 21, 2012). "'Big Time Rush' Star Carlos Pena Dishes On His Breakup And 'Windows Down' Video Premiere (Exclusive)". HuffPost. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ Elevate (Standard edition liner notes). Columbia Records. 2011.
- ^ Ross Raihala (July 27, 2012). "Review: Big Time Rush show is everything you'd expect from a boy band". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ Al Newstead (June 25, 2012). "US Boy Band Rip Off Blur, With Thanks To Ke$ha". Tone Deaf. The Brag Media. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ The Hot 100
- ^ Pop Airplay
- ^ "Big Time Rush – Windows Down". VEVO. Archived June 23, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ Taylor Weatherby (August 25, 2022). "Big Time Rush Share Favorite Memories From Their Biggest Hits, New Songs And One Unexpected Fan Favorite". Grammy Awards. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ Michael Vulpo (2012-06-22). "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!". Ryan Seacrest. Archived June 24, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2012-06-30.
- ^ Nicole Eggenberger (June 21, 2012). "See Big Time Rush Go Shirtless in Windows Down Sneak Peek". US Weekly. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ "Big Time Rush: Windows Down (CD Single)"
- ^ "Billboard". Billboard
- ^ "Big Time Rush | Billboard". Billboard. Archived July 28, 2021 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ "Top Radio Hits Ukraine Annual Chart 2013" (in Russian). TopHit. Archived March 29, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
- ^ "Kid Digital Songs : Jun 09, 2013 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. 2012. Archived June 9, 2013 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ "FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". Archived December 20, 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 26, 2021.