I Wanna Be Down
"I Wanna Be Down" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Brandy | ||||
from the album Brandy | ||||
Released | September 5, 1994 | |||
Recorded | 1993[1] | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:51 | |||
Label | Atlantic | |||
Songwriter(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) | Keith Crouch | |||
Brandy singles chronology | ||||
|
"I Wanna Be Down" is the debut single of American recording artist
The song's music video was filmed by Keith Ward and released in October 1994. It features Norwood in her tomboyish image, dancing in front of a jeep near a forest, surrounded by backup dancers. "I Wanna Be Down" was performed on several television and award show ceremonies, such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the 1996 Soul Train Music Awards, and the 2014 BET Hip Hop Awards. It has been performed on almost every one of Norwood's concerts and tours, and is featured on the compilation album The Best of Brandy (2005).
"I Wanna Be Down" was released to positive reaction by contemporary music critics. Its impact on the charts was comparatively large for a debut single: While it spent four weeks on top of the US
Background
"I Wanna Be Down" was written by
Composition and lyrics
"I Wanna Be Down" is a
Release
Atlantic printed thirteen different single versions of "I Wanna Be Down". The most common CD / Maxi release included the album version, an extended mix called "Cool Out" and an a cappella version.[9] On the cover, Brandy is seen sitting in an overall in front of a blue gate. The photo was taken by photographer Michael Miller who has previously worked with artists such as Cypress Hill and Daddy Freddy.[10] In Europe, the song was released via East West Records and had the same table of contents as on the CD / Maxi single in the USA. In the UK, the song was printed on "12 vinyl records that were identical to the North American vinyl records. These editions included remix versions of the song such as" Carson CA Edit "and" 3 Boyz Dub ".[11]
Critical reception
Steve Baltin from
Music video
The original music video for "I Wanna Be Down" was directed by Keith Ward and premiered prior to the single's official release in September 1994. The video portrays Norwood in her tomboyish image, dancing in front of a Hummer near a forest, surrounded by backup dancers.[17] Her first video shooting, Norwood explained the filming a great experience: "I was so excited about the video. I got a chance to work with some great people like Frank Gatson. All my friends were in the video. My brother was in the video [...] He was there and we had this little dance, and that became really popular. That was a fun time. I was so excited because my dream was coming through right before my eyes... at the age of 15".[3]
Hip hop remix
Upon its release, Atlantic Records head
Music video
A music video for the Human Rhythm Hip Hop Remix premiered in February 1995. It was filmed by director Hype Williams whose remix video for Craig Mack's 1994 song "Flava in Ya Ear" served as inspiration for the video.[19] A simple performance video, it features appearances by Lyte, Latifah, and Yo-Yo and was photographed "in glamorous black and white and vivacious color, complete with flashbulbs popping to the beat."[19] Norwood's younger brother Ray J made a cameo appearance in the video. This version eventually earned Norwood her first nomination for a MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video at the 1995 ceremony.[19]
Track listings
All tracks written by Keith Crouch and Kipper Jones, and produced by the former.[2]
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "I Wanna Be Down" (LP version) | 4:53 |
2. | "I Wanna Be Down" (Instrumental) | 4:09 |
3. | "I Wanna Be Down" (Cool Out) | 5:13 |
4. | "I Wanna Be Down" (Cool Out Instrumental) | 5:13 |
5. | "I Wanna Be Down" (A Capella) | 4:32 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "I Wanna Be Down" (LP Edit) | 4:09 |
2. | "I Wanna Be Down" (Human Rhythm Hip Hop Remix featuring MC Lyte, Queen Latifah & Yo-Yo) | 4:15 |
3. | "I Wanna Be Down" (LP Version) | 4:53 |
4. | "I Wanna Be Down" (Cool Out) | 5:13 |
5. | "I Wanna Be Down" (A Capella) | 4:32 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "I Wanna Be Down" (LP Edit) | 4:09 |
2. | "I Wanna Be Down" (LP Version) | 4:53 |
3. | "I Wanna Be Down" (Cool Out) | 5:13 |
4. | "I Wanna Be Down" (A Capella) | 4:32 |
Credits and personnel
Personnel are adapted from the liner notes of Brandy.[2]
- Kipper Jones – writer
- Tiara LeMack – backing vocals
- Brandy Norwood – backing vocals, lead vocals
- Keith Crouch – producer, recording, writer
- Booker T. Jones – mixing
- mastering
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
All-time charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA)[42] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
United States | September 5, 1994 |
|
Atlantic | [citation needed] |
United Kingdom | December 5, 1994 | [43] | ||
May 22, 1995 | [44] |
See also
- R&B number-one hits of 1994 (USA)
References
- ^ ISBN 9781466873629.
- ^ a b c d Brandy (Media notes). Atlantic Records. 1994.
- ^ a b Josephs, Brian (August 21, 2012). "Brandy Tells All: The Stories Behind Her Classic Records". Complex. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
- ^ Nathan, David; Rizik, Chris (May 9, 2007). "Brandy Biography". SoulTracks. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
- ^ Brandy - Brandy AllMusic, retrieved August 12, 2021
- ^ Brandy Album Booklet. Atlantic Records. 2011. p. 3.
- ^ Josephs, Brian (August 21, 2012). "Brandy Tells All: The Stories Behind Her Classic Records". Complex.
- ^ Nathan, David; Rizik, Chris (May 8, 2007). "Brandy Biography". Soul Tracks.
- ^ Brandy – I Wanna Be Down (1994, CD), retrieved August 13, 2021
- ^ "Michael Miller". Discogs. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ Brandy – I Wanna Be Down (1994, Vinyl), retrieved August 13, 2021
- Cash Box. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. December 17, 1994. p. 6. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
- ^ Jones, Alan (June 3, 1995). "Talking Music" (PDF). Music Week. p. 30. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- ^ Tee, Ralph (September 10, 1994). "Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 9. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
- ^ Hamilton, James (December 3, 1994). "Dj directory" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 11. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
- ^ Porter, Nina (January 25, 2000). "The Brandy Star Profile". Master Dance Tones.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ a b "Full Clip: Brandy Breaks Down Her Entire Catalogue Feat. Babyface, Monica, Timbaland, Kanye West, Diddy & More". Vibe. February 12, 2011. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
- ^ a b c Leone, Lisa (March 10, 1995). "Shoot Brandy". Vibe. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
- ^ "I Wanna be Down". Amazon.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
- ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
- ^ "The RM Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). November 12, 1994. p. 6. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
- ^ "Brandy Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
- ^ "Brandy Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard.
- ^ "Brandy Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
- ^ "Brandy Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
- ^ "Brandy – I Wanna Be Down". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
- ^ "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media. January 21, 1995. p. 21. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
- ^ "BRANDY - I WANNA BE DOWN" (in Dutch). dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
- ^ "Brandy – I Wanna Be Down". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
- ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
- ^ "Billboard Top 100 - 1994". Archived from the original on March 1, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- ^ "1994 Year End Chart: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
- ^ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles 1995". ARIA. Retrieved August 4, 2017 – via Imgur.
- ^ "Billboard Top 100 - 1995". Archived from the original on August 15, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- ^ "1995 Year End Chart: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
- ^ "Billboard Greatest of All Time Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
- ^ "American single certifications – Brandy – I Wanna Be Down". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. December 3, 1994. p. 31.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. May 20, 1995. p. 57.