Keep Your Head Down
Keep Your Head Down | ||||
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![]() Digital and Limited version cover. | ||||
Studio album by | ||||
Released | January 5, 2011 | |||
Recorded | 2009–10 | |||
Studio | SM Studios (Seoul, South Korea) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 35:11 | |||
Language | S.M. | |||
Producer |
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TVXQ chronology | ||||
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Singles from Keep Your Head Down | ||||
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Repackage edition cover | ||||
![]() Before U Go repackage album cover | ||||
Singles from Before U Go | ||||
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Keep Your Head Down is the fifth Korean studio album (ninth overall) by South Korean pop duo
Bringing in a new line of producers, including E-Tribe and Outsidaz, Keep Your Head Down largely consists of dance-pop songs with urban and electronic arrangements. The album has been described by critics as fierce, dark, and powerful due to its SMP influence,[1] an experimental genre that is defined by mixing the styles of orchestral pop, rock, and contemporary R&B with hip hop beats to create catchy, rhythmic tracks that allow for very strong dance performances.[2] Released in two different versions, the album spawned two promotional singles with one lead single, "Keep Your Head Down". Lyrically, the album explores dark themes of relationships, betrayal and self-empowerment.
In South Korea, the album debuted at number one on the
Before U Go, the repackage of Keep Your Head Down, was released on March 16, 2011. The repackage features three new tracks, all of which are remixes of the album's only lead single, "Before U Go." The single is produced by TVXQ's frequent collaborator Yoo Young-jin and his brother Yoo Han-jin , who also produced their fifth album lead single "Keep Your Head Down".
Background and recording
In July 2009,
In August 2010, Yunho and Changmin performed as TVXQ in Seoul's
The duo began working on their comeback album shortly after the concert in Seoul. "Keep Your Head Down", an SMP song Yunho performed at the concert, was chosen to be the album's lead single. The song was produced by Yoo Young-jin, who also produced the album's third track "Maximum", a dance-pop song that was originally recorded by all five TVXQ members in 2009. Bringing in a new line of producers including E-Tribe and Outsidaz,[11] principal recording for Keep Your Head Down spanned three months.
Release and promotion
In November 2010, S.M. Entertainment announced TVXQ's return with Keep Your Head Down in January 2011.[12] On December 20, 2010, two weeks ahead of the official album release, TVXQ released the digital single "Athena", the theme song for the South Korean television drama Athena: Goddess of War. Two versions of the album were subsequently announced – a special edition with a 100-page photobook; and a normal edition, which includes one bonus track.
A week before the album's official release, two teaser trailers for the music video of lead single "Keep Your Head Down" began airing on television and other broadcast media around South Korea. "Keep Your Head Down" was digitally released on January 3, 2011, and the full album was made available for download on January 5, 2011, the same day as the traditional
In early March 2011, S.M. Entertainment announced the repackage of Keep Your Head Down, titled Before U Go. The repackage was released on March 16, while the Japanese version of the release, which includes the Japanese version of the lead single "Before U Go", was released on May 5.[14] Lead single "Before U Go" was described to be "traditional R&B track",[14] equipped with a unique style that complements the vocal structures of Yunho and Changmin.[15]
TVXQ debuted their first performance of "Before U Go" on
Reception and commercial performance
Keep Your Head Down received generally positive reviews from music critics and K-pop fans, who have praised the album's "powerful" production and its cohesive blend of pop and R&B. The lyrics of "Keep Your Head Down", which talks about recovering from a relationship breakup, came under intense media scrutiny after it was claimed that it was written as a diss track to JYJ. Several TVXQ and JYJ fansites also withdrew their support for the song. Yunho and Changmin clarified that the lyrics were misinterpreted, stating, "It's just a song about a man's anger towards the woman that threw him away. That's all."[19]
The album has been commercially successful across Asia. In South Korea, it immediately shot to number one on the real-time daily charts of Hanteo, selling nearly 30,000 physical copies on its first day of release.
Before U Go debuted at number one on South Korea's
In August 2011, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family banned "Before U Go" and three other K-pop music videos, ruling that it was harmful media to youth as it promoted violence and gambling. S.M. Entertainment submitted a petition to refute their decision.[22]
Singles
"Athena" was digitally released on December 20, 2010, and debuted at number 50 on the weekly
Despite the track's leak on March 12,[24] the scheduled digital download release of "Before U Go" on March 14 topped various online download and streaming charts in the first few hours.[25]
The music videos for "Before U Go" was released in three parts. The teaser trailer for the
Track listing
No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
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1. | " Journey" (featuring Seohyun of Girls' Generation ) | Kim Dal-woo Peter | Kim Dal-woo Peter | Kim Dal-woo Peter | 4:26 |
Total length: | 39:37 |
No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length | |
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1. | "Before U Go - Monologue" (이것만은 알고가 - 독백; Igeonman-eun Algoga - Dokbaek) | Journey" (featuring Seohyun of Girls' Generation ) | Kim Dal-woo Peter | Kim Dal-woo Peter | Kim Dal-woo Peter | 4:26 |
14. | "Before U Go - Monologue" (Instrumental) |
| Yoo Han-jin | 2:23 | ||
Total length: | 48:48 |
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Release history
Region | Date | Format | Version | Label |
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Worldwide / South Korea | January 5, 2011 | Special edition | S.M. Entertainment
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January 12, 2011 | Normal edition | |||
Taiwan[30][31] | February 11, 2011 | CD | Normal edition | Avex Taiwan |
February 24, 2012 | CD+DVD | Taiwan special edition | ||
Hong Kong | February 22, 2011 | CD | Normal edition | Avex Asia
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Philippines[32] | April 29, 2011 | CD | Normal edition | Universal Records |
Regions | Dates | Format(s) | Label(s) |
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Worldwide | March 16, 2011 | S.M. Entertainment
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South Korea | |||
Taiwan | March 25, 2011 | CD | Avex Taiwan |
Japan[33] | May 4, 2011 |
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Avex Trax |
See also
- TVXQ albums discography
- List of number-one albums of 2011 (South Korea)
References
- ^ "TVXQ reaches 10 years old next year". Naver (in Korean). October 4, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ "What Makes SM Entertainment So Powerful? Music Performance And Fandoms Are The Secret To Success". July 21, 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
- ^ a b "List of 2012 sales for S.M. Entertainment" (in Korean). Star Today. July 19, 2012. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
- ^ "TVXQ to Stick Together Despite Legal Dispute". The Korea Times. August 3, 2009. Archived from the original on August 4, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
- ^ "Daily K Pop News: [News] New Development In TVXQ's Contract Lawsuit – SM Entertainment Raises Lawsuit". Retrieved August 23, 2016.
- ^ ジュンス、ジェジュン、ユチョンによる新ユニット結成!. Rhythm Zone (in Japanese). April 14, 2010. Archived from the original on May 10, 2012.
- The Korean Herald. Park Haeng-hwan.
- ^ "TVXQ reveals they thought about adding a new member after the team's breakup in 2010". Allkpop. October 6, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
- ^ Catch Me – Production Note (released December 27, 2013)
- ^ "TVXQ considered recruiting new members after group split". Nate (in Korean). October 6, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
- Nate News. Newsen. November 23, 2010. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
- ^ "TVXQ to make comeback as duo in January 2011". HanCinema. November 23, 2010. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
- ^ "TVXQ unleashes iPhone app". Allkpop. January 12, 2011. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
- ^ a b "TVXQ to begin follow-up promotions with Korean repackaged album". Allkpop. March 9, 2011. Archived from the original on December 22, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
- ^ "TVXQ's New Song 'Before U Go' to be revealed on the 14th". Kuki News (in Korean). March 10, 2011. Archived from the original on December 22, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
- ^ "TVXQ follows up with 'Before U Go' on Music Bank". Allkpop. March 18, 2011. Archived from the original on December 22, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
- ^ "TVXQ modified the lyrics of "Before U Go" to pass MBC's standards". Allkpop. March 18, 2011. Archived from the original on December 22, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
- ^ "TVXQ wings Music Bank K-Chart". Allkpop. March 25, 2011. Archived from the original on December 22, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
- ^ "TVXQ explains the meaning behind 'Keep Your Head Down' on 'Entertainment Relay'". Allkpop. January 7, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
- ^ "TVXQ's 'Keep Your Head Down' records massive sales within a day". Allkpop. January 5, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
- ^ "Keep Your Head Down (2011)" (in Korean). January 1–8, 2011. Archived from the original on January 10, 2014. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
- ^ "Songs by TVXQ, Kim Hyun Joong, Homme, and DJ DOC get banned as 'harmful media'". Allkpop. August 9, 2011. Archived from the original on December 22, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
- ^ "Keep Your Head Down". January 2–8, 2011. Archived from the original on January 11, 2014.
- ^ "TVXQ's "Before U Go" leaked?". Allkpop. March 12, 2011. Archived from the original on December 22, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
- ^ "Celebrate! After 1 Hour, 'Before U Go' is #1 on Realtime Charts!". ContinueTVXQ. March 14, 2011. Archived from the original on December 22, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
- ^ "TVXQ!(東方神起) _ 이것만은 알고 가(Before U Go) _ MusicVideo Teaser". sment @ YouTube. March 10, 2011. Archived from the original on April 23, 2014. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
- ^ "DBSK 'Before U Go' dance version". YAM. March 29, 2011. Archived from the original on December 22, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
- ^ "TVXQ releases music video for 'Before U Go'". Allkpop. March 14, 2011. Archived from the original on December 22, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
- Gaon Music Chart via GoKpop. Archived from the originalon December 22, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
- ^ "Dong Bang Shin Ki - Keep Your Head Down (Normal Version) (Taiwan Version) CD - Dong Bang Shin Ki (TVXQ), AVEX (TW) - Korean Music - Free Shipping". Yesasia. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ^ "Dong Bang Shin Ki - Keep Your Head Down (Taiwan Special Version) CD".
- ^ "TVXQ "Keep Your Head Down" Exclusive Freebies Day". Universal Records. April 26, 2011. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
- ^ "[CD] 『Keep Your Head Down』韓国ライセンスアルバム (仮) [DVD付初回限定盤] / 東方神起". Neowing. Archived from the original on October 13, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2011.