: The vocals heard on the final version were originally intended as a temporary "quick demo" recorded immediately after the writing session to capture the momentum.
: The song is written in D Major . It utilizes a "rising synth swell" on the word "escape" to propel listeners into the chorus, a technique analysts suggest mimics an airplane taking off. jay_sean_down_feat_lil_wayne_audio
"Down" achieved rare commercial heights, effectively ending a six-month chart dominance by the Black Eyed Peas. : The vocals heard on the final version
: After finishing another song, producer Jeremy Skaller played a new track intended for the following day. Inspired, Jay Sean and Jared Cotter wrote the melodies and lyrics for "Down" in roughly 45 minutes. : The production provides contrast through drum patterns
: The production provides contrast through drum patterns rather than complex chord changes. The verse uses a low-density lyric style with vocal delays, while the chorus introduces extremely fast (32nd note) high-hats to increase energy.
: Lil Wayne’s contribution was a surprise organized by Cash Money founders Birdman and Slim . Jay Sean was flown to Miami under the guise of a "problem" with the record, only to be played the finished version featuring Wayne’s verse at 2:00 AM. 2. Musical Composition and Production