Upon release, "Put It Down" was met by a warm response from critics, who criticized Brown's involvement on the song but generally praised the progressive production and suggestive lyrics. It reached the top forty of the Belgian Ultratop 50 chart as well as the South Korean Gaon Chart and the top-five of the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, marking Norwood’s tenth top ten entry and first since “What About Us?” in 2002.
The accompanying music video features interactions with Brown, as well as scenes including Norwood dancing in front of both blue-lit industrial backdrops and artful Jackson Pollock-esque green screens. Filmed in Los Angeles, California and directed by Hype Williams, the clip was creatively moulded by Frank Gatson Jr., and choreographed by Jaquel Knight. The video received general acclaim from critics, who commended the simplicity of the video, while many labeled it as her most fun visual in years. Norwood also teamed up with rappers 2 Chainz and Tyga to remix the single, while rapper Eve released a self-crafted remix on her EVEstylin’ Tuesdays series in November 2012.
"Put It Down" was revealed as the name of the album's official leading single in Norwood's interview for True Exclusives.[2] Norwood confirmed the release of the song, following her February 2012 joint single "It All Belongs to Me" with fellow R&B singer Monica, on April 12, and also revealed Brown as a co-writer and vocal feature on the song.[3] On her decision to release it as a single, she commented, "I love taking risks in music and it's great to challenge yourself to be different. That's what I love about the song."[4] Musically, the singer described the song as “very commercial, but at the same time, it’s got a dope hip-hop influence—it’s club, it’s radio, it’s all formats."[5]
In August 2012, Norwood sat for an interview with Nadeska Alexis of MTV News, where she elaborated on how the song was conceptualized. "Chris Brown also wrote a song on the album called "Slower", so naturally he's heard other songs that I've done and he kinda just hopped on "Put It Down" — rapping and singing — and it was organic and very authentic." In this way, Brown ended up co-writing the track for Two Eleven.[6] She further explained, that "when I heard it, I thought, 'This is great,' [because] he brought a whole new flavor to the record. Sean [Garrett] already made it kinda swagged out, but Chris is just the icing on the cake, and I appreciated him for being a part of it and just being so supportive as an artist. He's so great, the girls love him, and I thought it would be great to have him on board."[6] In a Billboard interview, Norwood further commented about the track, saying:
"I just felt like, [when] being gone for such a long time, you need to come back with something strong and shock people. Make them go, 'Wow, who is that? Oh my God, that's Brandy? I didn't' even know she can sound like that. Didn't know she would do a song like that?' Because It's completely different than anything I've ever done."
"Put It Down" was written by Shondrae "Bangladesh" Crawford, Isaiah Watkins, Dwayne "Dem Jointz" Abernathy, and fellow R&B recording artists Sean Garrett, and Chris Brown, while production was handled by Bangladesh and Garrett themselves, featuring co-production by Dem Jointz.[8] The song is a bass-heavy, contemporary R&B up-tempo song featuring tinny percussion and canned claps.[9] It begins with an electronically manipulated voice constantly repeating the song's chorus: "I’mma put it down / you gon' fall in love".[10]
Lyrically, it features Norwood complementing a prospective beau on his swag.[11] "You’re talking so tough, damn, I love it all, even the way you flex, that’s what turns me on," she sings.[10] Later, according to Idolator blog, Brown adopts a Nicki Minaj-like vocal delivery and raps, "Sippin’ on that Brandy, that liquor comes in handy, girl, I know you fancy, but this party I’m financing."[10] In the chorus, Norwood sings: "I’mma put it down / you gon' fall in love."
The song received generally positive reviews from music critics upon its release. Priya Elan from The Guardian called the song "Brandy's best single for ages". He however found that Browns presence on the track was unnecessary and compared it to a "saxophone solo or Vanessa's bits in all of The Saturdays' songs."[12] Robbie Daw of music blog Idolator found that it was "a catchy enough jam that we kind of wish we could hear sans Breezy. But given the lackluster performance of Brandy’s previous single, the Monica collab "It All Belongs to Me", hitching up to Brown for a song ahead of her album launch probably seemed like the sensible thing to do."[10] Chuck Arnold of People magazine gave the song three and a half out of four stars and added that "after that underwhelming reunion with Monica, Brandy really seems poised for a long-overdue comeback with this thumping, stuttering banger featuring Chris Brown."[13]
Robert Copsey of Digital Spy found that "after 2008's ballad-packed Human, Brandy has opted for an altogether bouncier sound for the lead cut from her new album Two Eleven. In fact, its sparse beats and a melody that takes a few listens to grow reminds us of 2002's brilliantly hectic Full Moon."[14] Mesfin Fekadu from San Francisco Chronicle felt that the record was "full of swag and one of the year's best thanks to its addictive beat."[15] Andy Kellman from Allmusic declared the song "Two Eleven's most upbeat and commercial song" and felt it stuck "out on an album dominated by aching ballads and grown slow jams".[16] Mark Edward Nero from About.com was of the opinion that while Norwood was stepping "out of her musical lane" on "Put It Down" she would manage "to make the track her own and sounds completely comfortable" on it.[17]
Katherine St. Asaph of Popdust gave the song three and a half out of five stars, writing: "Brandy’s voice, when not massed into (very nice, mind you) call-and-response, is either kept sliver-thin or made slightly affected, as if someone in the studio kept yelling 'Swag! More Swag!' across the room while she tried to record. Meanwhile, Chris Brown’s verse is so chirped and pitch-shifted and accent-addled that you suspect this was meant to say 'featuring Nicki Minaj' before someone at RCA remembered it was supposed to be a hetero love song."[9] Jason Lipshut of Billboard found that "the production pulls back at the right times and takes Brandy's persona into 2012 surprisingly smoothly."[18] In a separate, less enthusiastic review, his Billboard colleague Andrew Hampp called "Put It Down" the weakest song on the album. He felt that it sounded like "the result of what happens when a label asks to hear a current single" and was "noteworthy mostly for its semi-tribute to the dearly departed Bran'Nu."[19] Tanner Stranksy, writer for Entertainment Weekly, also called the track "one of the weakest offerings from an otherwise well-crafted for-the-fans album".
"Put It Down" premiered on April 26, 2012 and was made available for purchase as a digital download in the United States on May 4, 2012.[3][21] It was sent to US rhythmic and urban radio stations on June 5, 2012. On July 17, footage was released of Norwood practicing for future live performances of the song on entertainment news program Access Hollywood. On July 18, Norwood eventually performed "Put It Down" for the very first time at the Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C..[22] The track had its television premiere on the MDA Show of Strength benefit concert, which aired on September 2, 2012.[23] In October 2012, Norwood performed the single on American TV shows 106 & Park, Good Morning America and Live! with Kelly and Michael. Brandy performed the song, along with "Wildest Dreams", at the "Dick Clark's New Years Rockin Eve" special on January 1, 2013. She was the only R&B performer of the night.[24]
On June 7, 2012, "Put It Down" debuted on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart at number 98. It has since reached number 3, marking Norwood's tenth top ten entry as well as her highest-charting single since her 2002 offering "What About Us?".[25] Upon her returns to the top ten, Norwood tweeted, that “I can’t lie-at one point I thought it was over for me in music but God had another plan thank you Father!”[25] The song also peaked at number 10 on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, which represents the twenty-five songs which failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100,[26] before making its debut at number 95 on the latter chart.[27] In South Korea, "Put It Down" debuted at number 28 on the South Korea Gaon International Chart on May 6, 2012.[28] The following week, it peaked at number 24 for one week.[29] On first week of November Put It Down debuted at #84 on Billboard Japan Hot 100.
Music video
Background
An accompanying music video for "Put It Down" was filmed in Los Angeles, California on July 10, 2012.[6] For the visuals, Norwood reunited with director Hype Williams, with whom she had worked on several videos between the years of 1994 and 1995.[30] While Frank Gatson Jr. served as the video's art director, Jaquel Knight handled the choreography.[30] On her collaboration with Gatson, Norwood commented, "he [Gatson] gets the best choreographers when he puts his foot in something so he’s really excited about everything that’s happening. He loves the song and we are looking forward to working together and making this everything it’s suppose to be."[31] Brown also came to the set that day to film extra scenes with Norwood.[6] In an interview with MTV News, the singer admitted that she was initially nervous about her performance in the video, stating:
"I was so shy, because I'm coming into my own as a performer, so I really wanted to do good. Standing next to Chris, he's so vibrant, like, 'What am I gonna do standing there next to him?' But I practiced really hard, like two weeks before Chris practiced — wait, I'm pretty sure Chris didn't need to practice. But I practiced, I was ready [...] Chris was not gonna upstage me! I was gonna be right there along with him shinin' too. I feel like I held it down a little bit, and I definitely did a lot better when Chris wasn't around, because I was shy."[6]
During rehearsals for the video, Norwood posted pictures of her rehearsing on her Instagram account.[32] On August 6, 2012, both Norwood and Brown gave links on Twitter to a preview of the music video.[33] On August 13, 2012, a second teaser was shown on BET's countdown format 106 & Park.[34] The following day, Norwood co-hosted the show and premiered the full video. By September 7, the video had reached the top spot on the countdown.
Synopsis
In the video, Norwood brings back her trademark braids, and she’s paired them with a Madonna-esque cone bra, some body jewelry, white pants and a pair of heel-less six-and-a-half-inch high Giuseppe Zanotti leopard wedges.[36] In the video, the singer dances with her girls in front of cars while sporting a head of curls in others. She entices a whole mob of men with her dance moves — they follow her around like lovesick puppies.[37] Chris Brown dances alone in front of the paint-splattered letters for the bulk of his share of the clip, with his muscular, shirtless silhouette contrasting with the bright colors behind him, but gets fully clothes once more to join Norwood for a few scenes.
Reception
The video garnered a generally positive reception by reviewers. David Greenwald of Billboard magazine commented that the video was "bringing modern art to the streets" and that it "finds the R&B singer dancing in front of both blue-lit industrial backdrops and artful Jackson Pollock-esque green screens."[38] Robert Copsey of Digital Spy wrote that Norwood and Brown are "seen flirting and dancing against a colourful backdrop" in the clip.[39] Jazmine Gray of Vibe wrote: "Brandy still got it. In the eye-popping, Hype Williams-directed visual for her latest single, the R&B songstress sashays in front of Lambos and splashy backdrops."[40] Similarly, Billy Johnson, Jr. of Yahoo! Music commented, "Brandy is looking good and appears to have found her comfort zone when dancing in the "Put It Down" video [...] I was hoping the video would make me like [the song] more, but unfortunately it doesn't, despite the bright colors, Bran's couture looks, and sex appeal."[41] Becky Bain of Idolator, called it "pretty tight, and Brandy looks pretty great."
Jenna Hally Rubenstein of MTV's Buzzworthy Blog noted that the video contains Norwood's "signature braids as she flirts and makes puppy eyes at Chris Brown [...] Not much else happens in the way of plot, but we're totally cool with that because watching Brandy and Chris nail their choreography while almost potentially kissing is waayyyy enough for us to have this vid on repeat basically the entire week.[43] Katie Hasty of HitFix described the video as "big splashes of bold colors – Williams' specialty – and some fresh moves from Brandy and her merry band of street dancers." She, however, noted, that "Brown, meanwhile, dons his favorite pair of painters overalls and pretends to flirt with Brandy. Their chemistry is like that of a cat to a vacuum cleaner."
Put It Down
Brandy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'ma put it down, you can fall in love
I'ma put it down, you can fall in love
I'ma put it down, you can fall in love
I'ma put it down, you can fall in love
I'ma put it down, you can fall in love
I'ma put it, I'ma put it, I'ma put it
I'ma put it down
If you put it down right like the way I want it
Play your cards right, maybe we can fall in love
If you put it, put it, if you put it down
If you put it, put it, maybe we can fall in love
I'ma put it down, you can fall in love
I'ma put it down, you can fall in love
If you put it, put it, maybe we can fall in love
I'ma put it down, you can fall in love
I'ma put it down, you can fall in love
If you put it, put it, maybe we can fall in love
Oh way too talk game, it's so tough
Damn I love it all
Even the way you flex
That's what turn me on
Ooh you know you make me weak
Just 'cause the way you are
'Cause everybody in it know you're a star
But still I'm letting you know
I got the sweetest heart
Any man that wants it babe
He gon' have to work hard
From what I see, you got what I want
That's just half the part
Gotta see what you put on it
To make sure you're the one
If you put it down right like the way I want it
Play your cards right, maybe we can fall in love
If you put it, put it, if you put it down
If you put it, put it, maybe we can fall in love
I'ma put it down, you can fall in love
I'ma put it down, you can fall in love
If you put it, put it, maybe we can fall in love
I'ma put it down, you can fall in love
I'ma put it down, you can fall in love
If you put it, put it, maybe we can fall in love
I hope the chivalry ain't dead to you boy cause I'm grown
Gotta pull up, and then come up with that when I see what I want
Gotta go old school women sometimes
Still keep it soul, twenty twelve for me
But I still beef it up
And that I still I want you to know
Got the sweetest heart
And even though he can ride it cool for me
He gon' have to work hard
And now I see, you got what I want
That's just half the part
I gotta feel what you put on it
To make sure you're the one
If you put it down right like the way I want it
Play your cards right, maybe we can fall in love
If you put it, put it, if you put it down
If you put it, put it, maybe we can fall in love
I'ma put it down, you can fall in love
I'ma put it down, you can fall in love
If you put it down right, maybe we can fall in love
I'ma put it down, you can fall in love
I'ma put it down, you can fall in love
If you put it down right, maybe we can fall in love
Ain't nobody put it down like me though
Why are you playing? girl you know
With all this money, and all your cake
Girl you better stop, I got a big ego
I'm sipping on that brandy
That liquor comes in handy
And girl I know you fancy
But this party I'm financing
It's so me, it ain't even like that
The way you hating all night
A friend uptight, all right
(So put it down)
I took her at the club
Told the girl she'd be right back
Back to the crib
And in the morning all this is worth it
Baby go get your hair did
And buy you a couple purses
You, you, you, can be the one I go
When having a bad day
And I need a shoulder to cry
You, you, you, might change the way I feel
Teach me how to let the guard down
Ain't gone lie, there's been times
Thought the one I had
Was the answer to my prayers
Come to find out and he wasn't the truth
And I got you, tryna tell me
If I let you put it down
I'ma put it down, you can fall in love
If you put it down right like the way I want it
Play it 'cause we, maybe we can fall in love
If you put it, put it, put it, if you put it, put it
If you put it, put it, maybe we can fall in love
I'ma put it down, you can fall in love
I'ma put it down, you can fall in love
If you put it, put it, maybe we can fall in love
I'ma put it down, you can fall in love
I'ma put it down, you can fall in love
If you put it, put it, maybe we can fall in love
If you put it down right like the way I want it
If you put it, put it, put it, if you put it, put it down
If you put it, put it, maybe we can fall in love
The song "Put It Down" by Brandy is about the singer's desire for a man who can satisfy her needs both physically and emotionally. The repeated lines "I'ma put it down, you can fall in love" suggest that Brandy is confident in her ability to give pleasure and that the man she's addressing will become emotionally attached to her as a result. The lyrics also touch on themes of love, attraction, and the importance of communication between partners. Brandy sings about her need for someone who can meet her halfway, saying "If you put it down right like the way I want it, play your cards right, maybe we can fall in love."
The chorus emphasizes the importance of the man's sexual prowess in the relationship, saying "If you put it, put it, maybe we can fall in love." However, the verses also address the man's personality and character. Brandy sings about having a "sweet heart" and wanting someone who is willing to put in effort for a relationship. The line "Gotta go old school sometimes, still keep it soul, twenty twelve for me" suggests a desire for a traditional relationship in the modern era. Overall, the song is an expression of Brandy's desire for a complete and fulfilling relationship with a partner who can meet her physical, emotional, and communicative needs.
Line by Line Meaning
I'ma put it down, you can fall in love
I'll impress you so much that you might love me
I'ma put it, I'ma put it, I'ma put it
I will make sure to impress you in multiple ways
If you put it down right like the way I want it
If you please me in the way that I desire
Play your cards right, maybe we can fall in love
If you impress me enough, we might have a chance at love
If you put it, put it, if you put it down
If you please me in the way that I desire
Oh way too talk game, it's so tough
You talk a good game, it's impressive
Damn I love it all
I'm impressed with everything about you
Even the way you flex
I'm even impressed with the way you show off
That's what turn me on
That's what attracts me to you
Ooh you know you make me weak
You have a strong effect on me
Just 'cause the way you are
Simply because of your personality
'Cause everybody in it know you're a star
You're famous and everybody knows it
But still I'm letting you know
I'm informing you
I got the sweetest heart
I have a kind heart
Any man that wants it babe
Any man who wants my heart
He gon' have to work hard
He will have to put in effort
From what I see, you got what I want
You possess qualities that I desire
That's just half the part
That's only part of it
Gotta see what you put on it
I need to see how you perform
To make sure you're the one
To confirm that you're the right choice
I hope the chivalry ain't dead to you boy cause I'm grown
I hope you still believe in being a gentleman because I'm a mature woman
Gotta pull up, and then come up with that when I see what I want
You need to step up and impress me when I show interest
Gotta go old school women sometimes
Sometimes you need to treat women like they did in the past
Still keep it soul, twenty twelve for me
I like to stay true to my roots, even in modern times
But I still beef it up
I still like to add a modern twist
And that I still I want you to know
I want you to understand this
Got the sweetest heart
I'm a kind-hearted person
And even though he can ride it cool for me
Even if he acts nonchalant around me
And now I see, you got what I want
Now that I see your qualities
I gotta feel what you put on it
I need to feel your performance
If you put it down right, maybe we can fall in love
If you perform well, we might have a chance at love
Ain't nobody put it down like me though
Nobody can perform like me
Why are you playing? girl you know
Don't pretend like you don't know what I mean
With all this money, and all your cake
With all your wealth and assets
Girl you better stop, I got a big ego
You should recognize my confidence and capability
I'm sipping on that brandy
I'm drinking brandy
That liquor comes in handy
It serves a useful purpose
And girl I know you fancy
And I know you're attracted to me
But this party I'm financing
I'm in charge of funding this party
It's so me, it ain't even like that
It's my style, no need to explain
The way you hating all night
The way you were acting negatively all night
A friend uptight, all right
My uptight friend is okay
(So put it down)
(Perform well)
I took her at the club
I picked her up at the club
Told the girl she'd be right back
Assured the girl that she'd return soon
Back to the crib
Back to my house/apartment
And in the morning all this is worth it
And in the morning, everything will be worth it
Baby go get your hair did
Get your hair done, baby
And buy you a couple purses
And purchase some handbags for yourself
You, you, you, can be the one I go
You can be the one I turn to
When having a bad day
When I'm feeling down
And I need a shoulder to cry
When I need someone to comfort me
You, you, you, might change the way I feel
You might have a positive influence on me
Teach me how to let the guard down
Show me how to be vulnerable
Ain't gone lie, there's been times
I have to be honest, there have been times
Thought the one I had
Thought the person I was with
Was the answer to my prayers
Was the one I had been wishing for
Come to find out and he wasn't the truth
Discovered that he wasn't who he claimed to be
And I got you, tryna tell me
And you're trying to convince me
If I let you put it down
If I let you impress me
Play it 'cause we, maybe we can fall in love
We might have a chance at love if you perform well
If you put it, put it, put it, if you put it, put it
If you impress me in the way that I desire
If you put it, put it, put it, if you put it, put it down
If you impress me in the way that I desire
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Shondrae Crawford, Sean Garrett, Christopher Brown, Dwayne Abernathy, Brandy Norwood
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@shottabwoi3985
Who else here in 2024! 🎉☝🏾
@Mylife-catlover
Me
@mrvanhorn07
Me this was such a good comeback hit!
@jazminejabbers
yeahhhhhh
@PrettiOnePanda
Meeeeeeeeee✋🏾
@filika3170
Me..dancing while i'm cooking lol...eeeeyyyyy 😂😂
@CianoXoC
The way Brandy ate this track up alongside Chris. Whose idea was it to have him rap and not sing??? GENIUS!
@KHelen-oi9nt
I don't but it was cool but I kind of wish he would've sung.
@KHelen-oi9nt
*I don't know
@Only1Dizzle
He thought about being a rapper before deciding to be a singer instead. Imagine if he would have chose to rap instead of sing