Down formed in 1991 with vocalist/songwriter Phil Anselmo of Pantera, guitarist Pepper Keenan of Corrosion of Conformity, second guitarist Kirk Windstein of Crowbar, bassist Todd Strange of Crowbar, and drummer Jimmy Bower of Eyehategod. All of the band members were long-time friends and were known from their respective bands, making them a supergroup. The band made a three track demo for underground trading. The band members would ask heavy metal fans if they have "heard of this band Down" and give them a copy of the tape without telling the person that they were in the band.Eventually, the tape was distributed throughout the United States and Down played a small concert in its hometown. A record executive from Elektra Records was attending the show to find out who the members of Down were. When he found out the members of the band, he signed Down to a recording contract.
Down released its debut album, NOLA, on September 19, 1995. Debuting at number 55 on the Billboard 200, the album has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.Allmusic reviewer David Reamer gave the album a nearly perfect 4.5 out of 5 stars, praising the songs "Temptations Wings", "Stone the Crow", and "Bury Me in Smoke". Reamer stated "This is a landmark album that combines the talents of dedicated rock musicians, and should be included in any collection of heavy metal music."NOLA was supported by a 13 date tour, before the band entered a hiatus to return to their respective bands.
In 1999, while Down was on hiatus, Strange left the band and was replaced by Pantera bassist Rex Brown. In 2002, Down came back from hiatus to make another record. The band wrote and recorded Down II: A Bustle in Your Hedgerow in 28 "drug and booze induced" days in a barn called "Nödferatu's lair".The album was released on March 26, 2002 and was not received with the positive reviews that appeared when NOLA was released. Blabbermouth.net reviewer Borivoj Krgin stated "Down II appears to have been thrown together more haphazardly, with much of the material falling short of the standard set by the Down's classic debut offering."Despite poor reviews, the album debuted at number 44 on the Billboard 200.To support the album, Down toured on the second stage of Ozzfest in 2002.The band again entered an indefinite hiatus to focus on their respective bands.
Newly signed to Warner Bros. Records, Down once again reformed in 2006. The band wrote an album throughout the course of a year. Lyric topics on Down III: Over the Under were written about many subjects such as the breakup of Pantera, the murder of ex-Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell, the band's anger at the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and Anselmo's recovery from back surgery and drug addiction.Debuting at number 26 on the Billboard 200, the album was released on September 25, 2007 to generally positive reviews.Kirk Miller of Decibel Magazine stated "For almost an hour, it’s like the metal world was set right again."
Down preceded the album by touring with Heaven and Hell and Megadeth, and supported the album performing on a headlining tour starting at the end of September 2007.
On April 22, 2008 the BBC Radio1 Rockshow broadcasted a new session of Down recordings featuring alternate versions of NOD, Beneath the Tides, and Jail, along with a cover of Led Zeppelin's version of When The Levee Breaks.
In 2011 Bassist Rex Brown left Down to join newly formed band Kill Devil Hill. Pat Bruders of Crowbar is his replacement. Rex Brown stated that there were several reasons for his departure, mainly because of lack of passion for the project that were partially due to tensions between himself and Phil Anselmo.
The band has decided to forego writing for a full length album and instead is planning a series of four EP's. Phil Anselmo explained the decision to Metal Hammer magazine: "To me, an EP is less stress for us. We have an incredible relationship in DOWN, but when we're locked up for a month or two or three, pounding out 12 to 15 songs, it's very taxing. Very emotionally taxing. So one, it's easier on us, and two, it gives the music to the people quicker."
In November 2019, Down announced they would be reuniting for a series of shows in 2020. In anticipation of the 25th Anniversary of Down’s first album NOLA, founding member Kirk Windstein confirmed he was returning to the band. During an interview, Windstein said: "Anything Down does from here forward, whether it’s a full tour or one show, I’m 99.9% sure that I’m a part of it".
Jail
Down Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've never felt like this before
Our lives capsized, one man will give back
Be calm my love
Why don't you kneel for me?
I write for sight
One day you'll find me in the corner
More sublime,
The lyrics of Down's song Jail contain a lot of metaphorical elements, which makes it a bit difficult to understand at first glance. However, after analyzing it, the song talks about a person going through a difficult time or a crisis, and feeling overwhelmed by the situation. It starts with the line "One day, the strain," which suggests that the person has been dealing with some kind of stress for a while, but now it's becoming too much to handle. The following line, "I've never felt like this before," reinforces this idea.
The next few lines, "Our lives capsized, one man will give back, Be calm my love," could be interpreted in different ways. It could suggest that the person's life is falling apart, but they believe that they can still turn it around. The last line, "Be calm my love," also indicates that the person is seeking reassurance and comfort from someone they love.
The line "Why don't you kneel for me?" continues with the theme of seeking comfort and support from others. It could mean that the person is asking someone to pray for them, or simply asking them to be there for them in their time of need. The following line, "I write for sight," could mean that the person is trying to document or express their emotions through writing.
The last two lines, "One day you'll find me in the corner, More sublime, But I still never died before," could suggest that the person is trying to find a way out of their crisis by retreating into themselves. The last line, "But I still never died before," could mean that the person has never given up or given in to their troubles, and they are determined to keep fighting.
Line by Line Meaning
One day, the strain
One day, the pressure and stress of life became too much to handle
I've never felt like this before
The feeling of being overwhelmed is unfamiliar and unsettling
Our lives capsized, one man will give back
Our lives have been turned upside down, but one person will make things right again
Be calm my love
Despite the chaos, it's important to stay calm and collected
Why don't you kneel for me?
Can you show me some form of submission or obedience?
I write for sight
I write in order to be seen and heard
One day you'll find me in the corner
One day I will retreat from the world and hide away
More sublime,
As time passes, I become more refined and perfected
But I still never died before
Despite the challenges and struggles, I have not given up or been defeated
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PEPPER KEENAN, PHILIP ANSELMO, KIRK WINDSTEIN, TODD STRANGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MarvelBoi
Wone daj, dhe strajn
I/ve neveя fεlt lajke dhis befoяe
Owr livez kapsized
Wone mæn wyll giv bæck
Bē kalm maj lov
¿VVVy down/t jou kńeel foя mi?
Aj wяite foя sajght
Wone daj you/ll fajnd mi yn dhe korner
Moяe sublîme
Bʌt Aj styll neveя dajed befoяe
pan stantzos
One day the strain
I've never felt like this before
Our lives capsize
I've never been before my God
Why must you kneel for me?
I write for sight
One day you'll find me in the corner
More sublime
But I still never died before
due whit
A song you can put on repeat and fall asleep to. I could never get sick of this song. Otherworldly.
VVoOꟻF
@Baerghet Trulmaelder Ambient Psychedelic.
Csenge Molnár
@due whit wow thanks!
due whit
@Csenge Molnár same band, check out song "doob interlude" (10minute version)!
Cheers!
Csenge Molnár
@due whit so sorry! I just run and my phone generated some unexpected comments...😅
due whit
@Csenge Molnár no hablo
nola melody
my mother named me after this album, im happy because i enjoy this music and i get the privilege of having the name Nola 😊
dibble
I thought for a moment she called you Jail
Rinzler 3757
Rad
Matt
@Earl0311 New Orleans, LouisianA.
Its where the band is from