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".
The Curse
Down Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Early morning and my head feels like a subway train
Not stopping on my line
All these emotions live inside me and they taunt my heart
No piece in my lifetime
I feel I’m waiting for the sunlight to grace my head
But should I, should I, should I feel that that’s wrong?
I feel I’m walking a tightrope
But I have the strength to walk on through
I choose to live with confusion
And live each day as if it’s something new
But I have to understand o why
I seem to lose my mind all the time
Is it pleasure or pain, gift or a curse?
I’m always riding on the tip of my tongue
With my freedom of speech
My constant battle with my inner self
It drains the very life out of me
Every time I share my thoughts
They always build a wall
What am I gonna do, what am I gonna say
I need if know if my love will decide
Choosing to live my life all the time
I’m always a little too much, too late
Would you contradict your soul if I
Choose to love my life this time
You would know I’m a little too much, too late
Is it pleasure or pain, gift or a curse?
I need to know if what we have is
Give or take, better or worse
The lyrics of Down's song "The Curse" explore the internal struggle and conflicts within the singer's emotions and experiences. The opening lines describe a feeling of heaviness and confusion, comparing it to a subway train that doesn't stop, indicating that the emotions are constantly running through their mind without respite. The emotions taunt their heart, suggesting a tormenting presence that prevents them from finding peace in their life.
The singer yearns for something to bring light into their life, symbolized by waiting for the sunlight to grace their head and turn on their "life switch." However, they question whether it is right for them to hold onto that hope and wonder if they are wrong for desiring this change. It reflects a sense of uncertainty and doubt about their own desires and ambitions.
The second stanza delves deeper into the singer's inner conflicts. They feel like they are constantly walking on a tightrope, balancing between different aspects of their life. Despite feeling drained, they choose to live with confusion, appreciating each day as a new experience. However, they admit to losing their mind frequently, highlighting the constant struggle they face within themselves.
The following lines reveal the singer's struggle with expressing themselves. They refer to their "freedom of speech" but constantly find themselves battling their inner thoughts. Whenever they share their thoughts, they encounter walls that hinder their communication. This portrays the difficulty they face in being understood and accepted by others, adding to their frustration and confusion.
The final lines express a need for clarity and understanding in their relationships. They question if the love they have is a give or take, better or worse situation. This suggests a desire for balance and reciprocity, questioning the nature of their connection. They acknowledge being a little too much and too late in certain situations, possibly alluding to past experiences where their actions or choices might not have aligned with their desires or intentions.
Overall, "The Curse" explores the complex emotions, inner struggles, and uncertainties faced by the singer. It delves into themes of self-doubt, the constant battle between opposing thoughts and desires, and the need for clarity and understanding in relationships. The lyrics prompt listeners to reflect on the delicate balance between pleasure and pain, the complexities of life's challenges, and the potential gifts and curses that come with navigating our existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Early morning and my head feels like a subway train
In the early morning, my mind feels crowded and noisy like a busy subway train.
Not stopping on my line
It feels like my thoughts and emotions are constantly moving forward, not giving me a chance to process them.
All these emotions live inside me and they taunt my heart
I carry a multitude of emotions within me, and they constantly tease and torment my emotions.
No peace in my lifetime
I struggle to find inner peace and tranquility throughout my life.
I feel I’m waiting for the sunlight to grace my head
I yearn for a feeling of hope and positivity to uplift my spirits.
And turn on my life switch
To activate a sense of vitality and purpose in my existence.
But should I, should I, should I feel that that’s wrong?
However, I question whether it is unwise to seek such a change in my outlook.
I feel I’m walking a tightrope
I sense that I am constantly balancing on a precarious edge.
But I have the strength to walk on through
Nevertheless, I possess the resilience to continue moving forward.
I choose to live with confusion
I consciously opt to embrace a state of uncertainty.
And live each day as if it’s something new
Approaching each day with a mindset of novelty and discovery.
But I have to understand o why
However, I am compelled to comprehend the reasons behind
I seem to lose my mind all the time
The frequent experience of feeling overwhelmed or mentally scattered.
Is it pleasure or pain, gift or a curse?
Questioning the nature of my experiences, whether they bring joy or suffering and whether they are blessings or burdens.
I’m always riding on the tip of my tongue
I constantly have thoughts and words waiting to be expressed.
With my freedom of speech
Taking advantage of my ability to express myself openly and honestly.
My constant battle with my inner self
The ongoing struggle I face within myself.
It drains the very life out of me
It depletes my energy and vitality to a great extent.
Every time I share my thoughts
Whenever I communicate my ideas and feelings.
They always build a wall
They often create barriers or barriers between myself and others.
What am I gonna do, what am I gonna say
Feeling uncertain about how to navigate and express myself in certain situations.
I need if know if my love will decide
I long to ascertain if love will be the determining factor in my choices and actions.
Choosing to live my life all the time
Deciding to fully embrace and experience life consistently.
I’m always a little too much, too late
It seems that I often come across as excessive or take action after optimal timing has passed.
Would you contradict your soul if I
If I behave in a manner inconsistent with my true self, would you do the same?
Choose to love my life this time
Opting to embrace and cherish my own existence in the present moment.
You would know I’m a little too much, too late
You would understand that I may exhibit intensity or delay in certain aspects of my life.
Is it pleasure or pain, gift or a curse?
Once again, contemplating the nature of my experiences and whether they bring enjoyment or suffering, and whether they are blessings or burdens.
I need to know if what we have is
It is crucial for me to ascertain if what we share
Give or take, better or worse
Involves mutual exchange, improvement, or potential deterioration.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Damon Downs
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind