Down Bad (Taylor Swift song)

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"Down Bad"
Song by Taylor Swift
from the album The Tortured Poets Department
ReleasedApril 19, 2024 (2024-04-19)
Studio
GenreSynth-pop
Length4:21
LabelRepublic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Taylor Swift
  • Jack Antonoff
Lyric video
"Down Bad" on YouTube

"Down Bad" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department (2024). She wrote and produced the track with Jack Antonoff, who also contributed much of the song's instrumentation along with several other members of the American rock band Bleachers. A synth-pop song with R&B inflictions, "Down Bad" is about a momentary infatuation. It is the fourth song on the album.

In publications' reviews, some critics deemed "Down Bad" a catchy song with simple lyrics. The track charted within the top 10 in Australia, Canada, Luxembourg, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Music and lyrics[edit]

"Down Bad" is about a newfound infatuation.[1] In a track-by-track commentary for Amazon Music, Swift said that she wrote the song comparing "the idea of being love bombed, where someone rocks your world and dazzles you and then just kind of abandons you as an alien abduction where you were abducted by aliens".[2] In the lyrics, Swift's character encounters a fleeting sensation that she describes as "cosmic love" and deeming her love interest "my twin".[2] Musically, "Down Bad" is a synth-pop song[3] with R&B inflictions, showcased via its dynamic shifts and cadences.[4][5] Swift sings using syllabic syncopation[6] over a subdued electronic production with a synth bassline.[7][8] Chris Willman of Variety compared the production of "Down Bad" to Swift's 2022 album Midnights, pointing out the "sinuous groove, topped by a kind of distorted-electronic voice effect as its own instrumental track".[9]

Critical reception[edit]

Jason Lipshutz of Billboard ranked "Down Bad" as the sixth best song on The Tortured Poets Department, describing the song as "one of the album's purest pop pleasures."[10] Writing for the BBC, Mark Savage said that the "melancholic" and "delicately percolating" instrumentation on "Down Bad" reflected the same sonic aesthetic as her previous album, Midnights.[11] Pitchfork's Olivia Horn thought that the song worked "because of the juxtaposition between its banal hook and its description of 'cosmic love'".[12] Finn McRedmond from The Irish Times highlighted the song's blunt lyrics, drawing comparisons to some of her previous work from both 1989 and Folklore.[13] In The New Yorker, Amanda Petrusich appreciated the simple lyricism of "Down Bad" and summed it up as "a woozy song about feeling like shit".[14] Willman ranked "Down Bad" 16th on his April 2024 updated list of the best 75 songs by Swift, saying that while it is not one of the most poetic tracks from the album, it has "one of the best grooves, perfect for any workout queen's most depressed cooldown".[15] Josh Kurp from Uproxx felt that the track was a representation of the album's verbose and genre-less quality but opined that it was "extremely personal [...] to the point of discomfort".[16]

Commercial performance[edit]

When the album was released, nine of its tracks occupied the top 10 of the Billboard Global 200; "Down Bad" opened and peaked at number two on the chart, behind Swift's own "Fortnight". It extended her top-10 entries to 33 on the chart.[17][18] In the United States, the track debuted at its peak of number two on the Billboard Hot 100, behind "Fortnight". The song alongside 13 tracks from the album made Swift the first artist to monopolize the top 14 of the Hot 100.[19][20] In Australia, "Down Bad" reached number two on the ARIA Singles Chart and made her the artist with the most entries in a single week with 29.[21][22] In Canada, the song peaked at number two on the Canadian Hot 100 and extended Swift's record as the female artist with the most top 10 chart entries with 59.[23][24] In the United Kingdom, it reached number four on the UK Singles Chart and extended her top 10 chart entries to 28.[25][26]

Elsewhere, "Down Bad" charted within the top 10 in New Zealand (2),[27] the Philippines (3),[28] Singapore (3),[29] Malaysia (8),[30] and Luxembourg (9).[31] The song also reached the top 20 in several territories: number 11 in Hong Kong,[32] Ireland,[33] and Portugal,[34] number 13 in Latvia,[35] number 14 in South Africa,[36] number 16 in Denmark,[37] number 17 in Indonesia,[38] number 18 in Belgium,[39] and number 19 in Sweden.[40]

Personnel[edit]

Charts[edit]

Chart performance for "Down Bad"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Argentina (Argentina Hot 100)[41] 56
Australia (ARIA)[21] 2
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[42] 39
Belgium (Billboard)[39] 18
Brazil (Brasil Hot 100)[43] 45
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[23] 2
Croatia (Billboard)[44] 22
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[45] 27
Denmark (Tracklisten)[37] 16
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[46] 46
France (SNEP)[47] 53
Global 200 (Billboard)[17] 2
Greece International (IFPI)[48] 12
Hong Kong (Billboard)[32] 11
India (IMI)[49] 4
Indonesia (Billboard)[38] 17
Ireland (IRMA)[33] 11
Italy (FIMI)[50] 79
Latvia (LAIPA)[35] 13
Luxembourg (Billboard)[31] 9
Malaysia (Billboard)[30] 8
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[51] 88
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[27] 2
Norway (VG-lista)[52] 26
Philippines (Billboard)[28] 3
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[53] 75
Portugal (AFP)[34] 11
Singapore (RIAS)[29] 3
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[54] 31
South Africa (Billboard)[36] 14
South Korea Download (Circle)[55] 152
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[40] 19
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[56] 43
UK Singles (OCC)[25] 4
US Billboard Hot 100[19] 2

References[edit]

  1. ^ Sager, Jessica (April 20, 2024). "Taylor Swift 'Down Bad' Lyrics". Parade. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Bailey, Alyssa (April 22, 2024). "Taylor Swift's 'Down Bad' Lyrics Seem to Detail the Depths of Her Matty Healy Infatuation". Elle. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  3. ^ Hudson, Alex (April 22, 2024). "Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department Is Full of Sound and Fury, Signifying Nothing". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on April 22, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  4. ^ Jenkins, Craig (April 23, 2024). "The Performative Poets Department". Vulture. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  5. ^ Kornhaber, Spencer (April 19, 2024). "Taylor Swift Is Having Quality-Control Issues". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on April 22, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  6. ^ Breihan, Tom (April 19, 2024). "Premature Evaluation: Taylor Swift The Tortured Poets Department". Stereogum. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  7. ^ Ahlgrim, Callie (April 19, 2024). "Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department Is the Messiest, Horniest, and Funniest Album She's Ever Made". Business Insider. Archived from the original on April 20, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  8. ^ Petridis, Alexis (April 19, 2024). "Taylor Swift: The Tortured Poets Department Review – Fame, Fans and Former Flames in the Line of Fire". The Guardian. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  9. ^ Willman, Chris (April 19, 2024). "Taylor Swift Renews Her Vows With Heartbreak in Audacious, Transfixing Tortured Poets Department: Album Review". Variety. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  10. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (April 19, 2024). "Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department: All 18 Tracks Ranked". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 20, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  11. ^ Savage, Mark (April 19, 2024). "Review: Taylor Swift's Tortured Poets Department Finds the Star Vulnerable But Vicious". BBC. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  12. ^ Horn, Olivia (April 22, 2024). "Taylor Swift: The Tortured Poets Department / The Anthology Album Review". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on April 25, 2024. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  13. ^ McRedmond, Finn (April 19, 2024). "Taylor Swift: The Tortured Poets Department track by track – a manifesto for all the believers who will try at love one more time". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
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  15. ^ Willman, Chris (April 29, 2024). "Taylor Swift's 75 Best Songs, Ranked". Variety. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  16. ^ Kurp, Josh (April 19, 2024). "Taylor Swift's 'The Tortured Poets Department' Isn't The Breakup Album You Were Expecting — It's Better". Uproxx. Archived from the original on April 20, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  17. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  18. ^ Trust, Gary (April 29, 2024). "Taylor Swift & Post Malone's 'Fortnight' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard Global Charts". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  19. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  20. ^ Trust, Gary (April 29, 2024). "Taylor Swift Claims Record Top 14 Spots on Billboard Hot 100, Led by 'Fortnight' with Post Malone". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 29, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  21. ^ a b "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. April 29, 2024. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  22. ^ Gbogbo, Mawunyo (April 29, 2024). "Taylor Swift's New Album The Tortured Poets Department Smashes Chart Records in the US, UK and Australia". ABC News. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  23. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  24. ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (April 29, 2024). "Taylor Swift Breaks Hot 100 Records with The Tortured Poets Department, Becoming the First Artist with Top 14 Songs". Variety. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Yahoo! News.
  25. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  26. ^ Brandle, Lars (April 29, 2023). "Taylor Swift Nabs U.K. Chart Double As 'Fortnight' Starts at No. 1". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  27. ^ a b "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 30, 2024. Archived from the original on April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  28. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (Philippines Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  29. ^ a b "RIAS Top Charts Week 17 (19 - 25 Apr 2024)". RIAS. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  30. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (Malaysia Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  31. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (Luxembourg Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 1, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  32. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hong Kong Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 1, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  33. ^ a b "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  34. ^ a b "Taylor Swift – Down Bad". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  35. ^ a b "Straumēšanas TOP 2024 – 17. nedēļa" [Streaming TOP 2024 – Week 17] (in Latvian). LAIPA. April 29, 2024. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  36. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (South Africa Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 2, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  37. ^ a b "Track Top-40 Uge 17, 2024". Hitlisten. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  38. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (Indonesia Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  39. ^ a b "Taylor Swift Chart History (Belgium Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  40. ^ a b "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 17". Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  41. ^ "Taylor Swift – Chart History (Argentina Hot 100)" Billboard Argentina Hot 100 Singles for Taylor Swift. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  42. ^ "Taylor Swift – Down Bad" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  43. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Brasil Hot 100)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 3, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  44. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Croatia Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 13, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  45. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 202417 into search. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  46. ^ "Taylor Swift: Down Bad" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  47. ^ "Top Singles (Week 16, 2024)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on May 31, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  48. ^ "IFPI Charts". www.ifpi.gr. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  49. ^ "IMI International Top 20 Singles for week ending 29th April 2024 | Week 17 of 52". IMIcharts. Archived from the original on April 29, 2024.
  50. ^ "Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 17" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Archived from the original on February 4, 2020. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  51. ^ "Taylor Swift – Down Bad" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  52. ^ "Singel 2024 uke 17". VG-lista. Archived from the original on April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  53. ^ "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 19.04.2024–25.04.2024.) (in Polish). OLiS. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  54. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 202417 into search. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  55. ^ "Download Chart – Week 16 of 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 25, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  56. ^ "Taylor Swift – Down Bad". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
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