Downtown (Lady Antebellum song)

"Downtown" is a song recorded by American country music group Lady Antebellum. It was released on January 22, 2013, as the first single from their fifth studio album Golden, and it features lead vocals from Scott.^[1][2] The song was written by Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, and Natalie Hemby.^[3][4] It was originally planned to be recorded by fellow country artist Miranda Lambert.^[5][6]

"Downtown"
Single by Lady Antebellum
from the album Golden
Released	January 22, 2013 (2013-01-22)
Recorded	2012
Genre	Country pop
Length	3:16
Label	Capitol Nashville
Songwriter(s)	Luke Laird Shane McAnally Natalie Hemby
Producer(s)	Paul Worley Lady Antebellum
Lady Antebellum singles chronology
"Wanted You More" (2012) "Downtown" (2013) "Goodbye Town" (2013)

Critical reception

Billy Dukes of Taste of Country gave the song four and a half stars out of five, writing that "a guitar lick postmarked 1962 steers the song and pushes the band in an exciting new direction" and "Hillary Scott never sounded like she’s had more fun in the studio than on this song."^[7] Matt Bjorke of Roughstock gave the song four stars out of five, calling it "a burst of sunshine mixed in an ear worm of a melody that has audible steel guitars in the mix and features a nice twangy guitar solo balanced with some steel guitars."^[8]

Music video

The music video was directed by Peter Zavadil and co-stars Beth Behrs from CBS's 2 Broke Girls. It premiered on E! News on March 6, 2013.^[9]

Synopsis

The video begins with Charles and Dave talking about what they did the night before. Feeling left out Hillary wants them to take her out on the town later that night but they disagree saying she is too much of a goody two-shoes who would rather watch romantic comedies. In order to prove that she can have fun like the guys, Hillary calls Beth Behrs to see if she wants to go out on the town and "get so crazy they get arrested". Beth assures her that when they hang out together they can.

Hillary and Beth head downtown in an attempt to get arrested; such as shoplifting and pouring coffee and donuts on two police officers, Garcia and Cash, played by Dave and Charles. They taunt the police officers but keep on getting ignored because they are distracted watching internet cat videos. As a last ditch effort to get their attention Hillary takes a stool and slams it into the police car's front window shield. The video ends with the girls in hand cuffs and being led into the car. In addition there are performance scenes of the band.

Chart performance

"Downtown" debuted at number 25 on the U.S. Billboard Country Airplay chart for the week of February 9, 2013,^[10] making it the highest chart debut of their career to date.^[11][12] It also debuted at number 42 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the week of February 9, 2013. It also debuted at number 32 on the Canadian Hot 100 and number 45 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week of February 23, 2013. It also debuted at number 96 on the South Korea GAON chart for the week of April 21, 2013.

Chart (2013)	Peak position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[13]	26
Canada AC (Billboard)[14]	31
Canada Country (Billboard)[15]	1
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[16]	98
South Korea (GAON)[17]	60
US Billboard Hot 100[18]	29
US Country Airplay (Billboard)[19]	1
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[20]	2

Year-end charts

Chart (2013)	Position
Canada Canadian Hot 100[21]	90
US Billboard Hot 100[22]	93
US Country Airplay (Billboard)[23]	33
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[24]	18

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[25]	Platinum	942,000[26]

Release history

Country	Date	Format
United States	January 22, 2013	Radio airplay
Canada	February 5, 2013	Digital download
United States

References

1. Spicher, Wendy (January 23, 2013). "Listen to the New Single from Lady Antebellum". Great American Country. Archived from the original on January 26, 2013. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
2. Dauphin, Chuck (January 26, 2013). "Lady Antebellum Head 'Downtown' In Flirty New Single". Billboard. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
3. Bierly, Mandi (January 22, 2013). "Lady Antebellum talks new single 'Downtown': Listen to it here -- EXCLUSIVE". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
4. "Lady Antebellum, 'Downtown' Released; Sheryl Crow Joins 'The Voice' + More: Country Music News Roundup". The Boot. January 22, 2013. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
5. Stromblad, Cory (January 25, 2013). "Lady Antebellum Owe Miranda Lambert One for New Single 'Downtown'". Taste of Country. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
6. Betts, Stephen L. (January 30, 2013). "Lady Antebellum, Eric Stonestreet Video Takes Fans 'Downtown'". The Boot. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
7. Dukes, Billy (January 22, 2013). "Lady Antebellum, 'Downtown' – Song Review". Taste of Country. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
8. Bjorke, Matt (January 26, 2013). "Single Review: Lady Antebellum - "Downtown"". Roughstock. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
9. Bibel, Sara (March 4, 2013). "Lady Antebellum to Premiere Music Video for 'Downtown' on E! News This Wednesday". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 18, 2013. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
10. Trust, Gary (January 28, 2013). "Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj Top Dance/Club Play Songs: Chart Highlights". Billboard. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
11. Bjorke, Matt (January 29, 2013). "Lady Antebellum Scores Highest Chart Debut With New Single "Downtown"". Roughstock. Archived from the original on March 17, 2013. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
12. Wyland, Sarah (January 29, 2013). "Lady Antebellum Scores Highest Chart Debut of Their Career". Great American Country. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
13. "Lady Antebellum Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
14. "Lady Antebellum Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard.
15. "Lady Antebellum Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard.
16. "Lady Antebellum Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard.
17. "South Korea Gaon International Chart (Gaon Chart)". Gaon Chart. Archived from the original on 3 March 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
18. "Lady Antebellum Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
19. "Lady Antebellum Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard.
20. "Lady Antebellum Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
21. "Best of 2013: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
22. "Best of 2013: Hot 100 Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
23. "Best of 2013: Country Airplay". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
24. "Best of 2013: Hot Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
25. "American single certifications – Lady Antebellum – Downtown". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
26. Bjorke, Matt (2013-06-19). "Country Chart News - The Top 30 Digital Singles - June 19, 2013: Three Gold Singles, The Swon Brothers, Florida Georgia Line Dominate". Roughstock. Archived from the original on June 25, 2013. Retrieved June 19, 2013.