Face Down (The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus song)

"Face Down" is a song by American rock band the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus from their debut album, Don't You Fake It (2006). Released as the band's debut single, the song peaked at number 24 in the United States and number four in New Zealand. It tied 30 Seconds to Mars' "The Kill" as the longest-running song on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart without reaching number one, at 52 weeks. "Face Down" remains the band's most successful single. Four versions were released, including an acoustic version.

"Face Down"
Single by the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
from the album Don't You Fake It
Released	July 4, 2006
Genre	Emo[1][2][3][4][5] pop-punk[6][7] hard rock[8]
Length	3:12
Label	Virgin
Songwriter(s)	Ronnie Winter
Producer(s)	David Bendeth
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus singles chronology
"Face Down" (2006) "False Pretense" (2007)
Alternative cover
Acoustic version cover

It has since been certified quadruple platinum in the US by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and double platinum in New Zealand by Recorded Music NZ (RMNZ). Even though the song never charted in the United Kingdom, it has since been certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

Background

"Face Down" is notable for lyrics that detail suffering from domestic abuse. Written by lead singer Ronnie Winter, the song is about the domestic abuse that he and his brother lived through as children. ^[9] He has said the "lyrics are deeply personal" and he wanted to "help kids who are in similar situations cope."^[10]

Music video

The music video parallels the song in its treatment of violence in a relationship. After arriving home, a young woman examines a bruise on her lower back, and begins to look for and examine items that she associates with her boyfriend (e.g. pictures, a card, letters). As she does so, objects around her start to suddenly move as if thrown or destroyed by the unseen hand of an abuser. The level of damage done escalates throughout the video, though the young woman does not react or acknowledge the growing violence around her. After a chair flies through the living room window, she takes the pictures and letters and throws them into a garbage can outside her house. This unfolding scene is juxtaposed with shots of the band performing the song in a living room with lighting and decor that appear to be the young woman's.^[6]

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2007) Peak position Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[11] 43 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[12] 4 US Billboard Hot 100[13] 24 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[14] 18 US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[15] 38 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[16] 10 US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)[17] 3

Year-end charts Chart (2007) Position New Zealand (RIANZ)[18] 44 US Billboard Hot 100[19] 52 US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)[20] 6

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[21]	2× Platinum	60,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[22]	Gold	400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[23]	5× Platinum	5,000,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

In popular culture

"Face Down" is featured on the soundtrack of the video games Saints Row 2 and MX vs. ATV Untamed.^[24][25]