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I'm Going Down (Rose Royce song)
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Wikipedia article
"'I'm Going Down'" is a song written and produced by Norman Whitfield, and performed by Rose Royce in 1976. It is from the film 'Car Wash' and is featured on its soundtrack. In 1994, it was covered by Mary J. Blige.
Rose Royce version
The Rose Royce (original) version received moderate success. It peaked at number seventy on the US 'Billboard' Hot 100 and reached number ten on the R&B singles chart. In the film 'Car Wash', the song serves as a double entendre, as it complements the screen time of Maureen, a forlorn prostitute who desperately seeks a chance at true love with Joe, even as she turns tricks.
Charts
Mary J. Blige version
{{Infobox song
| name = I'm Goin' Down
| cover = I'm Goin' Down by Mary J Blige US commercial cassette.jpg
| alt =
| caption = US retail cassette variant of standard artwork
| type = single
| artist = Mary J. Blige
| album = My Life
| released =
| recorded = 1994
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length = 3:44
| label = *Uptown
*MCA
| writer = *Norman Whitfield
*Joel Schumacher
| producer = *Sean "Puffy" Combs
*Chucky Thompson
*"Prince" Charles Alexander (co.)
*Mark "Led" Ledford (co.)
| prev_title = Be Happy
| prev_year = 1994
| next_title = Mary Jane (All Night Long)
| next_year = 1995
| misc =
}}
In 1994, American R&B singer artist Mary J. Blige covered "I'm Going Down", titled "'I'm Goin' Down'", for her second studio album 'My Life' (1994). Her version was produced by Sean "Puffy" Combs and Chucky Thompson, featuring co-production from "Prince" Charles Alexander and Mark "Led" Ledford, and contains portions of "The What" (1994) by American rappers The Notorious B.I.G. and Method Man. Released as the album's second single, Blige's version peaked at number thirteen on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number twenty-two on the US 'Billboard' Hot 100. In mid-1995, Blige released a remix featuring Mr. Cheeks of The Lost Boyz. "I'm Going Down" is frequently performed at many of Blige's concerts and as well as live sets.
Critical reception
Music writer James Masterton noted in his weekly UK chart commentary, that Blige "sparkles" on "a rather fabulous cover" of the old Rose Royce song. James Hamilton from 'Music Week's 'RM' Dance Update described it as a "exceptional ultra soulful sparse dramatic 61.7bpm Rose Royce remake in authentic mid-Sixties slow Stax/Volt type".Music video
The accompanying music video for Blige's "I'm Goin' Down" was directed from January 1415, 1995 by Matthew Rolston and was shot in black and white, with Blige as a lounge singer performing the song in a club, and wearing an-all black suit with a matching hat, walking downstairs (being duplicated over and over again). In the end, the bar patrons applaud her as she walks offstage.The video was later published on Blige's official YouTube channel in December 2009. It has amassed more than 22,3 million views as of September 2021.
Track listings
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the 'My Life' liner notes.*Mary J. Blige vocals
*"Prince" Charles Alexander tenor saxophone, piccolo flute, additional flute, recording engineer, mixing
*Mark "Led" Ledford trumpet
*Bruce Purse - trumpet
*Vincent Henry - alto saxophone
*Paul Pesco guitar
*Lenny Underwood piano
*Fred McFarlane - additional keyboards
*Regina Carter - violin
*Diane Monroe - violin
*Lesa Terry - violin
*Eileen Folson - cello
*Victor Bailey - bass played by
*Gloria Agostini - harp
*Kevin "K-Dog" Johnson - drums
*Frank Colon - percussion
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
In popular culture
"Oh, Boy" off of Cam'ron's third album 'Come Home with Me' samples the original Rose Royce song. Mariah Carey also sampled the song in her 2002 album 'Charmbracelet' for the song "Boy (I Need You)". Both songs were composed by hip-hop producer Justin "Just Blaze" Smith and are almost identical.
On the episode season 3 finale of 'Sister, Sister,' Tamera (Tamera Mowry) covered the song for a talent show, winning a bet that her sister Tia (Tia Mowry) had with her enemyand Tamera's opponent, Marva.
*Marcus Canty performed this song on season one of The X Factor (U.S.) during "Movie Week" and the elimination.
*Megan Hilty performs the song in the "Tech" episode of Smash
*Sera Hill performed the song in "Episode 5: The Blind Auditions, Part 5" episode of The Voice (U.S. season 2)
*In the movie 'Little', Jordan and April perform the Mary J. Blige version of the song inside an upscale restaurant, with (13-year old) Jordan starting the performance while laying on a bar.
*Paige Thomas performed this song as her audition for the second season of The X Factor (U.S.)
*Taylor Beckham performed this song on "Episode 3: The Blind Auditions, Part 3" of The Voice (U.S. season 4)
References
Category:1976 songs
Category:1977 singles
Category:1995 singles
Category:Rose Royce songs
Category:Mary J. Blige songs
Category:Music videos directed by Matthew Rolston
Category:Songs written by Norman Whitfield
Category:Soul ballads
Category:Song recordings produced by Norman Whitfield
Category:Whitfield Records singles
Category:MCA Records singles
Category:Uptown Records singles
Category:Black-and-white music videos
Category:Torch songs
Category:Songs about heartache
Category:Rhythm and blues ballads
Category:1970s ballads
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