Get You Down

Album: Seventeen Going Under (2021)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • I catch myself in a mirror
    See a pathetic little boy
    Who's come to get you down


    Fender has accumulated self-loathing, jealousy and fear of abandonment, all carried over from his childhood. He projects the negativity onto others, making them feel down as well. Fender told NME how his "insecurity tore apart my relationships, and my last relationship in particular."
  • I try again
    I study the pattern
    I see the triggers
    But I can't shake 'em loose


    Fender could see that the way he was acting was ruining his relationships. He knew why but couldn't stop it. He told Apple Music: "I was coming back home after being started on by a bunch of lads but not doing anything about it because I was on my own. So I'd punch walls and stuff. I used to do that all the time in my early twenties. It's toxic behavior. You can't do that."
  • Fender came up with the track back in 2019, but his record label was unsure at first, as they thought he was trying too hard to write a single. It was one of the Geordie singer-songwriter's favorites, so he still recorded it for Seventeen Going Under. Once he'd laid down the album, Polydor Records A&R man Richard O'Donovan admitted to him: "I was completely wrong. That song is absolutely incredible."
  • Seventeen Going Under has an ongoing theme of growing up and the self-esteem issues that people carry into their adult life. This song finds Fender turning the mirror on himself as he reflects on how insecurities and feelings of low self-worth destroyed his relationships.
  • Thom Lewis, rather than Fender's usual producer, Bramwell Bronte, helmed the track. Lewis also produced four out of five of the bonus tracks on the deluxe version of Seventeen Going Under.
  • The musicians are:

    Guitar: Dean Thompson
    Drums: Drew Michael
    Synth Bass: Thom Lewis
    Synthesizer: Joe Atkinson
    Saxophone: Johnny "Blue Hat" Davis
    Strings: Wired Strings (arranged by Rosie Danvers)
  • Hector Dockrill (Stormzy, Jorja Smith, Ray Blk) directed the video, which sees Fender driving a car around a racetrack before being involved in a bloody accident.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The Remasters

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet SprocketSongwriter Interviews

The "All I Want" singer went through a long depression, playing some shows when he didn't want to be alive.

Marvin Gaye

Marvin GayeFact or Fiction

Did Marvin try out with the Detroit Lions? Did he fake crazy to get out of military service? And what about the cross-dressing?

Steve Morse of Deep Purple

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?