Face Down by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Album: Don't You Fake It (2006)

Charted: 24

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This song deals with domestic violence, with Red Jumpsuit Apparatus lead singer Ronnie Winter asking the abuser, "Do you feel like a man when you push her around?"

It's a very intense song, and unfortunately it's based on a true story: Winter's dad abused his mom. "I am a survivor - me and my brother, Randy - of a domestic violence household," he told Alternative Press. "My dad beat my mom more than once. I wanted to tell people that wasn't OK. I wanted to tell people that I'm alive and my mom's alive."
"Face Down" was the first single from The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, and it remains their most popular song. They first recorded it in 2004 for a demo that helped them get a deal with Virgin Records. In 2006 it was released on their debut album, Don't You Fake It, and promoted as the band set out on tours as the opening act for groups like Seether, 30 Seconds To Mars and Godsmack. Radio stations gradually started playing the song, and in April 2007 it went to #24 in America, giving the group their first hit.
In the years after the song was released, Winter admitted the song was based on his life experiences but didn't say it was about his mother because she was battling addiction and he wanted to protect her. When she got clean, he explained that the song was about her, and it still carries a lot of weight.

"Even to this day, we get emotional when we play that song, especially when she is in the crowd," he told Metal Roos.
"Face Down" got a lot of airplay on Christian Rock radio, and it went to #1 on Billboard's Christian Rock chart. Lead singer Ronnie Winter is a devout Christian and outspoken in his beliefs, which helped endear the band to Christian radio even though there's nothing overtly religious in the song. Over the years, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus released some music that was explicitly Christian, including their 2011 song "Am I the Enemy."
"Face Down" sold a remarkable 5 million digital downloads. A lot of that had to do with timing: The iPod was introduced in 2007 just as this song was big, and as downloading became more and more popular, the song benefited.
The band heard from many fans affected by domestic violence who felt a strong connection to this song, so they teamed up with the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) to provide support. Red Jumpsuit Apparatus also supported efforts to deter teen suicide, which is often associated with domestic violence.
This is the song that got The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus a record deal. They started performing it in 2004 at shows in northern Florida, where they're from. A record executive named Steve Tramposch heard about the band from a contact and tracked down their demo. "Face Down" is the song that blew him away, so he pursued them and helped them get a deal with Virgin Records.

"The moment I heard it I not only knew it was a hit, but one with a powerful message that had the potential to change lives," Tramposch wrote.
"Face Down" shows up in the 2006 movie Employee Of The Month and the 2007 film Georgia Rule.
The song got a lot of exposure when The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus played it on the Warped Tours of 2006 and 2007. During one of their interviews on that tour, guitarist Elias Reidy claimed he only showered three times during that first tour.
In 2022 the band released a symphonic edition of "Face Down" with a new music video starring Kendra Cover, the same actress from the original video. We learn that the girl is now in a healthy relationship but still haunted by the abusive relationship she left years ago. The video was directed by by Ronnie Winter's wife, Angela.

Comments: 34

Pretty Pink Monster from Macon, Georgiajust thinking of the fact that people are out there and sometimes you can't just leave the situation. even if you see enough red flags you just don't want to be alone.
Anonymous, from Anonymous,I love this song but I understand why they made a song like this. It helps bring awareness that there are people out there that do stuff like this I mean my mom had to deal with this and so did I. It sucks that some people are okay with people doing this, it hurts to know people like this are out in this world.
I could understand if your partner did something you didn't like a told them about it but hitting someone for that is super messed up. If someone ever does do this to anyone there is a number to call for that, as well as the police. I don't know how many go through this but if you do, YOU will make it out of there and YOU will be loved by people that are and/or did deal with this.
Anonymous. from Anonymous.I had do deal with this for two years.
Declan H from EarthI've witnessed a relationship like the one from this song and I did as much as I could to help, and it's hard to admit that abusive relationships happen so often. It's awful to feel like you're trapped with someone who abuses you. I love this song, and it nails some really hard points that are (sadly) so relevant now.
Kayliegh from WisconsinI've seen so many people romanticizing abusive relationships lately. It's not cute. It's not gonna make people like you. It screws with your brain. You can't trust anyone. Get the hell out of there. I would know.
Alexandra from Marikina, PhilippinesOne of my favorite songs!
Reya from Reynoldsburg, OhI love this song so much. I heard it on Pandora Radio, and fell in love with it. It's so sad, the song, and the sitiuation. I don't understand why people do that.
Vicky from Chesapeake, Vai love this song! sad though!
Estel from 303, CoDid anyone notice the slight love story? It's from the first part, and it's like this guy likes this girl, but he sees her getting beaten by her boyfriend. He sticks up for her, and she finally sees that she can hold her own with this abusive boyfriend and leaves him.
Devon from La, Caok, so I saw Adam Lambert (the gay emo kid from Idol) sing this w/his band Citizen Vein before he was famous. I can't find an mp3 copy of it as of yet, but I remember he changed alot of the lyrics, they were like 2x as violent and they're is a dick reference in the chorus, so for anyone who wants them here they are as I remember them, this was quite a bit ago though, like 2007. I'm 90% sure their right though:

Baby girl you know you drive me crazy, one word puts the rythm in my hand, but I'll never understand why you hang around, I know what's goin down. Hide the blood with make up in the mirror, and tell you're self he's never gonna do it again. You'll cry but f--k that kid still swears he loves you!!!!!!

[CHORUS]: Do you feel like a man when you push her around? Does it feel bigger now? Watch her fall to the ground! Well I'll tell you my friend, someday it's all gonna end as your world crashes down. A new life she has found.

A stone thrown in the water makes a ripple effect; every action in this world will bear a consequence. If you wade around forever you will surely drown. I know whats goin down. I see the way you'll go and say you're all right again, say you're all right again. *yelled*HEED MY LECTURE!!!!*end yelling*

[Chorus]

*yelled* ONE DAY SHE'LL TELL YOU SHE HAS HAD ENOUGH!!!*end yelling* He's coming round again.

[Chorus]

Face down in the dirt, she said "this doesnt hurt" she said "I finally had enough"!!!!Face down in the dirt, she said "this doesnt hurt" she said. I'VE finally had enough!!!
Monkey from Singo, AustraliaIts a pretty mad song aye and if you like good punk bands give new found glory a try and if you do try failure's not flatterin
Billy from Perris, CaIf he leaves you black and blue, he's certainly not the one for you.
Mary from Ewing, Nji like this song! BUT what i dont get is ladies how can we love a man who hits us a hurts us! how can they love you if they are doing this to you
Kayleigh from Boulder, CoThis song is actually about Ronny Winter's (the band's lead singer) parents and about how he watched his mom believe that she could just cover it up for the longest time, until the day she realized it wasn't ok for both her and her children.
Sarah from La, Ca♥♥ I LOVE THIS SONG!!! and it tells a story about a very big problem ♥♥
Tj from Woodbridge, Vai think its Heed my lecture, not need my lecture. otherthan that, AWSOME song
Jake from Columbia City, InThis is an amazing song about a very big problem.
Myra from Chicago, IlThis is a really good song! All those women in abusive relationships, stand up for yourselves and fight back! You are your own person and you deserve better!
Lisa M S from Australia, AustraliaThis song is about standing up for yourself in abusive relatinships! Fight the system!!!!! (MCR RULE!)
Morgan from Gresham, Orlove this song SO much i had it stuck in my head for weeks when i didnt know what it was called or who it was it was funny
Marr from Prestonsburg, KyI love this song. It has a great story to it and I love the lines to it! =]
Rose from St.louis, MoI think its about a guy who is watching a girl he likes be pushed around and hurt by another guy. He doesnt see why the girl goes back to the guy just because he says he loves her.
Allison from An Awesome City In, CoI love this song too! I agree its overplayed (way) but I love it! Its so sad though!
Kelsi from I-town(ionia, Mii *love* this song...guys..DON'T abuse the girls!!!!...you never know they might beat ur ass back...
Lisa from Fort Worth, Txcute song....the radio plays it a bit much though
Harry from Adelaide, AustraliaAgreed. it is about parents
A.j. from Chicago, IlThis song's also in Employee of the Month with Dane Cook and Dax Shepard [testing]fgsd
Emily from Grand Rapids, MiThis song is amazing. i met the band and they are the nicest and funniest guys. They played this song acuostic when I got to see them and it so awesome all version original,acuostic and screamo are the best
:x
Satina from The Throne Of Hellthis song is about his parents...and always the though that he didnt understand why his dad hit his mom and the question was if he felt like a man....duh read a lil deeper
Melissa from Little Rock, Okokay its not about the music video. its a cover up dumb butts. its about ronnie winters life. and his childhood. the girl is a cover up for ronnie.
Lala from Litchfield, HiThe singer said in the February issue of AP that the song was written about hi parents. They had their forst child at a young age and dedicided to get married. They both did drugs and achohal abuse. When they were wasted they would abuse eachother in front of him and his two siblings.
Meg from Jacksonville, FlTRJA is amazing!! i love these guys! this song should be an anthem! lol yea and the guys really need to come back home for a concert!
Melissa from Toledo, OhI love this song so much. It has a great story line behind it, amaizing lyrics, and a beat to die for. It's genius.
Beans from Philadelphia, PaI like this song. Its really good...

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