"Goin' Down" is a song by British singer-songwriter Melanie C. Written by Melanie C, Julian Gallagher, and Richard Stannard for her debut solo album Northern Star (1999), the song was produced by Marius De Vries. "Goin' Down" was released as Melanie C's debut solo single in September 1999 and reached the top 10 in the United Kingdom, where it became her first top-five hit as a solo artist. The song also reached the top 30 in Australia, peaking at number 25. According to Melanie C, the song was inspired by "Song 2" by Blur.[2]
| "Goin' Down" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Melanie C | ||||
| from the album Northern Star | ||||
| B-side |
| |||
| Released | 27 September 1999[1] | |||
| Studio | Various (Los Angeles, London, Glasgow) | |||
| Length | 3:35 | |||
| Label | Virgin | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Marius De Vries | |||
| Melanie C singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Audio sample | ||||
Goin' Down | ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Goin' Down" on YouTube | ||||
Music video
editThe music video, which was shot in Los Angeles in July 1999,[3] sees Melanie C debuting a new look with blonde spiked hair. She is seen dancing and jumping intensely with a microphone, wearing a tartan (plaid) skirt. There are scenes of people dancing in a giant warehouse styled as a club with policemen driving outside, supposedly to the club as they are later seen trying to get in. Melanie C is in the club throughout the whole video with wind and some water vapor being sprayed towards her in slow motion. The video showcased a dramatic change in Melanie C's sound and image and was banned from certain music channels due to its violent content. The video and song was subsequently parodied by the British comedy double act French and Saunders, in their 1999 Christmas Special, which had Jennifer Saunders performing as Melanie C before being reprimanded by her mother (played by Dawn French).[4]
Track listings
edit- "Goin' Down" (radio version) – 3:35
- "Ga Ga" – 3:49
- "Angel on My Shoulder" – 3:48
- UK and Australian CD2[7]
- "Goin' Down" (single version) – 3:35
- "Ga Ga" – 3:49
- "I Want You Back" – 3:18
- "Goin' Down" (enhanced video) – 3:35
- European CD single[8]
- "Goin' Down" (radio version) – 3:35
- "Ga Ga" – 3:49
Credits and personnel
editCredits are taken from the Northern Star album booklet.[9]
Studios
- Recorded at various studios in Los Angeles, London, and Glasgow
- Mixed at O'Henry's Sound Studio (Burbank, California)
- Mastered at Sterling Sound (New York City)
Personnel
- Melanie Chisholm – writing
- Richard Stannard – writing
- Julian Gallagher – writing
- Marius De Vries – production
- Patrick McCarthy – mixing
- Ted Jensen – mastering
Charts
edit| Chart (1999) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[10] | 25 |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[11] | 18 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[12] | 64 |
| Scotland (OCC)[13] | 3 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[14] | 4 |
References
edit- ^ "New Releases – Week Starting 27 September, 1999: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 25 September 1999. p. 25. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
- ^ Chisholm, Melanie (subject) (27 August 2022). Melanie C: 10 Questions | On Blur, Spice Girls, Feminism, Madonna and Kate Bush (Video). Signed Media. Event occurs at 0:05–0:10 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Spicenews.com Jul99". spicenews.com.
- ^ "French & Saunders - Christmas Special 1999". frenchandsaunders.com.
- ^ Goin' Down (UK & Australian CD1 liner notes). Melanie C. Virgin Records. 1999. VSCDT1744, 7243 8 96257 2 1.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Goin' Down (UK cassette single sleeve). Melanie C. Virgin Records. 1999. VSC1744, 7243 8 96257 4 5.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Goin' Down (UK & Australian CD2 liner notes). Melanie C. Virgin Records. 1999. VSCDX1744, 7243 8 96257 0 7.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Goin' Down (European CD single liner notes). Melanie C. Virgin Records. 1999. VSCDE1744, 7243 8 96275 2 7.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Northern Star (UK CD album booklet). Melanie C. Virgin Records. 1999. CDV2893, 7243 8 48469 2 3.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Melanie C – Goin' Down". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 42. 16 October 1999. p. 11. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
- ^ "Melanie C – Goin' Down" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 April 2011.