Kisses Down Low

"Kisses Down Low" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Kelly Rowland and is the first single from her fourth studio album Talk a Good Game. The song was written by Rowland, Marquel Middlebrooks, Timothy and Theron Thomas and Michael Williams, the latter of whom also produced the song under his production moniker, Mike WiLL Made It. Complimented for its bedroom-themed lyrics and steamy content, "Kisses Down Low" was released on February 1, 2013, serving as the lead single from Talk a Good Game.[3] The song has been certified gold by the RIAA.

"Kisses Down Low"
Single by Kelly Rowland
from the album Talk a Good Game
ReleasedFebruary 1, 2013 (2013-02-01)
RecordedEardrum Studios (Atlanta, Georgia)
Genre
Length4:14
LabelRepublic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Kelly Rowland singles chronology
"Neva End"
(2012)		 "Kisses Down Low"
(2013)		 "Without Me"
(2013)

The Colin Tilley-directed music video features colorful scenes, featuring several different pin-up looks and multiple vibrant wigs and costumes. Critics noted similarities between the video for "Kisses Down Low" and "Say My Name" by Rowland's former group Destiny's Child

Background and composition

Following the chart success of her Lil Wayne-backed single "Motivation" (2011), Rowland started to work on her upcoming fourth studio album.[4] She said, "I'm in the studio. Man, it's been so much fun. I do wish that some of my fans could be in there for that ... [so] I have taped a lot of moments for my fans."[4] She went on to add that the follow-up to her third album, Here I Am, will have a theme: "I made sure that I locked in on a concept and everyone that's come in to work on this album, we've all built around it. It's just building up so beautifully. I'm so proud! So I can't wait till all of my fans hear it."[4] The song was written by Marquel Middlebrooks, Timothy Thomas, Theron Thomas, Kelly Rowland, Michael Williams with production helmed by Williams under his production name Mike WiLL Made It.

Critical reception

A reviewer from Rap-Up described the song as a "bedroom banger".[5] A writer for UK magazine Fact magazine wrote that "Kisses Down Low" as memorable as 2011 world-beater "'Motivation', [it's] a step-up from previous single, "Ice".[6] Carl Williott of Idolator liked the song describing it as a "sluggishly shimmering track" and along with "Ice" "[it's] shaping up to be quite the steamy affair."[7] Meanwhile, not all reviews for the song were positive, in a review in The Sowetan, an editor said that Rowland's vocals were stronger than what was displayed in "Kisses Down Low". The reviewer said "to be honest, the song, produced by Mike WiLL Made It, doesn't really challenge her vocal abilities, which we believe are a lot stronger, but who said a girl can't play around in the studio every now and then?!"[8]

Chart performance

In the United States "Kisses Down Low" debuted at number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the issue dated March 10, 2013.[9] On its third week the song peaked at number 72.[10]

Music video

Background

The music video for "Kisses Down Low" was directed by Colin Tilley.[11] On February 10, 2013, Rowland posted behind-the-scenes video, Rowland spoke about the theme of the video saying, "I’m so excited about this video. The theme is fun and flirty and pinup. The makeup is poppin’, the hair is poppin’, the styling is so cool, but it feels just really flirty. I wanted to bring that out of the song instead of making it as racy."[11] The video premiered on VEVO on March 12, 2013.[12]

Synopsis

The video concept focuses on a number of vanity shots and costume changes.[13] Various scenes from the video feature Rowland dressed as a pin-up girl, on a floral swing, with a curly blonde wig and hot pants.[11] Another scenes features Rowland dressed in a red wig and retro bikini.[13]

Reception

Sam Lansky from Idolator, gave the video a mixed review writing, " it's not the most thrilling video we’ve ever seen — all those splashy hues and chic looks don't entirely make up for a feeling that it's all a little insubstantial — but it's certainly not bad to look at."[14] John Boone from E! Online compared the video to a number of other music videos by Rowland's former group Destiny's Child, in particular "Say My Name

Track listings and formats
  • Digital download[15]
  1. "Kisses Down Low" – 4:14

Credits and personnel
Recording[16]
Personnel[16]
  • Sam Thomas - Recording Engineer

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[22] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Radio and release history
Country Date Format Label
United States February 1, 2013[15] Digital download Republic Records
February 5, 2013[23] Urban radio
Australia[24] February 8, 2013 Digital download Universal Music
Brazil[25]
Canada[26]
Denmark[27]
New Zealand[28]
France[29] March 15, 2013 Def Jam Records
Germany[30] Universal Music
Italy[31]
Spain[32]
United Kingdom[33] Universal Island
United States[34] March 26, 2013 Rhythmic radio Republic Records

References
  1. "Kisses Down Low - Kelly Rowland". Rate Your Music.
  2. Sam. "Kelly Rowland Unveils 'Kisses Down Low' Single Cover". ThatGrapeJuice.net. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  3. "Kelly Rowland Reveals 'Talk A Good Game' Features With Beyonce, Wiz Khalifa: Exclusive".
  4. Thomas, Rebecca (April 11, 2012). "Kelly Rowland Is Giddy To Go Down Under With Chris Brown". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  5. "New Music: Kelly Rowland – 'Kisses Down Low'". Rap-Up. January 18, 2013. Retrieved March 15, 2013.
  6. "Listen to Kelly Rowland's 'Kisses Down Low', produced by hitmaker Mike WiLL Made It". Fact. January 18, 2013. Retrieved March 15, 2013.
  7. Williott (January 18, 2013). "Kelly Rowland Likes Her "Kisses Down Low" & You Will, Too: Listen". Idolator (Buzz Media). Retrieved March 15, 2013.
  8. "Seductive Kelly Rowland Lovers Her Kisses Down Low". The Sowetan. Avusu. 2012-04-12. Retrieved 2012-04-13.
  9. Grein, Paul (March 14, 2013). "Week Ending March 10, 2013. Songs: The Record-Setter That Isn't #1". Yahoo!. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  10. Grein, Paul (March 29, 2013). "Week Ending March 24, 2013. Songs: 5 Million "Thrift Shoppers"". Yahoo!. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  11. "Behind the Video: Kelly Rowland – 'Kisses Down Low'". Rap-Up. February 25, 2013. Retrieved March 15, 2013.
  12. "Video: Kelly Rowland – 'Kisses Down Low'". Rap-Up. March 12, 2013. Retrieved March 15, 2013.
  13. Rubenstein, Jenna Hally (2013-03-13). "New Video: Kelly Rowland, 'Kisses Down Low'". MTV Buzzworthy. MTV (Viacom). Retrieved 2013-04-13.
  14. Lansky, Sam (March 28, 2013). "Kelly Rowland's "Kisses Down Low" Video: Watch The Candy-Colored Clip". Idolator (Buzz Media). Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  15. "Music – Kisses Down Low – Single by Kelly Rowland". iTunes Store (United States). Apple. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  16. Kelly Rowland — Talk a Good Game. [Album Booklet]. Republic Records (Universal Music Group). Catalog Number: 602537415168.
  17. "Kelly Rowland Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  18. "Kelly Rowland Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2013.
  19. "Kelly Rowland Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard.
  20. "Best of 2013: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2011. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  21. "Best of 2013: R&B Songs". Billboard. 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  22. "American single certifications – Kelly Rowland – Kisses Down Low". Recording Industry Association of America. December 12, 2013. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  23. "Urban Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on February 2, 2013. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  24. "Music – Kisses Down Low – Single by Kelly Rowland". iTunes Store (Australia). Apple. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  25. "Kisses Down Low – Single by Kelly Rowland". iTunes Store (BR). Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  26. "Kisses Down Low – Single by Kelly Rowland". iTunes Store (CA). Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  27. "Kisses Down Low – Single by Kelly Rowland". iTunes Store (DK). Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  28. "Music – Kisses Down Low – Single by Kelly Rowland". iTunes Store (New Zealand). Apple. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  29. "Kelly Rowland – Kisses Down Low". Amazon MP3 (Amazon.fr). March 15, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
  30. "Kelly Rowland – Kisses Down Low". Amazon MP3 (Amazon.de). March 15, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
  31. "Kelly Rowland – Kisses Down Low". Amazon MP3 (Amazon.it). March 15, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
  32. "Kelly Rowland – Kisses Down Low". Amazon MP3 (Amazon.es). March 15, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
  33. "Kelly Rowland – Kisses Down Low". Amazon MP3 (Amazon.co.uk). March 15, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
  34. "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on March 14, 2013. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
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