"Back Down South" (also called "Southbound") is a song by American rock band

Kings of Leon Kings of Leon is an American rock band formed in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1999. The band is composed of brothers Caleb, Nathan and Jared Followill, and their cousin Matthew Followill. The band's early music was a blend of Southern rock and ...

from their 2010 album ''

Come Around Sundown ''Come Around Sundown'' is the fifth studio album by American rock band Kings of Leon, released in Ireland, Australia and Germany on October 15, 2010, followed by releases in the United Kingdom on October 18 and North America on October 19. The o ...

''. It was released as the third and final single from the album May 17, 2011.

Music video

A music video to accompany the release of "Back Down South" was first released onto YouTube on May 27, 2011 at a total length of four minutes and five seconds. It was directed by Casey McGrath with part of the filming in Nashville, TN and the other half in Hampshire, TN. William Goodman of '' Spin'' described the video as "an advert for their country way of life."

Reception

Scott Shelter from PopCrush gave the song an 8/10 grade, commenting, "With a dash of twang and an intentional down-home appeal, ‘Back Down South’ wouldn’t sound out of place at a country music festival or awards show. It’s a welcome change of pace from the arena-rock direction of the band’s recent music."

Live performances

Kings of Leon first performed the song during their summer tour 2010. They also performed it on '' Later... with Jools Holland''.

Track listings

;Digital download #"Back Down South" – 4:01

Credits and personnel

;

Caleb Followill Kings of Leon is an American rock band formed in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1999. The band is composed of brothers Caleb, Nathan and Jared Followill, and their cousin Matthew Followill. The band's early music was a blend of Southern rock and ga ...

– Vocals and guitar – Gibson PR-720S * Matthew Followill – Lead guitar and

Lap steel guitar The lap steel guitar, also known as a Hawaiian guitar, is a type of steel guitar without pedals that is typically played with the instrument in a horizontal position across the performer's lap. Unlike the usual manner of playing a traditional ...

–

Gibson Guitar Gibson Brands, Inc. (formerly Gibson Guitar Corporation) is an American manufacturer of Guitar manufacturing, guitars, other musical instruments, and professional audio equipment from Kalamazoo, Michigan, and now based in Nashville, Tennessee. ...

* Jared Followill – Bass guitar –

Gibson Thunderbird The Gibson Thunderbird is an electric bass guitar made by Gibson and Epiphone. Background and introduction The Gibson Thunderbird was introduced in 1963. At the time, Fender had been the leader in the electric bass market since their introduc ...

Nathan Followill Kings of Leon is an American rock band formed in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1999. The band is composed of brothers Caleb, Nathan and Jared Followill, and their cousin Matthew Followill. The band's early music was a blend of Southern rock and ga ...

– Drums, percussion, backing vocals – DW Drums * Robert Mallory – Fiddle * Angela Petraglia and Liam O'Neil – Organ – Hammond B3 *Producers –

Angelo Petraglia Angelo Petraglia (born May 5, 1954) is an American record producer and songwriter. He was a member of the new wave band Face to Face and is best known for his work with Kings of Leon. Early life He was born in the Bronx and grew up in Pelham, N ...

, Jacquire King *

Lyrics Lyrics are words that make up a song, usually consisting of verses and choruses. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist. The words to an extended musical composition such as an opera are, however, usually known as a "libretto" and their writer ...

– Caleb Followill, Nathan Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill *Label –

RCA Records RCA Records is an American record label currently owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America. It is one of Sony Music's four flagship labels, alongside RCA's former long-time rival Columbia Records; also ...

Charts

References

{{Authority control 2011 singles Kings of Leon songs Rock ballads Songs written by Matthew Followill Songs written by Jared Followill Songs written by Nathan Followill Songs written by Caleb Followill Song recordings produced by Jacquire King RCA Records singles Songs about the American South