Down by the Water (The Decemberists song)
Down by the Water is a song on the American indie rock band The Decemberists' sixth album, The King is Dead. It was released as a single in 2010.
"Down by the Water"
Lyrics and music[edit]
"Down By the Water" includes Peter Buck and singer-songwriter Gillian Welch, who contribute 12-string guitar and vocal harmonies, respectively.[1] It also features accordion riffs and heavy harmonica reminiscent of Neil Young;[2] particularly the song "Heart of Gold".[3] "Down By the Water" has been compared to the music of Bruce Springsteen.[4][5] It was featured for free download on November 2, 2010, on their official website. Meloy has said that The King Is Dead is more straightforward and heavily influenced by R.E.M.,[6] and "Down By the Water" is a prime example.[7] Meloy himself has said that the song "started out as more of a paean to R.E.M. than I think any of us really wanted it to be".[8]
Lyrically, "Down By the Water" is vaguely mournful.[9] It has been described as "folksy", "uptempo",[10] and "country-esque", and the chorus as "booming".[4] Though "Down By the Water" has been called "catchy" and radio-friendly, it is also said to lack the quality of prose found on earlier Decemberists' work.[2]
Release and reception[edit]
The song reached number 33 on the U.S. Rock songs chart.[11] It was favorably reviewed by critics. NPR considered it one of the top 100 songs of 2011.[12] It was ranked the 97th best song of the year by Pazz and Jop.[13] The song was nominated for both Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song at the 54th Grammy Awards.[14]