Story Behind The Song
Written as an anthem for anyone who's been told they can't make it. The "Hey!" chant isn't decoration - it's the heartbeat of the song, designed for audiences to join in. The bridge strips everything back before the final chorus explodes, giving editors a natural tension-and-release moment for scene climaxes.
Song Description
"Not Going Down" is a defiant indie folk anthem driven by relentless stomp-clap percussion and call-and-response "Hey!" chants. The song captures the spirit of two people facing impossible odds together - backs against the wall, everyone counting them out - and choosing to stand anyway.
The production builds from sparse acoustic verses to full-band choruses with layered gang vocals, creating natural edit points and a dynamic energy arc ideal for scene builds. The hook ("We're not going down") appears early and repeats throughout, making it instantly recognizable and supervisor-friendly.
Sonically sits alongside The Lumineers' "Ho Hey" and Of Monsters and Men's "Little Talks"- organic, unpolished, and alive with communal energy.
| Song Length |
2:59 |
Genre |
Folk - Americana, Folk - Contemporary |
| Tempo |
Medium (111 - 130) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Subject |
Determination, Relationship |
Similar Artists |
The Lumineers, Of Monsters and Men |
| Language |
English |
Era |
2000 and later |
Lyrics
VERSE 1]
(Hey!)
Backs against the wall again
(Hey!)
Walls are closing in
(Hey!)
They said the map was running out
(Hey!)
But here's where we begin
(Hey! Hey!)
[CHORUS]
Hey! Hey!
We're not going down
(Hey!)
Not while you're still with me
(Hey!)
We're not going down
(Hey!)
We've got grit, we've got backbone
(Hey!)
No, we're not going down
(We're not going down)
[VERSE 2]
(Hey!)
We've been down but not out yet
(Hey!)
Scars to prove we're real
(Hey!)
Every time they count us out
(Hey!)
We show them how we feel
(Hey! Hey!)
[CHORUS]
Hey! Hey!
We're not going down
(Hey!)
Not while you're still with me
(Hey!)
We're not going down
(Hey!)
We've got grit, we've got backbone
(Hey!)
No, we're not going down
(We're not going down)
[BRIDGE]
Let them talk
(Let them talk)
Let them try
(Let them try)
We were built to survive
Every scar's a story
Every fall just made us strong
(Hey!)
(Hey!)
(Hey! Hey!)
[FINAL CHORUS]
Hey! Hey!
We're not going down
(Hey!)
Not while you're still with me
(Hey!)
We're not going down
(Hey!)
We've got grit, we've got backbone
(Hey!)
No, we're not going down
(We're not going down)
(Hey!)
[OUTRO]
(Hey! Hey!)
We're not going down
(Hey! Hey!)
We're not going down
(Hey! Hey!)
We're not going down
(We're not going down)
(Hey!)