Fall to Pieces (Velvet Revolver song)
"Fall to Pieces" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Velvet Revolver | ||||
from the album Contraband | ||||
Released | September 13, 2004 | |||
Recorded | August–December 2003 in Los Angeles, California | |||
Genre | Hard rock, glam metal | |||
Length | 4:30 | |||
Label | RCA Records | |||
Songwriter(s) | Velvet Revolver | |||
Producer(s) | Josh Abraham | |||
Velvet Revolver singles chronology | ||||
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Audio sample | ||||
"Fall to Pieces" is a power ballad written and performed by Velvet Revolver that appears on their debut album Contraband in 2004. It was the band's third single, and reached #67 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Mainstream Rock chart.
Content
[edit]The song's lyrics are about then lead singer Scott Weiland's battle with heroin and its toll on his relationship with his wife, model Mary Forsberg.
Chart performance
[edit]The song was #1 on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for 11 consecutive weeks and #2 on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart for a single week. It also hit #67 on the Billboard Hot 100. The band performed the song during their performance at Live 8; its performance is the only one of the three songs they played there that appears on the concert DVD.
Composition
[edit]The song is played with 1/2 step down-tuned guitars, unlike most of Velvet Revolver's catalogue. Similar to "Sweet Child o' Mine" by Guns N' Roses (Slash, McKagan and Sorum's previous band), the song is in the key of D-flat Mixolydian, and is based on an arpeggiated riff around the Dsus4 chord. Weiland wrote the lyrics; Slash, McKagan, Kushner, and Sorum composed the music.
Music video
[edit]The song's music video follows the meaning of the song, showing Weiland struggling to maintain his relationship with his wife (who appears in the video as herself). It depicts Scott going through an overdose, but being rescued by Duff McKagan.
Track listing
[edit]- "Fall to Pieces" - 4:30
- "Surrender" - 4:25
Personnel
[edit]- Scott Weiland - lead vocals
- Slash - lead guitar
- Duff McKagan - bass, backing vocals
- Matt Sorum - drums, percussion, backing vocals
- Dave Kushner - rhythm guitar
Charts
[edit]Chart (2004–2005) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[1] | 57 |
Canada Rock Top 30 (Radio & Records)[2] | 1 |
Germany (GfK)[3] | 89 |
Ireland (IRMA)[4] | 42 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[5] | 53 |
Scotland (OCC)[6] | 33 |
UK Singles (OCC)[7] | 32 |
UK Rock & Metal (OCC)[8] | 4 |
US Billboard Hot 100[9] | 67 |
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[10] | 1 |
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[11] | 2 |
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[12] | 25 |
Certifications
[edit]Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA)[13] | Gold | 500,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Notes
[edit]- ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 294.
- ^ "RR Canada Rock Top 30" (PDF). p. 62. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
- ^ "Velvet Revolver – Fall to Pieces" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
- ^ "Chart Track: Week 42, 2004". Irish Singles Chart.
- ^ "Velvet Revolver – Fall to Pieces" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ "Velvet Revolver Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ "Velvet Revolver Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ "Velvet Revolver Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ "Velvet Revolver Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ "American single certifications – Velvet Revolver – Fall to Pieces". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
- 2000s ballads
- 2004 singles
- 2004 songs
- Velvet Revolver songs
- Hard rock ballads
- Glam metal ballads
- Songs written by Slash (musician)
- Songs written by Matt Sorum
- Songs written by Duff McKagan
- Songs written by Scott Weiland
- Songs written by Dave Kushner
- RCA Records singles
- Song recordings produced by Josh Abraham
- Music videos directed by Kevin Kerslake