Fallin' (Alicia Keys song)

"Fallin'"
Single by Alicia Keys
from the album Songs in A Minor
B-side "Rear View Mirror"
Released April 2, 2001
Format CD single
Recorded
Length 3:30
Label J
Writer(s) Alicia Keys
Producer(s) Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys singles chronology
"Fallin'"
(2001)		 "A Woman's Worth"
(2002)
Audio sample
file info · help

"Fallin'" is a song by American singer Alicia Keys from her debut studio album Songs in A Minor (2001). It was released as the lead single from Songs in A Minor in April 2, 2001, by J Records. "Fallin'" is generally considered her signature song.[1]

"Fallin'" attained global success, reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the top 5 in several countries. It also received numerous certifications around the world, and is one of the best-selling singles of 2001. In 2009, "Fallin'" was named the 29th most successful song of the 2000s, on the Billboard Hot 100 Songs of the Decade.[2] It won three Grammy Awards in 2002, including Song of the Year, Best R&B Song, and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, and was also nominated for Record of the Year.

Background and composition

The song was written by Alicia Keys as the lead single from her debut studio album, Songs in A Minor.[3] When asked about the background behind the song, Keys told Billboard, "I wanted to write a song for someone who was 10 or 12 years old – like a young Michael Jackson. Even though he was young, he was singing some deep stuff back then. [The song] is about the ins and outs of a relationship. Sometimes, you're completely head-over-heels in love with someone, and sometimes you can't stand that person. You fall in and out, sometimes it goes back and forth, and that's just what relationships are about."[4] The song samples the early James Brown hit, "It's a Man's Man's Man's World."

According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, the song is set in 12/8 time with a "free" tempo of 60 beats per minute.[5] It is composed in the key of E minor with Keys' vocal range spanning from the low-note of B3 to the high-note of E5.[5] The song has a basic chord progression of Em–Bm7–Em–Bm7 as it follows a "moderate blues tempo" throughout the chorus of the song.[5]

Critical reception

Reviews

Keys performing "Fallin'" in Frankfurt, Germany, 2002

NME called it a "[m]assive, massive massive hit" adding "Piano tinkles, drum machine coughs like an athsmatic whippet and Alicia strokes your spine with ice cubes and spatters your spotty back with hot candle wax".[6] The song was described as "gospel fervor of lovesick righteousness" by Beth Johnson of Entertainment Weekly.[7] Robert Hilburn of The Los Angeles Times described the song as having "the neo-soul vitality of Macy Gray and Jill Scott."[8] Sam Faulkner of NME said that the song had "deeper moments [that] creep up and grab you exemplified."[9] Mark Anthony Neal of PopMatters said that the song "combines Key's natural blues register with a subtle, and brilliantly so, sample of James Brown's 'It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World'."[10] Barry Walters of Rolling Stone said "there's no denying the serious early Aretha vibe permeating the hit."[11]

Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine said that "the gospel-tinged [song] starts out simply with measured piano and basic drum programming, eventually building to a crescendo of operatic proportions."[12] Steve Jones of USA Today described the song as "a bluesy ode to self-destructive love" and further commented that the song "is only a teaser for what she has to offer."[13] Simon Price of The Independent called the song Keys' breakthrough song and noted how the melody of the song is similar to Queen's "We Are the Champions".[14] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic pointed out the lack of depth in the song, saying it "doesn't have much body to it", which he felt was "a testament to Keys' skills as a musician."[15]

Rankings

In the The Village Voice's 2001 Pazz & Jop critics' poll, the song appeared at number four on the list.[16] In September 2011, "Fallin'" was placed at number 22 by VH1 on its list for the 100 Greatest Songs of the 2000s.[17] "[G]ospel vibe and powerful vocals form Keys" led Complex to place the song on number two on its list of "The 25 Best Alicia Keys Songs".[18] The Telegraph compiled a list of "100 songs that defined the Noughties" and placed "Fallin'" at number 97.[19]Rolling Stone ranked it number sixty-two on their Top 100 Songs of the 2000s decade.[20] "Fallin'" charted at number 413 in Blender magazine's 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born.[21] In 2011, the song ranked at number five on Nerve's list of "The 25 Greatest Love Songs of the 2000s".[22]

Chart performance

In the United States, "Fallin'" debuted at number ninety-eight on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week of June 16, 2001. The song stayed on the chart for nine weeks before eventually peaking at number one on the chart.[23] It remained on the chart for a total of 34 weeks. It managed to chart on the 2001 Billboard Year-End Hot 100 at number two behind Lifehouse's "Hanging by a Moment".[24]

Awards and nominations

As one of the most critically acclaimed singles of 2001, "Fallin'" was nominated for several awards. "Fallin'" connected well with NARAS as the song was nominated in 2002 for four Grammy Awards: Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, and Best R&B Song. It ended up winning all but one of the awards she was nominated for (Record of the Year was awarded to U2's "Walk On").[25]

At the 2001 Billboard Music Awards, "Fallin'" was nominated for the Hot 100 Single of the Year; however, it lost the award to Lifehouse's "Hanging by a Moment". The song was also nominated for Outstanding Song and Outstanding Music Video at the 2002 NAACP Image Awards; it did not win in either category.

Music video

The music video for "Fallin'", directed by Chris Robinson, Blake Johnson and Danny Wise. Unlike most other R&B videos, the video for "Fallin'" was a low-key clip with no dancing. The video opens with a radio playing "Girlfriend", where Keys is sitting at a piano. The plot has Keys traveling to a prison to visit her incarcerated boyfriend.[26] The plot is continued in the video for Keys' next single, "A Woman's Worth", which explores what happens when Keys' boyfriend is released and, with her help, adjusts back to regular life. Keys said in an interview that she was supposed to be the one incarcerated, and her boyfriend was visiting her.

Track listings and formats

  • CD single
  1. "Fallin'" (Radio Edit) – 3:16
  2. "Fallin'" (Album Version) – 3:30
  3. "Fallin'" (Extended Remix, featuring Busta Rhymes and Rampage) – 4:15
  4. "Fallin'" (Remix, w/o Rap) – 3:35
  5. "Fallin'" (Remix Instrumental) – 4:15
  6. "Fallin'" Video
  • Enhanced CD single
  1. "Fallin'" (Radio Version) – 3:16
  2. "Fallin'" (Remix, featuring Busta Rhymes and Rampage) – 4:15
  3. "Rear View Mirror" – 4:03
  4. "Fallin'" Video/Picture Gallery/Lyrics
  • European single
  1. "Fallin'" (Radio Edit) – 3:16
  2. "Fallin'" (Instrumental) – 3:06
  3. "Fallin'" (Call Out Hook) – 0:10
  • Promo sleeve single
  1. "Fallin'" – 3:30
  2. "Fallin'" (Remix, featuring Busta Rhymes and Rampage) – 4:15
  • Promo single
  1. "Fallin'" (Radio Edit) – 3:16
  2. "Fallin'" (Remix, featuring Busta Rhymes and Rampage) – 4:15

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2001) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[27] 7
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[28] 3
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[29] 1
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[30] 3
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[31] 24
Denmark (Tracklisten)[32] 14
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[33] 3
France (SNEP)[34] 5
Germany (Official German Charts)[35] 2
Ireland (IRMA)[36] 3
Italy (FIMI)[37] 3
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[38] 1
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[39] 1
Norway (VG-lista)[40] 2
Poland (Polish Singles Chart)[41] 4
Portugal (Portuguese Singles Chart)[42] 3
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[43] 6
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[44] 6
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[45] 7
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[46] 2
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[47] 3
US Billboard Hot 100[48] 1
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[49] 24
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[50] 14
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[51] 1
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[52] 1
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[53] 2
Chart (2012) Peak
position
South Korea International Singles (Gaon)[54] 161

Year-end charts

Chart (2001) Position
Australian Singles Chart[55] 52
Austrian Singles Chart[56] 20
Belgian Singles Chart (Flanders)[57] 14
Belgian Singles Chart (Wallonia)[58] 26
Dutch Singles Chart[59] 3
French Singles Chart[60] 87
German Singles Chart[61] 12
New Zealand Singles Chart[62] 21
Swedish Singles Chart[63] 21
Swiss Singles Chart[64] 10
UK Singles Chart[65] 54
US Billboard Hot 100[66] 2
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[67] 9
Chart (2002) Position
French Singles Chart[68] 35
Swiss Singles Chart[69] 36

Decade-end charts

Chart (2000–09) Position
Dutch Top 40[70] 94
Dutch Single Top 100[71] 21
US Billboard Hot 100[72] 29

Certifications

Country Certification
Australia[73] Platinum
Austria[74] Gold
Belgium[75] Platinum
France[76] Gold
Germany[77] Gold
Netherlands[78] Platinum
New Zealand[79] Platinum
Norway[80] Platinum
Sweden[81] Platinum
Switzerland[82] Platinum
United Kingdom[83] Gold
United States[84] Gold

See also

References

  1. ↑ Adams, Cameron (2008-12-18). "Alicia Keys lights up Rod Laver Arena". Herald Sun. The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
  2. ↑ "Billboard – Music Charts, Music News, Artist Photo Gallery & Free Video". Billboard.
  3. ↑ "Songs in A Minor – Alicia Keys". Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2011-07-10.
  4. ↑ "Newcomer Alicia Keys Chooses 'Songs In A Minor". Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2011-07-10.
  5. 1 2 3 "Alicia Keys – Fallin' Sheet Music (Digital Download)". Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  6. ↑ "NME Reviews - Alicia Keys : Fallin - NME.COM". NME.COM. 12 September 2005.
  7. ↑ "Songs in A Minor Review". Entertainment Weekly. Entertainment Weekly. 2001-07-09. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  8. ↑ Hilburn, Robert (2001-06-24). "From Pop to Neo-Soul, Alicia Keys Impresses – Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  9. ↑ "NME Album Reviews – Alicia Keys : Song In A Minor – NME.COM". NME. IPC Media. 2001-07-25. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  10. ↑ "Alicia Keys: Song in A Minor". PopMatters. PopMatters.com. 2001-07-25. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  11. ↑ "Songs in A Minor by Alicia Keys". Rolling Stone. Rolling Stone. 2001-06-25. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  12. ↑ "Songs in A Minor by Alicia Keys". Slant Magazine. 2001-07-16. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  13. ↑ Gundersen, Edna (2001-06-12). "Travis, made manifest R&B's Alicia Keys hits all the right ones". USA Today. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  14. ↑ Price, Simon (2002-10-27). "Alicia Keys, Nottingham Arena The Polyphonic Spree, Manchester University Sparks, Royal Festival Hall, London". The Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
  15. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Songs in A Minor > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
  16. ↑ "Robert Christgau: Pazz & Jop 2001: Critics Poll". robertchristgau.com.
  17. ↑ Anderson, Kyle (29 September 2011). "U2, Rihanna, Amy Winehouse, Foo Fighters fill out VH1's '100 Greatest Songs of the '00s'". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved 11 October 2011.
  18. ↑ "The 25 Best Alicia Keys Songs". Complex. Nov 13, 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  19. ↑ "100 songs that defined the Noughties". Telegraph.co.uk. 18 September 2009.
  20. ↑ "100 Best Songs of the Decade: Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. RealNetworks, Inc. Retrieved 2009-12-25.
  21. ↑ The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born: 51–100 Archived July 13, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  22. ↑ "The 25 Greatest Love Songs of the 2000s". Nerve.
  23. ↑ "Fallin' – Alicia Keys". Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2011-07-10.
  24. ↑ "Billboard.com – Year End Chart – Year-end Singles – The Billboard Hot 100". Nielsen Business Media. Archived from the original on May 14, 2009. Retrieved 2011-07-10.
  25. ↑ "Past Winners Search". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 2011-07-10.
  26. ↑ Neal, Mark Anthony. "Song in A Minor: A Major Debut". PopMatters. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
  27. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Alicia Keys – Fallin'". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  28. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Alicia Keys – Fallin'" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  29. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Alicia Keys – Fallin'" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  30. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Alicia Keys – Fallin'" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  31. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Alicia Keys. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  32. ↑ "Danishcharts.com – Alicia Keys – Fallin'". Tracklisten. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  33. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Chart history" European Hot 100 for Alicia Keys. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  34. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Alicia Keys – Fallin'" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  35. ↑ "Musicline.de – Alicia Keys Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  36. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 44, 2001". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  37. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – Alicia Keys – Fallin'". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  38. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Alicia Keys search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  39. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Alicia Keys – Fallin'". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  40. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Alicia Keys – Fallin'". VG-lista. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  41. ↑ "Nielsen Music Control". Archived from the original on 2007-06-25.
  42. ↑ "Top40-charts.com". Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  43. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2001-11-04". Scottish Singles Top 40. Retrieved 2015-06-29.
  44. ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – Alicia Keys – Fallin'" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  45. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Alicia Keys – Fallin'". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  46. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Alicia Keys – Fallin'". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  47. ↑ "Alicia Keys: Artist Chart History" Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  48. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Alicia Keys. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  49. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Chart history" Billboard Adult Contemporary for Alicia Keys. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  50. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Chart history" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for Alicia Keys. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  51. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Alicia Keys. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  52. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Chart history" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Alicia Keys. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  53. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Chart history" Billboard Rhythmic Songs for Alicia Keys. Retrieved 2015-06-25.
  54. ↑ "South Korea Gaon International Chart (Week: February 12, 2012 to February 18, 2012)". Gaon Chart. January 5, 2013. Archived from the original on December 19, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
  55. ↑ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2001". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on August 8, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  56. ↑ "Jahreshitparade 2001". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  57. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 2001". Ultratop (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Archived from the original on August 1, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  58. ↑ "Rapports Annuels 2001". Ultratop (in French). Hung Medien. Archived from the original on August 1, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  59. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Jaaroverzichten – Single 2001" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Archived from the original on February 8, 2015. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  60. ↑ "Classement Singles – année 2001". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (in French). Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  61. ↑ List of best-selling singles of 2001 (Germany)
  62. ↑ "RIANZ Annual Top 50 Albums Chart 2001". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Archived from the original on September 15, 2008. Retrieved May 17, 2009. Note: The reader must select "2001" → Singles".
  63. ↑ "Årslista Singlar – År 2008". Swedish Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  64. ↑ "Swiss Year-End Charts 2001". Media Control. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on December 21, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  65. ↑ "UK Year-End Charts 2001" (PDF). The Official Charts Company. ChartsPlus. Retrieved May 3, 2009.
  66. ↑ "2001 Year End Charts – The Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Archived from the original on October 20, 2006. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
  67. ↑ "2001 Year End Charts – Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  68. ↑ "Classement Singles – année 2002" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  69. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2002". Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
  70. ↑ "Top 100 – Decenniumlijst: 00's". Dutch Top 40 (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  71. ↑ "Dutchchart.nl – Decennium Charts – Singles 2000–2009". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 14, 2011.
  72. ↑ "Decade End Charts – Hot 100 Songs". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
  73. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2001 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on February 5, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  74. ↑ "IFPI Austria – Gold & Platin" (in German). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. January 8, 2002. Archived from the original on February 1, 2010. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  75. ↑ "Gold and platinum certifications – Singles – 2002". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Hung Medien. January 7, 2002. Retrieved May 3, 2009.
  76. ↑ "Certifications Singles Or – année 2002" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. April 10, 2002. Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  77. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Alicia+Keys; 'Fallin')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  78. ↑ "Goud/Platina" (in Dutch). NVPI. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  79. ↑ "New Zealand Top 50 Singles". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Archived from the original on March 9, 2009. Retrieved February 15, 2009. Note: The reader must select "Chart #1285 – Sunday 11 November 2001".
  80. ↑ "Salgstroféer" (in Norwegian). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on June 26, 2006. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  81. ↑ "IFPI Sweden – Guld & Platina – År 2001" (PDF) (in Swedish). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. December 14, 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 25, 2011. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  82. ↑ "Swiss Certifications – Awards 2001". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on February 21, 2009. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  83. ↑ "Certified Awards". bpi.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2013-09-21.
  84. ↑ "RIAA – Gold & Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America. March 31, 2006. Retrieved February 15, 2009.

External links

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