Fallin'

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
 This article needs additional citations for verification.
Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2009)
"Fallin'"
Single by Alicia Keys
from the album Songs in A Minor
Released June 5, 2001 (2001-06-05)
Format CD single, 12" single
Recorded 1998; KrucialKeys Studios
(New York City, New York)
Genre R&B, soul
Length 3:30 (album version)
3:16 (radio edit)
Label J
Writer(s) Alicia Keys
Producer Alicia Keys
Certification (see certifications)
Alicia Keys singles chronology
"Fallin'"
(2001)		 "A Woman's Worth"
(2002)
Songs in A Minor track listing
"How Come You Don't Call Me"
(3)		 "Fallin'"
(4)		 "Troubles"
(5)
from the album Unplugged
Length 5:10
Label J
"Stolen Moments"
(14)		 "Fallin'"
(15)		 "Love It or Leave It Alone/Welcome to Jamrock"
(16)

"Fallin'" is a song recorded, written, and produced by American R&B-soul singer–songwriter Alicia Keys for her debut album, Songs in A Minor (2001). Released to radio and music video outlets in 2001, it is generally considered her signature song.[1] "Fallin'" became Keys' first number-one single in the United States and her first top five hit in several countries. It is also Keys' second biggest single to date after 2007's "No One". The song won three Grammy Awards in 2002, including Song of the Year.

Contents

[edit] Background
"Fallin" (2001)
Often considered her signature song, "Fallin'" describes the "ins and outs" of being in a relationship.
Problems listening to this file? See media help.

Keys described the song as being a strong representative of who she was as an artist. She explained that the song was about the "ins and outs" of being in a relationship. She went on to say, "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."[2]

Although it is regarded as Keys' signature song, it almost did not become her single. Before she joined J Records, Keys had signed a recording contract with Sony's Columbia Records. Sony felt that Keys should sing more mainstream-accessible material written by others, while she insisted upon recording her own compositions. As a result, Keys' recording career remained in limbo for two years. Bored and with free time on her hands because of Sony's lack of interest in her, Keys decided to put her time to good use and began to write a song. Instantly, arpeggios hit her, and she became inspired with the chords that would define "Fallin'". She quickly composed lyrics basing the tune on the emotions she faced during one of her first serious romantic relationships.

As Keys was still in artistic limbo, the song was originally not meant for her; Sony intended to have Kim Scott, a child prodigy signed to their label, record "Fallin'". Keys became uneasy over the matter, as she wanted to record the song herself, but could not because Sony was not focusing on her career. At first Keys had surrendered the piece to Scott willingly, but later changed her mind, and Scott did not record it. Clive Davis, a former Columbia executive then at Arista Records, heard about Keys and was impressed with her artistry. After Davis started a label of his own, J Records, he bought out Keys' Sony contract and signed her to his label.

Once at J Records, Keys began working on her debut album, Songs in A Minor. Unlike Sony, J Records did not mind Keys recording her own compositions, and encouraged her to do so. When it was time for a first single to be chosen, "Girlfriend", a song Keys had worked on with Jermaine Dupri while at Columbia, was considered, but Keys and other executives agreed that "Fallin'" would be the best choice.

[edit] Music and structure

"Fallin'" is a gospel-influenced song.[3] It begins with piano and basic drum programming, then proportionally builds up to a crescendo.[4] The record also features a violin performance of the pizzicato and legato strings by Miri Ben-Ari. Keys' collaborator Kerry "Krucial" Brothers provides the song's digital programming. The song samples 1966's "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" by James Brown.[5]

[edit] Reception and chart performance

The received generally positive reviews from critics. Barry Walters of Rolling Stone compared Keys performance in the song to an Aretha Franklin vibe.[6] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine complimented Keys' voice, saying it was a "restrained vocal that never permeates the track's tight arrangement".[4] Christian Ward of NME alluded to the song being emotional, saying it will make the listener "weep 'til you're a dribbling, snotty wreck".[7] Simon Price of The Independent called the song Keys' breakthrough song.[8] 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".[9] The song was listed at number four hundred and thirteen on Blender magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born[10] and at number four in The Village Voice's 2001 Pazz & Jop critics' poll.[11] "Fallin'" was banned from many Australian Idol auditions due to its popularity.[1]

"Fallin'" was released in April 2001 as Keys' debut single, amidst considerable promotion and praise from Davis and J Records. "Fallin'" peaked at number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts and remained there for six and four weeks, respectively.[12][13] It also reached the top position in the Netherlands, Belgium, and New Zealand as well as the top five in the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, and Ireland and the top ten in Sweden and Australia. A remix of the song, featuring Busta Rhymes and Rampage from the Flipmode Squad (also at that time signed to J Records), included on the British edition of her album, reimagines the song as a hip hop-flavored dance song. Since its release, "Fallin'" has become a popular standard for contestants in the reality television series American Idol.

[edit] Awards

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 Song of the Year, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, and Best R&B Song (Record of the Year was awarded to U2's "Walk On").

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.

[edit] Music video

The music video for "Fallin'", directed by Chris Robinson. Unlike most other contemporary R&B videos, the video for "Fallin'" was a low-key clip with no dancing.[citation needed] 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.[5] 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.

[edit] Track listing

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

[edit] Personnel

[edit] Musicians

  • Alicia Keys – lead vocals, backing vocals, all instruments (except for violin)
  • Miri Ben-Ari – violin
  • Cindy Mizelle – backing vocals
  • Tammy Saunders – backing vocals
  • Andricka Hall – backing vocals

[edit] Production

[edit] Charts

Chart (2001) Peak
position
Australian ARIA Singles Chart[14] 7
Ö3 Austria Top 40[14] 3
Belgian Ultratop 50 Singles (Flanders)[14] 1
Belgian Ultratop 40 Singles (Wallonia)[14] 3
Canadian Singles Chart[15] 24
Dutch Top 40[16] 1
Eurochart Hot 100 Singles[17] 3
German Singles Chart[18] 2
Irish Singles Chart[19] 3
Italian FIMI Singles Chart[14] 3
New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart[14] 1
Chart (2001) Peak
position
Swedish Singles Chart[14] 7
Swiss Singles Chart[14] 2
UK Singles Chart[20] 3
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[15] 1
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[15] 1
Chart (2002) Peak
position
Danish Singles Chart[14] 14
French SNEP Singles Chart[14] 5
Norwegian Singles Chart[14] 2
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary[15] 24

[edit] Year-end charts

Year Chart Position
2001 Australian ARIA Singles Chart[21] 52
Ö3 Austria Top 40[22] 20
Belgian Ultratop 50 Singles (Flanders)[23] 14
Belgian Ultratop 40 Singles (Wallonia)[24] 26
2002 French SNEP Singles Chart[25] 35
2001 German Singles Chart[26] 13
New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart[27] 21
Swiss Singles Chart[28] 10
UK Albums Chart[29] 54
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[30] 2
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[31] 9

[edit] Certifications

Country Certifier Certification Sales
Australia ARIA Platinum[32] 70,000
Austria IFPI Gold[33] 15,000
Belgium Platinum[34] 50,000
France SNEP Gold[35] 323,000[36]
Germany IFPI Gold[37] 150,000
Netherlands NVPI Platinum[38] 50,000
New Zealand RIANZ Platinum[39] 7,500
Norway IFPI Platinum[40] 10,000
Sweden Platinum[41] 20,000
Switzerland Platinum[42] 40,000
United States RIAA Gold[43] 500,000

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Adams, Cameron (2008-12-18). "Alicia Keys lights up Rod Laver Arena". Herald Sun. The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24817023-5006024,00.html. Retrieved on 2009-03-08. 
  2. ^ "Hot Product". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. 2006-06-11. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=915447. Retrieved on 2009-03-08. 
  3. ^ Price, Sheila (2001-10-30). "Alicia Keys - Songs in A Minor - Reviews - CD". MTV Asia. http://www.mtvasia.com/Review/CD/C2001103001.html. Retrieved on 2009-03-08. 
  4. ^ a b Cinquemani, Sal (2001-07-16). "Slant Magazine Music Review: Alicia Keys: Songs in A Minor". Slant Magazine. http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=107. Retrieved on 2009-03-08. 
  5. ^ a b Neal, Mark Anthony. "Song in A Minor: A Major Debut". PopMatters. http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/keysalicia-songs/. Retrieved on 2009-03-08. 
  6. ^ Walters, Barry (2001-06-25). "Alicia Keys: Songs in A Minor - Music Reviews". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/aliciakeys/albums/album/285564/review/5944858. Retrieved on 2009-03-08. 
  7. ^ Ward, Christian (2001-08-10). "Alicia Keys - Songs In A Minor - J Records". NME. Time. http://www.nme.com/reviews/alicia-keys/5559. Retrieved on 2009-03-08. 
  8. ^ Price, Simon (2002-10-27). "Alicia Keys, Nottingham Arena The Polyphonic Spree, Manchester University Sparks, Royal Festival Hall, London". The Independent. Independent News & Media. http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/alicia-keys-nottingham-arenabrthe-polyphonic-spree-manchester-universitybrsparks-royal-festival-hall-london-615146.html. Retrieved on 2009-03-08. 
  9. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Songs in A Minor - Overview". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:0aogtq2zpu44. Retrieved on 2009-03-08. 
  10. ^ The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born – Blender
  11. ^ The 2001 Pazz & Jop Critics Poll
  12. ^ Martens, Todd (2001-12-04). "Alicia Keys' U.S. Tour Bows Jan. 22". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1148403. Retrieved on 2008-11-09. 
  13. ^ Bronson, Fred (2008-01-31). "Chart Beat". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003705056. Retrieved on 2009-03-08. 
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Alicia Keys – Fallin' – swisscharts.com". SwissCharts.com. http://swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Alicia+Keys&titel=Fallin%27&cat=s. Retrieved on 2008-02-22. 
  15. ^ a b c d "Songs in A Minor > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". Allmusic. http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fzfexqt0ldje~T31. Retrieved on 2008-02-22. 
  16. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 36 – 2001" (in Dutch). Top 40. http://www.top40.nl/index.aspx?week=36&jaar=2001. Retrieved on 2008-04-08. 
  17. ^ "European Top 20 Singles Chart – Week Commencing 15th October 2001" (PDF). Music & Media. http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20020221-0000/www.aria.com.au/issue607.pdf. Retrieved on 2008-10-19. 
  18. ^ "Musicline.de – Alicia Keys – Fallin'" (in German). Musicline.de. http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/title/Keys%2C+Alicia/Fallin%2527/single. Retrieved on 2008-07-21. 
  19. ^ "Irish Top 50 Singles, Week Ending 1 November 2001". Chart-Track. http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240001&arch=t&lyr=2001&year=2001&week=44. Retrieved on 2008-10-14. 
  20. ^ "Chart Stats – Alicia Keys – Fallin'". Chart Stats. http://www.chartstats.com/songinfo.php?id=29477. Retrieved on 2008-07-21. 
  21. ^ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2001". ARIA. http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2001.htm. Retrieved on 2009-02-15. 
  22. ^ "Jahreshitparade 2001 – austriancharts.at" (in German). AustrianCharts.at. http://austriancharts.at/2001_single.asp. Retrieved on 2009-02-15. 
  23. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2001 (Flanders)" (in Dutch). Ultratop. http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2001. Retrieved on 2009-02-15. 
  24. ^ "Rapports Annuels 2001 (Wallonia)" (in French). Ultratop. http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2001. Retrieved on 2009-02-15. 
  25. ^ "Classement Singles – année 2002" (in French). SNEP. http://www.disqueenfrance.com/fr/monopage.xml?id=259376&year=2002. Retrieved on 2009-02-15. 
  26. ^ "German Top 20 – The Chart Of 2001". Infinity Disco Zone. http://ki.informatik.uni-wuerzburg.de/~topsi/deu2001/deu_2001t.html. Retrieved on 2009-02-15. 
  27. ^ "RIANZ Annual Top 50 Albums Chart 2001 (see "2001 – Singles")". RIANZ. http://www.rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart_annual.asp. Retrieved on 2009-05-17. 
  28. ^ "Swiss Year-End Charts 2001". SwissCharts.com. http://swisscharts.com/year.asp?key=2001. Retrieved on 2009-02-15. 
  29. ^ "UK Year-End Charts 2001" (PDF). ChartsPlus. http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2001.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-05-03. 
  30. ^ "The Billboard Hot 100 (Year-End)". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=411&cfgn=Year-end+Singles&cfn=The+Billboard+Hot+100&ci=3077204&cdi=9011888&cid=12%2F31%2F2001. Retrieved on 2009-02-15. 
  31. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Year-End)". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=416&cfgn=Year-end+Singles&cfn=Hot+R%26amp%3BB%2FHip-Hop+Songs&ci=3077414&cdi=9022024&cid=12%2F31%2F2001. Retrieved on 2009-02-15. 
  32. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2001 Singles". ARIA. http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-singles-2001.htm. Retrieved on 2009-02-15. 
  33. ^ "IFPI Austria – Gold & Platin Datenbank" (in German). IFPI. January 8, 2002. http://www.ifpi.at/?section=goldplatin. Retrieved on 2009-02-15. 
  34. ^ "Ultratop – Goud en platina – Singles – 2002" (in Dutch). Ultratop. January 7, 2002. http://www.ultratop.be/nl/certifications.asp?year=2002. Retrieved on 2009-05-03. 
  35. ^ "Certifications Singles Or – année 2002" (in French). SNEP. April 10, 2002. http://www.disqueenfrance.com/fr/monopage.xml?id=259165&year=2002&type=7. Retrieved on 2009-02-15. 
  36. ^ "Les Certifications (Singles) du SNEP (see "KEYS A.")" (in French). InfoDisc. http://www.infodisc.fr/Single_Certif.php. Retrieved on 2009-05-17. 
  37. ^ "Gold/Platin-Datenbank" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. http://www.musikindustrie.de/gold_platin_datenbank.html. Retrieved on 2009-02-15. 
  38. ^ "NVPI – Goud/Platina" (in Dutch). NVPI. http://www.nvpi.nl/nvpi/pagina.asp?pagkey=61112&documentid=1237854&zoekform=60463&formposted=yes. Retrieved on 2009-02-15. 
  39. ^ "New Zealand Top 50 Singles (see "Chart #1285 – Sunday 11 November 2001")". RIANZ. http://www.rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart.asp. Retrieved on 2009-02-15. 
  40. ^ "IFPI Norsk – Salgstrofeer" (in Norwegian). IFPI. http://www.ifpi.no/sok/index_trofe.htm. Retrieved on 2009-02-15. 
  41. ^ "IFPI Sweden – Guld & Platina – År 2001" (in Swedish) (PDF). IFPI. December 14, 2001. http://www.ifpi.se/wp/wp-content/uploads/ar-20013.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-02-15. 
  42. ^ "Swiss Certifications – Awards 2001". SwissCharts.com. http://swisscharts.com/awards.asp?year=2001. Retrieved on 2009-02-15. 
  43. ^ "RIAA – Gold & Platinum". RIAA. March 31, 2006. http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&title=Fallin&artist=Alicia%20Keys&perPage=25. Retrieved on 2009-02-15. 
Preceded by
"Bootylicious" by Destiny's Child
"I'm Real" by Jennifer Lopez		 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 number-one single
August 18, 2001 – September 1, 2001
September 29, 2001 – October 13, 2001		 Succeeded by
"I'm Real" by Jennifer Lopez
Preceded by
"Loverboy" by Mariah Carey featuring Cameo		 U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number-one single
August 18, 2001 – September 8, 2001		 Succeeded by
"Where the Party At" by Jagged Edge with Nelly
Preceded by
"Miss California" by Dante Thomas		 Dutch Top 40 number-one single
September 8, 2001 – September 29, 2001		 Succeeded by
"Can't Get You out of My Head" by Kylie Minogue
Preceded by
"Let Me Blow Ya Mind" by Eve featuring Gwen Stefani		 Belgian Ultratop 50 Singles (Flanders) number-one single
September 29, 2001
Preceded by
"Can't Get You out of My Head" by Kylie Minogue
"Too Close" by Blue		 New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart number-one single
November 18, 2001
December 9, 2001 – December 16, 2001		 Succeeded by
"Too Close" by Blue
"Somethin' Stupid" by Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman


v • d • e
Alicia Keys
Studio albums
Other albums
Singles
Other singles
Tours
American Tour · European Tour · Asian/Australian Tour · Verizon Ladies First Tour · European Tour · The Diary Tour · As I Am Tour
Filmography
Related articles
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallin%27"
Personal tools