Fall on Me (R.E.M. song)
"Fall on Me" | ||||
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Single by R.E.M. | ||||
from the album Lifes Rich Pageant | ||||
B-side | "Rotary Ten" | |||
Released | August 1986 | |||
Recorded | 1986 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 2:50 | |||
Label | I.R.S. | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Don Gehman | |||
R.E.M. singles chronology | ||||
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"Fall on Me" is a song by the American alternative rock band R.E.M. from their fourth album Lifes Rich Pageant (1986). It was the first of two singles released from that LP. It peaked at number 94 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was one of the band's early compositions about environmentalism, discussing acid rain. It also transitioned from their murky lyrics and jangling guitar of their first three albums to a more accessible sound influenced by producer Don Gehman.
Meaning and origin
Though R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe once described the song as "pretty much a song about oppression," the subject of the song was initially about acid rain and its effects on the environment, hence the first line of the chorus, "Don't fall on me."[2]
When it first appeared during live concerts in 1985, the song had a different melody which had been entirely rewritten by the time of its recording for Lifes Rich Pageant. The counter-melody in the second verse is actually the song's original tune and features the original acid rain inspired lyrics.[3]
In an interview with David Fricke, singer Michael Stipe commented that the finished version of the song "is not about acid rain. It's a general oppression song about the fact that there are a lot of causes out there that need a song that says, 'Don't smash us.' And specifically, there are references to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the guy dropping weights and feathers."[4]
In audience patter prior to a performance of the song on
The song is something of a duet between Stipe and Mike Mills, with the two of them sharing vocals prominently during the bridge and chorus. Mills takes lead vocals for the bridge. Later in the song, the pair are joined by Bill Berry's vocals in the chorus with the words "it's gonna fall".
Reception
Billboard said it is "hum-worthy and top 40-compatible, though the subliminal stuff is here, too."[5]
Music video
Stipe filmed and directed the video for this song, in which the lyrics are seen superimposed over upside-down, black-and-white footage of a quarry and various pieces of abandoned equipment. Towards the end of the second verse, he misspelled the word 'Foresight'.
Track listing
All songs written by Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Michael Stipe unless otherwise indicated.
- "Fall on Me" – 2:50
- "Rotary Ten" – 1:58
UK 12"
- "Fall on Me" – 2:50
- "Rotary Ten" – 1:58
- "Toys in the Attic" (Aerosmith cover; Steven Tyler & Joe Perry) – 2:26
The
Charts
Chart (1986) | Peak position |
---|---|
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 94[6] |
U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks
|
5[6] |
Cover versions
The
References
- ^ R.E.M.Hq: Albums Archived February 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ISBN 1-85868-373-4.
- ISBN 0-85112-584-0.
- ISBN 0-87930-776-5.
- ^ "Reviews". Billboard. August 30, 1986. p. 83. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ a b "Fall On Me – R.E.M. Awards". Allmusic. AllMusic, a division of All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
- ^ Song of the Day: Furthermore, “Fall on Me” (R.E.M. cover) » Cover Me
- ^ "Bandcamp: The Georgia E.P."