Fall to Pieces (Velvet Revolver song)
| "Fall to Pieces" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Velvet Revolver | ||||
| from the album Contraband | ||||
| Released | September 13, 2004 | |||
| Recorded | August - December 2003 in Los Angeles, California | |||
| Genre | Hard rock | |||
| Length | 4:30 | |||
| Label | RCA Records | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Velvet Revolver | |||
| Producer(s) | Josh Abraham | |||
| Velvet Revolver singles chronology | ||||
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| Audio sample | ||||
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"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
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
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
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
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
- "Fall to Pieces" - 4:30
- "Surrender" - 4:25
Personnel
- Scott Weiland - lead vocals
- Slash - lead guitar
- Duff McKagan - bass, backing vocals
- Matt Sorum - drums, percussion, backing vocals
- Dave Kushner - rhythm guitar
Charts
| Chart (2004–2005) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA) | 57 |
| Canada Rock Top 30 (Radio & Records) | 1 |
| Germany (Official German Charts) | 89 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 42 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 53 |
| Scotland (OCC) | 33 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 32 |
| UK Rock & Metal (OCC) | 4 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 67 |
| US Mainstream Rock (Billboard) | 1 |
| US Alternative Airplay (Billboard) | 2 |
| US Adult Top 40 (Billboard) | 25 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA) | Gold | 500,000^ |
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^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
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