Falling (Alison Moyet song)

"Falling" is a song by the British singer-songwriter Alison Moyet, released in 1993 as the lead single from her fourth studio album Essex. It was written by Moyet and Pete Glenister, and produced by Ian Broudie.

"Falling"
Single by Alison Moyet
from the album Essex
B-side"Ode to Boy"
Released4 October 1993
GenrePop, rock
Length3:37
LabelColumbia Records
Songwriter(s)Alison Moyet, Pete Glenister
Producer(s)Ian Broudie
Alison Moyet singles chronology
"Hoodoo"
(1991)		 "Falling"
(1993)		 "Whispering Your Name"
(1994)

A music video was filmed to promote the single,[1] which was directed by The Douglas Brothers.[2]

Background

The Essex album was originally rejected by Columbia, who insisted that it be re-recorded to create a more commercial package. Ian Broudie was hired to produce the re-recorded tracks. "Falling" was released in October 1993, almost half a year before the album's release.[2] However, the song failed to live up to the label's expectations after it did not enter the UK Top 40, peaking at No. 42.[3] In response, "Whispering Your Name", was remixed to become an upbeat dance for release as the following single in early 1994.[4]

Release

"Falling" was released by Columbia on 7" vinyl, cassette and CD. It was released in the UK and across Europe, as well as Australia and the United States.[5] The b-side, "Ode to Boy", was taken from Essex and is a re-recording of the Moyet-penned song originally recorded by Yazoo.[6] Most CD editions of the single included a third track; "Falling (Infinite Dub)", a remix produced by The Infinite Wheel.[7] The CD version of the single released in the States included a fourth track; an acoustic version of "It Won't Be Long".[8]

Critical reception

Upon release, Billboard commented: "Second pearl from Moyet's Essex collection is a rumbling, acoustic guitar-framed rock ditty. Her distinctive, smoky voice has rarely sounded this endearing, and the tune is among her best compositions to date. Modern rock programmers should take heed."[9] Music & Media commented: "The striking mix of folk pop and dance sounds like a winning combination for radio."[10]

William Ruhlmann of AllMusic described the song as having a "Revolver-era Beatles sound".[11] Adrian Janes of Penny Black Music noted: "...for the most part [Essex] certainly has, at least instrumentally, the kind of bright energy expected in an Ian Broudie production, whether the jaunty folk feel of "Falling" or the dynamic "Lust for Life" rhythm of "So Am I"."[12] Helena Adams of Reflections of Darkness commented: "Essex starts good through "Falling," a piece that invites to sing along, with commonplace arrangements which nonetheless work to provide an upbeat sensation founded by New Wave."[13]

Formats
7" single
  1. "Falling" - 3:37
  2. "Ode to Boy" - 2:52
Cassette single
  1. "Falling" - 3:38
  2. "Ode to Boy" - 2:52
CD single
  1. "Falling" - 3:38
  2. "Ode to Boy" - 2:52
  3. "Falling (Infinite Dub)" - 8:08
CD Single (UK promo)
  1. "Falling" - 3:37
CD Single (Alternative European release)
  1. "Falling" - 3:37
  2. "Ode to Boy" - 2:52
CD Single (American release)
  1. "Falling" - 3:37
  2. "Ode to Boy" - 2:52
  3. "Falling (Infinite Dub)" - 8:07
  4. "It Won't Be Long (Acoustic)" - 4:01

Chart performance
Chart (1993) Peak
position
UK Singles Chart[3] 42

Personnel
  • Alison Moyet - lead vocals, backing vocals, backing vocal arrangement, tambourine on "Ode to Boy"
  • Ian Broudie, Simon Rogers - guitars on "Falling"
  • Pete Glenister, Christian Mars - guitars on "Ode to Boy"
  • Andy Coughlan - bass on "Ode to Boy"
  • Tony Riley - drums on "Ode to Boy"
  • David Ballard - bongos on "Ode to Boy"
Production
  • Ian Broudie - producer on "Falling"
  • Simon Rogers - programming on "Falling"
  • Cenzo Townshend - engineer on "Falling"
  • David Leonard - mixing on "Falling"
  • The Infinite Wheel - remix and additional production on "Falling (Infinite Dub)"
  • Pete Glenister - producer on "Ode to Boy"
  • Neil Brockbank, Vic Van Vugt - engineer on "Ode to Boy"
  • Alan Winstanley - mixing on "Ode to Boy"
Other

References
  1. Published on Dec 20, 2010 (20 December 2010). "Alison Moyet - Falling". YouTube. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  2. Essex - 2016 deluxe edition CD booklet liner notes
  3. "ALISON MOYET | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  4. "Essex | Alisonmoyet.com – The Official Alison Moyet Site". Alisonmoyet.com. 5 April 2010. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  5. "Alison Moyet - Falling at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  6. "Yazoo - You And Me Both at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  7. "Alison Moyet - Falling (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 4 October 1993. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  8. "Alison Moyet - Falling (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  9. Billboard magazine - Singles reviews - 28 May 1994 - page 51
  10. "New Releases: Singles". Music & Media. 16 October 1993.
  11. AllMusic Review by William Ruhlmann (22 March 1994). "Essex - Alison Moyet | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  12. "Alison Moyet - Profile". Pennyblackmusic.co.uk. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  13. "Music Magazine - CD Review: Alison Moyet - Essex (Deluxe Edition)". Reflections of Darkness. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
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