I Fall to Pieces
Encyclopedia
"I Fall to Pieces" is a single released by Patsy Cline
in 1961, and was featured on her 1961 studio album, Patsy Cline Showcase. "I Fall to Pieces" was Cline's first #1 hit on the Country charts, and her second hit single to cross over onto the Pop charts. It was the first of a string of songs that would be written by Hank Cochran
and Harlan Howard
(not always collaborating) for Cline.
"I Fall to Pieces" became one of Cline's most-recognizable hit singles. It has also been classified as a country music standard.
, and became songwriting partners. One night, Cochran was mulling over song ideas, when he thought of a title, "I Fall to Pieces." Cochran met up with Howard at his house the next day, where they finished writing the song. The demo version of the song was recorded at Pamper Music in Goodlettsville, Tennessee
by Howard's wife and country singer, Jan Howard
. Harlan Howard pitched the song to Decca producer, Owen Bradley
, who tried to find the right artist to record it. The song was turned down numerous times, first by Brenda Lee
, who found the song "too country" for her pop style. Bradley then asked rising country star, Roy Drusky
to record it but he turned it down stating that it's not a man's song. Patsy Cline, who overheard Drusky's argument with Bradley about the song, asked if she could record it instead. Bradley then accepted her offer.
When Cline began recording the song in November 1960, she had second thoughts after she discovered popular Nashville session group, The Jordanaires
would serve as the background vocalists. Cline was afraid the Jordanaires would drown her sound out and as a result, she was not very friendly upon meeting them.
Cline also felt that the Pop ballad style Bradley wanted it recorded in didn't suit her own style. Bradley was trying to make the song appeal to the Pop market, an idea that was not well liked by Cline. She had several arguments with Bradley, however the ending result led to Cline recording it in the style that Bradley wanted it. After listening to the playback of "I Fall to Pieces", she ended up liking the song, stating that she finally found her own identity.
began playing the single. After finding this out, Bradley saw that the song was being fanned by record distibutors across the country. Within four months, momentum was building on both the Country and Pop charts. On April 3, the song debuted on the Billboard Country Chart
and began its ascent.
By August 1961, "I Fall to Pieces" peaked at number one on the Billboard Country Chart. and reached number twelve on the Billboard Pop Chart
. It would be one of several Country-pop crossover hits that Cline was to have over the next couple of years.
Cline was able to prove that a solo female artist could have major hits on both the country and pop charts. That year, she was acclaimed as one of the nation's leading recording artists, along with Jimmy Darren and Bobby Vee
.
However, due to a major car accident in June 1961, Cline was kept in the hospital for two months, which cut into promoting "I Fall to Pieces". Therefore, by the time Cline had left the hospital, "I Fall to Pieces'" popularity began to decrease.
The success of the song helped get Cline a invitation to become a regular cast member the Grand Ole Opry
in Nashville, Tennessee
.
In 1980, the song was re-released and overdubbed on a Patsy Cline compilation album, Always
. The new version contained new instrumentation and new female background vocalists. The song even charted among the Billboard Country Chart that year, peaking at #61. An electronically produced duet of the song with deceased country star, Jim Reeves
was released in 1982, and charted at #54 on the Billboard Country Chart.
In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked "I Fall to Pieces" at #238 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
The song was also ranked at #7 on CMT
's television special of the 100 Greatest Songs in Country Music. Another Patsy Cline song, "Crazy" was ranked four positions higher at #3 on the countdown.
It was also ranked at #107 on RIAA's list of the Songs of the Century
.
Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline , born Virginia Patterson Hensley in Gore, Virginia, was an American country music singer who enjoyed pop music crossover success during the era of the Nashville sound in the early 1960s...
in 1961, and was featured on her 1961 studio album, Patsy Cline Showcase. "I Fall to Pieces" was Cline's first #1 hit on the Country charts, and her second hit single to cross over onto the Pop charts. It was the first of a string of songs that would be written by Hank Cochran
Hank Cochran
Garland Perry "Hank" Cochran was an American country music singer and songwriter. Starting during the 1960s, Cochran was a prolific songwriter in the genre, including major hits by Patsy Cline, Ray Price, Eddy Arnold and others...
and Harlan Howard
Harlan Howard
Harlan Perry Howard was a prolific American songwriter, principally in country music. In a career spanning six decades, Howard wrote a large number of popular and enduring songs, recorded by a variety of different artists...
(not always collaborating) for Cline.
"I Fall to Pieces" became one of Cline's most-recognizable hit singles. It has also been classified as a country music standard.
Writing and recording
Hank Cochran and Harlan Howard met in CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, and became songwriting partners. One night, Cochran was mulling over song ideas, when he thought of a title, "I Fall to Pieces." Cochran met up with Howard at his house the next day, where they finished writing the song. The demo version of the song was recorded at Pamper Music in Goodlettsville, Tennessee
Goodlettsville, Tennessee
Goodlettsville is a city in Davidson and Sumner counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee. Goodlettsville was incorporated as a city in 1958 with a population of just over 3,000 residents; at the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 13,780. Goodlettsville chose to remain autonomous in 1963...
by Howard's wife and country singer, Jan Howard
Jan Howard
Lula Grace Johnson , known professionally as Jan Howard, is an American country music singer and Grand Ole Opry star. She attained moderate success as a country female vocalist during the 1960s and early 1970s...
. Harlan Howard pitched the song to Decca producer, Owen Bradley
Owen Bradley
Owen Bradley was an American record producer who, along with Chet Atkins and Bob Ferguson, was one of the chief architects of the 1950s and 1960s Nashville sound in country music and rockabilly.-Before the fame:...
, who tried to find the right artist to record it. The song was turned down numerous times, first by Brenda Lee
Brenda Lee
Brenda Mae Tarpley , known as Brenda Lee, is an American performer who sang rockabilly, pop and country music, and had 37 US chart hits during the 1960s, a number surpassed only by Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Ray Charles and Connie Francis...
, who found the song "too country" for her pop style. Bradley then asked rising country star, Roy Drusky
Roy Drusky
Roy Frank Drusky Jr., was an American country music singer popular from the 1960s through the early 1970s. Known for his baritone voice, he was known for incorporating the Nashville sound. His highest-charting single was the No. 1 "Yes Mr. Peters", a duet with Priscilla Mitchell.-Early life and...
to record it but he turned it down stating that it's not a man's song. Patsy Cline, who overheard Drusky's argument with Bradley about the song, asked if she could record it instead. Bradley then accepted her offer.
When Cline began recording the song in November 1960, she had second thoughts after she discovered popular Nashville session group, The Jordanaires
The Jordanaires
The Jordanaires are an American vocal quartet, which formed as a gospel group in 1948. They are best known for providing vocal background for Elvis Presley, in live appearances and recordings from 1956 to 1972...
would serve as the background vocalists. Cline was afraid the Jordanaires would drown her sound out and as a result, she was not very friendly upon meeting them.
Cline also felt that the Pop ballad style Bradley wanted it recorded in didn't suit her own style. Bradley was trying to make the song appeal to the Pop market, an idea that was not well liked by Cline. She had several arguments with Bradley, however the ending result led to Cline recording it in the style that Bradley wanted it. After listening to the playback of "I Fall to Pieces", she ended up liking the song, stating that she finally found her own identity.
Structure and lyrics
"I Fall to Pieces" is a country-pop ballad about how a woman's lover doesn't want them to be together, yet the woman can't understand why, explaining that every time he walks by she "falls to pieces." The beginning of the song sets up the entire story of the song:-
- "I fall to pieces,
- Each time I see you again
- I fall to pieces
- How can I be just your friend?"
Reception
"I Fall to Pieces" was released 30 January 1961. Upon its release, it was virtually ignored by radio stations. However, Hal Smith of Pamper Music, who had faith in the song's songwriters hired a promotion man, Pat Nelson to promote the single. Nelson's strategy was to attempt to explain to DJs that "I Fall to Pieces" was a departure from any of Cline's previous singles. Soon a Pop radio station in Columbus, OhioColumbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
began playing the single. After finding this out, Bradley saw that the song was being fanned by record distibutors across the country. Within four months, momentum was building on both the Country and Pop charts. On April 3, the song debuted on the Billboard Country Chart
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
and began its ascent.
By August 1961, "I Fall to Pieces" peaked at number one on the Billboard Country Chart. and reached number twelve on the Billboard Pop Chart
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. It would be one of several Country-pop crossover hits that Cline was to have over the next couple of years.
Cline was able to prove that a solo female artist could have major hits on both the country and pop charts. That year, she was acclaimed as one of the nation's leading recording artists, along with Jimmy Darren and Bobby Vee
Bobby Vee
Robert Thomas Velline , known as Bobby Vee, is an American pop music singer. According to Billboard magazine, Vee has had 38 Hot 100 chart hits, 10 of which hit the Top 20.-Career:...
.
However, due to a major car accident in June 1961, Cline was kept in the hospital for two months, which cut into promoting "I Fall to Pieces". Therefore, by the time Cline had left the hospital, "I Fall to Pieces'" popularity began to decrease.
The success of the song helped get Cline a invitation to become a regular cast member the Grand Ole Opry
Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly country music stage concert in Nashville, Tennessee, that has presented the biggest stars of that genre since 1925. It is also among the longest-running broadcasts in history since its beginnings as a one-hour radio "barn dance" on WSM-AM...
in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
.
In 1980, the song was re-released and overdubbed on a Patsy Cline compilation album, Always
Always (1980 album)
Always is the name of an album released in 1980, promoting some material of legendary Country singer, Patsy Cline's work from the 1960s.The album released an overdub single in 1980 called "Always", which was of course the title track. The song peaked at #18 on the Country charts that year, and...
. The new version contained new instrumentation and new female background vocalists. The song even charted among the Billboard Country Chart that year, peaking at #61. An electronically produced duet of the song with deceased country star, Jim Reeves
Jim Reeves
James Travis Reeves , better known as Jim Reeves, was an American country and popular music singer-songwriter. With records charting from the 1950s to the 1980s, he became well-known for being a practitioner of the Nashville sound...
was released in 1982, and charted at #54 on the Billboard Country Chart.
In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked "I Fall to Pieces" at #238 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
The song was also ranked at #7 on CMT
Country Music Television
Country Music Television, or CMT, is an American country music-oriented cable television network. Programming includes music videos, taped concerts, movies, biographies of country music stars, game shows, and reality programs...
's television special of the 100 Greatest Songs in Country Music. Another Patsy Cline song, "Crazy" was ranked four positions higher at #3 on the countdown.
It was also ranked at #107 on RIAA's list of the Songs of the Century
Songs of the Century
The "Songs of the Century" list is part of an education project by the Recording Industry Association of America , the National Endowment for the Arts, and Scholastic Inc. that aims to "promote a better understanding of America’s musical and cultural heritage" in American schools...
.
Chart performance
| Chart (1961) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot C&W Sides | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 12 |
| U.S. Billboard Easy Listening | 6 |
Cover versions
- Country star `Gentleman' Jim ReevesJim ReevesJames Travis Reeves , better known as Jim Reeves, was an American country and popular music singer-songwriter. With records charting from the 1950s to the 1980s, he became well-known for being a practitioner of the Nashville sound...
also recorded the song in 1961. In 1980, producers Chet Atkins and Owen Bradley lifted their isolated vocal performances off their original stereo tapes, resynchronized them and re-recorded new digital backing tracks for this song as well as Have You Ever Been Lonely?Have You Ever Been Lonely?"Have You Ever Been Lonely?" is a popular song with music by Peter De Rose and lyrics by Billy Hill , published in 1932. It has been recorded by many singers, becoming a standard.**1933 Ted Lewis, Ray Noble**1955 Jaye P...
Both posthumous electronic singles charted in the Billboard Top Ten in the spring of 1981. - Australian singer and actress Patsy Ann NobleTrisha NoblePatricia Ann Ruth "Trisha" Noble is an Australian singer and actress.-Biography:Noble was born in Sydney, Australia. Her father was comedian and singer Buster Noble and her mother was the entertainer Helen De Paul....
recorded the song in 1962. - Diana TraskDiana TraskDiana Trask is an Australian and American country and pop singer born in Melbourne, Australia. She was a popular country singer during the 1970s in the United States and also was a popular star in her native Australia...
recorded the song in 1969 on the album From the Heart. Her version went to #37 on the country music charts. - Linda RonstadtLinda RonstadtLinda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...
recorded the song for her eponymous albumLinda Ronstadt (album)Linda Ronstadt is the third solo album by Linda Ronstadt, released in 1971 on the Capitol Records label. The album peaked at #163 on Billboard's album chart and is considered to be a front-runner in the country rock music genre.-History:...
in 1971. - Michael NesmithMichael NesmithRobert Michael Nesmith is an American musician, songwriter, actor, producer, novelist, businessman, and philanthropist, best known as a member of the musical group The Monkees and star of the TV series of the same name...
and the First National Band covered the song on the 1970 album Loose SaluteLoose SaluteLoose Salute is the second solo album by American singer-songwriter Michael Nesmith during his post-Monkees career. Released by RCA Records in 1970 and dedicated to Tony Richland, it peaked at No...
. - Jazz guitarist Marc RibotMarc RibotMarc Ribot born May 21, 1954) is an American guitarist and composer.His own work has touched on many styles, including no wave, free jazz, and Cuban music. Ribot is also known for collaborating with other musicians, most notably Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, and composer John Zorn.-Biography:Ribot was...
covered the song on the 1992 live album Yo! I Killed Your GodYo! I Killed Your GodYo! I Killed Your God is a concept album by Marc Ribot, recorded live between 1992 and 1994. It was released May 18, 1999 on Tzadik Records.-Reception:...
. - Aaron NevilleAaron NevilleAaron Neville is an American soul and R&B singer and musician. He has had four top-20 hits in the United States along with four platinum-certified albums...
and Trisha YearwoodTrisha YearwoodPatricia Lynn Yearwood, professionally known as Trisha Yearwood , is an American country music artist. She is best known for her ballads about vulnerable young women from a female perspective that have been described by some music critics as "strong" and "confident."Trisha Yearwood signed with MCA...
covered the song on the 1994 album Rhythm, Country and BluesRhythm, Country and Blues-Production:*Produced By Tony Brown & Don Was*Executive Producers: Tony Brown, Al Teller, Kathy Nelson*Recorded, Engineered & Mixed By Bob Clearmountain*Mastered By Doug Sax-Personnel:*Drums: Kenny Aronoff, Ricky Fataar, Curt Bisquera, Paul Leim...
. This version also made the country charts, peaking at #72 with a two-week run. In addition, it won the 1995 Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with VocalsGrammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with VocalsThe Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals was an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to quality country music collaborations for artists who do not normally perform together...
. - Punk band Screeching WeaselScreeching WeaselScreeching Weasel is an American punk rock band originally from Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1986 by Ben Weasel and John Jughead.Since their formation, Screeching Weasel have broken up and reformed numerous times with numerous line-up changes. Ben Weasel has been the only constant...
covered the song on their 1995 album Kill the MusiciansKill the MusiciansReleased in 1995, Kill the Musicians was meant to serve as a "cleaning up" of loose ends after Screeching Weasel's breakup in 1994. The compilation collects demos, b-sides, vinyl-only EPs, and other various odds and ends the band had accumulated in their career from 1989 to 1994...
. - A version of the song is performed by the band Attention Earth during the end credits for the movie PhantomsPhantoms (film)Phantoms is a 1998 American horror film adapted from the 1983 novel Phantoms by Dean Koontz. Joe Chappelle directed the film, and Koontz wrote the screenplay. The film takes place in the peaceful town of Snowfield, Colorado, where something evil has wiped out the community...
(1998). - It was recorded by The CzarsThe CzarsThe Czars was an alternative rock band, formed in 1994 in Denver by John Grant and Chris Pearson. They released six studio albums, one EP, and three singles in the duration of their career. After the release of Goodbye in 2004, five of the six members of The Czars left the band over the span of...
and appears on their 2006 compilation album Sorry I Made You Cry. The album also features a version of another Cline standard, "Leavin' on Your MindLeavin' on Your Mind"Leavin' On Your Mind" is a famous Country/Pop song written by Wayne Walker and Webb Pierce was popularized by Patsy Cline in 1963.In 1963, Patsy Cline was at the height of her career. In the meantime, she was looking for her next single to release for the upcoming year. Wayne Walker and Webb...
". - Crispian St. PetersCrispian St. PetersCrispian St. Peters was an English pop singer-songwriter, best known for his work in the 1960s, particularly his 1966 hits, "The Pied Piper" and "You Were on My Mind."-Early career:...
released a cover version that can be found on his Anthology CD.