Falling Down

"Falling Down"
General Information
Artist	Selena Gomez & the Scene
Release Date	August 25, 2009
Recorded	2009
Genre	Pop rock, power pop
Length	3:05
Label	Hollywood Records
Album	Kiss & Tell
Composer(s)	Ted Bruner, Trey Vittetoe, Gina Schock
Producer(s)	Ted Bruner, Trey Vittetoe
Singles Chronology
Previous	Send It On
Current	Falling Down
Next	Naturally
Kiss & Tell Chronology
I Won't Apologize
Falling Down
I Promise You
Music Video

"Falling Down" is the lead single and third track from Selena Gomez & the Scene's debut album Kiss & Tell. The song was released on August 25, 2009, through Hollywood Records.

Due to lack of promotion from Hollywood Records, "Falling Down" received minor commercial success in multiple countries, charting in the lower regions of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the Canadian Hot 100. The song's accompanying music video features Gomez at a photo-shoot, and she and the band performing on a stage. The band performed the song a number of times, including on the ninth season of Dancing with the Stars.

Background and release

The song was written by Ted Bruner, Trey Vittetoe and Gina Schock of the Go-Go's, who also contributed to other songs on Gomez's debut album. Lyrically, "Falling Down" is said to be in regards to accusations of wrongdoing and has a sense of longing for a non-benefiting relationship. However in an interview, Gomez stated, during an interview that the song ultimately is a ridicule of the Hollywood life and fame, that was the meaning behind "Smile for the camera, 'cause they're all about to trash ya'." Gomez further elaborated on the concept of the song on an interview with Just Jared Jr., saying "It's basically about Hollywood and what people think about it and essentially how plastic it is sometimes. It's fun and I think girls can relate to it somewhat, for me it was because of Hollywood but it can really relate to a mean girl, an ex-boyfriend, to whoever."

Gomez personally confirmed on August 13 via her official Twitter account that the lyrics to "Falling Down" would premiere through Radio Disney on August 21, 2009.The single was released for digital download in the United States and Canada on August 25, 2009. It received a digital release in Australia on September 25, 2009. The song received no official release in European territories.

Composition and critical reception

"Falling Down" is a pop song that carries characteristics of dance-pop and pop rock. It features "aggressive" guitar and drum lines powered by "bloopy" synths. Bill Lamb of About.com noted that the song seemed to be influenced by Avril Lavigne. Robert Copsey of Digital Spy said the song sounded "suspiciously similar to Pink's 'U + Ur Hand'." The song is set in common time, and has a tempo of 140 beats per minute. It is written in the key of D minor, and Gomez's vocals span from the low note of A3 to high note of D5. It follows the chord progression Dm–C–Dm-C. Bill Lamb of About.com gave the single 4 out of 5 stars, calling the song "catchy" and commending Gomez's "sassy" vocals and its lyrics. Lamb also noted that "The mix leaves in Gomez' [sic] occasional breathless delivery that only conveys more immediacy for the song." A CBBC reviewer complimented the song's "catchy lyrics," stating "you will have them in your head for days!" Rob Perez of NocheLatina called the track one of the best on the album. Robert Copsey of Digital Spy said the song and its lyrics sounded "uninspired."

Chart performance

The song debuted on the September 12, 2009, edition of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 at #93. It later peaked at #82. It became the band's first and lowest charting single in the United States to date. In the same week, "Falling Down" also appeared on the Canadian Hot 100 Canada, debuting at #69. It spent two weeks on the chart, falling to #82 in its second week. It re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 at #92 for the week ending January 9, 2010. The song managed to peak at #11 on the Australian Hitseekers Singles Chart. On the Japan Hot 100 "Falling Down" debuted at #24 on the week dated March 6, 2010. A week later, it peaked at #15 on the chart.

Music video

Selena Gomez and the Scene - Falling Down - Official Music V

"Falling Down" Music Video

The music video to "Falling Down", directed by Chris Dooley, was first seen on Disney Channel, succeeding Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie on August 28, 2009. It became available for purchase on iTunes the next day.

The music video commences with shots of Gomez singing the first lines, "whoa, whoa," and bright lights shining upon her; she is wearing a gray shirt, black tights and boots and has long brown hair. Then, the rest of the band, composed of four male members, is seen as Gomez dances and nods her head. The background in the music video is a large projection of patterned geometrical figures that constantly alter to divergent colors. Gomez is then seen in a "photo shoot-like" set wearing a white shirt and a zebra-patterned skirt. As the video progresses Gomez and the rest of the band are seen singing, dancing, playing instruments and using props. Gomez holds a mirror and plastic roses, which she then throws away, in conjunction to the song's lines. The video ends with Gomez taking a quick bow while still holding her microphone.

Making off

Selena Gomez - Falling Down (Backstage) - Disney Playlist

Selena Gomez Making Of Falling Down

Ep 6

Selena Gomez - Kiss & Tell (DVD) - The Making of Kiss & Tell (480p)

Gallery

Making off

Live performances

1. Selena Gomez & the Scene first performed the song live on the ninth season of Dancing with the Stars. During the performance, professional dancers Derek Hough and Karina Smirnoff danced to the song. Tamara Brooks of Zap2it commented "The song's catchy but Selena doesn't look entirely comfortable on stage to me. It's very...rehearsed. But the dancing was faboo."
2. House of Blues Tour.
3. The Kiss & Tell Tour.
4. Fairs & Festivals tour.
5. Additionally, they performed the song at numerous concerts in 2009 and 2010.

HD Selena Gomez - Falling Down 092909

Selena Gomez MTV Live Session - Falling Down (HQ)

Selena Gomez - Falling Down & Naturally (Teleton in Mexico 12.05.2009)

Selena Gomez & The Scene Falling Down live hd

Lyrics

Uh, oh oh, oh
Uh, oh oh, oh
Uh, oh oh, oh
Uh, oh oh, oh
Uh, oh oh, oh

You walk and talk
Like you're some new sensation
You move in circles
You don't need an invitation
You spend your money
You can't get no satisfaction
You play it right so you can get the right reaction

It won't be long my darling
Pick up the phone, nobody's on it
Where are your friends now baby
Aren't they the ones supposed to be there for

[Chorus:]
You (you)
You're falling down
The world's not spinning 'round
You (you)
When you're falling down
No, it's not all about
You (you)
When you're falling down
You know I'll be around
When you're falling down, falling down

Falling down, down, down, you're falling down.

What's out of place when you look into the mirror?
The truth is blurry but the lies are getting clearer
Your eyes are fixed, your smile is so elastic
You gave me roses but they're all just made of plastic

It won't be long my darling
Pick up the phone, nobody's on it
Where are your friends now baby
How's anyone supposed to be there for

[Chorus:]
You (you)
When you're falling down
The world's not spinning 'round
You (you)
When you're falling down
No, it's not all about
You (you)
When you're falling down
You know I'll be around
When you're falling down, falling down

Smile for the camera, everybody's looking at ya
Smile for the camera, 'cause they're all about to trash ya
Smile for the camera, camera, camera, smile for the camera
Who's gonna catch ya?

You, you

[Chorus:]
You (you)
When you're falling down
The world's not spinning 'round
You (you)
When you're falling down
No, it's not all about
You (you)
When you're falling down
You know I'll be around
When you're falling down, falling down

Smile for the camera,
Everybody's looking at ya.
Smile for the camera
'Cause they're all about to trash ya.