"Fall to Pieces" is a song by American hard rock supergroup Velvet Revolver, released in August 2004 as the third single off their debut album, Contraband. The song reached number 67 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for 11 weeks.
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.
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.
Chart performance The song stayed at number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for 11 consecutive weeks and number two on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart for one week. It also reached number 67 on the Billboard Hot 100.
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.
Live performances 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.
Personnel Scott Weiland – lead vocals Slash – lead guitar Duff McKagan – bass guitar, backing vocals Matt Sorum – drums, percussion, backing vocals Dave Kushner – rhythm guitar
Charts
Weekly charts + Chart (2004–2005) Peakposition Canada (Nielsen BDS) 14 Canada Rock Top 30 (Radio & Records) 1
Year-end charts + Chart (2004) PositionUS Mainstream Rock Tracks (Billboard)18US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)34 + Chart (2005) PositionUS Adult Top 40 (Billboard)88US Mainstream Rock Tracks (Billboard)12US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)70
Certifications
Release history +RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesAugust 2, 2004RCAUnited KingdomOctober 11, 2004CDAustraliaOctober 18, 2004United StatesContemporary hit radio
References