When You're Falling

Album: Volume 3: Further In Time (2001)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Peter Gabriel sings on this with Afro Celt Sound System, which is a comprised of traditional Irish and African musicians. Gabriel is a big proponent of World Music, and Afro Celt recorded their first album at his Real World Studios in Bath, England. Gabriel isn't the only famous guest vocalist on the album: Robert Plant lends his voice to the track "Life Begins Again."
  • This song could have been a breakout hit for Afro Celt Sound System, but it suffered from bad timing. The band was gaining momentum and the song was garnering airplay when the terrorist attacks of September 11 occurred. The imagery in the video includes a man falling to the ground in what looks like New York City, as well as a near miss with an airliner. MTV and VH1 immediately pulled the video, and many of Afro Celts tour dates had to be canceled. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    John - Detroit, MI

Comments: 3

  • Kim from New JerseyYes, i was a huge fan and I bought the track September 10th the night before the attacks. I worked in the Financial Center and I took the ferry across the river to get out of NYC. The day after the lyrics hit me like a ton of bricks. As well the album was ordered as North 1 and North 2.
  • Tony Flanagan from Boston, MaThis song is featured in the 2002 movie "Adrenaline Rush: The Science of Risk" which is about skydivers, base-jumpers, and risk takers. It's a decent documentary and a pretty fun Imax movie if you can see it on the mega-screen. It matches the excitement and enthusiasm of the divers perfectly.
  • Mike from Seattle, WaThankyou for confirming that. I thought the song disappeared from airplay too abruptly.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Emmylou Harris

Emmylou HarrisSongwriter Interviews

She thinks of herself as a "song interpreter," but back in the '80s another country star convinced Emmylou to take a crack at songwriting.

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo Lyric

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo LyricMusic Quiz

In this quiz, spot the artist who put Romeo into a song lyric.

James Williamson of Iggy & the Stooges

James Williamson of Iggy & the StoogesSongwriter Interviews

The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

Shawn Mullins

Shawn MullinsSongwriter Interviews

"Lullaby" singer Shawn Mullins on "Beautiful Wreck," beating the Devil, and his writing credit on the Zac Brown Band song "Toes."

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.