Leave The Pieces

Album: Stand Still, Look Pretty (2006)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • After two Platinum-selling solo albums, Michelle Branch put her solo career on hold in 2004 and formed a country music duo called The Wreckers with her good friend Jessica Harp. They had their debut album ready to go in 2005, but their label, Maverick Records (which Branch was signed to as well) was in flux, which caused delays. The album, Stand Still, Look Pretty, finally appeared in 2006, with "Leave The Pieces" issued as the first single. Both the single and album went Gold, but the delays and label dysfunction took exacted a toll on the duo, who by 2007 weren't on speaking terms. After finishing their tour enshrouded in a cloud of conflict, they split up. The pair didn't patch things up until 2017 when Harp appeared on stage at one of Branch's shows.
  • This song was written by Billy Austin and Jennifer Hanson. It's a heartbreaker; the singer knows it's not working out with her guy, and asks him to call it off so she can move on. She just has one request: "leave the pieces when you go."
  • This was a #1 Country hit, a good omen for Michelle Branch when she started working on her first country album in 2007. But again, her label ground the gears, causing myriad delays that frustrated branch. The album was reduced to an EP called Everything Comes And Goes and finally released in 2009 with little fanfare.
  • After singing on the 2002 Santana hit "The Game Of Love," Michelle Branch was asked back in 2005 to sing on another Santana song: "I'm Feeling You," the lead single to their 2005 album All That I Am. Branch had just finished her album with The Wreckers and was focused on that project, so Santana's people made a deal to include Jessica Harp on the track as well and credit it as featuring "Michelle Branch, The Wreckers." This would have been great promotion for The Wreckers, but when their album was delayed, it went to waste.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

Victoria Williams

Victoria WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

Despite appearances on Carson, Leno and a Pennebaker film, Williams remains a hidden treasure.

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Dave Edmunds

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.