When the Curtain Falls explained

When the Curtain Falls
Cover:Greta Van Fleet - When the Curtain Falls.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Greta Van Fleet
Album:Anthem of the Peaceful Army
Recorded:2018
Studio:Blackbird Studios
Label:
Prev Title:Safari Song
Prev Year:2017
Next Title:You're the One
Next Year:2018

"When the Curtain Falls" is a song by American rock band Greta Van Fleet. It was released as the first single from their debut album, Anthem of the Peaceful Army. In November 2018, it reached number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.[1]

Background

The song was first released on July 17, 2018, as the debut single off of their at the time unreleased and untitled upcoming studio album.[2] [3] The single was released ahead of the studio album to kick off their summer 2018 tour.[4] The song's live debut on national television was on July 28, 2018, on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[5] A music video was released on August 15, 2018.[6] The video alternates between clips of the band performing in the desert, and footage of glowing-eyed people observing things resembling solar eclipses and Aurora borealis.[7]

The song was featured in the soundtracks of the video games NHL 19 and MLB The Show 19.[8] It was also released as DLC for Rock Band 4.[9]

Composition and themes

Billboard described the song's sound as "hard-hitting drums, funky, distorted guitar solos and sky-high, impassioned vocals.[10] Rolling Stone described the song as "swaggering" and "blistering" with a bluesy guitar and bass melody.[11] Variety noted that the song, like much of the band's music, had a sound similar to Led Zeppelin.[12] Lyrically, the song discusses a person's fall from grace, vocalist Josh Kizska singing "When the curtain falls/ Walk the hollow halls, babe/ Once a valley doll/ Now, you’re not at all."[11]

Reception

MetalSucks praised the song, comparing it favorably to the work of Led Zeppelin, concluding that "...it's pretty good! If you like Led Zep it's hard to imagine you won't like this, so crank it and enjoy. If you were never into Robert Plant's voice... well, you should probably just move along."[13] Loudwire similarly praised it for its "rich classic rock warmth and sheen worthy of the genre's most accomplished artists".[14] Multiple publications and news outlets praised the band's live performance of the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon as well, noting that they also received a standing ovation from the crowd.[10] [15] [16] [17] [18]

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2018–19)Peak
position
Bolivia (Monitor Latino)[19] 18
Poland (ZPAV)[20] 13

Year-end charts

Chart (2018)Position
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[21] 34
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[22] 35

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Greta Van Fleet Chart History. Billboard.com. November 6, 2018.
  2. Web site: Watch Greta Van Fleet Play 'When the Curtain Falls' on 'The Tonight Show'. Guitarworld.com. July 27, 2018 . August 7, 2018.
  3. Web site: Watch Greta Van Fleet Play 'When The Curtain Falls' On Fallon. July 27, 2018. Uproxx.com. August 7, 2018.
  4. Web site: Greta Van Fleet unleash new single "When the Curtain Falls": Stream. July 17, 2018. Consequence.net. August 7, 2018.
  5. Web site: Video: GRETA VAN FLEET Performs 'When The Curtain Falls' On 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon'. July 27, 2018. Blabbermouth.net. August 7, 2018.
  6. Web site: Greta Van Fleet drop stunning "When The Curtain Falls" music video—watch. August 15, 2018. altpress.com. October 17, 2018.
  7. Web site: Greta Van Fleet share magical video for "When the Curtain Falls": Watch. August 15, 2018. consequence.net. October 17, 2018.
  8. Web site: Franciscovich . Matt . Find A Groove with the NHL 19 Soundtrack . EA Sports . October 19, 2016 . September 4, 2018.
  9. Web site: DLC Week of 9/27: Coheed and Cambria and Greta Van Fleet!. Harmonixmusic.com. June 7, 2021.
  10. Web site: Greta Van Fleet Get Standing Ovation For Blistering 'Tonight Show' Debut With 'When the Curtain Falls': Watch. Billboard.com. 7 August 2018.
  11. Hear Greta Van Fleet's Swaggering New Song 'When the Curtain Falls'. Althea. Legaspi. July 17, 2018. Rolling Stone. August 7, 2018.
  12. Web site: Greta Van Fleet Drop Fiery New Song, 'When the Curtain Falls'. Variety Staff. July 17, 2018. Variety.com. August 7, 2018.
  13. Web site: Here's Greta Van Fleet's Zeppelin-tastic New Song "When the Curtain Falls" . Metalsucks.net. July 17, 2018. August 7, 2018.
  14. Web site: Greta Van Fleet Unleash New Track 'When the Curtain Falls'. Loudwire.com. July 17, 2018 . August 7, 2018.
  15. Web site: Greta Van Fleet receives standing ovation during 'Tonight Show' debut. Jerilyn. Jordan. Metrotimes.com. August 7, 2018.
  16. Web site: Watch: Greta Van Fleet performs on Fallon in late-night TV debut. Freep.com. August 7, 2018.
  17. Web site: Watch Greta Van Fleet Tear It Up on The 'Tonight Show'. July 27, 2018. Waaf.radio.com. August 7, 2018.
  18. Web site: Watch Greta Van Fleet light up The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. Loudersound.com. July 27, 2018 . August 7, 2018.
  19. Web site: Bolivia General. Spanish. Monitor Latino. July 17, 2019.
  20. Web site: Lista Przebojów Trójki - Polskie Radio Online . 20 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191031082753/http://lp3.polskieradio.pl/utwor/artykul17673,5525_when_the_curtain_falls.aspx . 31 October 2019 . dead .
  21. Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2018. Billboard. March 27, 2020.
  22. Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2018. Billboard. January 21, 2022.