10 Best Songs With The Word 'Falling' In The Title

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Falling can signify surrender, heartbreak, exhilaration, or destruction—sometimes all at once. In rock and roll, the word has been used to express everything from reckless abandon to quiet resignation, capturing moments of transcendence or loss with equal force. Whether depicting a downward spiral, the rush of new love, or a hard-won revelation, these songs have found endless ways to channel the gravity of falling, both literal and figurative. Across decades and genres, the word has served as a lyrical anchor for some of music’s most evocative storytelling, allowing artists to tap into emotions that feel universal yet deeply personal.

Tom Petty turned it into an anthem of disillusionment and freedom with “Free Fallin’,” sketching out the contrast between innocence and rebellion against the backdrop of California streets. The Spinners brought a sense of soul and euphoria to “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love,” encapsulating the dizzying thrill of unexpected romance. INXS delivered “Kiss the Dirt (Falling Down the Mountain)” with a mix of urgency and fatalism, their anthemic rock sound amplifying themes of risk and consequence. Julee Cruise took the word into dreamlike territory with “Falling,” a song steeped in mystery and longing that became synonymous with Twin Peaks.

The Kinks used “Catch Me Now I’m Falling” to craft a biting commentary on abandonment and shifting alliances, drawing on their signature wit and sharp social observations. Boz Scaggs wove elements of blues and pop into “Still Falling for You,” capturing the push and pull of love that endures despite the odds. Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds turned “Fallin’ in Love” into a smooth AM radio staple, a shimmering piece of soft rock romance. Tom Waits took “Falling Down” to a darker, more poetic place, where regret and resignation loomed over a character adrift in his own downfall.

Jackson Browne’s “Under the Falling Sky” evoked longing and escape, delivered in his signature folk-rock style that blurred the lines between introspection and storytelling. B.J. Thomas closed the list with “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” a song that transformed a simple image into a metaphor for resilience, turning everyday struggles into something almost hopeful.

# 10 – Free Fallin’ -Tom Petty

Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin'” turned a simple chord progression into a meditation on longing, regret, and the vast landscape of Southern California. Released as the opening track of Full Moon Fever in 1989, the song was produced by Jeff Lynne, Petty, and Mike Campbell. It was recorded at M.C. Studios and Rumbo Recorders, with Petty on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Campbell handling the lead guitar, Lynne contributing bass, keyboards, and backing vocals, and Phil Jones on drums. The song’s sparse but effective instrumentation allowed its lyrics and melody to take center stage, giving it an almost hypnotic quality. “Free Fallin’” became one of Petty’s most successful songs, peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remaining one of his signature tracks.

# 9 – Falling Down – Tom Waits

Tom Waits delivered a masterclass in desolation and grit with “Falling Down,” a song that exemplified his ability to craft narratives steeped in melancholic poetry. Featured on Big Time, his 1988 live album, the song stood apart as one of the few studio recordings included on the release. Waits recorded it with producer Kathleen Brennan, his longtime collaborator and wife, bringing a weary yet cinematic quality to the track

# 8 – Still Falling For You – Boz Scaggs

Boz Scaggs crafted a career defined by his smooth vocals and genre-blending musicianship, and “Still Falling for You” demonstrated his ability to fuse rock, soul, and jazz-infused pop into an effortlessly polished sound. Released on Down Two Then Left in 1977, the track reflected Scaggs’ continued exploration of sophisticated, R&B-driven arrangements following the massive success of Silk Degrees. While it was not issued as a single, the song exemplified his signature style—restrained yet emotionally resonant, with a groove that carried the weight of its lyrical sentiment. The album was recorded at Davlen Sound Studios in Los Angeles and was produced by Joe Wissert, who had previously helmed Silk Degrees.

Read More: 10 Most Rocking Boz Scaggs Songs

# 7 – Under The Falling Sky – Jackson Browne

Jackson Browne’s “Under the Falling Sky” was recorded at Crystal Sound and Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, with Browne co-producing alongside Richard Sanford Orshoff. The lineup featured Jesse Ed Davis on electric guitar, David Jackson on bass, and Russ Kunkel on drums, creating a warm, organic sound that complemented Browne’s introspective lyricism.

Though “Under the Falling Sky” was not released as a single, it gained recognition when Bonnie Raitt recorded her own version for her 1972 album Give It Up, putting a bluesier spin on Browne’s composition. Browne’s own version remained a key part of his early catalog, highlighting his ability to blend folk, rock, and blues influences into a seamless whole. The song’s themes of escape, passion, and transcendence fit within the larger context of Jackson Browne, an album that introduced him as one of the most compelling songwriters of his generation.

Read More: 10 Most Rocking Jackson Browne Songs

# 6 – Could It Be I’m Falling in Love – The Spinners

The Spinners solidified their place in soul music with “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love,” a song that embodied the smooth, heartfelt elegance of early 1970s R&B. Released in December 1972 as the second single from their self-titled album, the track became one of the defining hits of the group’s career. It was recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, with production overseen by the legendary Thom Bell, a key figure in shaping the Philadelphia soul sound. The song featured the unmistakable lead vocals of Bobbie Smith, with the group’s harmonies enriching the melody, supported by MFSB, the in-house band of Philadelphia International Records. The single soared to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Hot Soul Singles chart in early 1973, further cementing The Spinners’ reputation as one of the premier vocal groups of the decade.

Read More: Top 10 Spinners Songs

# 5 – Falling – Julee Cruise

Julee Cruise’s “Falling” emerged as one of the most hauntingly ethereal compositions of the late 1980s, a song that intertwined dreamy vocals with a deeply atmospheric arrangement. Recorded for her 1989 debut album Floating into the Night, the track was composed by Angelo Badalamenti with lyrics by David Lynch, the same duo responsible for much of Cruise’s work. The recording sessions took place at Excalibur Sound in New York, where Badalamenti’s signature production shaped the song’s delicate and hypnotic soundscape.

# 4 – Kiss The Dirt (Falling Down The Mountain) -INXS

INXS recorded “Kiss the Dirt (Falling Down the Mountain)” for their 1985 album Listen Like Thieves, capturing the band’s signature blend of rock energy and atmospheric production. The song was recorded at Rhinoceros Studios in Sydney and produced by Chris Thomas, who had previously worked with bands like the Sex Pistols and Roxy Music. The lineup featured Michael Hutchence on vocals, Andrew Farriss on keyboards and guitar, Tim Farriss on lead guitar, Garry Gary Beers on bass, Jon Farriss on drums, and Kirk Pengilly on guitar and saxophone.

Read More: Top 10 INXS Songs

# 3 – Catch Me Now I’m Falling – The Kinks

The Kinks delivered a politically charged rock anthem with “Catch Me Now I’m Falling,” a track from their 1979 album Low Budget. Written by Ray Davies, the song combined biting social commentary with a hard-driving rock arrangement that leaned into the era’s rising arena rock sound. Recorded in New York City and produced by Davies, the track reflected the band’s response to the economic and social decline in America during the late 1970s. With Dave Davies’s muscular guitar work, Mick Avory’s forceful drumming, and a melody that borrowed elements from The Rolling Stones’ “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” the song balanced its serious themes with an undeniable rock energy.

While “Catch Me Now I’m Falling” was not released as a single, it became a staple of The Kinks’ late-’70s live performances and remains one of the most memorable tracks from Low Budget. The album itself marked a commercial comeback for the band, reaching No. 11 on the Billboard 200, their highest-charting album in the U.S. at that point.

# 2 – Fallin’ in Love – Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds

Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds captured the essence of smooth, mid-1970s pop with “Fallin’ in Love,” a song that not only redefined their career but also became a defining moment for the soft rock era. Released in June 1975 as the lead single from their album Fallin’ in Love, the song marked a shift for the group, as it was their first release after signing with Playboy Records. Written by Dan Hamilton and produced by Hamilton and Joe Frank Carollo, “Fallin’ in Love” blended elements of blue-eyed soul with the emerging adult contemporary sound, ultimately propelling the trio to the top of the Billboard Hot 100.

“Fallin’ in Love” became the group’s only No. 1 hit, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in August 1975 and solidifying their place in pop history. It also peaked at No. 24 on the Adult Contemporary chart and found success internationally.

# 1 – Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head -B. J. Thomas

B. J. Thomas recorded “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” for the soundtrack of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and the song quickly became one of the most recognizable pieces of late 1960s pop. Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, the track was recorded at A&R Recording Studios in New York City and was produced by Bacharach. The songwriting duo crafted a composition that exuded an effortless optimism, with Bacharach’s signature melodic phrasing and David’s uplifting lyrics creating a song that transcended its original placement in the film. Thomas delivered the vocal with warmth and sincerity, perfectly aligning with the song’s easygoing, philosophical perspective on life’s troubles.

Upon its release in October 1969, “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” quickly climbed the charts, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1970 and remaining there for four weeks. It also won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, cementing its status as a cultural touchstone.

Read More: Top 20 Burt Bacharach Songs

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One Response

Baybluesman February 25, 2025

A great song CRH Readers should check out is “I’m Falling” from the J. Geils Band’s often overlooked, but exceptional (IMO) album “Monkey Island”, released in 1977.

The lyrics create an eerrie narrative, describing the feeling of insecurity, solitude, as well as desperation.
Coupled with a sharply written instrumental arrangement, courtesy of the underrated Seth Justman, with a closing tenor sax solo from the late/great Michael Brecker (of the prolific Brecker Brothers), “I’m Falling” is a song that is as relatable/ adept today, as it was in the era it was written.