"Catch Me Now I'm Falling" is a song written by Ray Davies and first released by The Kinks as the second track on their 1979 album Low Budget. Written as a criticism of America's allies, the song depicts the fall of Captain America as a symbol of the United States' dire circumstances at the time. The song features multiple solos on different instruments as well as a riff similar to "Jumpin' Jack Flash".
The song saw single release in the United States and in the Netherlands. In the U.S. it had 'Low Budget' on the B-side, while in the Netherlands the B-side was 'In a Space'. The song has since made appearances on compilations and live albums.
Like many of the other tracks on "Low Budget", "Catch Me Now I'm Falling" addresses then-current events. In this case the song shows lead singer Ray Davies portraying America in its time of need, with the lyrics criticizing both the U.S. and its allies that refuse to help it.[1] Author Nick Hasted describes it as sounding as if "it could be a distress call from the last embattled radio station in an occupied land."[2] Hasted also notes that it invoked memories of the United States' aid to Europe via the Marshall Plan to criticize countries that were not helping the country in its time of need.[2] While another song on Low Budget invokes DC Comics hero Superman, "Catch Me Now I'm Falling" calls to Marvel Comics hero Captain America.[2][3]
The riff is similar to those on The Rolling Stones' "Jumpin' Jack Flash".[3] The song includes a saxophone solo that Billboard described as "hot," as well as a guitar solo by Dave Davies.[2][4]Cash Box said the song was "topical" with "a hypnotic blues-rock beat," summarizing the song as "good natured pop with a message."[5]Record World called it "a vintage Kinks rocker complete with raging guitar lines and a bulldozer rhythm."[6]
Release and receptionedit
The song was one of two U.S. only singles taken from Low Budget (the other being "A Gallon of Gas") to be released. Despite being an FM radio hit, the song failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.[7] It also appeared on the compilation album Come Dancing with The Kinks and in live form on the album One for the Road.[8]
Hasted praises "Catch Me Now I'm Falling" for perfectly summing up the mood in the United States at the time "with a brilliant broad stroke."[2]Clive Davis, head of the Kinks' label at the time Arista Records, described the song as tapping "the malaise at the tail end of the decade."[9] Music critic Johnny Rogan described the song as being "perfect" for live stadium shows.[3]Billboard described the song as "sweeping" and "destined to become a favorite with fans" and rated it one of the top tracks from Low Budget.[4] It also described the song as a "standout," praising its "strong vocals and lyrics" and "neat saxophone work" while describing the guitar riff as being influenced by the Rolling Stones.[10] Author Bob Cianci described it as an "FM radio hit."[11] But music critic Robert Christgau criticizes the song for lacking irony.[12]Rolling Stone Album Guide critic Rob Sheffield calls it an "embarrassing novelty."[13]
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Catch Me Now I m Falling is a song written by Ray Davies and first released by The Kinks as the second track on their 1979 album Low Budget Written as a criticism of America s allies the song depicts the fall of Captain America as a symbol of the United States dire circumstances at the time The song features multiple solos on different instruments as well as a riff similar to Jumpin Jack Flash Catch Me Now I m Falling Single by The Kinksfrom the album Low BudgetB side Low Budget Released5 September 1979 US RecordedJanuary 1979 June 1979GenreRock hard rockLength5 58LabelAristaSongwriter s Ray DaviesProducer s Ray DaviesThe Kinks US singles chronology A Gallon of Gas 1979 Catch Me Now I m Falling 1979 Lola live 1980 Low Budget track listing11 tracksSide one Attitude Catch Me Now I m Falling Pressure National Health Wish I Could Fly Like Superman Side two Low Budget In a Space Little Bit of Emotion A Gallon of Gas Misery Moving Pictures Alternative coverAmerican single label The song saw single release in the United States and in the Netherlands In the U S it had Low Budget on the B side while in the Netherlands the B side was In a Space The song has since made appearances on compilations and live albums Contents 1 Background 2 Release and reception 3 Personnel 4 ReferencesBackground editLike many of the other tracks on Low Budget Catch Me Now I m Falling addresses then current events In this case the song shows lead singer Ray Davies portraying America in its time of need with the lyrics criticizing both the U S and its allies that refuse to help it 1 Author Nick Hasted describes it as sounding as if it could be a distress call from the last embattled radio station in an occupied land 2 Hasted also notes that it invoked memories of the United States aid to Europe via the Marshall Plan to criticize countries that were not helping the country in its time of need 2 While another song on Low Budget invokes DC Comics hero Superman Catch Me Now I m Falling calls to Marvel Comics hero Captain America 2 3 The riff is similar to those on The Rolling Stones Jumpin Jack Flash 3 The song includes a saxophone solo that Billboard described as hot as well as a guitar solo by Dave Davies 2 4 Cash Box said the song was topical with a hypnotic blues rock beat summarizing the song as good natured pop with a message 5 Record World called it a vintage Kinks rocker complete with raging guitar lines and a bulldozer rhythm 6 Release and reception editThe song was one of two U S only singles taken from Low Budget the other being A Gallon of Gas to be released Despite being an FM radio hit the song failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 7 It also appeared on the compilation album Come Dancing with The Kinks and in live form on the album One for the Road 8 Hasted praises Catch Me Now I m Falling for perfectly summing up the mood in the United States at the time with a brilliant broad stroke 2 Clive Davis head of the Kinks label at the time Arista Records described the song as tapping the malaise at the tail end of the decade 9 Music critic Johnny Rogan described the song as being perfect for live stadium shows 3 Billboard described the song as sweeping and destined to become a favorite with fans and rated it one of the top tracks from Low Budget 4 It also described the song as a standout praising its strong vocals and lyrics and neat saxophone work while describing the guitar riff as being influenced by the Rolling Stones 10 Author Bob Cianci described it as an FM radio hit 11 But music critic Robert Christgau criticizes the song for lacking irony 12 Rolling Stone Album Guide critic Rob Sheffield calls it an embarrassing novelty 13 Personnel editThe Kinks Ray Davies lead vocals Dave Davies lead guitar Mick Avory drums Jim Rodford bass guitar Additional personnel Nick Newall saxophoneReferences edit Gilliam R Catch Me Now I m Falling Allmusic Retrieved 6 April 2014 a b c d e Hasted N 2011 You Really Got Me The Story of The Kinks Omnibus Press ISBN 9781849386609 a b c Rogan J 1998 The Complete Guide to the Music of the Kinks Omnibus Press pp 125 126 ISBN 0711963142 a b Top Album Picks Billboard 14 July 1979 p 88 Retrieved 6 April 2014 CashBox Singles Reviews PDF Cash Box 18 August 1979 p 15 Retrieved 1 January 2022 Single Picks PDF Record World 15 September 1979 p 17 Retrieved 11 February 2023 Cianci Bob 2006 Great Rock Drummers of the Sixties 2nd revised ed Hal Leonard ISBN 0634099256 Adams B One for the Road Allmusic Retrieved 6 April 2014 Davis C 2013 The Soundtrack of My Life Simon amp Schuster p 235 ISBN 9781476714783 Top Single Picks PDF Billboard Magazine 15 September 1979 p 75 Retrieved 8 July 2020 Cianci B 2006 Great Rock Drummers of the Sixties Hal Leonard p 29 ISBN 9780634099250 Christgau R 1981 Rock Albums of the 70s A Critical Guide Da Capo Press p 214 ISBN 9780306804090 Sheffield R 2004 Brackett N Hoard C eds The Rolling Stone Album Guide 4th ed Straight Arrow Publishers pp 459 460 ISBN 0743201698 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Catch Me Now I 27m Falling amp oldid 1219481176, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
