Catch Me Now I'm Falling

"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 Kinks
from the album Low Budget
B-side"Low Budget"
Released5 September 1979 (US)
RecordedJanuary 1979 - June 1979
Genre
Length5:58
LabelArista
Songwriter(s)Ray Davies
Producer(s)Ray Davies
The Kinks US singles chronology
"A Gallon of Gas"
(1979)		 "Catch Me Now I'm Falling"
(1979)		 "Lola (live)"
(1980)
Low Budget track listing
11 tracks
Side one
  1. "Attitude"
  2. "Catch Me Now I'm Falling"
  3. "Pressure"
  4. "National Health"
  5. "(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman"
Side two
  1. "Low Budget"
  2. "In a Space"
  3. "Little Bit of Emotion"
  4. "A Gallon of Gas"
  5. "Misery"
  6. "Moving Pictures"

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.

Background

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.[2] 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."[3] 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.[3] While another song on Low Budget invokes DC Comics hero Superman, "Catch Me Now I'm Falling" calls to Marvel Comics hero Captain America.[3][4]

The riff is similar to those on The Rolling Stones' "Jumpin' Jack Flash".[4] The song includes a saxophone solo that Billboard described as "hot," as well as a guitar solo by Dave Davies.[3][5] Cash Box said the song was "topical" with "a hypnotic blues-rock beat," summarizing the song as "good natured pop with a message."[6] Record World called it "a vintage Kinks rocker complete with raging guitar lines and a bulldozer rhythm."[7]

Release and reception

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.[8] It also appeared on the compilation album Come Dancing with The Kinks and in live form on the album One for the Road.[9]

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."[3] Music producer Clive Davis described the song as tapping "the malaise at the tail end of the decade."[10] Music critic Johnny Rogan described the song as being "perfect" for live stadium shows.[4] 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.[5] 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.[11] Author Bob Cianci described it as an "FM radio hit."[12] But music critic Robert Christgau criticizes the song for lacking irony.[13] Rolling Stone Album Guide critic Rob Sheffield calls it an "embarrassing novelty."[14]

Personnel

The Kinks

Additional personnel

  • Nick Newall – saxophone

References
  1. Sheffield, Rob (2004). "The Kinks". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. pp. 458–460. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
  2. Gilliam, R. "Catch Me Now I'm Falling". Allmusic. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  3. Hasted, N. (2011). You Really Got Me: The Story of The Kinks. Omnibus Press. ISBN 9781849386609.
  4. Rogan, J. (1998). The Complete Guide to the Music of the Kinks. Omnibus Press. pp. 125–126. ISBN 0711963142.
  5. "Top Album Picks". Billboard. 14 July 1979. p. 88. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  6. "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. 18 August 1979. p. 15. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  7. "Single Picks" (PDF). Record World. 15 September 1979. p. 17. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  8. Cianci, Bob (2006). Great Rock Drummers of the Sixties (2nd revised ed.). Hal Leonard. ISBN 0634099256.
  9. Adams, B. "One for the Road". Allmusic. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  10. Davis, C. (2013). The Soundtrack of My Life. Simon & Schuster. p. 235. ISBN 9781476714783.
  11. "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. 15 September 1979. p. 75. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  12. Cianci, B. (2006). Great Rock Drummers of the Sixties. Hal Leonard. p. 29. ISBN 9780634099250.
  13. Christgau, R. (1981). Rock Albums of the '70s: A Critical Guide. Da Capo Press. p. 214. ISBN 9780306804090.
  14. Sheffield, R. (2004). Brackett, N.; Hoard, C. (eds.). The Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Straight Arrow Publishers. pp. 459–460. ISBN 0743201698.
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