When the Curtain Falls

"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.[2]

"When the Curtain Falls"
Single by Greta Van Fleet
from the album Anthem of the Peaceful Army
ReleasedJuly 17, 2018 (2018-07-17)
Recorded2018
StudioBlackbird Studios (Nashville, Tennessee)
Genre
Length3:42
LabelRepublic
Songwriter(s)
  • Jake Kiszka
  • Josh Kiszka
  • Sam Kiszka
  • Danny Wagner
Producer(s)
  • Herschel Boone
  • Al Sutton
  • Marlon Young
Greta Van Fleet singles chronology
"Safari Song"
(2017)		 "When the Curtain Falls"
(2018)		 "You're the One"
(2018)

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.[3][4] The single was released ahead of the studio album to kick off their summer 2018 tour.[1] 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
  • Joshua Kiszka – vocals
  • Jacob Kiszka – guitar
  • Samuel Kiszka – bass
  • Daniel Wagner – drums

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[26] Gold 40,000‡
United States (RIAA)[27] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. "Greta Van Fleet unleash new single "When the Curtain Falls": Stream". Consequence.net. July 17, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  2. "Greta Van Fleet Chart History". Billboard.com. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  3. "Watch Greta Van Fleet Play 'When the Curtain Falls' on 'The Tonight Show'". Guitarworld.com. July 27, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  4. "Watch Greta Van Fleet Play 'When The Curtain Falls' On Fallon". Uproxx.com. July 27, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  5. "Video: GRETA VAN FLEET Performs 'When The Curtain Falls' On 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon'". Blabbermouth.net. July 27, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  6. "Greta Van Fleet drop stunning "When The Curtain Falls" music video—watch". altpress.com. August 15, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  7. "Greta Van Fleet share magical video for "When the Curtain Falls": Watch". consequence.net. August 15, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  8. Franciscovich, Matt (October 19, 2016). "Find A Groove with the NHL 19 Soundtrack". EA Sports. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  9. "DLC Week of 9/27: Coheed and Cambria and Greta Van Fleet!". Harmonixmusic.com. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  10. "Greta Van Fleet Get Standing Ovation For Blistering 'Tonight Show' Debut With 'When the Curtain Falls': Watch". Billboard.com. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  11. Legaspi, Althea (July 17, 2018). "Hear Greta Van Fleet's Swaggering New Song 'When the Curtain Falls'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  12. Variety Staff (July 17, 2018). "Greta Van Fleet Drop Fiery New Song, 'When the Curtain Falls'". Variety.com. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  13. "Here's Greta Van Fleet's Zeppelin-tastic New Song "When the Curtain Falls"". Metalsucks.net. July 17, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  14. "Greta Van Fleet Unleash New Track 'When the Curtain Falls'". Loudwire.com. July 17, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  15. Jordan, Jerilyn. "Greta Van Fleet receives standing ovation during 'Tonight Show' debut". Metrotimes.com. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  16. "Watch: Greta Van Fleet performs on Fallon in late-night TV debut". Freep.com. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  17. "Watch Greta Van Fleet Tear It Up on The 'Tonight Show'". Waaf.radio.com. July 27, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  18. "Watch Greta Van Fleet light up The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon". Loudersound.com. July 27, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  19. "Greta Van Fleet – When the Curtain Falls" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  20. "Greta Van Fleet – When the Curtain Falls" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  21. "Bolivia General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
  22. "Greta Van Fleet Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  23. "Greta Van Fleet Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  24. "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  25. "Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  26. "Canadian single certifications – Greta Van Fleet – When the Curtain Falls". Music Canada. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  27. "American single certifications – Greta Van Fleet – When the Curtain Falls". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
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