One of those days again, when I’ve been listening to the same song over and over again, because for some reason a tune drifts into my head and I just start to hum or sing it softly to myself. So I play it a few times. And then it still won’t leave my head.
Fall At Your Feet was released in 1991. Written by Neil Finn, the lead singer of Crowded House, it is from their third studio album Woodface, released the same year. The band was first formed in Australia in the mid eighties, and became well-known with their huge and memorable hit Don’t Dream It’s Over from their debut album. Although the band broke up a decade later in 1996, it reformed in 2007 albeit with some different members and is still active today.
It’s always fun to check into YouTube to enjoy again the music video of the songs I’m thinking of, and end up enjoying not only the song’s original release, but extra treats like live performances and accoustic versions, if I’m lucky to come across them. In addition to that, other versions by other artists as well.
I love the original:
I didn’t enjoy the 2010 version from Australian indie rock-folk band Boy and Bear as much. It’s a bit ‘over-produced’ to me. The first half was captivating and lush, and overall I enjoyed it, but at the same time I feel it’s a bit too grand a treatment for the quiet and intimate spirit of the song.
More my cup of tea is James Blunt‘s version below. I’m not normally a fan of his style of singing, which I find a tad over-dramatic to be honest, but I thought he did alright by this song.
After saying that I think Boy and Bear‘s version too grand and overdone for the ‘quiet and intimate’ song, it’s strange that I find the passionate and spirited flamenco style of Jesse Cook‘s version suits it stunningly well. I just like this one a lot more. It somehow clicks and fits snugly like a tight bear hug. Jesse is the guitarist in the vest in the video, by the way. I read in Wiki that he recorded the song with a singer called Danny Wilde, so I’m guessing that’s Danny singing in the video. An exhilarating performance by them both and the rest of the band! Song starts at 0:28.
And finally the version I love most of all, from the songwriter himself. Just a man and his guitar, his voice clear and sincere, and those haunting lyrics. Simple and unassuming, but cuts devastatingly deep. Just lovely.
simple & gayforward 