13 Songs Featuring ‘Fall’ in their Song Title | Playlist

13 Songs Featuring ‘Fall’ in their Song Title features music courtesy of Christina Aguilera, Chloe x Halle, J. Cole, ODESZA & Phantogram.

Music Hype-ians everywhere, prepare to “fall in line” with this playlist! On “13 Songs Featuring ‘Fall’ in their Song Title,” we explore songs that feature some form of the word fall in their title. In addition to that criteria, it should be noted that all songs selected for this particular playlist were recorded post-2010. Notably, there are some covers of classics, but they were recorded by the covering artist post-2010 as well.  Artists supplementing the music for this fall-driven playlist include Christina Aguilera (assisted by Demi Lovato),Chloe x Halle (fresh blood), J. Cole (schooling them youngsters), ODESZA (Grammy-nominated electro wizards), and Phantogram (flipping an awesome soul sample into something fresh in the 10s).

1. Christina Aguilera, “Fall in Line”

Ft. Demi Lovato

Liberation • RCA • 2018

“Fall in Line”, the third advance single from Liberation, features a grinding, soulful, six-eight groove, perfect fuel for the fire for Christina Aguilera and Demi Lovato. Aguilera gets to work with controlled, but nuanced vocals on the first verse.

The message, aimed towards girls, is pitch-perfect:

“Little girls, listen closely...
...in this world, you are not beholden
You do not owe them
Your body and your soul.”

Aguilera’s beastly vocals begin to appear on the pre-chorus, letting her pipes rip on the chorus (joined by Demi Lovato). Lovato takes the lead on the second verse, similarly maintaining composure and poise, before spreading her wings and flying on the chorus. The true magic occurs throughout when these two join forces, particularly the second and third iterations of the chorus. Clearly, empowerment is the central message.

2. Chloe x Halle, “Fall”

The Kids Are Alright • Parkwood / Columbia • 2018

“Blue likes to drop sometimes / But I don’t mind, no I don’t mind / Cause luck is on my side.” Chloe x Halle had one of the quieter album rollouts of 2018 with the release of The Kids are Alright.  Nonetheless, the teen sister duo, signed to Beyoncé’s Parkwood label, is definitely an act to watch.  Their voices compel, shining like diamonds on the chilling balladry of “Fall,” the 18^th and final track from their debut project.  Nothing can kill their vibe.

“So, what if the rain falls?
Let’s find the gold at the end of the rainbow
So, what if the sky falls?
We’ll build a life right on the cotton clouds.”

3. Jack Antonoff & MØ, “Never Fall in Love”

Love, Simon • RCA • 2018

Jack Antonoff is “kind of a big deal” in general. Specifically, he’s “kind of a big deal” on the soundtrack for the 2018 film, Love, Simon. Laying claim to several songs from the Love, Simon Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, “Never Fall in Love” is credited to him and Swedish artist MØ.  “Never Fall in Love” is a fun record that contrasts the two solo Antonoff records that precede it on the soundtrack.  Notably, there’s a key change, quite old-fashioned in 2018, but a staple of 80s music, an era that highly influences Antonoff.

4. J. Cole, “1985 – Intro to ‘The Fall Off’”

KOD • Dreamville / Roc Nation • 2018

There’s been lots of talk about a particular song from KOD, the 2018 studio album by J. Cole.  The song at hand is “1985 – Intro to ‘The Fall Off’.” Essentially, “1985” finds the rapper reflecting back, educating (and possibly dissing) the new crop of rappers, and flexing with his rhymes.  The key part of the aforementioned statement is “educating (and possibly dissing) the new crop of rappers.” According to Genius, he’s addressing SmokePurpp and Lil Pump on the record.

“I must say, by your songs I’m unimpressed, hey
But I love to see a Black man get paid
And plus, you havin’ fun and I respect that
But have you ever thought about your impact?”

5. Take 6, “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love”

Iconic • The SoNo Recording Group • 2018

The fifth song on this playlist should sound very, very familiar.  Though gospel/urban contemporary sextet Take 6 are not the original performers, they do a magnificent job of covering “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love” The Iconic song is one of the biggest hits by legendary R&B group, The Spinners.

6. Jaden Smith, “Fallen”

SYRE • MSFTSMusic / Roc Nation • 2017

“Baby, you are so unusual like cutting cuticles / But that is just what makes you beautiful like watching tulips grow.” Jaden Smith has love in his heart and mind on “Fallen,” a song from his 2017 debut album, SYRE. Throughout the course of the record, he highlights how special and unique his girlfriend is, and how she makes him better. The backdrop, set in a minor key, features rhythmic, dusty, soulful drums and a mysterious vibe. “Look, your love’s like a river, bae, I’ve seen better days,” he sings on the first verse, continuing, “In my soul, you penetrate, I need your energy.”

7. ODESZA, “Falls”

Ft. Sasha Sloan

A Moment Apart • Counter • 2017

“It’s gonna be alright / Never gonna leave your side.” “Falls” appears late on the track list of A Moment Apart, the Grammy-nominated sophomore album by electronic duo ODESZA (Catacombkid and BeachesBeaches). The 14^thsong from A Moment Apart pairs ODESZA with singer Sasha Sloan.  An uplifting song, Sloan sings about feeling unworthy and bogged down (“Everybody falls down”), following up with encouragement to “hold on tight” and “get up” because you’re “Gonna make it through this time.”

“Everybody falls down
All the way down
You just gotta hold on tight
You gotta get up
Gotta get up
Gonna make it through this time.”

8. Zara Larsson, “I Can’t Fall in Love Without You”

So Good • Epic • 2017

“I feel so happy / Happy that I’m free / And I can see things / Things I couldn’t see.” The vision is clear for Swedish pop singer Zara Larsson, who was merely 19 years old when she released her debut album, So Good in 2017.  Among the selections from So Good is ballad “I Can’t Fall in Love Without You.” In one sense, Larsson is ‘free as a bird’ without feeling the least bit tided down. “I can be out every night,” she sings on the first pre-chorus, continuing, “No one else holdin’ me down.” But then again, in the same token, she also seems to be falling in love or at least considering it.

“But I can’t fall in love without you...
Please don’t fall in love without me.”

9. Meek Mill, “Fall Thru”

Wins & Losses • Atlantic • 2017

“Yeah, you gone fall through every time a ni**a call you / That’s why I ball how I ball when I spoil you.” “Fall Thru” is the tenth song on Wins & Losses, the third studio album by rapper Meek Mill. Contextually, “Fall Through” marks a change of pace, focusing on love – well, mostly sex (“Fucking on you good got you bustin’ like you Rambo”).  Meek Mill remains edgy but comes off considerably smoother given the romantic vibes of the record.

“I was supposed to hit, I was never s’pose to cuff you
Put you on my homie ‘cause he say he wanna fuck you
When he asked me ‘bout you, I just told him that I want you
But now it’s quiet for you, ‘cause I told him that I loved you.”

10. Pentatonix, “Can’t Help Falling in Love”

PTX Vol. IV – Classics • RCA • 2017

Pentatonix struck gold once more on their 2017 EP, PTX Vol. IV – Classics. The seven-song projectcovers classics such as the Elvis Presley classic on hand, “Can’t Help Falling in Love”. In the context of PTX Vol. IV, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” slows the pace, giving Pentatonix a great opportunity to flaunt their vocal chemistry.  Compared to marvelous covers of “Imagine” and “Over the Rainbow,” arguably “Can’t Help Falling in Love” is the best ballad from the EP.

11. Hunter Hayes, “Still Fallin’”

Storyline • Atlantic • 2014

“After all this time you’d think I’d be / Used to the pull of your gravity.” Storyline, the sophomore album by Louisiana country singer Hunter Hayes, is an enjoyable listen highlighting his strengths more often than not.“Still Fallin’” slackens the pace on the LP, finding Hayes flaunting his beautiful vocal tone.  It’s a bit schmaltzy mind you, but Hunter seems to be singing and writing from an honest, heartfelt place.

“I still reach for your hand because I need it
Your kiss is still the spark that lights a fire
You’re still laughing with me
And we’re still making memories
I’m still a fool for you, and there’s a million reasons why.”

12. Fall Out Boy, “The Mighty Fall”

Ft. Big Sean

Save Rock and Roll • Island • 2013

“The Mighty Fall,” featuring Big Sean, is an unexpected favorite from Save Rock and Roll, the 2013 album from Fall Out Boy. The syncopated beat is hip enough to allure rap heads yet it doesn’t compromise the pop-punk thing FOB has on lockdown.  The blend of pop, rock, and urban ideas is superb.  Patrick Stump’s vocals are distorted for a more pointed effect, adding to the whole ‘rock star’ vibe.  Big Sean’s rap isn’t the ‘second coming’ but he rides the beat well. #SWERVE.

13. Phantogram, “Fall in Love”

Voices • Republic • 2013

“Love, it was enough to recognize / To see, I was the reason you feel sick inside.” “Fall in Love” served as the first single from Voices, the sophomore album by alternative, electronic duo, Phantogram.  What’s notable about Voicesis how the duo incorporate soul. For example, “Bill Murray” brilliant samples “The Coldest Days of My Life” by The Chi-Lites. In the case of “Fall in Love,” Barbara Mason fuels the fire with her lush classic, “Yes, I’m Ready”.  Yes, “Yes…” is the source, but Phantogram does a fabulous job of making “Fall in Love” a tour de force of their own.  The production is a huge selling point, but Sarah Barthel delivers compelling vocals, while the songwriting isn’t shabby in the least, particularly the chorus.

“Fall in me
I’ll let you bleed
Cause you were fallin’, I’m sorry, baby
Cause you were fallin’, I’m sorry, I.”

Photo Credits: Atlantic, Counter, Dreamville,Epic, Island, MSFTSMusic, Parkwood, RCA, Republic, Roc Nation,The SoNo Recording Group