When the Curtain Falls
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Infobox song
| name = When the Curtain Falls
| cover = Greta Van Fleet - When the Curtain Falls.jpg
| type = single
| artist = Greta Van Fleet
| album = Anthem of the Peaceful Army
| released = {{Start date|2018|07|17}}
| recorded = 2018
| studio = Blackbird Studios {{small|(Nashville, Tennessee)}}
| genre = {{hlist|Hard rock|blues rock}}
| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=42}}
| label =
| writer = {{hlist|Jake Kiszka|Josh Kiszka|Sam Kiszka|Danny Wagner}}
| producer = {{hlist|Herschel Boone|Al Sutton|Marlon Young}}
| prev_title = Safari Song
| prev_year = 2017
| next_title = You're the One
| next_year = 2018
}}
"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.{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/greta-van-fleet/chart-history/rtt/|title=Greta Van Fleet Chart History|website=Billboard.com|access-date=November 6, 2018|archive-date=June 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629124418/https://www.billboard.com/artist/greta-van-fleet/chart-history/rtt/|url-status=live}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/watch-greta-van-fleet-play-when-the-curtain-falls-on-the-tonight-show|title=Watch Greta Van Fleet Play 'When the Curtain Falls' on 'The Tonight Show'|website=Guitarworld.com|date=July 27, 2018 |access-date=August 7, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/music/greta-van-fleet-when-the-curtain-falls-tonight-show/|title=Watch Greta Van Fleet Play 'When The Curtain Falls' On Fallon|date=July 27, 2018|website=Uproxx.com|access-date=August 7, 2018|archive-date=August 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807155650/https://uproxx.com/music/greta-van-fleet-when-the-curtain-falls-tonight-show/|url-status=live}} The single was released ahead of the studio album to kick off their summer 2018 tour.{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2018/07/greta-van-fleet-when-the-curtain-falls/|title=Greta Van Fleet unleash new single "When the Curtain Falls": Stream|date=July 17, 2018|website=Consequence.net|access-date=August 7, 2018}} The song's live debut on national television was on July 28, 2018, on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/video-greta-van-fleet-performs-when-the-curtain-falls-on-the-tonight-show-starring-jimmy-fallon/|title=Video: GRETA VAN FLEET Performs 'When The Curtain Falls' On 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon'|date=July 27, 2018|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=August 7, 2018}} A music video was released on August 15, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/greta-van-fleet-when-the-curtain-falls-music-video/|title=Greta Van Fleet drop stunning "When The Curtain Falls" music video—watch|date=August 15, 2018|website=altpress.com|access-date=October 17, 2018|archive-date=August 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821223531/https://www.altpress.com/news/greta-van-fleet-when-the-curtain-falls-music-video/|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2018/08/greta-van-fleet-when-the-curtain-falls-watch/|title=Greta Van Fleet share magical video for "When the Curtain Falls": Watch|date=August 15, 2018|website=consequence.net|access-date=October 17, 2018}}
The song was featured in the soundtracks of the video games NHL 19 and MLB The Show 19.{{cite web |last1=Franciscovich |first1=Matt |title=Find A Groove with the NHL 19 Soundtrack |url=https://www.easports.com/nhl/news/2018/find-a-groove-with-the-nhl-19-official-soundtrack |website=EA Sports |date=October 19, 2016 |access-date=September 4, 2018 |archive-date=October 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003125714/https://www.easports.com/nhl/news/2018/find-a-groove-with-the-nhl-19-official-soundtrack |url-status=live }} It was also released as DLC for Rock Band 4.{{Cite web|url=http://www.harmonixmusic.com/blog/dlc-week-of-927-coheed-and-cambria-and-greta-van-fleet|title=DLC Week of 9/27: Coheed and Cambria and Greta Van Fleet!|website=Harmonixmusic.com|access-date=June 7, 2021|archive-date=November 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123221324/http://www.harmonixmusic.com/blog/dlc-week-of-927-coheed-and-cambria-and-greta-van-fleet|url-status=live}}
Composition and themes
Billboard described the song's sound as "hard-hitting drums, funky, distorted guitar solos and sky-high, impassioned vocals.{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8467342/tonight-show-greta-van-fleet-when-the-curtain-falls-watch|title=Greta Van Fleet Get Standing Ovation For Blistering 'Tonight Show' Debut With 'When the Curtain Falls': Watch|website=Billboard.com|access-date=7 August 2018|archive-date=July 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728114825/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8467342/tonight-show-greta-van-fleet-when-the-curtain-falls-watch|url-status=live}} Rolling Stone described the song as "swaggering" and "blistering" with a bluesy guitar and bass melody.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/hear-greta-van-fleets-swaggering-new-song-when-the-curtain-falls-700138/|title=Hear Greta Van Fleet's Swaggering New Song 'When the Curtain Falls'|first=Althea|last=Legaspi|date=July 17, 2018|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=August 7, 2018|archive-date=August 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807155656/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/hear-greta-van-fleets-swaggering-new-song-when-the-curtain-falls-700138/|url-status=live}} Variety noted that the song, like much of the band's music, had a sound similar to Led Zeppelin.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/music/news/greta-van-fleet-drop-fiery-new-song-when-the-curtain-falls-1202876062/|title=Greta Van Fleet Drop Fiery New Song, 'When the Curtain Falls'|author=Variety Staff|date=July 17, 2018|website=Variety.com|access-date=August 7, 2018|archive-date=August 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804202143/https://variety.com/2018/music/news/greta-van-fleet-drop-fiery-new-song-when-the-curtain-falls-1202876062/|url-status=live}} 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."
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."{{cite web|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2018/07/17/heres-greta-van-fleets-new-song-when-the-curtain-falls/|title=Here's Greta Van Fleet's Zeppelin-tastic New Song "When the Curtain Falls" |website=Metalsucks.net|date=July 17, 2018|access-date=August 7, 2018}} Loudwire similarly praised it for its "rich classic rock warmth and sheen worthy of the genre's most accomplished artists".{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/greta-van-fleet-new-track-when-the-curtain-falls/|title=Greta Van Fleet Unleash New Track 'When the Curtain Falls'|website=Loudwire.com|date=July 17, 2018 |access-date=August 7, 2018}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.metrotimes.com/city-slang/archives/2018/07/27/greta-van-fleet-receives-standing-ovation-during-tonight-show-debut|title=Greta Van Fleet receives standing ovation during 'Tonight Show' debut|first=Jerilyn|last=Jordan|website=Metrotimes.com|access-date=August 7, 2018|archive-date=August 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807155805/https://www.metrotimes.com/city-slang/archives/2018/07/27/greta-van-fleet-receives-standing-ovation-during-tonight-show-debut|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/music/2018/07/27/greta-van-fleet-jimmy-fallon-tonight-show/843131002/|title=Watch: Greta Van Fleet performs on Fallon in late-night TV debut|website=Freep.com|access-date=August 7, 2018|archive-date=July 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728142224/https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/music/2018/07/27/greta-van-fleet-jimmy-fallon-tonight-show/843131002/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://waaf.radio.com/blogs/anthony-capobianco/greta-van-fleet-performs-when-curtain-falls-tonight-show-starring-jimmy|title=Watch Greta Van Fleet Tear It Up on The 'Tonight Show'|date=July 27, 2018|website=Waaf.radio.com|access-date=August 7, 2018|archive-date=August 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807161502/https://waaf.radio.com/blogs/anthony-capobianco/greta-van-fleet-performs-when-curtain-falls-tonight-show-starring-jimmy|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/watch-greta-van-fleet-light-up-the-tonight-show-starring-jimmy-fallon|title=Watch Greta Van Fleet light up The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon|website=Loudersound.com|date=July 27, 2018 |access-date=August 7, 2018}}
Personnel
- Joshua Kiszka – vocals
- Jacob Kiszka – guitar
- Samuel Kiszka – bass
- Daniel Wagner – drums
Charts
{{col-start}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2018–2019)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
|
{{single chart|Flanders Tip|4|artist=Greta Van Fleet|song=When the Curtain Falls|rowheader=true|access-date=November 24, 2018}} |
| {{single chart|Wallonia Tip|37|artist=Greta Van Fleet|song=When the Curtain Falls|rowheader=true|access-date=November 17, 2018}} |
| scope="row"| Bolivia (Monitor Latino){{cite web|url=http://charts.monitorlatino.com/top20/Print/bolivia/general/20190218|title=Bolivia General|language=Spanish|publisher=Monitor Latino|access-date=July 17, 2019}}
| 18 |
| {{single chart|Billboardrocksongs|9|artist=Greta Van Fleet|rowheader=true|access-date=October 30, 2018}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrockairplay|10|artist=Greta Van Fleet|rowheader=true|access-date=October 2, 2018}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2018)
! scope="col"| Position |
|---|
| scope="row"| US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2018/hot-rock-songs|title=Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2018|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 27, 2020|archive-date=December 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205033941/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2018/hot-rock-songs|url-status=live}}
| 34 |
| scope="row"| US Rock Airplay (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2018/rock-airplay-songs/|title=Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2018|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 21, 2022|archive-date=April 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407184154/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2018/rock-airplay-songs/|url-status=live}}
| 35 |
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Greta Van Fleet|title=When the Curtain Falls|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2018|certyear=2024|access-date=March 12, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Greta Van Fleet|title=When the Curtain Falls|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2018|certyear=2023|access-date=April 6, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Greta Van Fleet|title=When the Curtain Falls|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2018|certyear=2020|access-date=April 6, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}