I Fall to Pieces

"I Fall to Pieces" was one of Patsy Cline's biggest hits, ascending to #12 in 1961, and is probably her most famous song. For a country song, or a country-pop song as it might be more properly classified, "I Fall to Pieces" had an uncommonly lively and bouncy melody, particularly in the rippling descending notes and key changes of the guitar line following her declaration of the title phrase in the verse. That descension mirrored the sense of helplessness of falling in love described by the lyric, one which might play into stereotypes of femininity, but which is effective nonetheless. (And, incidentally, written by two men, Harlan Howard and Hank Cochran.) Another plus to the recording is its brisk walk-run tempo, where many country singers and arrangers would have opted for the more habitual sluggish ballads attached to lyrics such as these. "I Fall to Pieces"'s catchy and wistful melody, as well as its delicately echoed guitar lines that introduce and punctuate the tune, might have been its strongest musical attributes. But Cline also gifted it with a vocal delivery that refused to milk the sentiment and heartache of the words, maintaining dignity but at the same time making her hurt plain. Live Cline performances of the song from 1961 are also available on Live at the Cimarron Ballroom and Live at the Grand Ole Opry. Lynn Anderson, Wanda Jackson, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Michael Nesmith, Ray Price, Linda Ronstadt, Dottie West, and Faron Young are among the more renowned artists who have covered the song.