When the Curtain Falls

**When the Curtain Falls** is the third track and the first promotional single from Greta Van Fleet's debut studio album, *Anthem of the Peaceful Army*.

## Background and release

The song was their first promotional single since Safari Song, from the EPs *Black Smoke Rising* and *From the Fires*, and was first released on July 17, 2018 as the debut single of their "unreleased and untitled upcoming studio album".

Four days prior its release the band posted on their social media accounts an image of four white roses against a black background as a countdown, posting the same picture for the next three days but each day eliminating a rose on the process.

## About the song

The song tells the fall from grace story of a young star struggling in the limelight and, “when the curtain falls”, they go back to the fake shallowness of Hollywood.

## Lyrics

**[Verse 1]**
(One, two, three, four)

Well, you’re so pretty and I love you so
You know I'm your biggest fan
I saw your picture and it's the best
The finest in the land

**[Verse 2]**
Camera lights and action
Yeah, the words you know so well
You're in and out of fashion
In a Hollywood of hell

**[Chorus]**
When the curtain falls
Walk the hollow halls, babe
Once a valley doll
Now you’re not at all, no

**[Verse 3]**
Well, I love you in that movie show
Can I have your autograph?
It’s so funny you have such charm
And the whole thing made me laugh

**[Verse 4]**
Obetrol and cocktails
You're counting all your rings
They all said they loved you
Didn't they, darling?
Well, they've taken all your things

**[Chorus]**
When the curtain falls
Walk the hollow halls, babe
Once a valley doll
Now you're not at all, no

**[Bridge]**
Well, listen, darling
It's been real swell
What can I say?
You've got it all
You're a one woman show
But I'm not gonna lie
You could use a little work
Well, at your age
Oooh

What you got, baby?

**[Chorus]**
When the curtain falls
Walk the hollow halls, babe
Once a valley doll
Now you're not at all

Goodbye, baby,
Goodbye

## Music Video

The music video was released on August 15, 2018. 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.

## Critical Reception

*Loudwire* praised the song saying it "boasts a rich classic rock warmth and sheen worthy of the genre’s most accomplished artists." *Digital Journal* also praised the "rocking single", specially Josh's vocals and the band's dinamic, saying "[He] has a voice like no other and [the song] showcases his versatility as a vocalist (especially the piercing notes he belts out), as well as their wide range of talent as a rock group." *NME* said positively that "the twists and turns [of the track] incite all the thrill and fear of watching a fire rage out of control."

## Trivia

* The song reached number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart on November 11, 2018;

* It was featured in the soundtrack of the video game NHL 19;

* It was released as a limited DLC for the video game Rock Band 4.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/watch-greta-van-fleet-play-when-the-curtain-falls-on-the-tonight-show
2. ↑ https://m.metrotimes.com/city-slang/archives/2018/07/17/greta-van-fleet-drop-new-single-when-the-curtain-falls-and-its-really-good
3. ↑ https://loudwire.com/greta-van-fleet-new-track-when-the-curtain-falls/
4. ↑ http://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/music/review-greta-van-fleet-back-with-rocking-single-when-the-curtain-falls/article/527300
5. ↑ https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/greta-van-fleet-album-review
6. ↑ https://www.billboard.com/music/greta-van-fleet/chart-history/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks
7. ↑ https://www.easports.com/nhl-19/news/2018/find-a-groove-with-the-nhl-19-official-soundtrack
8. ↑ http://www.harmonixmusic.com/blog/dlc-week-of-927-coheed-and-cambria-and-greta-van-fleet