Best Of: Falling In Reverse
No one could have predicted the rise of Falling in Reverse. Fresh off a prison sentence, Ronnie Radke wasted no time putting together a group of musicians to continue his music career. Between Radke’s charisma, the band’s fearless experimentation and their dedication to their craft, they’ve become one of the most successful bands in the scene. With the loss of founding member and longtime guitarist Derek Jones earlier this week, we wanted to look back on Falling in Reverse’s career thus far and highlight some of the band’s best moments.
The Drug In Me Is You
The lead single from Falling In Reverse’s debut is cheeky, catchy, and surprisingly contemplative. Radke details the paranoia he experienced as a convict and somehow makes it a sing-along. “The Drug In Me Is You” laid the blueprint for Radke using his personal experiences as fuel for songwriting.
Raised By Wolves
“Raised By Wolves” is the result of metalcore-meets-diss-track. Radke wrote the song after being replaced as vocalist of Escape the Fate and he pulls no punches. Throughout the track, Radke claims he was the creative force behind ETF and throws in several not-so-subtle references to the group, including that pre-breakdown callout “This war is mine.”
Bad Girls Club
While FIR’s debut mostly stayed in the lanes of emo and metalcore, their follow-up Fashionably Late would be the breeding ground for the band’s forays into pop and rap. “Bad Girls Club” is a synth-heavy bubblegum pop earworm. The song includes a cheerleading-style chant that feels impossible not to join in, or at least shimmy along.
Rolling Stone
Speaking of playing with genres, “Rolling Stone” showcases the band at their most experimental. With a pop-rock chorus, metalcore verses, a rap break, and a dubstep bridge, FIR threw the rule book out the window and showed they’re much more than a straightforward rock band.
Chemical Prisoner
One of the most personal songs Radke’s ever written, “Chemical Prisoner” details how addiction has impacted his life, from his own experiences to those with family and friends. Radke acknowledges the temptation he feels at times and his constant effort to stay sober.
Just Like You
Radke has attracted a fair amount of dislike and criticism. It’s true you can’t please everyone, but his ego, criminal history, and outspoken nature have given his detractors plenty of fuel. On “Just Like You,” Radke opens the song simply: “I am aware that I am an asshole/I really don’t care about all of that though.” Radke compares himself to his haters, asking what makes them so different, all while truly owning the asshole label.
Loser
The band took a noticeably more serious tone on their most recent full-length Coming Home. On “Loser,” the song’s pace is frantic with Radke pushing his voice to the edge of screaming and singing. He wrestles with self-doubt and struggles to define personal success and happiness.
Drugs
With auto-tuned vocals and hip-hop beats, FIR takes influence from electronic music and SoundCloud rap on “Drugs.” Radke comments on the glamorization of drug use and conditions that push people into addiction. Not to mention, there’s a killer guest spot from Corey Taylor.
Popular Monster
The most recent release from FIR shows remarkable growth from the band that debuted with The Drug In Me Is You. Radke’s flow and delivery has improved significantly since he first tried his hand at rap. He details mental illness, self-destructive behavior, and the public’s opinion of him once again on one of the band’s most energetic, genre-bending, and well-written songs to date.