Released: 2018
“Falling Down” by Lil Peep and featuring XXXTENTACION taps into the hues of loss, nostalgia, and the haunting beauty found in melancholy. It’s a raw confessional that melds the emptiness felt from the physical absence of someone with the bittersweet sentiment of rain—symbolizing both growth and sorrow.
The song kicks off setting a moody scene with the line, “Come, let’s watch the rain as it’s falling down.” This isn’t just about watching rain; it’s an invitation to sit with one’s feelings, to find company in another’s presence during times of sorrow. The motif of rain repeating throughout the song ties back to the tears and the unending nature of grief. When they speak on, “Sunlight on your skin when I’m not around,” it’s a painful reminder of how life moves on despite one’s internal world being stuck in a moment of loss. The line, “Shit don’t feel the same when you’re out of town,” speaks volumes about the emptiness and change felt when someone you’re close to is no longer a part of your day-to-day life.
One of the most powerful parts comes from XXXTENTACION as he reflects on his regret and newfound connection to Lil Peep following his passing. “His name will live, brother,” serves as a poignant reminder of how often society gains a profound appreciation and understanding for artists only after they’ve gone. The commentary, “Like, if I would have known he was so cool…It’s unfortunate because it’s like, yo, when people die, that’s when we like ’em,” sheds light on missed connections and posthumous recognition. It’s a bold confession of shared humanity and the oft-too-late realization of what we’ve had in common with those we’ve lost.
The chorus, repeated with its entreaty to watch the rain, underscores the continuous cycle of grief and remembrance. When they liken love to “walking a bed of nails,” it speaks to the complex, sometimes painful nature of deeply connecting with others, highlighting the hurt that can come with love and loss. Ultimately, “Falling Down” serves as a meditation on mourning, missed opportunities for connection, and the paradoxical way that those who’ve passed can feel both profoundly distant and incredibly close.
