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Album version
We said we'd walk together, baby, come what may
That come the twilight should we lose our way
If as we're walking a hand should slip free
I'll wait for you, should I fall behind wait for me
We swore we'd travel, darling, side by side
We'd help each other stay in stride
But each lover's steps fall so differently
But I'll wait for you, and if I should fall behind wait for me
Now everyone dreams of love lasting and true
Oh but you and I know what this world can do
So let's make our steps clear that the other may see
And I'll wait for you, and if I should fall behind wait for me
Now there's a beautiful river in the valley ahead
There 'neath the oak's bough soon we will be wed
Should we lose each other in the shadow of the evening trees
I'll wait for you, should I fall behind wait for me
Darling, I'll wait for you, and should I fall behind wait for me
Yeah I'll wait for you, and should I fall behind wait for me
I'll wait for you, should I fall behind wait for me
I'll wait for you, should I fall [fades out]
IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND is a song written by Bruce Springsteen and released on his 1992 album Lucky Town. The above lyrics are for Bruce Springsteen's album version of IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND as released in 1992.
The album version of IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was included on The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2015 edition) compilation album and the Best Of Bruce Springsteen (digital edition) compilation album.
Bruce Springsteen's IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was most notably covered and released by Dion DiMucci, Linda Ronstadt, and Faith Hill. See Dion DiMucci's cover version, Linda Ronstadt's cover version, and Faith Hill's cover version for more details.
According to Brucebase, IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was recorded sometime between July and December 1991 at Thrill Hill West (Springsteen's home studio in Los Angeles, CA). Bruce Springsteen plays guitars, keyboards, and sings vocals on this track, and is backed by Gary Mallaber on drums.
A music video for IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND filmed during the sound-check prior to the 25 Sep 1999 show in Philadelphia, PA, was officially released on The Complete Video Anthology / 1978-2000 home video in 2001. See the 25 Sep 1999 sound-check version for more details.
The Human Touch recording sessions were completed by early 1991 and the album was planned to be released in the spring of that year. However Bruce Springsteen decided to hold off the release and he continued to write more songs during the spring and summer of 1991. The recording sessions for what later became Lucky Town spanned a period of about five months, from late summer 1991 to very early 1992. It would appear that they began in September 1991 at Springsteen's Los Angeles home studio and were then augmented at A&M Studios later in 1991. Chuck Plotkin has implied that about 15 songs were complete during this session period, which means there are likely only a handful of undocumented songs from these sessions still in the vaults. These mid to late 1991 sessions were not originally intended to produce a stand-alone album — the songs were meant to be added to the ones recorded in 1990 and then the complete body of material would be sieved to produce one album. However, Springsteen unusually decided to release two different albums, Human Touch and Lucky Town, at the same time.
Lucky Town was recorded between September 1991 and January 1992 at Thrill Hill West (Springsteen's home studio in Los Angeles, CA) and A&M Studios in Los Angeles, CA. The album was recorded by Toby Scott, mixed by Bob Clearmountain, and mastered by Bob Ludwig. It was produced by Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau, and Chuck Plotkin. Roy Bittan is credited as a fourth co-producer of tracks 05, 06, and 07. Lucky Town was released on Columbia Records on 31 Mar 1992, the same day as Human Touch.
Lucky Town features 10 tracks and clocks at 39:38.
IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was the third single from Lucky Town. It was released in December 1992 in Europe and Australia.
The Essential Bruce Springsteen is a compilation album released as part of Sony BMG'S (previously Sony Music Entertainment) series of "Essential" sets. According to Springsteen's liner notes comments, the collection was intended as an introduction to his music for new fans who attended shows on The Rising Tour.
The collection is fundamentally a 2-disc set (clocking at 153:37) compiling songs from all of Springsteen's studio albums to date plus his Live In New York City release. A 3-disc limited edition (clocking at 201:04) was also released. It includes a bonus third disc comprising of a selection of rarities and previously unreleased recordings.
The Essential Bruce Springsteen was released on 11 Nov 2003 on Columbia Records. It debuted and peaked at #14 on the U.S. Billboard 200 album chart where it spent 13 weeks. It also reached #28 on the UK Albums Chart. The album was awarded certified gold and platinum records by the RIAA on 16 Dec 2003.
Disc 1:
Disc 2:
Disc 3:
The Essential Bruce Springsteen was reissued on 16 Oct 2015, this time as a 2-disc set (clocking at 156:25) with an updated track list, compiling songs from all of Springsteen's studio albums to date plus his Greatest Hits (1995 edition) collection. This 2015 reissue features remastered tracks not found in that form on other Springsteen releases.
Disc 1:
Disc 2:
Best Of Bruce Springsteen is a compilation album released on Columbia Records on 19 Apr 2024. The album is collection of original songs spanning Springsteen's entire career, from 1973 to 2020. The release was officially announced on 01 Mar 2024.
Two variants of the album were released: the 18-track physical releases and an expanded 31-track download-only version. The physical releases include a single-disc CD and as a two-disc LP set. Four editions of the vinyl release were issued: a regular edition on black vinyl, an Atlantic Blue vinyl exclusive to Europe, a Highway Yellow vinyl exclusive to independent retailers, and a Jersey Devil Red vinyl exclusive to Amazon Music.
The album version of IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was included on some various artists albums.
Other versions of IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND were also officially released.
In preparation for World Tour 1992-1993, IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was performed during the tour's public warm-up rehearsal shows that took place on 06 May 1992 at Bottom Line in New York City, NY, and on 05 Jun 1992 at Hollywood Center Studios #4 in Hollywood, CA. The song is also known to have been practiced during the private rehearsal that took place in March 1993 in Glasgow, Scotland, the day before the tour's 1993 leg kicked off.
IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was performed 63 times during World Tour 1992-1993 (104 dates, June 1992 to June 1993). 61 of these performances took place during the 1992 part of the tour and only two took place during the 1993 part (the first show and the last show of 1993). The 26 Jun 1993 show in New York City, NY, was billed as "Kristen Ann Carr Fund Benefit Concert". The live 25 Jul 1992 version of IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was released on the Meadowlands July 25, 1992 official live download in 2019. The live 13 Dec 1992 version of IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was released on the Boston 13/12/92 official live download in 2021.
In preparation for The Ghost Of Tom Joad Solo Acoustic Tour, IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was performed during the tour's public warm-up rehearsal show that took place on 21 Nov 1995 at State Theatre in New Brunswick, NJ.
IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was performed 26 times during The Ghost Of Tom Joad Solo Acoustic Tour (128 dates, November 1995 to May 1997). The 02 Dec 1996 performance in Sunrise, FL, featured a guest appearance by Dion DiMucci.
In preparation for The Reunion Tour, IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was performed during two of the tour's two public warm-up rehearsal shows that took place in March 1999 in Asbury Park. The song is also known to have been practiced during at least one of the private rehearsals that took place in March 1999 in Asbury Park prior to the tour's first leg and during the private rehearsal that took place in April 1999 in Barcelona the day before the tour kicked off in Spain.
IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was performed 132 times during what is known as The Reunion Tour (132 dates, April 1999 to July 2000); that is each and every one of the tour's regular dates. The live 25 Sep 1999 version of IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was released on the First Union Center, Philadelphia September 25, 1999 official live download in 2020. The live 30 Sep 1999 version of IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was released on the Chicago September 30, 1999 official live download in 2018. The live 23 Oct 1999 version of IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was released on the Los Angeles October 23, 1999 official live download in 2019. The live 27 Jun 2000 version of IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was released on the Madison Square Garden, New York 06/27/2000 official live download in 2021. The live 01 Jul 2000 version of IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was released on the Madison Square Garden, New York 07/01/2000 official live download in 2017. The live 27 Jun 2000 / 01 Jul 2000 version of IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was released on the Live In New York City album and home video in 2001.
IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was performed 5 times during The Rising Tour (120 dates, August 2002 to October 2003). The first performance, from 23 Nov 2002 in Miami, FL, featured a guest appearance by Dion DiMucci on vocals and was played in an arrangement more similar to The Ghost Of Tom Joad Solo Acoustic Tour version than to The Reunion Tour version. The remaining four performances were played in a solo piano arrangement.
IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was performed 9 times during the Devils & Dust Solo Acoustic Tour (72 dates, April to November 2005). On this tour, the song was played on guitar and piano, except on 26 Jul 2005 in Greensboro, NC, when it was played on pump organ.
In preparation for The Seeger Sessions Tour, IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was performed during three of the tour's four public warm-up rehearsal shows that took place in April 2006 in Asbury Park. The song is also known to have been practiced during at least 4 of the private rehearsals that took place in Mar-Apr 2006 in Asbury Park prior to the tour's first leg, and during at least one of the private rehearsals that took place in September 2006 in Asbury Park prior to the tour's second European leg.
IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was performed 17 times during The Seeger Sessions Tour (56 dates, April to November 2006). The song was played in a "waltz" arrangement, as a duet with Patti Scialfa. The live 19 Nov 2006 version of IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was released on the Live In Dublin album and home video in 2007.
IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was performed once during the Magic Tour (100 dates, October 2007 to August 2008), on 08 Jul 2008 in Oslo, Norway. The song was played in its full-band album arrangement.
IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was performed twice during the Working On A Dream Tour (83 dates, April to November 2009).
IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was performed 6 times during the Wrecking Ball Tour (133 dates, March 2012 to September 2013). On this tour the song was played solo in three different arrangements: on piano, on electrical guitar, and on acoustic guitar. The live 24 Jul 2013 version of IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was released on the Leeds July 24, 2013 official live download in 2018.
IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was performed twice during the High Hopes Tour (34 dates, January to May 2014). The song was played solo on acoustic guitar.
IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was performed off-tour on 22 Sep 1992 at Warner Hollywood Studios in Los Angeles, CA, during the taping of MTV Unplugged. That performance was released on the In Concert / MTV Plugged home video in 1992 and the corresponding audio album the following year. See the live 22 Sep 1992 version for more details.
IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was performed off-tour on 06 Jan 1993 at St. Bartholomew's Church in New York City, NY, during the funeral of Kristen Ann Carr, the daughter of Springsteen's co-manager Barbara Carr and stepdaughter of Dave Marsh. The song was performed as a duet with Patti Scialfa.
IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was performed off-tour on 18 Aug 2001 at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, during a guest appearance with Nils Lofgren and his band.
IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was performed off-tour on 19 Feb 2003 at Somerville Theatre in Somerville, MA, during the DoubleTake Magazine benefit shows.
IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was performed off-tour on 02 Dec 2004 at Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh, PA, during the "Flood Aid '04" benefit concert. The song was played in a solo acoustic arrangement.
IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was performed off-tour on 19 Dec 2004 at Harry's Roadhouse in Asbury Park, NJ, during both holiday jam shows that took place that day. The song was played in a solo acoustic arrangement.
IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was performed off-tour on 03 Oct 2005 at WBJB-FM Studios in Lincroft, NJ, during an appearance for the station's Fall Membership Drive. The song was played in a solo guitar and harmonica arrangement. That performance was officially released on the Live At The NIGHT Volume 3 promo sampler in 2006. See the live 03 Oct 2005 version for more details.
IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was performed off-tour on 28 Jun 2007 at Florentine Gardens in River Vale, NJ, during the wedding reception for friends of Springsteen and his wife. The song was played in a solo acoustic guitar arrangement.
IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was performed off-tour on 21 Apr 2008 at United Methodist Church in Red Bank, NJ, during Danny Federici's funeral service.
IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was performed off-tour on 17 Nov 2009 at Carnegie Hall in New York City, NY, during the "Concert For Autism Speaks" event. The song was played in a solo acoustic arrangement.
IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was performed during three of the five 2001 Asbury Park holiday shows. These concerts were billed as "Bruce Springsteen with The Max Weinberg 7 and Friends", with The Max Weinberg 7 serving as the house band, and Springsteen bringing guests on and off the stage throughout the shows. On these shows the song was played with Nils Lofgren.
Since 2002, Springsteen has been playing private benefit shows for schools and colleges that his kids attended ─ Rumson Country Day School of Rumson, NJ, and Ranney School of Tinton Falls, NJ, and Boston College of Chestnut Hill, MA. IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was performed at one of these fundraisers, at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, and backed by Bobby Bandiera and his band. IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was also performed on 22 May 2010 with during a benefit gala for Gateway School held in New York City, NY.
Bruce Springsteen has been performing on almost all the annual Stand Up for Heroes benefits since 2007. IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was performed during the fourth (2010), seventh (2013), and eighth (2014) annual benefits. The song was played in an acoustic guitar arrangement, accompanied by Patti Scialfa on harmony vocals.
Bruce Springsteen's album version of IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND was used in two movies.
At least 78 artists have recorded and released Bruce Springsteen's IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND.
Some of the above info about the studio recording are taken from Brucebase.
Please contact me if you have scans for or info about any official release containing IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND, or any release containing a cover of Bruce Springsteen's IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND. I also need scans for the following releases:
If you have any corrections, additions, or comments, please contact me via the below form or by email: .
List of available versions of IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND on this website:
IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND [Album version]
