This fiery empowerment anthem finds Christina Aguilera duetting with Demi Lovato. The song finds the two big-voiced singers talk of the pressures women face, as they express their anger at how their gender are still sidelined and objectified in 2018.
It's just the way it is
And maybe it's never gonna change
But I got a mind to show my strength
And I got a right to speak my mind
And I'm gonna pay for this
They're gonna burn me at the stake
But I got a fire in my veins
I wasn't made to fall in line
Aguilera tweeted regarding the song's message: "To anyone who's ever felt silenced and repressed, the truth seekers and bold thinkers… may you liberate your voice and break the mold, never back down, and never fall in line."
Though the song fits perfectly with the ideology of the anti-female harassment campaign #MeToo, Aguilera actually recorded the tune way before the movement hit the news. She said:
"It was just a song that you know needed to be heard. I've always because I think you know witnessed what I did growing up, I always felt really driven to have a voice that my mom kind of never had in my childhood and growing up. So I have always wanted to be that advocate for women and anybody that was kind of struggling to have their own voice. And 'Fall In line' directly references to believing in yourself and believing to have a voice in its opening lines."
As to why Aguilera chose Lovato as her duet partner, she explained:
"I knew I wanted to share this with another powerhouse singer that can just blow and hit high notes and take this to the next place with me and Demi kind of seems to fit that bill. Also I looked into her backstory and what she was talking about in the media and she had shouted out at me. I felt that she was so sweet and a girl's girl which is so important after we are beat up so much by the media … When I first heard her vocals on this track I started tearing up and its everything I wanted and she definitely put her own spin on it and took it to the next level."
Lovato told
Billboard that Aguilera has been a major influence on her for a long time. "I have always looked up to Christina," she said. "I remember being at her concert and singing facing the crowd instead of the stage, knowing that that was exactly what I wanted to do in life."
This was Aguilera's first collaboration with a female singer on a single in 17 years. The previous one was 2001's "
Lady Marmalade," which featured Lil Kim, Mya and Pink.
The track features production from singer-songwriter Jon Bellion, whose other credits include Eminem's collaboration with Rihanna "
The Monster." Bellion also supplies background vocals along with Audra Mae.
Jon Bellion’s 2018 single "Adult Swim" offers some insight into this song.
Yeah, pick up the phone and someone tells me, "Mr. Bellion, sir
Beyoncé on the line, she tryna reach you on your cellular"
She wanted "Fall In Line," but we gave it to Aguilera, uhh
I hope it's the right decision, Bey wanted it for the twins she signed
I hope I didn't burn that bridge, I worry all the time
I'm just tryna show these kids about this slight of mine.
It seems that Beyoncé wanted the song for Chloe x Halle, a contemporary R&B duo from Atlanta whom she'd signed to her label Parkwood Entertainment. (Chloe and Halle Bailey are sisters but not twins). Bellion is understandably anxious he didn't upset Queen B by giving it to Aguilera.