Fades Away

Album: Tim (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was the first song that came out of a songwriting session between Tim "Avicii" Bergling, his longtime collaborator Carl Falk, British singer/songwriter Joe Janiak, and Joakim Berg, the lead vocalist/writer for one of Sweden's most successful rock band's Kent. The session, in the spring of 2018, was the first time Avicii met Janiak. The Swedish producer preferred to work with his most trusted collaborators; Falk recalled in a Spin interview how he almost turned the newcomer away.

    According to Falk, Avicii called him from his house the day Janiak was arriving. He said: "Maybe we should start the session with just you and me and see how it goes.'" Falk urged him to let Janiak join them as at that very moment he was waiting outside Avicii's front door.
  • Avicii did let Janiak join them; the Swede was glad he did, as he loved the Brit's voice and vibe from the start. By this time, Joakim Berg had joined them and the four started talking about how '60s and '70s bands and artists were comfortable in making giant leaps in mood and feel within just one song. That conversation seeped into "Fades Away," which combines melancholic lyrics with a pretty melody.

    Said Berg: "We wrote it in a bright mode, sort of carefree, and there were lots of laughing and joking, so for me Fades Away will always be a positive song, a simple message about accepting changes, the passing of time and making the best of what you have."
  • "Fades Away" was released as a single on December 5, 2019. While the version on Tim features vocals from Swedish singer-songwriter Noonie Bao, the single version features vocals from Costa Rican singer MishCatt. This linked in with the Avicii Tribute Concert for Mental Health Awareness on December 5, where MishCatt performed the song live. The tribute gig, co-organized by the hitmaker's friend David Guetta, was live-streamed on Avicii's YouTube channel.

Comments: 1

  • Avicii_disciple from Nairobi that was Avicii always. there was always some element of darkness masked up in pretty melody; and that's why he was a genius. Rest in peace warmest man.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Ed Roland of Collective Soul

Ed Roland of Collective SoulSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Shine," "December," "The World I Know" and other Collective Soul hits.

Joe Ely

Joe ElySongwriter Interviews

The renown Texas songwriter has been at it for 40 years, with tales to tell about The Flatlanders and The Clash - that's Joe's Tex-Mex on "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton HeatSongwriter Interviews

The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs.