[nextpage title=”intro” ]

“11 Songs That Will Never ‘Fade’” features music courtesy of Alice in Chains, BØRNS, Kanye West, and Tinashe among many others.

Sometimes, all it takes is one word (or the form of a word) to fuel a playlist.  In this case, that one word is F-A-D-E, fade.  All of the songs on “11 Songs That Will Never ‘Fade’” feature the keyword in their respective song titles.  It’s really that simple. Sure, the title of the playlist is a bit deceptive – some of these songs likely have/ will fade at some point – but hey, had to call the list something, right? Artists appearing on this colorful playlist include post-grunge rockers Alice in Chains, alternative singer/songwriter BØRNS, polarizing rapper Kanye West, and urban contemporary singer Tinashe among many others.

---

[/nextpage][nextpage title=”1-3″ ]

1. Alice in Chains, “Never Fade”

Rainier Fog • BMG Rights Management • 2018

“Never Fade” is turned-up from the beginning – understatement. The record is energetic, featuring jagged guitars and a good ole minor key.  The opening guitar riff, which recurs throughout the record, is sick.  The verses tend to be a slightly more dissonant than the eventual chorus.  No, it’s nothing too crazy, but the vocal production incorporates a quirky, slightly off-kilter lead vocal harmonization, not to mention the underlying harmonic progression, which theoretically, resolves incorrectly. Everything feels “right as rain” on the highly effective, memorable chorus.

“Never fade / I know you think you’re someone I forgot / Never fade / I’m everything you really think I’m not / Never fade / I know you think you’re someone I forgot / Never fade.”

Beyond the verses and choruses, there’s a sick, souped-up electric guitar solo.  The shredding hearkens back to the 90s grunge sound, sigh, one of the biggest selling points of Rainier Fog as a whole.

---

2. Tinashe, “Faded Love”

Ft. Future

Joyride • RCA • 2018

Tinashe kicks off “Faded Love” with that cool, calm, collected, and sexy sound we’ve become accustomed too.  Even at her subtlest, she has a truly beautiful voice.  Essentially, “Faded Love” doesn’t sound far-fetched from what she served up on Aquarius.  That’s ultimately a pro, even if it doesn’t represent major evolution.  The theme is love, cliché and common, yet effective.  Featured guest Future provides his normal, autotuned, melodic contrast.  He certainly not game changing, but he fits the vibe. *Cues up 2 Chainz.*

---

3.BØRNS, “Faded Heart”

Blue Madonna • Interscope • 2018

“Faded Heart” cooks – up-tempo, driving, and chocked-full of energy.  Despite his distinct, generally high-pitched voice, BØRNS packs a punch vocally.  On the verses, he resides in his middle register, showcasing some grit, at least contextually. Expectedly, he ascends into his upper register on the centerpiece of “Faded Heart,” the memorable chorus.

“High as a pretty star / Don’t you break my faded heart / Don’t put me out / Show me what it’s all about / Don’t you break my faded heart / Don’t you break it, no.”

Other selling points: superb production and a rocking vibe.

---

[/nextpage][nextpage title=”4-6″ ]

4. James Bay, “Fade”

Electric Light • Republic • 2018

Grammy-nominated English singer/songwriter James Bay didn’t rush to release his sophomore album, Electric Light (2018).  After dropping Chaos and the Calm in 2014, fans had an excruciating four-year wait for a new project.  Despite quirky promo single “Wild Love” – an ‘about-face’ from anything served up on his debut album – Bay ultimately exceeded expectations on Electric Light. Penultimate record “Fade Out,” like the aforementioned “Wild Love,” finds Bay employing electronics and a wider palette of sounds.  Stylistically, it resides somewhere between contemporary soul, pop, and alternative music.  While it doesn’t earn a spot among the gems, it’s certainly an interesting listening experience to say the least.

“You say nothing all night / I’m back burning, don’t lie / All night, all night / You give me nothing, act shy / Tell your friends, I don’t mind / All night, all night / We get drunk and repeat.”

---

5. Fall Out Boy, “Super Fade”

Lake Effect Kid • Island • 2018

“I should’ve known better / I should’ve known better / I should’ve tried to sing about anything but you… / Anything else in the world but you / You know the world can get my bones / But Chicago gets my soul.”  It’s pretty simple folks.  Fall Out Boy is singing about one thing, and one thing only – Chicago, Illinois.  Time after time, artists have written a song dedicated to a love for their hometown.  On “Super Fade,” a quirky, biting, electro-urban-infused alternative record (mouthful), Patrick Stump and company are focused on Chicago.

“You know that I got a hole that I try to fill (sorry) / A hole that I try to fill with trophies and lights… / My love isn’t lost, it’s all I got.”

---

6.Die Antwoord, “Fat Faded F*ck Face”

Mount Ninji and da Nice Kid • Zef • 2016

South African collective Die Antwoord dropped southern rap-infused single, “Fat Faded F*ck Face”, a highlight of their 2016 LP, Mount Ninji and da Nice Time Kid.  Song titles don’t get much more honest than the satisfyingly explicit “Fat Faded F*ck Face”. “Fat Faded F*ck Face” features hardcore rap production which favors the production that would grace an American southern rap song. Ultimately, the song is one big insult, filled with the archetypical shots made by rappers consistently. Ninja initiates “Fat Faded F*ck Face” unapologetically on the hook:

“F*ck, I’m so faded / Motherf*ck, I’m faded/ In the morning, I be fresh as f*ck / But your b*tch still be faded / Fat faded f*ck face, save it / How’d you get so jaded? / So vain never made it / Just flash in the pan, could get faded / Your legacy’s overrated, your new shit sounds dated / You no longer famous, kids don’t know what your name is / Something crawled up your anus and died / That’s why your face is so f*cked up / Salt tasted in your mouth / Your b*tch call me the greatest.”

The first verse is performed by Yolandi, featuring a signature catch-line, “I told your boy, ‘your b*tch needs to chill’ (b*tch needs to chill).” Things get weirder, with Yolandi performing the second verse in a different language. Ninja performs the final verse, in the same style as the hook. One big insult after another and a consistent brag-fest, “Fat Faded F*ck Face” is another enjoyable, quasi-eccentric single from the South African collective.

---

[/nextpage][nextpage title=”7-9″ ]

7. Kanye West, “Fade”

The Life of Pablo • GOOD / Def Jam • 2016

Hmm. Post- My Beautiful Dark and Twisted Fantasy, Grammy-winning rapper Kanye West definitely became more ‘left of center’ compared to his previous work. Understatement. Call it evolution, or to quote Taylor Swift, “Call it What You Want.” Anyways, West’s 2016 album The Life of Pablo has some excellent moments, as well as rawer, more flawed ones.  One of the most polarizing, quirkier moments from the messily rolled out LP was “Fade,” featuring Post Malone and Ty Dolla Sign. Featuring a Rare Earth sample (“(I Know) I’m Losing You”), among a couple other samples, not only is “Fade” quirky in the context of TLOP, it’s one of the weirder songs of his storied career.

---

8. Fitz and the Tantrums, “Fadeback”

Fitz and the Tantrums • Elektra • 2016

“I just want you to fade back into me / I just need you to fade back / Just fade back into me.” “Fadeback” plays as carefree as everything else on Fitz and the Tantrums, keeping the tempo up and the beats dope. Initially, it seemed as if the band were taking a page out of Janet Jackson’s book (“Feedback” from Discipline) but they didn’t quite go there, not to mention opting for “fade back” instead. Even if it seems as if Fitz and the Tantrums seem too eager to dance at this point, “Fadeback” is one of those moments that wins over the listeners.

---

9. Logic, “Fade Away”

The Incredibly True Story • Def Jam • 2015

“Contact,” the intro on Logic’s sophomore album, The Incredible True Story, sets up the standout, full-length number, “Fade Away.” On “Fade Away,” Logic spits, “Fade away, fade away / They gon’ know my name until it fade away…” As usual, his flow is crazy – fast-paced, motor-mouthed, and undeniably awesome.  “I been there, I done that this rap shit I run that,” he boasts upon the first verse, continuing, “Motherf*cker, this far from a comeback, if one of us fall then we run back.” “Fade Away” contains a skit at its conclusion, which connects to the forthcoming track, “Upgrade.”

---

[/nextpage][nextpage title=”10-11″ ]

10.Damien Rice, “My Favourite Faded Fantasy”

My Favourite Faded Fantasy • Damien Rice / Warner Bros. • 2014

“You could be my favourite taste / To touch my tongue / I know someone who could serve me love / But it wouldn’t fill me up.” Honestly, 44-year old Irish folk singer/songwriter Damien Rice keeps it pretty straightforward and self-explanatory on “My Favorite Faded Fantasy,” the opener and title track for his 2014 studio album.  Poetically, throughout the lengthy record, Rice tenderly fantasizes about all the things that she could be – how infatuated he is with her and how special she is to him.  Of course, as the title makes clear, it’s all fantasy and ultimately, fades.

“You could be my poison, my cross / My razor blade / I could love you more than life / If I wasn’t so afraid.”

---

11. Tyga, “Faded”

Ft. Lil Wayne

Careless World: Rise of the Last King • Cash Money • 2012

“My n*gga, I’m faded, faded, faded / And I don’t give a f*ck.” Charming.  As this playlist fades out, we conclude things fittingly by getting absolutely “Faded.” That’s right, Tyga, assisted by Lil Wayne, is high out of his mind on this standout from his 2012 breakthrough album, Careless World: Rise of the Last King.  You could say that Tyga “talks a lot of shit” on his two verses, mostly encompassing sex and fueled by being, well, faded.  Typical rap stuff. Naturally, Lil Wayne matches Tyga’s energy, focusing on sexual pleasure in graphic detail.  A perfect example? “Prior to me coming, I had to stick my thumb in / Her ass one time, smell my finger make you vomit.” That’s disgusting, TMI…

---

Photo Credits: BMG Rights Management, Cash Money, Damien Rice, Def Jam, Elektra, GOOD, Interscope, Island, RCA, Republic, Warner Bros., Zef

[/nextpage]