Fadein/Fadeout

Album: The Stories We Tell Ourselves (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Here, Jonny Hawkins sings about the bond between a father and son. The father brought his son into this world (Fade In") and his son will watch him die ("Fade Out").

    He said:
    "Son, I have watched you fade in
    You will watch me fade out
    I have watched you fade in
    You will watch me fade out
    When the grip leaves my hand
    I know you won't let me down"


    The father will rest easy when he passes away, knowing that his son will continue his legacy.
  • Guitarist Mark Vollelunga came up with the original idea for the song when he and his wife agreed on the name of their son: Fenix. He said: "I can only hope that my fire continues to burn in him long after I fade out - the same fire my father passed on to me. May we all remember our parents and never leave words or feelings left unsaid. Don't let it be too late."
  • When Jonny Hawkins sings the song, he thinks back on his childhood before lost his mom to cancer. "I think about how my dad taught me to throw a ball," the Nothing More vocalist said. "I think about how my mom taught me to tie my shoes. I think about how my dad would always say 'hard work pays off,' trying to teach me a lesson while I was focused on a video game, too young to care."

    Hawkins added: "I think about the first moment I realized that they wouldn't be here forever. I think about how thankful I am."
  • Blue October violinist Ryan Delahoussaye contributes strings to the track.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Harry Shearer

Harry ShearerSongwriter Interviews

Harry is Derek Smalls in Spinal Tap, Mark Shubb in The Folksmen, and Mr. Burns on The Simpsons.

Tony Joe White

Tony Joe WhiteSongwriter Interviews

The writer of "Rainy Night in Georgia" and "Polk Salad Annie" explains how he cooks up his Louisiana swamp rock.

John Kay of Steppenwolf

John Kay of SteppenwolfSongwriter Interviews

Steppenwolf frontman John Kay talks about "Magic Carpet Ride," "Born To Be Wild," and what he values more than awards and accolades.

Vanessa Carlton

Vanessa CarltonSongwriter Interviews

The "A Thousand Miles" singer on what she thinks of her song being used in White Chicks and how she captured a song from a dream.

Leslie West of Mountain

Leslie West of MountainSongwriter Interviews

From the cowbell on "Mississippi Queen" to recording with The Who when they got the wrong Felix, stories from one of rock's master craftsmen.

Loudon Wainwright III

Loudon Wainwright IIISongwriter Interviews

"Dead Skunk" became a stinker for Loudon when he felt pressure to make another hit - his latest songs deal with mortality, his son Rufus, and picking up poop.