The band broke up in 2016 but announced their comeback, along with 2 singles under the title "Too Quick to Forgive", on April 11th, 2023. The singles were produced by Will Yip and released under Memory Music.
Fade
Balance and Composure Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pacing back and forth, I find
That I
Can't get it right
Steady on my troubled mind
Bitter tasting words like
Why did I
You think I am so
Worried and careful
I know you're right, it's true
I'm a weeping willow
And I know places
That make the rainy days seem so bright
I've been to all of them a few times
Oh, what a sight
Say the world doesn't really want you to fade
Because it is passing
So hold on to all the little things that you love
'Cause I am crashing
Just wanna fade
Watch it all drift away
As I make my big escape
Spill my guts to the wall, I find
Wasted all my precious time
That I
Never got right
Leaning on my wounded pride
Not the way I was designed
But I
See no lie, oh
I've lost every nerve on you
Plucking each one, one at a time
It always eats away at you
Steady on your troubled mind
I'm scared of ever finding out
All I've lived for was a lie
All the worries and the doubt
You don't even think straight sometimes
Fading quickly, hear it coming
I thought I saw it pass me by
Love me with an empty heart tonight
Just wanna fade
Watch it all drift away
As I make my big escape
Just wanna fade
Watch it all drift away
As I make my big escape
The lyrics of "Fade" by Balance and Composure convey a sense of restlessness and turmoil. The singer is struggling to find a sense of stability and is plagued with doubt and regret. The first stanza sets the tone for the song with the singer pacing back and forth and feeling like they can't get anything right. This is indicative of a life that is out of balance and lacking in direction. The line "bitter tasting words like why did I never write home" speaks to the regret that the singer feels about not staying in touch with loved ones. They are haunted by this failure to connect and it has become a source of pain.
The second stanza introduces the idea that the singer is worried and careful. They are constantly second-guessing themselves and unsure of how to navigate their life. The analogy of the weeping willow is apt, as it is a tree that is known for being delicate and vulnerable. The line "I know places that make the rainy days seem so bright" suggests that the singer has sought solace in different places but has never found a permanent sense of peace. They have been to all of these places a few times, indicating a cyclical pattern of searching without finding.
The chorus repeats the phrase "just wanna fade" which is ambiguous but likely refers to a desire to escape from the difficulties and uncertainty of life. "Watch it all drift away" suggests a sense of detachment and letting go. The line "as I make my big escape" indicates that the singer is actively seeking a way out of their present situation. However, there is a paradox in wanting to fade away while also wanting to hold on to the little things that are still meaningful.
The final stanza brings in a new element - a relationship that is causing the singer pain. They describe losing every nerve on this person and plucking each one, one at a time. The line "it always eats away at you, steady on your troubled mind" is a poignant description of the toll that a toxic relationship can take on a person's mental health. The final lines of the song suggest that the singer is aware that they are living for a lie but is too scared to confront this truth head-on. They are headed towards a crash and are desperately grasping for something to hold on to.
Overall, "Fade" is a powerful song that explores the complex emotions of regret, uncertainty, and the desire to escape. The lyrics are deeply personal yet universal in their themes, and the instrumentation complements the mood perfectly.
Line by Line Meaning
Leaning on the edge this time
Feeling at the edge of something; unsure of what comes next
Pacing back and forth, I find
Feeling restless and anxious
That I
Continuation of previous line
Can't get it right
Feeling like everything is going wrong
Steady on my troubled mind
Feeling like the problems are always on the mind
Bitter tasting words like
Words that are hard to swallow, that seem bad or wrong
Why did I
Questioning past decisions or actions
Never write home?
Thinking about not communicating with family/friends and feeling regretful
You think I am so
Others' perception of being very worried/cautious
Worried and careful
Feeling anxious and taking things slowly/carefully
I know you're right, it's true
Acknowledgment of others' perceptions
I'm a weeping willow
Comparing oneself to a tree that often droops and cries
And I know places
Having knowledge of coping mechanisms or things that make one feel better
That make the rainy days seem so bright
Things that help brighten one's mood on a bad day
I've been to all of them a few times
Having tried many coping mechanisms, but still struggling
Oh, what a sight
A feeling of awe, or possibly sarcasm
Say the world doesn't really want you to fade
Feeling unsupported or unwanted by the world
Because it is passing
The world is constantly moving and changing
So hold on to all the little things that you love
Finding and appreciating the small things that make life worth living
'Cause I am crashing
Feeling overwhelmed and like things are falling apart
Just wanna fade
Wanting to fade away, possibly referring to depression or suicidal thoughts
Watch it all drift away
Letting go of everything and not caring anymore
As I make my big escape
Escaping from everything that's been causing stress and pain
Spill my guts to the wall, I find
Unburdening oneself, possibly by talking to a wall
Wasted all my precious time
Feeling like time has been wasted on unimportant things
Not the way I was designed
Feeling like something is wrong with oneself or the world
But I
Continuation of previous line
See no lie, oh
Acknowledging truth or reality in one's situation
I've lost every nerve on you
Feeling overwhelmed by a particular situation or person
Plucking each one, one at a time
Slowly being worn down by something
It always eats away at you
Something that is constantly bothering or nagging at you
Steady on your troubled mind
Feeling like the problems are always on the mind
I'm scared of ever finding out
Fear of discovering something unpleasant or difficult
All I've lived for was a lie
Feeling like everything one has done or worked for is meaningless
All the worries and the doubt
Feeling weighed down by anxiety and uncertainty
You don't even think straight sometimes
Mental clarity and focus are lacking
Fading quickly, hear it coming
Feeling like things are slipping away and time is running out
I thought I saw it pass me by
Feeling like an opportunity was missed or not taken advantage of
Love me with an empty heart tonight
Feeling like love or affection is not genuine or meaningful
Contributed by Gianna B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.