But then we went to school at Ohio University. OU was all about partying (and the occasional class and all night study session). We had the opportunity to play such infamous shows like Halloween, PalmerFest, ThreeFest/FourFest, etc. We honed our partying skills and abilities to entertain a crowd. OU really brought out the fun side of us, so much so that it became a part of our music.
The mixture of these two incredibly different characteristics is the simplified explanation of what Downplay is, why we sound the way we now do, and why we have so much damn fun doing it.
Like what you hear?! Pick up an album by clicking the Paypal link below or get it on iTunes. Not convinced?! Come to a show. You will not be disappointed.
Downplay is playing shows all over the state of Ohio and doesn’t plan to stop any time in the future, so if you live in Ohio, chances are we will be playing near you soon, so check us out!
FADE AWAY
Downplay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is the money your savior?
Salvation sold at the door.
Is your heart made of stone?
Celebrity, what are you famous for?
Do you like being the camera whore?
The respect for the way you're born.
Hey you! As you look out for number one,
Do you like what you have become?
Hey you! Did your dreams just fade away,
When you jumped right into the flame?
It's too late!
Too late!
When did the real you fade away?
Senator blamed it on the poor.
When you work there the day before.
We can't listen any more.
Do you feel alarmed?
Hey you! As you look out for number one,
Do you like what you have become?
Hey you! Did your dreams just fade away,
When you jumped right into the flame?
It's too late!
Too late!
When did the real you fade away?
Fade away
Fade away
Fade away
Fade away!
Gave yourself up for all the dough!
For a cardboard halo!
I can't defect, to take the place!
While the real you, fades away!
Do you feel, alarmed?
Hey you! As you look out for number one,
Do you like what you have become?
Hey you! Did your dreams just fade away,
When you jumped right into the flame?
It's too late!
Too late!
When did the real you fade away?
The lyrics of Downplay's song "Fade Away" reflect on people who have lost their true selves by being consumed by their greed and fame. The first verse talks about a preacher man selling salvation in bookstores, questioning if money has become their savior and if their heart is made of stone. The second verse targets celebrities, asking if they like being a camera whore and if they are still respected for who they are or if they feel alarmed. The third verse talks about senators and politicians who blame the poor, but can no longer be listened to because they have lost touch with what matters.
The chorus repeats the question "when did the real you fade away?" and talks about the danger of pursuing selfish desires that lead to the loss of one's true self. The bridge describes someone who gave themselves up for money, but ended up with a cardboard halo and the fear of being replaced while their true self fades away.
The lyrics of "Fade Away" are a call to reflect on our lives and consider whether our pursuit of wealth, fame or power has caused us to lose touch with who we really are. It urges us to resist the temptation to define ourselves by external factors and instead focus on developing our true selves.
Line by Line Meaning
Preacher man selling in bookstores.
Is the preacher only in for the money?
Is the money your savior?
Do you value money over everything else in life?
Salvation sold at the door.
Are you willing to believe anything for a price?
Is your heart made of stone?
Have you become immune to the pain and suffering around you?
Celebrity, what are you famous for?
Are you famous for things that matter or for something that is shallow?
Do you like being the camera whore?
Do you enjoy being in the media spotlight for superficial reasons?
The respect for the way you're born.
Do people respect you for who you are or for what you do?
Do you feel alarmed?
Are you aware of the negative consequences of your actions?
Hey you! As you look out for number one,
Are you focused only on your own needs and desires?
Do you like what you have become?
Do you feel satisfied with the person you have become?
Hey you! Did your dreams just fade away,
Have your dreams been overshadowed by your desire for wealth or fame?
When you jumped right into the flame?
Did you willingly sacrifice your dreams for something that turned out to be destructive?
It's too late!
You have already made irreversible decisions and actions.
When did the real you fade away?
At what point did you lose sight of who you truly are?
Senator blamed it on the poor.
Did the senator shift blame onto the underprivileged?
When you work there the day before.
Did you recently experience hardship or struggle?
We can't listen any more.
Are society and individuals becoming numb to the suffering around them?
Fade away!
Slowly disappearing or losing what is truly important.
Gave yourself up for all the dough!
Did you sacrifice your morals and beliefs for financial gain?
For a cardboard halo!
Is your sense of self-worth based purely on material possessions?
I can't defect, to take the place!
Are you unable to conform to society's expectations even when it is detrimental to you?
While the real you, fades away!
As you continue to prioritize the superficial, you lose touch with who you really are.
Do you feel, alarmed?
Are you aware of the negative impact of your actions, beliefs, or desires?
Hey you! As you look out for number one,
Are you too focused on your own self-interest that you disregard the well-being of others?
Did your dreams just fade away,
Have you given up on your dreams or lost sight of them due to circumstances or other priorities?
When did the real you fade away?
At what point have you lost touch with your true self and become something you never wanted to be?
Contributed by Colin N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.