In mid-1999, after releasing two video singles in the form of Dominoes and Beautiful, Fur Patrol went into the studio to record what would eventually be known as the album Pet. The first single, Now, was released in May alongside an excellent music video from Chris Graham at 2-D films. Pet, initially to be released in August 2000, (a full year after it was recorded) was finally released on October the 13th 2000. One of many successful New Zealand albums released at this time, Pet was delayed time and time again so it wouldn't be lost among the hype of the other top selling albums. Fortunately, their success at pulling the crowds in, including the General Electric tour, featuring the now defunct Weta and biggest band in the world, Pacifier aka Shihad, impressed both fans and critics alike. So impressed were the buying public that they raised Pet sales to platinum status, and a peak of number 7 on the national album charts. Meanwhile the Furs jumped over to Australia for their virgin trip, scoring the support slot for the Dandy Warhols. Australia was now on their minds.
Track number 5 from Pet, a little ditty named Lydia, soon became the most played song on radio and the Xmas number 1 in the country. This number 1 was the only New Zealand song to reach the top in 2000, surprising considering the popularity of NZ music growing at the time. They picked up 4 Tuis/NZ music awards, including single of the year for Lydia, and songwriter of the year for Julia. Fur Patrol performed their wee hearts out over the summer of 2000/2001 and after the orientation gigs in Feb/March 2001 leaped the ditch and set up camp in Melbourne, Australia, much to the dismay of their fans in New Zealand.
On arrival the band joined Australian band Motor Ace on a tour, followed up by a support slot for legendary former Split Enz/Crowded House singer Neil Finn. They continued gigging around and visited New Zealand once more in 2001 to play the By Hokey it's Fur Patrol tour with Betchadupa and Goodshirt.
In 2002, after NZ Orientation gigs, the Furs joined other Australiasian acts at the Fierce Festival in England, alongside fellow number 1 kiwi Che-Fu.
In October 2003 the Furs released the HIGHLY anticipated second album, "Collider" after working on it in London with producer Mark Wallis and have since been focusing mainly on Australia, where they are making quite an impact.
In October 2004, Steve Wells made the decision to leave Fur Patrol. Fur Patrol began life as a new mini-beast and on 14 May 2007 their first spawn in 3.5 years was released in NZ - the delightful EP "Long Distance Runner".
Up next - their first LP as a 3-piece. And the little world waits...
Fade Away
Fur Patrol Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You were lying alone
You reached for comfort
I was already gone
And you were sleeping
As I kissed you to go
Stable, is it all that you want?
And so I wonder, do you know me at all?
As I kissed you to go
And I want you to know
As the skies fade below us
We were nearing the end
Break it out or fade away
Take time to adhere where you lie
Is it over?
Or is it me in denial?
You were sleeping anyway
As I kissed you to go
I can make it on my own
Break it out
And I want you to know
As the skies fade below us
You were nearing the end
Break it out or fade away
And I want you to know...
I can make it on my own
The lyrics of Fur Patrol's "Fade Away" appear to be about the end of a relationship. The opening lines set the scene with the singer waking up alone in bed, reaching out for comfort, only to find that their partner has already left. The lines "And so I wonder, do you know me at all?" suggest that there may be a lack of connection or understanding between the two people in the relationship. The chorus urges the listener to "Break it out or fade away," which can be interpreted as a call to action: either make a change and save the relationship, or let it fade away into nothing.
The bridge of the song takes a reflective turn, with the singer questioning whether the relationship is really over or if they are simply in denial. The final repetition of "I can make it on my own" seems to suggest that the singer has come to terms with the end of the relationship and is ready to move on.
Overall, "Fade Away" presents a complex emotional landscape, filled with feelings of doubt, regret, and a sense of agency in the face of heartache.
Line by Line Meaning
You woke up
You opened your eyes from slumber
You were lying alone
You were in bed by yourself
You reached for comfort
You sought solace
I was already gone
I had already left
And you were sleeping
And you were still asleep
As I kissed you to go
As I gave you a goodbye kiss
Stable, is it all that you want?
Is being steady all you desire?
And so I wonder, do you know me at all?
I question if you truly understand me
And you were sleeping anyway
And you were still sleeping regardless
And I want you to know
And I need you to grasp
As the skies fade below us
As the horizon darkens beneath us
We were nearing the end
We were approaching the conclusion
Break it out or fade away
Escape or disappear
Take time to adhere where you lie
Take a moment to recognize where you stand
Is it over?
Has it come to an end?
Or is it me in denial?
Or am I not accepting the truth?
I can make it on my own
I can succeed independently
And I want you to know
And I need you to comprehend
And you were sleeping anyway
And you were still sleeping regardless
As I kissed you to go
As I gave you a goodbye kiss
Break it out
Escape
And I want you to know
And I need you to understand
As the skies fade below us
As the horizon darkens beneath us
You were nearing the end
You were approaching the conclusion
Break it out or fade away
Escape or disappear
And I want you to know...
And I need you to realize...
I can make it on my own
I can succeed independently
Contributed by Mateo F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ledwatchman
Criminally underrated song and video with a great CGI concept, I wish I had found your upload sooner!
Tahii
It was blocked for so long. It's been. Up for years, insta-blocked by a record label. Must have only recently become unlocked.
The video is brilliant. I remember a BTS on this, Julia's legs are also CGI
ledwatchman
@Tahii I see, I've always loved this song and video, and wondered why it didn't chart. They were best known for the big local hit Lydia, which is also a great song. It's a pity about all the copyright shenanigans on YT, but thanks very much for uploading and leaving it up all this time!
Christopher Wakeen
This song rips!