Kristen Hall is an American folk/country singer/songwriter who was a co-fou… Read Full Bio ↴Kristen Hall is an American folk/country singer/songwriter who was a co-founder of the country group Sugarland. She left the group in 2006 to "stay home and write songs" according to a press release from the group.

Prior to founding Sugarland, she released several solo works and, in 2008, released the EP, Katy the Wonder Cub.

Fading Away
Kristen Hall Lyrics

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One of these days i'll be bound somewhere outside of this town i'll walk
away never look back these city limits do just that there's nothing left
that's making me stay and I'm afraid of fading away somebody show me a sign
throw me an unspoken line the mercy of a gentle word a tenderness so seldom
heard when that's all that there is what's left to say but I'm afraid of
fading away maybe you would ask why I cannot say I know there's a voice
speaking to me. .. Speaking through me I close my eyes and I see somebody I
wanna be but just one look into the mirror shows me what I fear most

incessantly time's ticking through my days and I'm so afraid of fading away
of fading away

(Johnny D./guitar, Don Mccollister/bass, Travis Mcnabb/drums)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Kristen Hall's song "Fading Away" reflect the singer's feeling of being trapped in her current situation: stuck in a town that she wants to leave, but held back by the fear of the unknown. She wants somebody to give her a sign that there's something better out there for her, but also recognizes that words can only do so much. She sees the person she wants to be, but is held back by her own insecurities and the passage of time. The repeated phrase "I'm afraid of fading away" emphasizes her fear of being forgotten or becoming insignificant.

The singer's desire for change and fear of being forgotten is a relatable theme that many people can identify with. The use of imagery, such as the "city limits" and the "mirror," helps to paint a picture of the environment the singer is in and how it affects her sense of self. The longing for a "gentle word" and "tenderness" also captures the singer's feeling of being alone and in need of comfort. Overall, the lyrics to "Fading Away" express the universal feeling of wanting more out of life and the fear that holds us back from pursuing our dreams.

Line by Line Meaning

One of these days i'll be bound somewhere outside of this town i'll walk away never look back
At some point in the future, I will leave this town and never return, completely severing ties with everything I have known here.

these city limits do just that there's nothing left that's making me stay
The constraints of this city are holding me back and preventing me from reaching my full potential, leaving me with no reason to remain here.

and I'm afraid of fading away
I am scared of becoming insignificant and forgotten, of my life having no meaningful impact.

somebody show me a sign throw me an unspoken line
I am searching for a subtle hint or clue to guide me in the right direction, a message that is not explicitly stated.

the mercy of a gentle word a tenderness so seldom heard
Compassion and kindness are rare and precious gifts that have the power to comfort and soothe one's soul.

when that's all that there is what's left to say
If all we have is love and affection, then nothing else needs to be said or done.

but I'm afraid of fading away
Despite the presence of love and compassion in my life, I am still deeply worried about becoming insignificant and forgotten.

maybe you would ask why I cannot say
You might wonder why I am unable to articulate my innermost thoughts and feelings, to express the things that trouble me.

I know there's a voice speaking to me. .. Speaking through me
I am aware of an inner voice that guides and motivates me, urging me to follow my dreams and passions.

I close my eyes and I see somebody I wanna be
When I visualize my ideal self, I see someone who is happy, fulfilled, and successful.

but just one look into the mirror shows me what I fear most incessantly
Every time I see my reflection, I am reminded of my deepest fears and insecurities, which plague me constantly.

time's ticking through my days and I'm so afraid of fading away of fading away
As time passes inexorably, my fear of becoming insignificant and forgotten grows more intense with each passing day, leaving me feeling hopeless and lost.

Contributed by Kaylee E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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