The band is best known for their 1996 hit "Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth With Money in My Hand."
Years active:
1985–1991 (as I-Rails)
1991–1994 (O'Connor solo)
1996–present
Fading Out
Primitive Radio Gods Lyrics
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Of a residential neighborhood
The conversations at its peak
But the static's getting louder and
You're fading out, can't hear what you say, you're fading out, out, out, out
The car pulls over to the curb
You're now completely out of range
In the dark where all the voices go
You're fading out, can't hear what you say, you're fading out, out, out, out
You're fading out, can't hear what you say, you're fading out, out, out, out
What did you say? What did you say?
What did you say? What did you say?
What did you say?
On a highway outside town
Another stranger keeps you company
The batteries are running down
I'm gonna loose you to the atmosphere
You're fading out, you're fading out
What did you say?
You're fading out, what did you say?
You're fading out
You're fading out, can't hear what you say, you're fading out, out, out, out
What did you say? What did you say?
What did you say?
The lyrics of "Fading Out" by Primitive Radio Gods describe a situation in which the singer is losing connection with someone, either through physical distance or weak communication, and is struggling to hear what they are saying. The song opens with a car moving slowly down a residential neighborhood street as conversation peaks, but the static grows louder, indicating something is interrupting the conversation. The repetition of "you're fading out, can't hear what you say" emphasizes the singer's frustration in losing connection to the other person.
As the car pulls over, and someone moves behind a curtain, the singer realizes they are "completely out of range, in the dark where all the voices go." The song then shifts to a scene on a highway outside town, where another stranger keeps the singer company, but the batteries are running down, and the singer is "gonna lose you to the atmosphere." Again, the repetition of "you're fading out" emphasizes the singer's frustration and sense of helplessness in losing connection with the other person.
Overall, the lyrics of "Fading Out" paint a picture of the struggle to maintain communication and connection with someone, even in the face of physical distance or technological barriers. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the singer's increasing frustration and sense of disconnection.
Line by Line Meaning
A car moves slowly down the street
A car is driving slowly in a residential area
Of a residential neighborhood
The car is in a residential area
The conversations at its peak
The people in the car are talking loudly
But the static's getting louder and
There is interference in the communication
You're fading out, can't hear what you say, you're fading out, out, out, out
The person they are talking to is losing signal and they can't hear them
The car pulls over to the curb
The car stops on the side of the road
A curtain moves behind a window
Someone is watching from inside a nearby house
You're now completely out of range
The person they are talking to is too far away to hear them
In the dark where all the voices go
When they lose signal it feels like the voices disappear into the void
What did you say? What did you say?
The artist is asking the person to repeat what they said
On a highway outside town
The car is now on a highway outside of a residential area
Another stranger keeps you company
There is another driver nearby
The batteries are running down
The battery on the communication device is dying
I'm gonna loose you to the atmosphere
The singer will lose communication with the other person due to interference or bad signal
You're fading out, you're fading out
The communication is getting weaker
What did you say?
The artist is again asking the person to repeat what they said
You're fading out, what did you say?
The communication is getting weaker and the artist can't hear them
You're fading out
The communication is getting weaker
You're fading out, can't hear what you say, you're fading out, out, out, out
The person they are talking to is losing signal and they can't hear them
What did you say? What did you say?
The artist is again asking the person to repeat what they said
What did you say?
The artist is asking a final time for the person to repeat what they said
Contributed by Joshua J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jacobbradshaw1985
I first listened to this song in 2000, when I was in high school, with my on again/off again girlfriend. Days of playing Tony Hawk Pro Skater, MSN Messenger, and loneliness. A very nostalgic tune for me.
@shaunl446
Very underrated song.
@VcalaID
my chill jam back in 2000!
so nostalgic and still relevant up to now
@Arbancks
perfect song for a twitch stream
@musiclover01ization
This is a really chill song.
@matthewscibetta220
While I am somewhat embarrassed by my generation, we sure had a phenomenal age of arts in our youth! Here's to the American Millennials' Childhood Soundtrack!
@cherryriotyouth
❤
@danielagranger6626
La canción de mi vida, la adoro😍😍😍
@maxovrkll4440
standing in a broken phone booth: 3.9 million views. Next highest viewcount: 10k ouchie
@feralfeline2101
#justice