The PPL ultimately located itself in Columbus, Ohio (sixty miles north of Waverly), and the group had its first success in Cincinnati. The original stage band was made up of Fuller, McGrail, Powell, Phil Stokes on bass, and Robin Suskind on guitar and mandola. His steel guitar greatly improved on the guys' country songs and sparked hot guitar duels with Fuller that contributed greatly to the 'fusion' ethos of the band, its signature sound.
PPL’s biggest hits include Fuller’s country classic, "Amie", a piece released in 1972 that still attracts major airplay today due to its smooth, emotional sound. Some of their other tracks are “Two Lane Highway” and the musically less-representative pop song "Let Me Love You Tonight", which was composed by Jeff Wilson, Dan Greer, and Steve Woodard. Vince Gill, later to become one of Nashville’s biggest solo stars, sang and played guitar with the band in the early 80s and recorded a revised version of "Amie" for their greatest hits album.
In the late 90s, PPL was back with a lineup of Fuller, Connor, Reilly, Burr, Fats Kaplin (pedal steel guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, accordion, washboard) and Rich Schell (vocals, drums, percussion). After two years, in June 2000, Burr was succeeded by Curtis Wright (vocals, guitars). The group began work on a new album in 2002, but abandoned the sessions and separated once again (probably due to the illness of Connor). Connor died on September 9th, 2004 after a long battle with cancer.
Following Connor's death, the group resumed touring once more in 2004 with Fuller, Reilly, Schell, Wright and Kaplin (when available), and released All in Good Time in 2005, their first album in 18 years. This release appeared on the small Drifter's Church label.
Since this time, PPL have continued to tour playing a handful of shows every year. Reilly was unable to continue in 2006 after he was forced to undergo a liver transplant. Jack Sundrud (from Poco) came in to sub for Reilly, and Rick Plant also briefly did a stint on bass (before relocating to Australia in late 2006). Sundrud then returned. Reilly appeared at a few shows in May 2007, playing guitar, but was unable to come back full-time until 2008. Jeff "Stick" Davis (from Amazing Rhythm Aces) sat in on bass for Mike in 2007. Call played some concerts in 2006 & 2007, standing in for Kaplin, and Donnie Clark replaced Curtis Wright in 2006, after Wright joined Reba McEntire's band.
A fourteenth album was released in 2006, composed primarily of Craig Fuller songs, an echo of their very first album back in 1971.
Fade Away
Pure Prairie League Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you're not lookin' my way
Like you trying to act cool
I think I lost my mind
Back there and then
Oh how I let my feelings go
You see, I know it's just a crush
No one's forcing it, boy
So you I'll put aside
Thought friends we would be
Oh, boy
*Sadly you took my smile away
Every time you look my way
It fades away
I think it's best it stays this way
Every time you look my way
Yeah, it fades away
You just wanna say hello to me
Now the table's turned
I'm not lookin' your way
Don't get it wrong
Oh, it's twisted up
Alright let's make this story short
You see, I know it's just a crush
And a crush won't ever last long
No one's forcing it, boy
So you I'll put aside
Thought friends we would be
Oh, boy
Repeat *
Whao
Why did it have to go down this way?
I'll admit I feel you when you are near
Maybe baby we got it all wrong
Repeat * x2
The lyrics of "Fade Away" by Pure Prairie League tell the story of a crush that doesn't go anywhere. The singer wants to say hello to the person they are interested in, but they won't look their way, seemingly trying to act cool. The singer is painfully aware that their feelings won't last and that they can't force anything to happen, but they still feel a connection to this person. As the song progresses, the tables turn and the person the singer has a crush on wants to say hello. However, the singer is no longer interested, and the opportunity has faded away.
The chorus emphasizes the disappointment and melancholy felt by the singer. Every time their crush looks their way, their smile fades away, and it's best to keep things the way they are. The third verse acknowledges the confusion and twisted nature of the situation, wondering why things had to go down this way. The final repetition of the chorus suggests a second chance, admitting that the singer feels something when this person is near, and maybe they got it all wrong.
Overall, "Fade Away" is a bittersweet song about a crush that never goes anywhere, and the disappointment and frustration that come with it. It's a relatable theme that many people can identify with, and the lyrics are poetic and expressive.
Line by Line Meaning
I just wanna say hello to you
I want to greet you but I don't know how to start.
But you're not lookin' my way
But you seem to be avoiding me or not interested in me.
Like you trying to act cool
As if you're just trying to act cool or aloof.
I think I lost my mind
I think I'm getting a bit crazy or irrational because of my crush on you.
Back there and then
At some point in the past, I may have done something stupid because of my feelings for you.
Oh how I let my feelings go
I allowed my emotions to take control and it might have been too much too handle.
You see, I know it's just a crush
I realize that I'm only attracted to you, but I also know it won't last long.
And a crush won't ever last long
Crushes are temporary and they generally don't develop into something long-lasting.
No one's forcing it, boy
Nobody is pushing me to pursue a relationship with you. It's all just me.
So you I'll put aside
That's why I'll put my feelings for you on the back burner.
Thought friends we would be
Initially, I only expected us to be friends, nothing more.
Sadly you took my smile away
Unfortunately, seeing you now makes me feel down or unhappy.
Every time you look my way
Whenever you happen to glance my way.
It fades away
The positive feelings or hopes that were once there disappear or dissipate.
I think it's best it stays this way
Maybe it's better that there are no expectations or prospects between us.
You just wanna say hello to me
Now maybe you're trying to greet me because you've noticed my presence.
Now the table's turned
But things have surprisingly changed and it's me who's ignoring you now.
Don't get it wrong
Don't misinterpret this situation as me pretending to be disinterested.
Oh, it's twisted up
It's just an awkward, tangled-up mess of a situation.
Alright let's make this story short
Okay, let's wrap this up quickly and avoid any more drama.
Whao
An interjection to express surprise or shock about something.
Why did it have to go down this way?
Why did our relationship have to evolve into this strange, uncomfortable dynamic?
I'll admit I feel you when you are near
I'll confess that I'm still affected by your presence and proximity.
Maybe baby we got it all wrong
It's possible that we both made some mistakes and went about this the wrong way.
Contributed by Penelope D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.