Fade Away
The Clay People Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

What is protecting
The phasing
Of your sanctuary?
Are you hurting inside?
All those things you hold so preciously
Like a demon waiting for its prey
To steal the essence of your life
You bleed inside
You bleed inside
You bleed inside
You bleed inside

Paralyzing you
You're frozen in this cat's eye view
Stealing babies breath
And you reach out
You're so close to death
Contemplating terror
In that demon's lair
Waiting for some sign
From father time

You bleed inside
You bleed inside
You bleed inside
You bleed inside

Fade away
Break down and cry
And you just want to die
Fade away
Break down and cry
And you just want to die
What is protecting
The phasing
Of your sanctuary?
Are you hurting inside?
All those things you hold so preciously
Like a demon waiting for its prey
To steal the essence of your life

You bleed inside
You bleed inside
You bleed inside
You bleed inside

Fade away
Break down and cry
And you just want to die
Fade away
Break down and cry
And you just want to die
Fade away
Break down and cry
And you just want to die
Fade away
Break down and cry
And you just want to, just want to die
What is protecting




The phasing
Of your sanctuary?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Fade Away" by The Clay People describe a person who is struggling with internal turmoil and feels trapped in their own mind. The first stanza of the song addresses what is protecting the phasing of one's sanctuary, asking whether it is a result of personal insecurity or an external force. The lyrics then suggest that the individual is plagued by their own thoughts and holds onto things that are precious to them like a demon waiting for its prey.


As the song progresses, it becomes clearer that the individual is paralyzed by their own emotions and is unable to break free from their cycle of despair. The lyrics mention stealing babies' breaths, which could symbolize the loss of innocence or a reference to a mythological creature that steals the breath of children. The person reaches out towards death and contemplates terror in the demon's lair, waiting for any sign from Father Time, suggesting that they are searching for a sign that time will heal their pain, or that death will be a relief from their suffering.


The chorus of "Fade Away" repeats twice, and it seems to suggest that the person just wants to die and break down and cry. The song ends with a repetition of the first verse and asks again, what is protecting the phasing of one's sanctuary and if they are hurting inside.


Line by Line Meaning

What is protecting
What is shielding or safeguarding


The phasing
The rhythm or pattern


Of your sanctuary?
Of your safe haven or refuge?


Are you hurting inside?
Are you experiencing emotional pain?


All those things you hold so preciously
All those possessions or beliefs that you value highly


Like a demon waiting for its prey
Like a malevolent force waiting to inflict harm


To steal the essence of your life
To rob you of vitality or purpose


You bleed inside
You suffer internally


Paralyzing you
Overwhelming you with fear or indecision


You're frozen in this cat's eye view
You're immobilized, trapped in a narrow perspective


Stealing babies breath
Taking away innocence or life from the vulnerable


And you reach out
You attempt to make contact or connect


You're so close to death
You're on the brink of losing everything


Contemplating terror
Considering a frightening possibility or outcome


In that demon's lair
In a place where evil thrives


Waiting for some sign
Expecting a message or signal


From father time
From the personification of time as a wise or powerful figure


Fade away
Disappear or dissolve


Break down and cry
Experience an emotional breakdown and weep


And you just want to die
Feeling overwhelmed and contemplating suicide




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JULIANA HATFIELD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Alexandre Ferreira

this band was part of my adolescence, thanks for sharing and bring me good memories!

Roy Chen

I've had this album since i was 13, i had alot of good times with it years ago, and it's great to come back and hear the great melodies. ROCK ON!

myv382rocks

This has gotta be my favorite Clay People song ever. God I miss this band. Used to see them practically every weekend at the Q. I'd give anything to see them one more time.

Dani Marie

I looked Everywhere for years to find this album. It brings me back. Great times! Yall were my first introduction into the Underground music scene. Just wanted to say thank you!

Francisco Melo. Melo

Show muito bom!

brendon c

man u got to love this band and this song

DROPilot

Agreed. I'm in love with this song, haha! <3

Gediminas Grakalskis

This song is alive and breathing. Want to listen it again and again. Faaaaaade Awaaaaaaaay!!!

Don DeSantis

Impossible to listen to this song and not be taken back to a better time.  Perfect tune, just perfect.

Justin T Miller

As of this week, their back in the studio!

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