Fading Away
The Paperwaits Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

About a year has passed
And so I think it's time you knew
I thought that I would find myself
But instead I found you
Was done with all the bullshit
And you needed someone too
I'm glad that I could be the one
To give my days to you

No, don't leave me on my own
I hate to be alone
Think I'm fading away
I sit by the telephone
Listen to the tone
As I'm fading away

Cast me all your problems
And I'll throw them out to sea
I look forward to all my life
But don't know what to be
As if I take my chances
I might fail miserably
Before I fade away
I'd like to take the opportunity to say

No, don't leave me on my own
I hate to be alone
Think I'm fading away
I sit by the telephone
Listen to the tone
As I'm fading away

No, don't leave me on my own
I hate to be alone
Think I'm fading away
I sit by the telephone




Listen to the tone
As I'm fading away

Overall Meaning

The Paperwaits's song "Fading Away" is a poignant expression of growing feelings of isolation and abandonment. The song begins with the singer reflecting on the passage of time, acknowledging that a year has passed since the events being discussed. The lyrics then shift to a personal confession, with the singer admitting to his initial hopes of finding himself but instead discovering the presence of another person, and the mutually beneficial relationship that developed as a result. "I'm glad that I could be the one/To give my days to you" he sings, hinting at the depths of his commitment.


However, the mood of the song takes a turn in the chorus, where the singer pleads for the other person not to abandon him. "No, don't leave me on my own/I hate to be alone/Think I'm fading away," he sings, his vulnerability palpable. The verses that follow detail the singer's willingness to support the other person through their struggles and fears, but also his own uncertainty about his future. Despite these reservations, the song never loses its sense of urgency, with the singer's repeated refrain of "As I'm fading away" underscoring his growing desperation.


In a way, "Fading Away" is a meditation on the ephemeral nature of human relationships, and the fragility of our emotional connections. The song's restrained instrumentation, smart lyrics, and emotional directness create a powerful emotional impact, one that will surely resonate with anyone who has ever faced the fear of being abandoned.


Line by Line Meaning

About a year has passed
It has been one year since something significant happened.


And so I think it's time you knew
The singer feels that it is necessary to reveal something to the listener.


I thought that I would find myself
The singer believed they would achieve self-discovery.


But instead I found you
The artist discovered the listener instead of themselves.


Was done with all the bullshit
The artist was tired of dealing with meaningless or troublesome things.


And you needed someone too
The listener also needed someone in their life.


I'm glad that I could be the one
The singer is pleased to have been the one to help the listener.


To give my days to you
The artist devoted their time to the listener.


No, don't leave me on my own
The artist is afraid of being alone.


I hate to be alone
The artist dislikes being by themselves.


Think I'm fading away
The singer may be losing their identity or sense of self.


I sit by the telephone
The artist waits for the listener to call.


Listen to the tone
The singer pays attention to the sound of the phone ringing.


As I'm fading away
The singer continues to lose themselves or their identity.


Cast me all your problems
The singer wants the listener to share their troubles.


And I'll throw them out to sea
The artist will help the listener get rid of their problems.


I look forward to all my life
The artist is optimistic about their future.


But don't know what to be
The singer is unsure of their purpose.


As if I take my chances
The singer is hesitant to take risks.


I might fail miserably
The artist is afraid of failing.


Before I fade away
The artist wants to accomplish their goals before they lose themselves completely.


I'd like to take the opportunity to say
The artist wants to express something to the listener.


No, don't leave me on my own
The singer still fears being alone.


I hate to be alone
The artist reiterates their dislike of being by themselves.


Think I'm fading away
The singer continues to lose their sense of self.


I sit by the telephone
The singer continues to wait for the listener.


Listen to the tone
The singer is still paying attention to the phone ringing.


As I'm fading away
The artist feels that they are disappearing.




Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Scott Burchell

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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