He started to play piano after his parents set up a lesson with a piano teacher who he said to be "a laid-back New Jersey wedding singer". From there, Miller started to develop singing and writing songs. During his high school, he started a pop-punk band. When he was 18 years old, Tor Miller went to New York University, specifically Clive Davis School of Recorded Music. He also spent his weekends playing piano at places such as Rockwood Music Hall, The Bitter End, and the burlesque bar, Slipper Room in the East Village.
Miller was signed to the independent label, Glassnote Records in early 2014 and subsequently dropped out from NYU due to scheduling problems (especially since he played music in a number of NYC venues). His first debut EP, Headlights EP, containing four songs that includes the positively reviewed "Midnight" was released in February 2015.
Fade
Tor Miller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Putting some to the side
Getting all fucked up on your own supply
Riding with the same group of guys
We used to hide away from
And I was so caught up
Tryna make it instead
That I cut you off just to get ahead
Deeper down into the mud
Woah oh!
What have we Become
Cause you and I both could have
Whatever we wanted
But we were two punk kids
Though the costs were always fronted
Our growth was only stunted
Knowing we would always be picked back up
And I watched you
As you turned your back to our class
Embarrassed by the money
That our folks had
Man, I was too
But I only tried to strengthen the sum
And I always sit
Where we used to rest
Smoke cigarettes
And watch the sun set
Over our town
And the plans that we laid
As we fade, as we fade
And I don't really know where we should start
We were so damn different and born to drift apart
Maybe all we had in common
Was a love for the drugs
But I can still feel you pushing
Pushing down on my chest
As I cross my arms
And force my last breath
We were always willing to risk the blackout
For a shot at the buzz
And I always sit
Where we used to rest
Smoke cigarettes
And watch the sun set
Slow to the ground
Casting our shade
As we fade, as we fade
You're probably drunk
At the local bar
On a Wednesday afternoon
With the same old faces
That never had the guts to move
And I live back in my parents' house
With no clue what to do
Maybe quit the dream
And pick back up the school
And I always sit
Where we used to rest
Smoke cigarettes
And watch the sun set
And I hit you up
To see how you've been
You say you've been better
But you want to hang again
Though we both know
That promises made
Only fade, only fade
Only fade
The lyrics of Tor Miller's song "Fade" tell a story of two individuals who started off on a similar path but ended up taking different directions in life. The song reflects on their shared experiences and the consequences of their choices.
In the first verse, the lyrics describe one of the characters turning to selling drugs for financial gain. While making money, he starts indulging in his own supply, leading to a downward spiral. The mention of riding with the same group of guys they used to hide from suggests they were once closer and bonded over shared struggles. However, the singer got caught up in trying to succeed and cut off ties with his friend, fearing that he would be dragged down into a negative lifestyle.
The chorus emphasizes the contrast between what they both could have achieved and their actual circumstances. The lyrics acknowledge that they were both young and naive, with their growth stunted due to reckless behavior. Despite knowing they would always be picked back up, indicating a cycle of mistakes, they failed to learn and constantly repeat their missteps. The singer observes his friend turning his back on their shared background, feeling embarrassed by their families' wealth. The singer also feels a sense of shame but tries to strengthen his own position.
The second verse reflects on the nostalgia and longing for the past. The singer mentions sitting in a place they used to rest, cherishing memories of simpler times. They would smoke cigarettes and watch the sunset, reflecting on the plans they once made together. The lyrics suggest a sense of fading away, both in their relationship and in their aspirations.
In the third verse, the lyrics emphasize the differences between the two individuals and their inevitable drift apart. They may have only had a shared love for drugs, but even that couldn't keep them together. The line about feeling pushed down on the chest symbolizes the weight of the past on the singer, as if their friend's actions have affected him deeply. The reference to risking a blackout for a buzz portrays their willingness to take risks for temporary pleasure or escape.
The fourth verse portrays a contrast in their current lives. The singer imagines his friend being drunk at a local bar with familiar faces who have always been stuck in the same place. Meanwhile, the singer finds himself living back with his parents, unsure of what to do next. There is a suggestion of abandoning dreams and considering going back to school. The lyrics emphasize the desire to reconnect with the friend, despite both knowing that promises made in the past often fade away.
Overall, "Fade" reflects on the choices made by two individuals and the consequences of their divergent paths. It explores themes of nostalgia, regret, and the realization that life may not always turn out as planned. The lyrics capture a sense of longing for a simpler time and the desire for connection, even in the face of doubt and uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
He started selling drugs for the money
He began engaging in drug dealing as a means to make money
Putting some to the side
Setting aside a portion of the profits
Getting all fucked up on your own supply
Indulging in the drugs he was selling
Riding with the same group of guys
Traveling with the same group of friends
We used to hide away from
We used to hide away from the consequences or reality
And I was so caught up
I was completely absorbed or consumed
Tryna make it instead
Trying to succeed or make it big
That I cut you off just to get ahead
I ended our relationship to prioritize my own success
Scared that you were dragging me
Feeling fearful that you were pulling me down
Deeper down into the mud
Further into a negative or destructive situation
Woah oh!
Expression of surprise or realization
What have we Become
Reflecting on the current state of ourselves or our relationship
Cause you and I both could have
Both of us had the potential or opportunity to
Whatever we wanted
Achieve our desires or aspirations
But we were two punk kids
We were rebellious or careless individuals
Though the costs were always fronted
Even though we always had financial support
Our growth was only stunted
Our personal development was hindered
Knowing we would always be picked back up
Having the reassurance that we would be supported
And I watched you
I observed or witnessed your actions
As you turned your back to our class
As you distanced yourself from our social group
Embarrassed by the money
Feeling ashamed or uncomfortable due to wealth
That our folks had
That our parents possessed
Man, I was too
I also felt the same way
But I only tried to strengthen the sum
But I attempted to increase or enhance our collective wealth
And I always sit
I constantly find myself in the same position
Where we used to rest
Where we used to relax or spend time together
Smoke cigarettes
Smoke tobacco-filled cigarettes
And watch the sun set
Observe the setting of the sun
Over our town
Above the area where we live
And the plans that we laid
And the future intentions or plans we made
As we fade, as we fade
As we gradually diminish or disappear
And I don't really know where we should start
I am unsure about the beginning of our course of action
We were so damn different and born to drift apart
We had profound differences and were destined to separate
Maybe all we had in common
Perhaps the only shared trait between us
Was a love for the drugs
Was a fondness or affinity for drug use
But I can still feel you pushing
But I still sense your influence or pressure
Pushing down on my chest
Exerting force or weight on my chest
As I cross my arms
As I fold my arms
And force my last breath
And make myself take a final breath
We were always willing to risk the blackout
We were always prepared to risk losing consciousness
For a shot at the buzz
For an opportunity to experience the intense pleasure or excitement
You're probably drunk
You are most likely intoxicated
At the local bar
At the nearby drinking establishment
On a Wednesday afternoon
During the middle of the week, in the afternoon
With the same old faces
In the company of familiar individuals
That never had the guts to move
Who lacked the courage or bravery to make changes
And I live back in my parents' house
And I currently reside in my parents' residence
With no clue what to do
Without any idea or direction
Maybe quit the dream
Maybe give up on the aspiration
And pick back up the school
And return to pursuing education
And I hit you up
And I contacted you
To see how you've been
To inquire about your well-being
You say you've been better
You claim to have been in a better state
But you want to hang again
But you express the desire to spend time together again
Though we both know
Although we are both aware
That promises made
That commitments or assurances given
Only fade, only fade
Only diminish or vanish over time
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Tor Albert Miller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind