Posted on 09/16/2014 6:46:53 PM PDT by Squawk 8888
Back in the days before recordings were made on magnetic tape, all songs on record had to have a defined and definite ending. But around 1950, recording engineers using new reel-to-reel recorders realized that could just fade out a song. The concept was simple: play the hook/chorus of the song over and over again as it got softer and softer before disappearing entirely. This technique (a) eliminated the need to write an ending for the song; (b) helped the hook become more memorable for the listener; and (c) supposedly gave the listener that the emotional promises made by the song went on forever. Think “Hey Jude” or “Smoke on the Water.” The effects could be rather dramatic.
Song fade-outs became standard practice for decades in many different genres. Not all subscribed to the same thinking, though. When I first became involved in alternative radio back in the 80s, I distinctly remember thinking it odd how so many songs in the genre actually had endings. They either ended cold (i.e. abruptly on the beat) or with a last chord that naturally faded out. I became a fan.
Today, though, the fade-out seems to be endangered. Slate.com published this chart showing how Top 10 hits came to conclusions over the decade. The trend is obvious.
Interesting, no? I wonder why this is happening? Thoughts?
Me too. I hardly ever fade an ending.
Especially with my drummer! LOL!
In a lot of ways I was blessed growing up here. Toronto has had a very active music scene since the 1920s (if not earlier), then it exploded during the 1970s when American bands with an international following realized that they could save a fortune in taxes by recording their albums here. The result was that some of the best recording studios in the world were established here. We also have a population large enough to support new acts and there’s always been at least one or two radio stations here that are dedicated to giving airplay to new artists.
My family background also helped; my uncle was Gordon Lightfoot’s manager, started and operated his own record label, and is now semi-retired and working as a consultant for up-and-coming artists.
I can’t believe that stuff is called “music” these days or why it would be “popular”
I think in part it’s a fashion statement like a lot of things in pop/top 40. sometimes it’s ‘the thing’ sometimes not. Outside pop music, some genres like Trance almost can’t have a defined ending as the while point is one big neverending trip.
And simply, sometimes a song ‘needs’ a beginning, middle and end point, sometimes. Think of it like a book. Sometimes the author says all there is to say and brings a story to a defined end. Sometimes it’s a cliffhanger on route to a series/sequel.
It’s getting late and as I analyze the merit to the ...................................................
I never liked the fade out. It was a cop out; a confession by the musicians of “we don’t know how to end this song.”
Wow, that’s awesome!
I remember listening to a record 45 years ago. I don’t remember if it was Jimmy Rodgers or Woodie Guthrie but he would just start playing, then sing, when the song finished he just stopped playing and the music just died. No ending, no “Shave and a haircut-two bits”, Nothing.
I felt so uncomfortable waiting for the final notes which never came.
Because of the way most popular music is consumed? On ear buds doing something in addition to listening to music on a vast shuffle play rotation. Less down time for a song to take 10-20 seconds to fade as opposed to just ending in an instant gratification culture. Just a theory.
It would be interesting to find out how many songs end with distinct outros like ‘cinnamon girl’ today.
Freegards
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Good. I have NEVER been a fan of the fade out. It is so corny.
Fades were preferred by radio programmers and DJs too, as it allowed for smoother transitions out of the music.
A friend of mine saw Deep Purple back in the early or mid 80’s, and they were wishing for a fade-out on one song. (I couldn’t tell you which one.) Apparently they got stuck in a loop and none of them could remember how to end the song, so they finally just stopped and apologized for not knowing the ending.
Ironically, Layla doesn't end on a fade, but on that little bird call by Duane.
How many songs end with the drummer saying “That’s gotta be the one, then, Ay?”
OK, this was fun to think about, but this isn't really going anywhere. I apologize for the pointless babbling.
How about “Day in the Life” from the Sgt. Pepper’s Album? It has both a chord as a definite ending, and a fade out, but is it either?
We’d be lucky if they started to fade out before they started.
What is that? It repeats but doesn't fade out, and then ends abruptly after the beat.
-PJ
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