Atticus Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 I've always had a hang-up about this, even though some of my favorite songs are in the category. I've said this before but I think it's like ending a book by making the print smaller and smaller until it's illegible. Write a damn ending. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VenusStopsTrain2 Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 i think it works on some songs..like those that are more classical or something that makes you wanna cry..and ends calmly. But it doesn't work on more rock-y type songs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Griddles Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 It really depends on the song. There are some songs that fade out where I just want it to have a big finish, or others that do fade out and it works perfectly. I cannot think of any examples right now, but maybe later. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tongue-tied Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 what about fade-ins? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Littlebear Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 Fine with me. It depends of the songs, probably, but most of the time I find it cool. You don't have to get a perfect stop when you got the idea of the tune. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Littlebear Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 I can't imagine "Hey Jude" ending like "I Want You (She's So Heavy)", but after all, why not. Those who hate "Hey Jude" probably wish it would stop right after the first minute. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Golden Smoghead Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 I kinda agree that sometimes they sounds stilted. I dunno why, and it's probably not true, but sometimes it almost seems like there's a fadeout because someone screws up a part royally so they fade out to avoid it. Especially if it seems like there could be a solo coming up. However, I think the "stinger" is by far the worst way to end a song. You know, that extra note at the end, after a quiet spot, like, (stop) -- BAAAAHHH!!! I think stingers make little 8 lbs 5 oz baby jesus cry. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
froggie Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 > what about fade-ins? i like the way One by One fades in also, is it true that Hey Jude has the longest fade-out in a rock song? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Golden Smoghead Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 i like the way One by One fades inI kinda agree with that. For sure, the pedal steel sounds cool as hell. You almost feel like they've been playing that song for five minutes before the fade-in, but we just didn't get to hear it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 I voted "can't stand it" but I've been forced to grow accustomed to it over my many years. In a perfect world, it wouldn't happen. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yermom Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 I've been really swooney over "Waterloo Sunset" lately but I'm irked by the fade-out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TheMaker Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 I can't fathom why this would be irksome to anybody. Off the top of my head, I couldn't even name any fade-outs vs. full-stops, to be honest. Songs simply end they way they're meant to. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sweet Papa Crimbo Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 I've always had a hang-up about this, even though some of my favorite songs are in the category. I've said this before but I think it's like ending a book by making the print smaller and smaller until it's illegible. Write a damn ending. It's all about what works for the song. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mpolak21 Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 It's all about what works for the song. Yeah, I voted yes because I like it more often than not, but it really depends on the song. --Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GtrPlyr Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 It's all about what works for the song. That's sort of how I feel about it. Some songs just feel right riding out on the chorus (or outro, or whatever), some are better served by a resounding last chord. In general though, I must admit I prefer a proper ending instead of the easy cop out of the fade out. Nevertheless, to continue with the book analogy: you wouldn't want to end every story with THE END, and the same goes with songs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Atticus Posted April 13, 2008 Author Share Posted April 13, 2008 you wouldn't want to end every story with THE END, and the same goes with songs. I don't know what this means. Every story I've read ended. Whether the author added "the end" or not didn't change the story or the fact that the author ended the story. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mountain bed Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 I'm not a fan of the fade-out where everyone is still playing. Does it count if the fade is on the final note (I'm thinking "Day in the Life" especially)? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TCP Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 I think fade-outs work good on a FEW songs but they are waaayyy over used. I see it as lazy song writing/arranging. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
So Long Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 95% of Steely Dan songs fade out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DAngerer09 Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 I cannot stand fade ins or fade outs. To me, it's just a lazy way to start or stop the song. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GtrPlyr Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 I don't know what this means. Every story I've read ended. Whether the author added "the end" or not didn't change the story or the fact that the author ended the story.Just because the words have stopped doesn't mean the story is over though. Sure, some stories end with a resolution, all wrapped up nice and clean like a TV sitcom; but there are also those that are open ended, begging the reader to contemplate what happens next. The same could be said of songs. Anyhow, I was just trying to say earlier that it would be very limiting for an artist to only ever do things one way. If you want music with definitive endings, listen to the blues. Songs in that genre almost always end without a fade out . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Atticus Posted April 13, 2008 Author Share Posted April 13, 2008 I just don't buy the analogy. Even if a story ends without wrapping everything up neatly, it does not mean that the author did not contemplate and execute an ending. Most fade-outs are simply a repeat of a chorus or other refrain. It's just not the same thing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ArtOfficial Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 From a production standpoint, it's simply a way to add a little variety to a recording. If ever song ends on a hold-out chord or one sudden, final strum, they're all going to sound the same at the end. Some songs are meant to sound drawn-out and longwinded, and that's where fading out comes in. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
noyes Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 big deal. i guess it could be bad when you think a song deserves a big bang but it hardly ever affects me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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