Meaning of “Fade To Grey” by Visage

Visage’s “Fade To Grey” is a track which seems to focus on the topic of depression. The subject of this song is a man who appears to be suffering from loneliness or at least is a lonesome traveler. He is also hiding from something or someone, though it is never made clear exactly what that is.

Either this fear, loneliness or both are contributing to this individual “wishing life wouldn’t be so long”. A statement like that is of course tantamount to some form of depression. Or perhaps more specifically he wishes to disappear altogether, as in “fade to grey”. Indeed the song reads as if this person would like to disintegrate into nothingness, not in a literal sense but more along the lines of him making an effort to get away from his past life.

Facts about “Fade to Grey”

• The lyrics of this song are spoken/sung in two different languages, French and English respectively.
• The English portions are sung by Visage frontman Steve Strange (1959-2015), and the French spoken by Brigitte Arens. FYI, Brigitte was the then girlfriend of the band’s drummer Rusty Egan.
• This track was released on 1 January 1980 by Polydor Records. It marked Visage’s first release under a major label. It is featured on the band’s debut album. That album was also entitled “Visage”.
• “Fade to Grey” was also the first music video Visage ever dropped. It features British DJ Princess Julia.
• Steve Strange performed this track (along with Princess Julia) at the renowned Blitz nightclub (which Strange used to run during its 1970’s heyday) on the second episode of the BBC television series “Ashes to Ashes”. 
• Visage re-recorded “Fade to Grey” – backed by a live symphony orchestra – for their 2014 album Orchestral.

Who wrote “Fade to Grey”?

Chris Payne wrote this song along with Visage band members Billy Currie and Midge Ure. It was produced by Visage, with special credit going to Ure.