Fading Like A Flower

Okay--I am long, long overdue for a post.  I apologize.  I had been thinking about Roxette's "Listen to Your Heart," and I was going to write about it.  It seemed to fit nicely since it was released in 1989 and would have just squeezed in to the '80s before they were over.  But, alas, my absolute favorite Roxette song is "Fading Like A Flower."  I have to cheat here since the song was released in 1991, but it is just such an awesome song.  Considering Roxette had some hits before this one, well, I think it's okay.

Roses beaten by the storm -- but still beautiful

So, back to the song.  I can remember writing about this tune in college for a rhetorical criticism class.  Not sure why, but it just spoke to me.  I watched the video again this evening -- after not watching it since (probably) 1991.  What a terrific song AND video!  Yeah, this is perfect.  The song itself has so many terrific elements.  I love that the intro is a beautiful piano line that has a cadence marked with a kicking explosion of guitar and drums.  Beautiful and explosive at the same time.  And, oddly enough, even though the group is from Sweden, I never had trouble understanding the lyrics.  I guess that shouldn't be an issue since there are plenty of American singers whose lyrics I can't understand.  Anyway, my favorite line from the song is "to get your face right out of my mind."  Yes!  I will try, but I need a little time -- to get your face right out of my mind!  That is probably the best ever in the history of lyrics.  It just expresses what the singer is feeling so perfectly.  Haven't we all felt that at some point?  And fading like a flower... well, yes.  I certainly have felt wilted from the pain of love.  This song is so perfect.  It's timeless.  Just fits the bill even after 21 years.  I can't believe it's been that long, because the video is so fresh and vivid -- fantastic video direction and imagery.  This song will never be dated in my opinion.  And it really is remarkable how perfectly everything works in the tune -- piano, guitar, drums, vocals, harmony.  I admit that I get wrapped up in the music, but if you sit down and listen to the lyrics, they really are quite expressive.  You could probably come up with a million different visual interpretations, but I still prefer Roxette's visual concept for the video.  I think everyone can find something to enjoy with this song.  Hope you do, too!