1991 single by Roxette
"Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)" is a power ballad by Swedish pop duo Roxette from their third studio album, "Joyride" (1991). Written by Per Gessle and produced by Clarence Öfwerman, the song was released as the second single from "Joyride" on 29 April 1991, by EMI Records. It became the duo's fifth consecutive top-10 hit single in the United States, peaking at number two on the "Billboard" Hot 100. The song reached the top 10 in an additional 12 countries.
Composition.
According to Ultimate Guitar, the song is written in common time with a moderately fast tempo of 105 beats per minute. It is a piano-based rock ballad in the key of F which modulates a step up to G halfway through the song. The track follows a basic chord sequence of Am–Em–Am–C–G–Am–Em–D in each verse. The first two lines of each chorus have a progression of C–F–Am–G–C–F–G–C, with the second half of the chorus amending the sequence to a shortened C–F–Am–G–F–G. The bridge consists of three repetitions of Am–G–C–D followed by a progression of E–E7–Am–C–G–Am. The duo later recorded a Spanish version of the song for their 1996 compilation album "Baladas en Español".
Critical reception.
in his review of "Joyride", AllMusic editor Bryan Buss described the song as an "insistent rock ballad" and "painfully pretty". Larry Flick from "Billboard" wrote that the duo "slow the pace down" for a "familiar power ballad that should push all the right buttons". Swedish "Expressen" called it a "powerful ballad" and compared it to "Listen to Your Heart". Dave Sholin from the "Gavin Report" commented, "In a Top 40 world starved for true pop music, the arrival of a new release by these two Swedish melody makers deserves bells, whistles and every other type of fanfare imaginable. Choosing a favorite from among their dazzling catalog of hits is an impossible task, and once again Per and Marie top themselves with an outstanding example of what hit mass appeal music is all about".
Norwegian "Glåmdalen" named "Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)" one of the best songs on the "Joyride" album. Swedish "Göteborgsposten" described it as a "Def Leppard-like ballad", while "I Dag" called it a "pompous arena ballad". Pan-European magazine "Music &amp; Media" wrote that it's a "melancholic ballad". Brendon Veevers from "Renowned for Sound" said that it is "pure gold", adding that "though its a ballad and though it touches an emotional nerve, it is also uplifting in its delivery with Per's masterful guitar work and Marie's exquisite vocals uniting perfectly here." J.D. Considine from "Rolling Stone" remarked Fredriksson's "vocal fire-work" on the song.
Chart performance.
Although not as successful as their previous single "Joyride", the song was a top-ten hit in numerous countries. It remains the duo's highest-peaking single ever on the Irish Singles Chart, peaking at number four. "Listen to Your Heart", "It Must Have Been Love" and "Almost Unreal" all peaked at number five. On the UK Singles Chart, "Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)" peaked at position number 12. It charted highest in North America, peaking at position number two in Canada and the United States, where it was held off the top spot in both countries by Bryan Adams's "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You". It became Roxette's sixth and last US top 10 hit.
Music video.
The accompanying music video for "Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)" was shot mostly in the Gamla stan area of Stockholm and features images of Stockholm City Hall.
Track listing and formats.
All songs written and composed by Per Gessle.
Credits and personnel.
Credits are adapted from the liner notes of "The Ballad Hits".
Studios
Musicians
Charts.
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Dancing DJs vs. Roxette (2005).
In 2005, the song was remixed by British dance act Dancing DJs. Credited as Dancing DJs vs Roxette, the remix charted in numerous countries, including Finland, Ireland, Sweden and the UK.
References.
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