Faded (Alan Walker song)

"Faded"
Single by Alan Walker
Released 3 December 2015
Format
Recorded 2015
Genre Progressive house[1]
Length 3:32
Label Mer Musikk
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Alan Walker
  • Jesper Borgen
  • Mood Melodies
Alan Walker singles chronology
"Force"
(2015)		 "Faded"
(2015)		 "Sing Me to Sleep"
(2016)

"Force"
(2015)		 "Faded"
(2015)		 "Sing Me to Sleep"
(2016)
Music video
"Faded" on YouTube

"Faded" is a song by Norwegian record producer and DJ Alan Walker. Incorporating vocals provided by Norwegian recording artist Iselin Solheim, the single was originally set to be released on 25 November 2015, but was delayed to 3 December 2015. The song was highly successful, peaking in the top 10 in most of the countries it charted in, and reached the top spot in more than 10 countries. It is currently the 26th most viewed video on YouTube, with over 2.0 billion views as of October 2018.

Walker debuted a live performance of "Faded" with Iselin Solheim and string support on 27 February 2016 at X Games Oslo 2016.[2] The performance was aired live on Norwegian television.

Background

The progressive house song "Faded" is a revamped version of Walker's past electro house track "Fade", which was released via the record label NoCopyrightSounds in 2014.

In the creation of "Fade", Walker was inspired by the music producer Ahrix's sound on his track "Nova" from 2013. In a couple of interviews he stated: "The melodies and the way the track progresses are what’s so unique and its what inspired me to create "Fade" which later on became "Faded".[3][4] The style is inspired by the Norwegian producer K-391. The melody, I don’t know where it came from, but I try to let my emotions and feelings have a big influence on the melodies I produce."[5]

While the structure and melody are almost identical to "Fade", "Faded" is noticeably different for its piano intro; with uncredited vocals by Iselin Solheim and improved production.[6]

The song is set in common time and has a tempo of 90 beats per minute. Having the chord progression of E♭m–C♭-G♭–D♭, the song is written in the key of E♭ minor.

Chart performance

"Faded" became a worldwide commercial success upon its release, topping Norwegian, Finnish and Swedish singles charts, as well as entering the top 3 in the Danish singles chart. The song peaked at number one in more than ten countries and in the top 5 in more than 25 countries.

It also charted in various countries including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It also reached number one on the Shazam Worldwide Top 100 Popular Songs in February 2016, and by March 2016, had become the world's most Shazamed song.[7]

Its music video on YouTube reached 1 billion views on 26 March 2017, and has received over 2.0 billion views to date, making it the 26th most viewed YouTube video. It is also one of the 10 most liked YouTube videos with over 13.1 million likes, along with having the highest like-to-dislike ratio at the moment of 97.3%.[8]

On Spotify, "Faded" has over 890 million streams as of October 2018 and is one of the 30 most streamed songs.

Live performances

Several female vocalists have performed the song Faded live with Alan Walker. In addition to Iselin Solheim who also is the original singer on the recording, the song has also been performed live with Ingrid Helene Håvik (vocalist of Highasakite), Tove Styrke, Alexandra Rotan, Angelina Jordan, Zara Larsson and Torine Michelle.[9] On November 4, 2017 Alan Walker performed the song live with Against the Current at the 2017 League of Legends World Championship closing ceremony in Beijing.[10]

Music video

Derelict Rummu quarry utility buildings in the water at night, September 2014

A music video was released, featuring Shahab Salehi[11] as the protagonist.[12] The video was shot in Rummu quarry in Estonia, and produced and edited by Bror Bror and directed by Rikkard and Tobias Häggbom, with Rikkard Häggbom also as director of photography.

Synopsis

The video shows a young man dressed in black bloc styled attire including a mask, roaming with his backpack and a photograph of his home in his hand. He wanders through abandoned areas including high rise devastated buildings and derelict structures, an S.O.S. flare is used by him at one point to explore a dark building. Guided by the photo, he finally locates his home, but finds it in ruins. With a final look at his home, he removes his mask, as the video fades to black.[12]

Filming locations

Linnahall in November 2011.
Architects Raine Karp and Riina Altmäe

The video was filmed in Estonia,[12][13] and primarily concentrated on buildings that were derelict, abandoned, or in disrepair.[14] Most filming locations are interspersed across the video and do not appear in a continuous order.

Notable locations include the Linnahall building (built from limestone);[14] a disused textile manufacture and live concert building at Põhja puiestee 7 in Tallinn; the former Rummu prison, the Rummu limestone quarry[14] and lake alongside the adjoining spoil tip in Vasalemma Parish; and some locations around the city of Paldiski.[15] The last shot features the ruins of a building near the shore on Pakri Peninsula just outside Paldiski, on the outskirts of Laoküla village, Keila Parish (59°19′38″N 24°06′14″E / 59.327337°N 24.103941°E / 59.327337; 24.103941 (Laoküla)).

Acoustic version

R1 reactor hall in a facility of KTH, Sweden (2010)

On 11 February 2016, Alan Walker published an acoustic version of the song called "Faded (Restrung)". The song is performed with a piano and strings, with all the EDM elements taken out. Walker wrote in a note to The FADER, that he had decided on an alternative version of "Faded", so as "to highlight other aspects of the song; to present it to another audience who may like Iselin [Solheim]'s voice and the melodies, but can't stand the electronic parts of it".[16]

The music video to "Restrung" features Walker, Iselin Solheim and an 11-person string ensemble performing in the reactor hall of the dismantled R1, Sweden's first nuclear reactor. The cast were wearing the trademark hoodies that sport Alan Walker's artist logo composed of his stylized initials.[17] The R1 reactor hall is located underground at Sweden's Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm.[18]

The same team who created the video for "Faded", also made the music video for "Restrung" — Bror Bror was the producer, Rikkard and Tobias Häggbom directed, and Shahab Salehi was credited as an assistant. The filming atmosphere closely resembles that of "Faded"; according to Alan Walker's behind the scenes video, the "Restrung" video was filmed as a continuation of sorts to the original "Faded" video.[17][18]

Formats and track listings

Digital download[19]
No.TitleLength
1."Faded"3:32
2."Faded" (Instrumental)3:35

Charts and certifications

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/Sales
Argentina (CAPIF)[96] Platinum 20,000^
Australia (ARIA)[97] 6× Platinum 420,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[98] 2× Platinum 60,000*
Belgium (BEA)[99] 2× Platinum 60,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[100] 4× Platinum 320,000^
Denmark (IFPI Denmark)[101] 3× Platinum 270,000^
France (SNEP)[102] Gold 75,000*
Germany (BVMI)[103] Diamond 1,000,000^
Italy (FIMI)[104] 8× Platinum 400,000double-dagger
Mexico (AMPROFON)[105] Gold 30,000*
New Zealand (RMNZ)[106] 2× Platinum 30,000*
Norway (IFPI Norway)[107] 11× Platinum 110,000*
Poland (ZPAV)[108] 2× Diamond 200,000*
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[109] 4× Platinum 160,000^
Sweden (GLF)[110] 13× Platinum 520,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[111] Platinum 600,000double-dagger
United States (RIAA)[112] Platinum 1,000,000double-dagger

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
double-daggersales+streaming figures based on certification alone

Release history

Region Date Version Format Label Ref.
Various 3 December 2015 Original Digital download Mer Musikk [113]
EP [114]
12 February 2016 Restrung [115]
29 April 2016 Remixes EP Digital download [21]
Remixes [116]
13 May 2016 Single CD [26]
20 May 2016 7" Vinyl Vinyl [27]
27 May 2016 Remixes II Digital download [22]
India 29 July 2016 Lost Stories Remix [25]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Alan Walker builds community with unifying progressive house smash hits". Beatroute Magazine. 7 May 2017. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  2. ↑ "DJ Alan Walker celebrates X Games Oslo" (Contains video). X Games. ESPN. 2016-03-01. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
  3. ↑ "Faded" Creator Alan Walker Chooses His Influences
  4. ↑ Bergens nye YouTube-suksess
  5. ↑ Exclusive: Alan Walker Talks ‘Faded’ and More!
  6. ↑ "Best Songs We Heard This Week: Jeremih, The 1975, Alan Walker + More". PopCrush.
  7. ↑ Blake, Emily (2016-03-15). "Alan Walker, the 18-year-old behind that 'Faded' song, tells us what's next". Mashable. Retrieved 2016-03-26.
  8. ↑ Walker, Alan (2015-12-03). "Faded". YouTube. Retrieved 2018-09-08.
  9. ↑ Synger om psykisk vold på debutsingel
  10. ↑ http://www.lolesports.com/en_US/articles/worlds-2017-finals-news-and-updates
  11. ↑
    • "Shahab Salehi". Swedish Film Database. The Swedish Film Institute. 2016. Retrieved 2016-02-12.
    • Asplid, Åsa (2008-02-27). "Sexigast i Sverige" [The Sexiest in Sweden] (in Swedish). Expressen. Retrieved 2016-02-12.
  12. 1 2 3 Ciavarelli, Giulia (2016-03-07). "Alan Walker, "Faded" è la più cercata su Shazam". sorrisi.com (in Italian). Arnoldo Mondadori Editore. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
  13. ↑ "Video! Alan Walker avaldas hittloost "Faded" imekauni akustilise versiooni" [Video! Alan Walker published a wonderfully beautiful acoustic version of the hit song "Faded"] (Contains two YouTube Flash embeds). Elu24 (in Estonian). Postimees. 2016-02-12. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
  14. 1 2 3 Ernits, Rutt (2016-03-22). "Eesti mahajäetud paigad jõudsid Norra muusiku videos laia maailma" [Estonia's derelict places in the video of a Norwegian musician reached the whole wide world]. menu.err.ee (in Estonian). ERR. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
  15. ↑ Ernits, Rutt (2016-03-21). "Maailma enimstriimitud artist Alan Walker esineb suvel Pärnus" [World's most-streamed artist Alan Walker to perform this Summer in Pärnu]. menu.err.ee (in Estonian). ERR. Retrieved 2016-03-24. Tallinnas, Rummus ja Paldiskis filmitud videot loole "Faded" on tänaseks Youtube'is vaadatud enam kui 82 miljonit korda.
  16. ↑ Golden, Zara (2016-02-11). "Alan Walker Premieres A Sweeping "Restrung" Version Of "Faded"". Fader. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  17. 1 2 Walker, Alan (2016-02-11). "Faded (Restrung)". Alan Walker & MER Musikk, Sony Music Entertainment Sweden AB / via YouTube. Retrieved 2016-02-13.
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  20. ↑ "Faded (Restrung) - Single by Alan Walker on Apple Music". iTunes. Archived from the original on 2016-09-21. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
  21. 1 2 "Faded (Remixes) - EP by Alan Walker on Apple Music". 2016-09-21. Archived from the original on 2016-09-21. Retrieved 2017-02-07.
  22. 1 2 "Faded (Remixes II) - Single by Alan Walker on Apple Music". 2016-09-21. Archived from the original on 2016-09-21. Retrieved 2017-02-07.
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  24. ↑ "Faded - EP by Alan Walker on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
  25. 1 2 "Faded (Lost Stories Remix) - Single by Alan Walker on Apple Music". 2016-07-29. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
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  27. 1 2 "Alan Walker (9) - Faded". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-05-22.
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  32. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Alan Walker – Faded" (in French). Ultratop 50.
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  35. ↑ "Danishcharts.com – Alan Walker – Faded". Tracklisten.
  36. ↑ "Top 100 Ecuador" (in Spanish). National-Report. Archived from the original on 14 May 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  37. ↑ "Alan Walker: Faded" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  38. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Alan Walker – Faded" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  39. ↑ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts". Offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  40. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Alan Walker – Alone". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  41. ↑ "Guatemala Top 20 General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Archived from the original on 29 July 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
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  52. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Alan Walker – Faded". VG-lista.
  53. ↑ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  54. ↑ "Top 5 Airplay TV". Polish Video Chart. ZPAV. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  55. ↑ "Portugal Digital Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
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  57. ↑ "TopHit 100". Retrieved 11 December 2016.
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  60. ↑ "EMA Top 10 Airplay: Week Ending 2016-04-12". Entertainment Monitoring Africa. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
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  62. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Alan Walker – Faded". Singles Top 100.
  63. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Alan Walker – Faded". Swiss Singles Chart.
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  96. ↑ "Prensario Música – abr 2018" (PDF) (in Spanish). Prensario. p. 15. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
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  98. ↑ "Austrian single certifications – Alan Walker – Faded" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 18 March 2017. Enter Alan Walker in the field Interpret. Enter Faded in the field Titel. Select single in the field Format. Click Suchen. 
  99. ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2016". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  100. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Alan Walker – Faded". Music Canada. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  101. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Alan Walker – Faded". IFPI Denmark. Retrieved 7 September 2018. Click on næste to go to page if certification is from the official website.
  102. ↑ "French single certifications – Alan Walker – Faded" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  103. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Alan Walker; 'Faded')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  104. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Alan Walker – Faded" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  105. ↑ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved 28 September 2017. Type Alan Walker in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Faded in the box under TÍTULO
  106. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  107. ↑ "Norwegian single certifications – Alan Walker – Faded" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  108. ↑ "Polish single certifications – Alan Walker – Faded" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  109. ↑ "Spanish single certifications – Alan Walker – Faded" (in Spanish). Novedades y Listas Oficiales de Ventas de Música en España. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  110. ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat" (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Retrieved 16 December 2017. Type Alan Walker in the top right search bar. Click on "Sok" and select Faded and see certification.
  111. ↑ "British single certifications – Alan Walker – Faded". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 8 July 2016. Select singles in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type Faded in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  112. ↑ "American single certifications – Alan Walker – Faded". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  113. ↑ "Faded - Single by Alan Walker on Apple Music". 2017-02-04. Archived from the original on 2017-02-04. Retrieved 2017-02-07.
  114. ↑ "Faded - EP by Alan Walker on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved 2017-02-07.
  115. ↑ "Faded (Restrung) - Single by Alan Walker on Apple Music". 2016-09-21. Archived from the original on 2016-09-21. Retrieved 2017-02-07.
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