I would just like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their kind comments on the history of Fade to Grey explained (well, at least the part I was involved in) There have been some really interesting and generous comments, and even the negative ones make a point that I’ll address in the future (audio issues) I would never have believed that so many would have reacted to this. Once again thank you, but I’m now left thinking about what to do next?? xxx

@misdangered4326

2 жыл бұрын

I’d love to hear a full version of the original piano piece ‘The Drowning of Ophelia’, or should that be…. ‘Are Friends Pre-Raphaelectic’….? 🙂😉

@jasonhiggins6431

Жыл бұрын

Me too , it’s fantastic as are just the chords

@David-wf1hr

Жыл бұрын

ultravox, numan and visage musicians - a venn diagram of what the 80's were for me. AWESOME!

@colinwright4139

Жыл бұрын

Does your recording with Billy exist anywhere?

@lesneilson67

Жыл бұрын

I have the cherry audio recreation of the polymoog, it would be great to learn how to set it up to recreate these sounds (or in whatever setup you yourself use). As well as Billie's ARP and Elka patches, and Cedric's drum pattern, presumably a Roland CR78, is that correct?

WOW. I thought fade to grey was perfect? This piano piece is absolutely STUNNING.

@klinkske

Жыл бұрын

Yeah really! It would be great to hear a piano version

@Cloxxki

3 ай бұрын

@@klinkske There are some out there on YT it seems.

@russianvegangirl

2 ай бұрын

nooo, Fade to Grey is perfect because of Steve's singing! and the synth sounds

Fade to Grey and Blue Monday defined the 80s for me. Thank you for creating this masterpiece

@ashfaq1999

4 ай бұрын

Agree !! Also frankie goes to hollywoods : relax !!

"Fade to Grey" is that rare example of a song developing a soul of its own. It really is a deeply spiritual piece, so much greater than the some of its parts. A masterpiece.

@sandeepjosephs5725

Жыл бұрын

The music is very hypnotic

@russianvegangirl

2 ай бұрын

what do you see spiritual in Fade to Grey? (not disagreeing here, just curious, like, do others think like me about it)

@LaughingStock_

Ай бұрын

@@russianvegangirlThere are many elements - the chord progression, the hugely visual English lyrics, and the whimsical French lyrics delivered beautifully in an almost emotionless voice - that all add up to something I find otherworldly, and, “spiritual”.

@russianvegangirl

Ай бұрын

@@LaughingStock_ thanks, I also feel the same way, not only about this song

Fade to Grey is still as captivating today as it was when I was 18 in 1981. As a piano and synth player I love synth pop!

@windoe6345

8 ай бұрын

Hehe 1963 is a good year to be born 😉😜18 years old and 42 years experience 😅

This is totally fascinating. Chris is modest, implying that a masterpiece just "happens" but the talent behind it is clear.

@DJAlgorhythms

2 жыл бұрын

So is his enthusiasm!

My god that piano piece is euphoric. I saw Midge perform 'Fade to Grey' at Forever Young Fest last year and that song still blows me away. It just goes to show that a certain coupling of chords can reverberate forever and in various forms.

This song is the eighties... 3 seconds into the track and your back there

@petergomez7490

3 жыл бұрын

...never left.

“Do I want royalties? NO!”. That’s the spirit. What a great guy.

@timothy790110

3 жыл бұрын

why should the record companies have them?

@rsscotland6699

3 жыл бұрын

Wants a beer though...Brilliant..

One of the best YT videos I’ve ever watched. Chris is just an all round top bloke.

A little story for you, Chris. When this video ended, I stood up and began to applaud. My two sons, aged 22 and 19, started laughing. However, they soon fell in love with the song and have been listening to the original version ever since. Take care. You've made history in music. The most remarkable thing is that when we make history, we often don't realize it at the time. Time will tell us. Congratulations. John from Greece.

i was 6 when fade to grey appeared, it hit me even back then and has always stuck with me, one of the songs of all time

You are too modest Mr Payne, you did great work there, and also with Gary Numan. It's refreshing to see someone acknowledging the contributions of others like you did with Billy and Cedric ,Russell and later with Midge and Rusty . You are a gentleman and a class act.

One of the most beautiful pop songs ever composed.

Quite simply this was the greatest song of the 80's without a shadow of a doubt .. and there were some great songs .. it never fails to get to me even after all these years

Huge Thanks for telling the story. We didn't have a commercial radio until 1990 in Sweden so we had to stick to listening to local pirate radio broadcasting at nights. Still remember this cold evening in a dark room, almost midnight, when I heard it first. As being 15 at that time in 1982, I was in heaven. Even today I have these beautiful memories whenever I hear it, either played on the radio or on my turntable, it's part of my life. Cheers.

one word "Masterpiece"

This song is masterpiece and one of the most important synth songs of all the time.

Every time each key is pressed I have chills. This is so awesome. An absolute timeless classic. Thank you so much for making this video Chris.

I can't begin to tell you how much Fade To Grey captivated me and still does as does The Damned Don't Cry. Thanks for these timeless treasures!

@liselottefrejdig1112

3 жыл бұрын

Totally agree with you!! Timeless masterpieces!!

@julianmbrown

3 жыл бұрын

...and Mind of a Toy?

@davethecrow

3 жыл бұрын

Oh.

@powrxplor69

3 жыл бұрын

yep, also my two favorite Visage songs.

That bass line always sends shivers down my spine, fantastic.👍

Fade to Grey, one of the great songs of my childhood. I spent 1982 listening to it, along with songs like 'Girls on Film', 'Eye of the Tiger', ,Tainted Love' and 'Angels in the Centerfold'. What a great year for music it was.

@Acarsfault

3 жыл бұрын

I’m with you mate

@stephenlynch5143

3 жыл бұрын

Blimey thanks for reminding me of my growing up

@frankshailes3205

3 жыл бұрын

"My Angel is a Centerfold" J Geils Band. I remember my schoolmate misheard the lyrics and wrote it down as "whenever she flashed those big balloons" instead of "...baby blues" XD

@salmondfamily4916

3 жыл бұрын

@@frankshailes3205 yeah, I remember discussing the lyrics with a mate, I was only 12 and had no idea what a centerfold was. Neither did he, but we both couldn't admit that we didn't know aloud.

I can only say WOW. Brilliant. You effortlessly created one of the best songs of all time.

Fade to Grey is probably the best electronic 80's sone EVER! Love it SO much!

@leedenton870

3 жыл бұрын

Blue Monday might have something to say about that

@StratsRUs

3 жыл бұрын

It is beautiful.All the musicians involved also made classics themselves.

@grahamharris8906

3 жыл бұрын

It’s better than blue Monday ! Fact

@leedenton870

3 жыл бұрын

@@grahamharris8906 You're funny

@grahamharris8906

3 жыл бұрын

I was reading old comments ! I love new order and blue Monday is that good ! I said fade to grey was better ! Blue Monday was there best track until true faith came along .. flawless

An amazing insight into not only a classic song , but the start of a culture that defined the 80s you were at the spearhead with Numan and Steve Strange

With the absolute greatest of respect, I fundamentally disagree that Midge made a good song a great song. He’s wonderful. You were a major part of the architecture of one of the greatest songs in modern music. When we hear the words ‘fade to grey’, we think of that baseline, Steve’s vocal, and that wonderful french interlude. But the absolute backbone of the song is yours. Unequivocally. It’s always been in my top 3 favourite songs ever (with Enola Gay by OMD and Music by John Miles). A majestic masterpiece and your work defined an era. What a contribution to music history!

Definitely one of the best synth pop songs, what a great sound and composition

I grew up in Germany and it was absolutely omnipresent in these times. One of my favorites, even now. Thank you for your story! ❤️

Goosebumps and tingles! I'd never heard anything like "Fade to Grey" before and was immediately captivated by that bassline! Never dreamed I'd hear the story of how it was created! Inspired stuff!

@neilsun2521

3 жыл бұрын

Wow. Andrew! Never expected to see you in a comment section like this. Keep up the good work with Richard.

@neilsun2521

3 жыл бұрын

...mind you, the original Richplanet theme music was a bit synth pop

First time seeing this. Gary Numan’s ‘Pleasure Principle’ changed me back in ‘79 when I was just 9. Got the album and learned it was about much more than just ‘Cars’. So mesmerizing to hear about all the connections between all these pioneers from that formative time. So glad I clicked on this tonight. Blessings, all.

Once I learned the bassline I was hooked,,making music for 35 yrs now,because of you RESpect to you Chris

I was five years old when I heard this song for the first time at my grandparent’s house. My four teenage uncles played Fade to Grey all the time when it was released. Danced to the remix of this song at the clubs in NYC and Toronto while attending college. Today, I enjoy this song with my 18 year old son. Fade to Grey is extraordinary, timeless and has not faded in the last 40 years. Thank you for this beautiful piece of music…💕

I am no musician. I can’t play a single instrument. But I have loved music for ever. I love hearing how this song morphed from your collection of chords to the masterpiece that it become. It’s amazing how the ‘what do I do now?’ Moment become an iconic part as well as how the missing mini moog changed the sound probably for the better. Thank you Chris for a great breakdown.

Michelangelo explaining the statue of David wouldn't be as wonderful, inspiring and captivating as this.

omg I am so happy to hear this background on a song that haunted me since I first heard it as a teen in the early 80's. Christopher Payne you are a cultural ICON and Legend, thank you so much, YOU ROCK!

Really interesting stuff, Fade to Grey has to be one, if not the best electronic synth song of the 80s, and still sounds amazing today in 2021

@peredwards8320

3 жыл бұрын

As does the Visage version of the Zager and Evans song ‘In the Year 2525’ loved Steve Strange RIP.

I cannot overestimate the profound effect that Fade To Grey has had upon my life. 🙂

@davethecrow

3 жыл бұрын

Good. Theres no need for anyone to either know or care.

@AlisonBryen

3 жыл бұрын

williams Ahhhh I see the work has dried up since you left Take That for the second time, Robbie. Too much spare time on your hands eh?

@davethecrow

3 жыл бұрын

@@AlisonBryen almost correct. The necessity to work in exchange for money diminishes as one attains more money and lifestyle no longer correlates with income. It's an interesting position.

@davethecrow

3 жыл бұрын

@@user-ks2uo3qh7i I've got some sandwiches if you want one

I’m in my mid 50’s and always hit the night clubs in Leeds at the weekends when in my teens and 20’s. There was a certain club that always played mainly electronic and this song was always been played. I have a son who is 18 and I got him and his mates into visage, numan, ultravox, yazoo, etc...and now if you get into his car and go out, he has mainly all the greats from the 80’s belting out....happy days.

@neilsun2521

3 жыл бұрын

Good work! I empathise with young peoples' pop music today. Least we can do is introduce them to the classics.

@fuferito

3 жыл бұрын

That is some Dastardly good parenting.

@helenwoodason8053

3 жыл бұрын

You have great taste in music. Especially Numan. Still produces great tunes

“Sorry too be so animated!?” That’s the stuff of life. I’m sorry if I move way from animation. Look where it got you. You are brilliant.

Hi Chris - I remember hearing this for the first time when it came out, and it sounded so amazing and original. Like from another world. It still gives me that feeling.

I know steve didn't have the strongest voice, but it suited this track so well, he was a wonderful and generous friend, obviously got no royalties from it, but he made the song, not one single nice word on the comments. Love you Steve RIP

@Banglish123

3 жыл бұрын

He only got mentioned once in this video as part of the 'whole Blitz club thing'. I sense beef. Without the new romantic thing and the whole futuristic vibe of the video this could have easily been just another prog Rock hangover. As you say, RIP Steve

@toddtrillo7445

3 жыл бұрын

Your right , Steve did make that song , I thought the song was already really mysterious and futuristic after hearing it doing the rounds on the radio but when I saw the video he

@toddtrillo7445

3 жыл бұрын

Whoops bumped it before finishing , but anyway when I saw the video , the song and steve were made for each other , just perfect

Chris sounds like a wonderful guy with a lot of great stories. I wanna have a beer with him!

@rbak

3 жыл бұрын

Phone him up and say "Hi, it's Adam Clayton here"

@EdOConnor

3 жыл бұрын

I would but for the TRO...

@ajw9533

3 жыл бұрын

D Minor, the saddest of all keys.

Absolutely timeless,midge stills performs this live simply amazing.

Internet age gives so much Legends in person. Head spins.

*As a synth musician, I really enjoyed watching this, but that's another story!* ⭐😃👍

Love KZread for the random recommendations. Love fade to grey, never knew the story behind such a iconic song, grew up in the 80’s and work in Chichester 😃

I play the drums and in the 80s I would practise by placing speakers either side of me and playing along to music (God help my ears!). While I was practising my Mum returned from shopping with a copy of Fade to Grey on 7 inch. I placed it on the turntable, with the speakers up full. The intro and the song itself, especially the bass riff blew me away. A Classic tune, Thanks Chris.

Hi Chris, I can’t even begin to tell you what a fan I am of your work. I started listening to Numan in 1981 and his best stuff was when you were in the band. I have so many great memories of that time and I thank you for being part of it. 👍

Wow, that's so great to give us the inside of such a great track. I was not even aware that the musicians of Numan's band and Ultravox was that way in friendship. Thank you very much, Chris! Oh, I forget to say, that in my point of view, you did the major part of the track, sure!

One of my favorite songs, which defined the era it was made, and has proved timeless. It's cinematic, filled with longing and regret. The piano is beautiful. First time I've heard it. A masterpiece.

What a brilliant idea, deconstructing such an iconic track. Thanks for this, Chris. Steve&Cedric RIP 💞

Chris, you and Billy are absolute legends.The passion you both have for your craft is palpable. Thank you for all you have done.

When I first heard this it was jaw dropping moment.

Fascinating, certainly no small contribution from you Chris! The bassline is THE driving force behind the track. Very interesting to finally get The full story on the song and not least your particular part in it!

thank you for making this tune, you are a part of history , never take that for granted

Mr. Payne you are just an amazing musician! Sounds like a lot of history went into Face to Grey! A pure classic!! I could listen to you all day!! When I hear Fade to Grey. Silent tears just fall ..who is listening at the end of 2022.. ME!!! with luv from Toronto, Canada 🇨🇦 All the best Chris !! Luv LA ♥️📀📀

Incredible, just an incredible song. I was 13 and going through one of the worst periods of my life when I first heard Fade to Grey, and it just made things better. Everyday for over a year I would rush home from school so I could just lose myself in the melody. I could never explain how much it helped... Thank you...

I could play this song a million times in a row and never get tired of hearing.

"Small part"... master of understatement Chris! I just love hearing the name checks and cross-pollination here... Gary Numan... Magazine... Ultravox... Human League. A truly amazing time musically, that I doubt will ever happen again.

Heard this song whilst still in high school 1981 for the first time on a friend's dad BMW 745i tape deck ! One of my best songs of all times. Greetings from Pretoria South Africa.

A masterpiece that still sounds great on the dancefloor today

When the bass part comes on....delicious shivers all over

My favourite 80s song explained by legend Christopher Payne 🙏

7:27 this is so written into my system. I think it won't fade to grey even within 2000 years from now on. Well done Sir Payne, you helped writing an immortal song.

Nice to see the face behind what is quintessentially THE song of the 80’s. Nothing will ever better it. They will wheel my coffin in to this playing !

First single I ever bought. Absolute classic. Still one of my favorites to this day. Thank you so much for the music and thanks for sharing the story

Fantastic. Simple and great piece. History And when Chris load the strings an began to play the pad I immediately beat with my foot and hummed the melody. Then he played the "bass" and I whistle the rising synth... These "electro synth Brits" of this era are my heros!

Lovely video showing the magic when talented musicians work together

Fade to Grey was a turning point in New wave, he is the ulmitate hit new wave !!!

The strangest thing about this, at the time, futuristic piece of music, is that it was created around when Midge Ure was a stand-in live tour guitarist for Thin Lizzy!!!

When i close my eyes and signal back my memories growing up as a teenager feeling like an outsider, that bass line has remained the soundtrack that has been part of the patterns that hold my fields of my memories. ❤

"fade to grey" is one of the rare songs which speaks to my soul. i do not like eighties music but thanks a lot for having made this song. it will fascinate me until my daying day.

Love this tune. Never gets old.

One of The classic songs of the New Romantic synth era. Very arresting music.

Thank you gentleman, this is still such a great song after 40 years. Both great as a dance track and also very emotional.

One of the best songs of the 80s...Here in germany it was a massive massive hit.Fantastic work!

Fade to Grey Visage (Devenir gris) One man on a lonely platform One case sitting by his side Two eyes staring cold and silent Shows fear as he turns to hide Aaah, we fade to grey (fade to grey) Aaah, we fade to grey (fade to grey) (Un homme dans une gare isolée) (Une valise à ses côtés) (Des yeux fixes et froids) (Montrent de la peur lorsqu'il) (Se tourne pour se cacher) Aaah, we fade to grey (fade to grey) Aaah, we fade to grey (fade to grey) (Sens la pluie comme un été Anglais) (Entends les notes d'une chanson lointaine) (Sortant de derrière d'un poster) (Espérant que la vie ne fut aussi longue) Aaah, we fade to grey (fade to grey) Aaah, we fade to grey (fade to grey) Feel the rain like an English summer Hear the notes from a distant song Stepping out from a back shop poster Wishing life wouldn't be so long (Devenir gris) Aaah, we fade to grey (fade to grey) Aaah, we fade to grey (fade to grey) Aaah, we fade to grey (fade to grey) (Devenir gris) Aaah, we fade to grey (fade to grey) (Devenir gris) Aaah, we fade to grey (fade to grey) Aaah, we fade to grey (fade to grey) (Devenir gris) Aaah, we fade to grey (fade to grey) Aaah, we fade to grey (fade to grey) Songwriters: Ure James, Payne Christopher John, Currie William

A timeless Masterpiece...feel the rain like an English summer...R.I.P. Steve

This is fantastic, I have always wanted to know how Fade To Grey developed - at the time I was aware it was based on something Chris wrote in the soundchecks so having it fully explained is wonderful (especially 40-odd years later!). Stumbled on this video by accident (thank you youtube, usually I despise your recommendations, but why it was recommended when I was looking for the cheesy mash-up someone did years ago with Joy Division's No Love Lost and some 70s dancers is anybody's guess). I digress - thanks Chris!

So great to hear the story of one of the best or THE BEST synthpop songs of the very early days. One of my top favorites ! Well done Chris ! So interesting.

One of the defining tunes of my early teens, influenced my musical listening til this very day. This is a fantastic video I stumbled into, thanks.

A really vibrant and beautiful song with a dream like atmosphere that lures you in from the start, thank you for the video Christopher

Fade to Grey est ma chanson favorite, toutes catégories confondues. Je l'écoute depuis plus de 42 ans sans m'en lasser . C'est un chef-d'œuvre pop ! Tout est parfait et je suis étonné qu'elle n'est pas été n°1 ..... Merci pour ces explications, c'est extrêmement intéressant. Merci !!

Fade to grey was one of my favourite tracks from Visage, thanks for running through it's conception.

I’d heard the Adam Clayton story before, about New Years Day, and that it was a Joy Division or New Order song he was trying to emulate and for the life of me I couldn’t think of which of their songs it was. This makes much more sense! Anyway, Fade to Grey, an absolute classic of its era.

That original first edition of fade to grey, from before it was. That is hauntingly beautifull. Slam on a couple of cello's and one violin.

I grew up loving early 80s music but was too young to have heard this one. It’s basically perfect. You guys made a minimalist masterpiece

Mr. Christopher Payne you are just an amazing musician 🎶🎶 absolutely brilliant!! Been following you since Gary Numan days!! 1979 , all the best to you and your family !! Luv from Toronto , Canada 🇨🇦 LA 2021 Fade to Grey is a brilliant song!! Love it always will!!!

Fantastic video. It is nice to see the history explained by you. That saw sound with fast release made that bassline unique and powerful. Those synth sounds and the way synth musicians looked like back in late 70's (so serious when performing, in a Cold wave-style), got me into synths. Thanks. DX5

@lordmuntague

3 жыл бұрын

Hello Jose, nice to see you here!

@DX5

3 жыл бұрын

@@lordmuntague Cheers Munty :)

Absolutely brilliant!” An amazing insight into the creation process of one of the greatest songs ever recorded!

Christopher thank you for this explanation, and for such a brilliant and beautiful song. I just watched a "live" version from TopPop and it was incredible.

In the 90s, Midge set up an intimate session in a tiny venue near Luton, just him, a guitar, and a small group of us. He talked about the history of a few songs and his involvement with them, answering questions and singing the ones where the vocals weren't "too high!". This was one he talked about, and it's fascinating to hear the story from a different perspective.

'A small part in it'... Such modesty. Great to see the genius behind probably the best synth-pop record ever, and that hook has me still going back to this song for my fix on a regular basis all these years later. Thank you Christopher.

Good god I love this story. Thank you for this brilliant song and for the bit of history.

What a great video, thank you Chris! 😀👍 That U2 story had cracked me up, when I'd first read about it a decade ago 😄 I'd been massively into them during the 80's, totally believing then that there'd never be a better song than 'New Year's Day' 😅 My favourite Visage song actually is 'Mind Of A Toy' (which must've also been one of the first music video clips I'd seen) 🙂 Greetings from NZ! 👋😀

Dear Christopher, I have ALWAYS adored "Fade to grey". I put it up there with "Good Vibrations", "I am the Walrus", "Light my Fire" and any classic where the piece is lifted with an amazig piano structure. "Fade to grey" and "I am the Walrus" have some similar lyrics. Music has power. And, what you created is immortal. Thank you for giftig us magic. RIP Steve Strange. David

i could listen for ever about this, just thank you so much for an iconic song

You small part of it is simply the heart of this masterpiece, no less... merci beaucoup xoxo

'k I thought this was going to be a youtube music nerd explaining his fave song to me - but a _FROM THE TOP EXPLANATION BY THE ORIGINALS?!_ *Legend!* ... now to actually watch!

We need to revive this piano piece, in some form or other.