by Alex Wilson
Album
Ember & Ash
Year
2025
Genre
Country
Duration
3:48
Description
A heart-wrenching country ballad about the slow decline of a relationship. 'Fading Flame' features soft acoustic guitar, gentle strings, and emotional male vocals, capturing the bittersweet realization that love is slipping away. The song builds from quiet introspection to a powerful, yet restrained, chorus, emphasizing the difficulty of admitting the truth.
Lyrics
[Verse 1] The coffee’s cold But I don't complain Your voice is soft But it don’t feel the same I trace the cracks in the kitchen floor Hoping you don’t see what I can’t ignore [Prechorus] Your eyes still shine But they don’t reach me Your laugh still rings But it don’t teach me [Chorus] The flame is fading But I can’t say it The words are heavy So I just delay it I hold your hand But I’m losing the grip Love's a sinking ship Love's a sinking ship [Verse 2] The sunset’s gold But it don’t feel warm The sky’s on fire But we’ve lost the storm I bite my tongue Taste the bitter truth You deserve more than a love untrue [Prechorus] Your heart still beats But I don’t hear it Your touch still lingers But I don’t feel it [Chorus] The flame is fading But I can’t say it The words are heavy So I just delay it I hold your hand But I’m losing the grip Love's a sinking ship Love's a sinking ship [Bridge] We built a world On promises we made Now silence screams Where laughter used to play I know it's time To face what we've become But tearing us apart, Feels like the damage is already done. [Chorus] The flame is fading But I can’t say it The words are heavy So I just delay it I hold your hand But I’m losing the grip Love's a sinking ship Love's a sinking ship [Outro] Sinking ship... Fading flame... We're both to blame...
Notes
Instrumentation: Acoustic guitar (fingerpicked), gentle strings (cello and violin), subtle piano chords, light percussion (brushes on snare). Vocals: Emotional male lead, with harmonies in the chorus. The song should build slightly in intensity towards the bridge and final chorus. The outro fades out with repeating instrumental melody lines. Key of G major. Use a capo on the 2nd fret, played in F major (easier chords). The song should evoke a feeling of sadness and resignation, rather than anger or resentment. Consider adding a pedal steel guitar for a classic country sound. The acoustic guitar rhythm during verses is fairly simple, focusing on arpeggios. Tempo: Slow and deliberate, allowing the emotion of the lyrics to resonate.