Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)

"Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)" is a song by Swedish pop rock 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.

"Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)"
Single by Roxette
from the album Joyride
B-side"I Remember You"
Released29 April 1991 (1991-04-29)
RecordedJuly 1990
StudioEMI (Stockholm, Sweden)
GenrePop rock
Length3:51
LabelEMI
Songwriter(s)Per Gessle
Producer(s)Clarence Öfwerman
Roxette singles chronology
"Joyride"
(1991)		 "Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)"
(1991)		 "The Big L."
(1991)
Music video
"Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)" on YouTube

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.[1] 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".[2] Larry Flick from Billboard wrote that the duo "slow the pace down" for a "familiar power ballad that should push all the right buttons".[3] Swedish newspaper Expressen called it a "powerful ballad" and compared it to "Listen to Your Heart".[4] 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".[5]

Norwegian newspaper Glåmdalen stated that "Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)" is one of the best songs on the Joyride album."[6] Göteborgsposten described it as a "Def Leppard-like ballad",[7] while I Dag called it a "pompous arena ballad".[8] Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote that it's a "melancholic ballad".[9] 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."[10] J.D. Considine from Rolling Stone noted Fredriksson's "vocal fire-work" on the song.[11]

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.[12] On the UK Singles Chart, "Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)" peaked at position number 12.[13] 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".[14][15] 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.[16]

Track listing and formats

All songs written and composed by Per Gessle.

  • 7-inch and cassette single (Sweden 1364047 · UK TCEM190 · US 4KM-50355)
  1. "Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)" – 3:51
  2. "I Remember You" – 3:55
  • 12-inch single (Europe 1364046)
  1. "Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)" – 3:51
  2. "I Remember You" – 3:55
  3. "Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)" (Gatica Mix) – 3:57
  • CD single (Europe 1364042)
  1. "Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)" – 3:51
  2. "I Remember You" – 3:55
  3. "Physical Fascination" (Extended/Guitar Solo Version) – 4:00
  4. "Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)" (Gatica Mix) – 3:57

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of The Ballad Hits.[17]

Studios

  • Recorded in July 1990 at EMI Studios (Stockholm, Sweden)
  • Mixed at EMI Studios (Stockholm, Sweden)

Musicians

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[51] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Europe 29 April 1991
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
 EMI [33]
United Kingdom
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [52]
Japan 21 June 1991 CD [53]

Dancing DJs vs. Roxette (2005)
"Fading Like a Flower"
Single by Dancing DJs vs. Roxette
Released25 July 2005
GenreDance
Length3:05
LabelAll Around the World
Songwriter(s)Per Gessle

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.

Formats and track listings
  • CD single
  • Digital download
  1. "Fading Like a Flower" (Dancing DJs Remix - Radio Edit) – 3:05
  2. "Fading Like a Flower" (Hardino Mix) – 6:05
  3. "Fading Like a Flower" (Dancing DJs Remix - Extended Mix) – 6:10
  4. "Fading Like a Flower" (Alex K Remix) – 6:08
  5. "Fading Like a Flower" (Discode Remix) – 6:30
  6. "Fading Like a Flower" (Alex K Bounce Remix) – 5:46

Charts
Chart (2005) Peak
position
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[54] 13
Ireland (IRMA)[55] 13
Scotland (OCC)[56] 10
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[57] 41
UK Singles (OCC)[58] 18

Other cover versions
  • A cover of the song was released by Swedish artist Frida Öhrn in 2020.[59]
  • A Happy Hardcore cover by Rob IYF and Al Storm featuring Lacie was released in April 2022.[60]
  • Cass Phang released a Cantonese version of this song on her 1992 album As Though It Was Love At First Sight, retitled "Thinking only of your love" (只想你的愛).[61]
  • Taiwanese singer Lin Meng (林蒙) also released a Mandarin version on her 1992 album Lin Meng Rocks (摇滚林蒙), retitled "I don't want to wait any more" (我不要再等待).[62]
  • Italian power metal band Volturian made a cover in 2021 as an homage to Marie Fredriksson.[63]

See also

References
  1. "Fading Like A Flower Version 4 by Roxette". Ultimate-Guitar.com. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  2. Buss, Bryan. "Roxette - Joyride". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  3. Flick, Larry (8 June 1991). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 75. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  4. "ROXETTE: Joyride". Expressen. 26 March 1991.
  5. Sholin, Dave (31 May 1991). "Gavin Picks > Singles" (PDF). Gavin Report. No. 1858. p. 60. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  6. "Musikk". Glåmdalen (in Norwegian). No. 83. 12 April 1991. p. 16. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  7. "ROXETTE Joyride". Göteborgsposten. 26 March 1991.
  8. "ROXETTE: Joyride". I Dag. 26 March 1991.
  9. "Spotlight: Roxette" (PDF). Music & Media. 30 March 1991. p. 13. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  10. Veevers, Brendon (12 December 2013). "TOP 10 ROXETTE BALLADS". Renowned for Sound. Archived from the original on 2015-03-15. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  11. J.D. Considine (27 June 1991). "Roxette: Joyride: Music Review". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Archived from the original on 25 March 2008. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  12. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Roxette". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  13. "Roxette: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  14. "Music: Top 100 Songs | Billboard Hot 100 Chart | The week of August 31, 1991". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 31 August 1991. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  15. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1600." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  16. Ballad & Pop Hits - The Complete Video Collection (DVD liner notes). Roxette. EMI. 2003. 7243 4 90946 9 7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. Lindström, Sven (2002). The Ballad Hits (CD liner notes). Roxette. Capitol Records. 72435 42798-2 9.
  18. "Roxette – Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  19. "Roxette – Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  20. "Roxette – Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  21. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 1619." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  22. "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 23. 8 June 1991. p. 22. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  23. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 23. 8 June 1991. p. 21. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  24. Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
  25. "Roxette – Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  26. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  27. "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 3 June 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Roxette".
  28. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Roxette" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  29. "Roxette – Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  30. "Roxette – Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  31. "Roxette – Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)". VG-lista. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  32. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  33. "Roxette – Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  34. "Roxette – Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  35. "Roxette Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  36. "Roxette Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  37. "Top 100 Pop Singles" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. LV, no. 2. 24 August 1991. p. 4. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  38. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (pdf ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 239.
  39. "Alle Rechte Jahreshitparade 1991" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  40. "Jaaroverzichten 1991" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  41. "RPM 100 Hit Tracks of 1991". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 21 December 1991. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  42. "RPM 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1991". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 21 December 1991. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  43. "Eurochart Hot 100 1991" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 51–52. December 21, 1991. p. 21. Retrieved January 17, 2020 – via World Radio History.
  44. "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1991" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  45. "De Single Top 100 1991 Over" (PDF) (in Dutch). Radio 538. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  46. "Jaahroverzichten 1991" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  47. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1991". Swiss Hitparade. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  48. "1991 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 103, no. 51. December 21, 1991. p. YE-14.
  49. "1991 The Year in Music" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 103, no. 51. 21 December 1991. p. YE-36. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  50. "Awards – Top 50 Pop Singles" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. LV, no. 20. 28 December 1991. p. 8. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  51. "British single certifications – Roxette – Fading Like a Flower". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  52. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 27 April 1991. p. 23.
  53. "消えゆく花のように | ロクセット" [Fading Like a Flower | Roxette] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  54. "Dancing DJs vs. Roxette: Fading Like a Flower" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  55. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Roxette". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  56. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  57. "Dancing DJs vs. Roxette – Fading Like a Flower". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  58. "Dancing DJs v Roxette: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  59. "🇸🇪 Frida Öhrn releases her version of Roxette's 'Fading Like a Flower'". 5 June 2020.
  60. "Rob IYF & Al Storm Feat. Lacie – Like A Flower (2022, 320kbps, file) - Discogs". Discogs. April 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  61. "Zhi Xiang Ni de AI". YouTube.
  62. "【那些熟悉的歌】林蒙 - 我不要再等待". YouTube.
  63. "VOLTURIAN Unveil Music Video For Cover Of ROXETTE's 'Fading Like A Flower'". Metal Forces. November 4, 2021. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
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