Visage 'Fade to Grey' explained.

An account by one of the original writers (Chris Payne) about how it was written and recorded

"As it's 40 years since the initial recording of Fade to Grey I thought I would make a very simple un-edited film about how it was originally written and recorded. I can only verify the time i spent with Billy and Cedric laying down the instrumental version at Martin Rushent's Genetic studios.
So, although this is a totally accurate account of what happened, I have no idea about the events afterwards when Midge Ure composed the melody and lyrics and recorded the vocals of Steve Strange before it was released as a single"
CJPayne September 2019

[jin]

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

[Keckegenkai]

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

[christopherpayne]

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

[kosmo]

Fade to Grey was ahead of its time and still holds its own today.

[LaughingStock_]

"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.

[germanshepherdlover]

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!

[Korellar]

Simply AMAZING! Thanks a lot! 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[michellafontaine]

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.

[michaelfields]

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.

[johngiannatos]

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.

[amandabrainerd]

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

[dombarton]

One of the best songs of the last 45 years.

[ZeldaFitz]

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

[Solley]

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

[literacylabyrinth]

Fascinating insight to iconic masterpiece

[oxiigen]

One of the most beautiful pop songs ever composed.

[bertilpersson]

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.

[shaunspies]

As a young boy, not older than 12, Fade To Gray was my hook into Synth Pop, and it never left. I have been waiting for a Synth Pop revival, since the end of the

Still Waiting.... Depeche Mode the only sighn of life

[Rolanoid]

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!

[salmondfamily]

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.