# Slow Fade > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Slow_Fade > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Slow_Fade.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow_Fade > Source revision: 1312351369 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{good article}} {{Infobox song | name = Slow Fade | cover = | alt = | type = single | artist = [Casting Crowns](/source/Casting_Crowns) | album = [The Altar and the Door](/source/The_Altar_and_the_Door) | released = 2008{{cite web|url=https://fireproofthemovie.blogspot.com/2008/05/towns-crowns-and-widgets.html|title=Towns, Crowns, and Widgets|date=May 29, 2008|publisher=Fireproof Blog|access-date=June 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304131324/http://fireproofthemovie.blogspot.com/2008/05/towns-crowns-and-widgets.html|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} | recorded = | studio = Zoo Studio in [Franklin, Tennessee](/source/Franklin%2C_Tennessee), My Refuge Studio in [McDonough, Georgia](/source/McDonough%2C_Georgia), and The Sound Kitchen in Franklin, Tennessee. | venue = | genre = [Christian rock](/source/Christian_rock) | length = {{Duration|m=4|s=38}} | label = [Beach Street](/source/Beach_Street_Records), [Reunion](/source/Reunion_Records) | writer = [Mark Hall](/source/Mark_Hall_(musician)) | producer = Mark A. Miller | prev_title = [Every Man](/source/Every_Man) | prev_year = 2008 | next_title = [Until the Whole World Hears](/source/Until_the_Whole_World_Hears_(song)) | next_year = 2009 }} "'''Slow Fade'''" is a song by [Christian rock](/source/Christian_rock) band [Casting Crowns](/source/Casting_Crowns). Written by [Mark Hall](/source/Mark_Hall_(musician)), it was released as the third single from Casting Crowns' 2007 studio album ''[The Altar and the Door](/source/The_Altar_and_the_Door)''. Written after the public falls from grace of several church leaders, "Slow Fade" is a cautionary tale against making the wrong choices. It was positively received by music critics, who praised the song's lyrical theme. "Slow Fade" had moderate success on Christian chart formats, peaking at number five on the ''[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))'' [Christian Songs](/source/Christian_Songs) chart, number seven on the ''Billboard'' [Hot Christian AC](/source/Hot_Christian_AC) chart, and number 19 on the ''Radio & Records'' Christian CHR chart. The song's music video, which was produced and directed by the Erwin Brothers, depicts a family slowly deteriorating due to the compromising decisions they have made. It won the award for Short Form Music Video of the Year at the [40th GMA Dove Awards](/source/40th_GMA_Dove_Awards). ==Background and composition== {{listen|pos=right|title="Slow Fade"|filename=Slow Fade.ogg|description=A 26-second audio sample of the second verse of the song.}} "Slow Fade" was written in the "light of the well publicised falls from grace of several high profile church leaders".{{cite web|url=http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Casting_Crowns_Exploring_compromise_in_The_Altar_And_The_Door/29263/p1/|title=Casting Crowns: Exploring compromise in 'The Altar And The Door'|last=Cummings|first=Tony|date=October 9, 2007|work=[Cross Rhythms](/source/Cross_Rhythms)|access-date=June 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622080326/http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Casting_Crowns_Exploring_compromise_in_The_Altar_And_The_Door/29263/p1/|archive-date=June 22, 2013|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} According to [lead vocalist](/source/lead_vocalist) [Mark Hall](/source/Mark_Hall_(musician)): "Nobody falls, it's just a slow fade. It's a series of minor compromises until you're in a place you never thought you'd be, doing things you never thought you'd do and rationalising all of it". He continued by saying that: "As believers, as men, if we're not guarding our relationship with God, we're going down. There's too much going against us. If we're not careful, we're going to crash and burn". "Slow Fade" is a song with a length of four minutes and 38 seconds. According to the sheet music published by Musicnotes.com, "Slow Fade" is set in [common time](/source/common_time) in the key of [D major](/source/D_major) (though it was recorded in [D flat major](/source/D_flat_major)), with a [tempo](/source/tempo) of 80 [beats per minute](/source/beats_per_minute). Mark Hall's vocal range in the song spans from the low note of [A2](/source/A_(musical_note)) to the high note of [G4](/source/G_(musical_note)).{{cite journal|title=Casting Crowns – Slow Fade Digital Sheet Music|type=Digital Download|publisher=Musicnotes.com. EMI Christian Music Group}} A [ballad](/source/ballad), "Slow Fade" is "a cautionary tale urging believers to make the right choices". ==Reception== "Slow Fade" met with mostly positive reception from music critics. Jared Johnson of [Allmusic](/source/Allmusic) noted it had a "mature [rock](/source/rock_music) theme" and "showcased more [grunge](/source/grunge) guitar than could be heard on all of ''[Lifesong](/source/Lifesong)''".{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-altar-and-the-door-mw0000578153|title=The Altar and the Door - Casting Crowns|last=Johnson|first=Jared|publisher=[Allmusic](/source/Allmusic). [Rovi Corporation](/source/Rovi_Corporation)|access-date=June 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102173038/http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-altar-and-the-door-mw0000578153|archive-date=November 2, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} In reviews for ''[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))'' and ''[CCM Magazine](/source/CCM_Magazine)'', Deborah Evans Price praised the song as "compelling"{{cite magazine|last=Price|first=Deborah Evans|date=September 1, 2007|title=The Billboard Reviews|magazine=[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))|publisher=[Prometheus Global Media](/source/Prometheus_Global_Media)|volume=119|issue=35|pages=55|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8g4EAAAAMBAJ|access-date=June 17, 2012}} and an example of Mark Hall's ability to write "stirring anthems" and "achingly vulnerable, introspective songs".{{cite journal|last=Price|first=Deborah Evans|date=August 2007|title=In Review|journal=[CCM Magazine](/source/CCM_Magazine)|publisher=[Salem Publishing](/source/Salem_Publishing)|pages=39–40|url=http://ht.salemweb.net/ccm/ccmmagazine/pdf/200708.pdf|access-date=June 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505084602/http://ht.salemweb.net/ccm/ccmmagazine/pdf/200708.pdf|archive-date=May 5, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} Andree Farias of ''[Christianity Today](/source/Christianity_Today)'' praised the lyrics as "full of great ideas about spiritual apostasy" but said the arrangement "leaves the impression that [Mark] Hall and company are bored or tired".{{cite web|url=http://www.thefish.com/music/reviews/11619724/The-Altar-and-the-Door/|title=The Altar and the Door, Christian Music Reviews|last=Farias|first=Andree|publisher=Christianity Today. [Salem Web Network](/source/Salem_Web_Network)|access-date=June 17, 2012}} ==Chart performance== "Slow Fade" debuted at number 28 on the ''[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))'' [Christian Songs](/source/Christian_Songs) chart for the chart week of August 23, 2008.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2008-08-23/christian-songs?order=gainer|title=Christian Songs (August 23, 2008)|magazine=[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))|publisher=[Prometheus Global Media](/source/Prometheus_Global_Media)|access-date=June 20, 2012}} It advanced to number 19 in its fifth chart week{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2008-09-20/christian-songs?order=gainer|title=Christian Songs (September 20, 2008)|magazine=[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))|publisher=[Prometheus Global Media](/source/Prometheus_Global_Media)|access-date=June 20, 2012}} and to number 15 in its sixth.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2008-09-27/christian-songs?order=gainer|title=Christian Songs (September 27, 2008)|magazine=[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))|publisher=[Prometheus Global Media](/source/Prometheus_Global_Media)|access-date=June 20, 2012}} In its 11th chart week "Slow Fade" entered the top 10, moving to number nine.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2008-11-01/christian-songs|title=Christian Songs (November 1, 2008)|magazine=[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))|publisher=[Prometheus Global Media](/source/Prometheus_Global_Media)|access-date=June 20, 2012}} It advanced to its peak position of number five in its 18th chart week, the week of December 20, 2008. In total, "Slow Fade" spent 29 weeks on the Christian Songs chart.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/singles-chart-search|title=Singles Charts Archive Search|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=July 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511004513/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/singles-chart-search|archive-date=May 11, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} Note: User must manually input the correct search information to obtain the sourced information. Type in Casting Crowns in the Artist category and Slow Fade in the Single Title category. Select the desired chart and click on 'All weeks' in the Date category. Then, press 'Submit' It also peaked at number seven on the ''Billboard'' [Hot Christian AC](/source/Hot_Christian_AC) chart, which it spent 30 weeks on, and number 19 on the ''[Radio & Records](/source/Radio_%26_Records)'' Christian CHR chart. "Slow Fade" ranked at number 33 on the 2008 year-end Hot Christian AC chart. It ranked at number 35 on the 2009 year-end Hot Christian AC chart and number 50 on the 2009 year-end Christian Songs chart. On the 2000s decade-end Hot Christian AC chart, "Slow Fade" ranked at number 95. ==Promotion== Produced and directed by the Erwin Brothers, the music video for "Slow Fade" was shot in [Birmingham, Alabama](/source/Birmingham%2C_Alabama).{{cite web|url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2008/05/15.YAHOO!%20MUSIC%20TO%20WORLD%20PREMIERE%20CASTING%20CROWNS%20VIDEO.asp|title=Yahoo! Music To World Premiere New Casting Crowns Music Video "Slow Fade"|date=May 15, 2008|publisher=Jesus Freak Hideout|access-date=June 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120906094325/http://jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2008/05/15.YAHOO!%20MUSIC%20TO%20WORLD%20PREMIERE%20CASTING%20CROWNS%20VIDEO.asp|archive-date=September 6, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} The video depicts a deteriorating family slowly fading because of the compromising decisions they have made. It premiered on [Yahoo! Music](/source/Yahoo!_Music) on May 21, 2008, receiving placement of the website's front page. It was included on Casting Crowns' [live album](/source/live_album) ''[The Altar and the Door Live](/source/The_Altar_and_the_Door_Live)''{{cite web|url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/TheAltarandTheDoorLive.asp|title=Casting Crowns, 'The Altar and the Door Live' Review|last=Mabee|first=Justin|date=June 24, 2008|publisher=Jesus Freak Hideout|access-date=June 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516160623/http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/TheAltarandTheDoorLive.asp|archive-date=May 16, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} and won the award for Short Form Music Video of the Year at the [40th GMA Dove Awards](/source/40th_GMA_Dove_Awards).{{cite web|url=http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/chapman-shares-deep-emotions-40th-dove-awards|title=Chapman shares deep emotions at 40th Dove awards|last=Wynn|first=Ron|date=April 23, 2009|work=[The City Paper](/source/The_City_Paper)|publisher=SouthComm Inc.|access-date=June 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427101902/http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/chapman-shares-deep-emotions-40th-dove-awards|archive-date=April 27, 2009|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} Slow Fade was featured on the soundtrack for the 2008 movie, [Fireproof](/source/Fireproof_(movie)). Casting Crowns performed a "haunting" rendition of "Slow Fade" at a concert on March 22, 2008 at the [Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena](/source/Jacksonville_Veterans_Memorial_Arena) in [Jacksonville, Florida](/source/Jacksonville%2C_Florida).{{cite web|url=http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/032408/met_260968396.shtml|title=Concert review: Casting Crowns serious about faith, not themselves|last=Pinkham|first=Paul|date=March 24, 2008|work=[The Florida Times-Union](/source/The_Florida_Times-Union)|publisher=[Morris Communications](/source/Morris_Communications)|access-date=June 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322003716/http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/032408/met_260968396.shtml|archive-date=March 22, 2016|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} At a concert on February 3, 2010 at the [Sprint Center](/source/Sprint_Center) in [Kansas City, Missouri](/source/Kansas_City%2C_Missouri), Casting Crowns performed it as the third song on their set list.{{cite web|url=http://backtorockville.typepad.com/back_to_rockville/2010/02/review-casting-crowns.html|title=Review: Casting Crowns|last=Brownlee|first=Bill|date=February 5, 2010|publisher=Back to Rockville. [Kansas City Star](/source/Kansas_City_Star)|access-date=June 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414071516/http://backtorockville.typepad.com/back_to_rockville/2010/02/review-casting-crowns.html|archive-date=April 14, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} At a concert on February 28, 2010 in [Hershey, Pennsylvania](/source/Hershey%2C_Pennsylvania), they performed the song as part of their set list.{{cite web|url=http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/article.php?article_id=339|title=A Night With Kutless & Casting Crowns|last=Davis|first=Kevin|date=March 30, 2010|publisher=New Release Tuesday|access-date=June 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100405060800/http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/article.php?article_id=339|archive-date=April 5, 2010|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} ==Credits and personnel== Credits adapted from the album liner notes.{{cite AV media notes|title=The Altar and the Door|others=Casting Crowns|year=2007|page=4, 7|publisher=[Beach Street](/source/Beach_Street_Records)/[Reunion](/source/Reunion_Records)}} {{Col-begin}} {{Col-2}} '''Casting Crowns''' * Hector Cervantes - electric guitar * Juan DeVevo - acoustic guitar, electric guitar * Melodee DeVevo - violin, background vocals * Megan Garrett - piano, keyboards, background vocals * [Mark Hall](/source/Mark_Hall_(musician)) - vocals * Chris Huffman - bass guitar * Andy Williams - drums '''Additional performers''' * Jim Gray - conductor * Stephen Lamb - [copyist](/source/copyist) {{col-break}} '''Production'''' * Mark A. Miller - producer * Terry Hemmings - executive producer * Jason McArthur - [artists & repertoire](/source/artists_%26_repertoire) * Sam Hewitt - [recording](/source/audio_recording), [mixing](/source/audio_mixing_(recorded_music)) * Michael Hewitt - recording * Dale Oliver - recording * Richard Dodd - [mastering](/source/audio_mastering) * Bernie Herms - [string arrangement](/source/string_arrangement) * Bill Whittington - recording * Steve Beers - recording {{col-end}} ==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center;" |+ Weekly ! scope="col" | Chart (2008) ! scope="col" | Peak
position |- !scope="row"| ''[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))'' [Christian Songs](/source/Christian_Songs){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2008-12-20/christian-songs|title=Christian Songs (December 20, 2008)|magazine=[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))|publisher=[Prometheus Global Media](/source/Prometheus_Global_Media)|access-date=June 19, 2012}} |align="center"| 5 |- ! scope="col" | Chart (2009) ! scope="col" | Peak
position |- !scope="row"| ''Billboard'' [Hot Christian AC](/source/Hot_Christian_AC){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/3105825|title=Hot Christian AC (January 31, 2009)|magazine=[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))|publisher=[Prometheus Global Media](/source/Prometheus_Global_Media)|access-date=June 19, 2012}}{{dead link|date=September 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} |align="center"| 7 |- !scope="row"| ''[Radio & Records](/source/Radio_%26_Records)'' Christian CHR{{cite web|title=Christian CHR National Airplay|last=Jessen|first=Wade|work=[Radio & Records](/source/Radio_%26_Records)|access-date=June 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214175418/http://radioandrecords.com/formats/charts/christ_chr_chart.asp|archive-date=February 14, 2009|url=http://radioandrecords.com/formats/charts/christ_chr_chart.asp}} |align="center"| 19 |- |} {{col-break}} {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center;" |+ Year-end ! scope="col" | Chart (2008) ! scope="col" | Position |- !scope="row"| ''Billboard'' Hot Christian AC{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2008/hot-christian-adult-contemporary|title=Hot Christian AC Year-end (2008)|magazine=[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))|publisher=[Prometheus Global Media](/source/Prometheus_Global_Media)|access-date=4 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825003535/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2008/hot-christian-adult-contemporary|archive-date=25 August 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} |align="center"| 33 |- ! scope="col" | Chart (2009) ! scope="col" | Position |- !scope="row"| ''Billboard'' Hot Christian AC{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2009/hot-christian-adult-contemporary|title=Hot Christian AC Year-end (2009)|magazine=[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))|publisher=[Prometheus Global Media](/source/Prometheus_Global_Media)|access-date=4 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110821185455/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2009/hot-christian-adult-contemporary|archive-date=21 August 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} |align="center"| 35 |- !scope="row"| ''Billboard'' Hot Christian Songs{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2009/hot-christian-songs|title=Hot Christian Songs Year-end (2009)|magazine=[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))|publisher=[Prometheus Global Media](/source/Prometheus_Global_Media)|access-date=4 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110821185220/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2009/hot-christian-songs|archive-date=21 August 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} |align="center"| 50 |- |} {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center;" |+ Decade-end ! scope="col" | Chart (2000s) ! scope="col" | Position |- !scope="row"| ''Billboard'' Hot Christian AC{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/decadeendcharts/2009/christian-ac-songs|title=Hot Christian AC Decade-end (2000s)|magazine=[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))|publisher=[Prometheus Global Media](/source/Prometheus_Global_Media)|access-date=13 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817164733/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/decadeendcharts/2009/christian-ac-songs|archive-date=17 August 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} |align="center"| 95 |} {{col-end}} == Certifications == {{certification Table Top}} {{certification Table Entry|region=United States|refname=RIAA|award=Gold|certyear=2022|title=Slow Fade|artist=Casting Crowns|type=single|access-date=November 29, 2022}} {{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}} ==References== {{Reflist|2}} {{Casting Crowns}} Category:2008 singles Category:Casting Crowns songs Category:Songs written by Mark Hall (musician) Category:2008 songs --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Slow Fade](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow_Fade) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow_Fade?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.