What is the meaning of song Fading by Rihanna?

The song "Fading" expresses feelings of longing and vulnerability. In this ballad, Rihanna reflects on the waning of a relationship, a gradual disappearance of the emotional intimacy she once shared with her lover. The song captures a sense of loss, regret, and the yearning for a connection that is slipping away.

Here's a verse that highlights this sentiment:

'I close my eyes to sleep to dream

That you're here with me, but you're not

Afraid of what tomorrow brings

'Cause I know I just can't bear the thought of you and me fading'

Through metaphors and imagery related to fading, Rihanna conveys the fragility of the bond. The use of words like "shadows," "disappear," and "faded photographs" reinforces the theme of diminishing closeness. There is a sense of helplessness as the narrator grapples with the realization that the relationship is slipping through her fingers.

The chorus emphasizes this melancholic tone:

''Every moment in time

Seems to pass us by

We’ll be faded memories

Before we realize’'

The song conveys the vulnerability and pain of enduring the fading of a once strong connection and acknowledges the inevitability of change.