Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Music Box • Music

Faded

"Faded" is a 2015 single by Norwegian DJ and record producer Alan Walker, featuring vocals by Iselin Solheim.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

"Faded" is a 2015 single by Norwegian DJ Alan Walker, featuring vocals from Iselin Solheim. The song is a reworked version of Walker's earlier instrumental "Fade" and became an international electronic music hit.

What it is

"Faded" originated as Walker's 2014 instrumental "Fade". It was later reworked with vocals and additional production, released as a single on 3 December 2015. The song helped establish Alan Walker as an international artist.

Why it matters

The single was a major commercial success, topping Norway's chart for 14 weeks and reaching number one in several other countries. Its music video became one of the best-known electronic music videos of the 2010s, and the track is widely regarded as Walker's breakthrough.

Key details

The song blends electro house, progressive house, and melodic house. Its lyrics express longing and a search for meaning. The vocals are by Norwegian singer-songwriter Iselin Solheim, who is uncredited on the release.

In short

  • Released 3 December 2015 as a vocal rework of "Fade"
  • Topped Norway's VG-lista chart for 14 weeks
  • Helped launch Alan Walker's international career
  • Known for its melancholic electronic sound
Canadian angle

"Faded" was part of the global electronic-music wave that was widely consumed by Canadian audiences, but the song does not have a specific Canada-only significance in the supplied sources.

Quick questions

Who performed "Faded"?
The song is by Norwegian DJ Alan Walker, featuring vocals by Iselin Solheim.
When was "Faded" released?
It was released as a single on 3 December 2015.
Is "Faded" based on another song?
Yes. It is a rework of Walker's earlier instrumental track "Fade" from 2014.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faded_(Alan_Walker_song)
    Supports: Release date, artists, songwriters, genres, chart success, background from Fade
  2. Songfacts — https://www.songfacts.com/facts/alan-walker/faded
    Supports: Relation to Fade, release timing, international chart success
  3. Mashable — https://www.mashable.com/article/alan-walker
    Supports: Background on Fade/Faded, vocalist, popularity and streaming success
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6837612/trivia/
    Supports: Details on live performance and relationship to Fade
  5. Shazam — https://www.shazam.com/song/1196294581/faded
    Supports: Release information and association with Faded - EP