Love Withers Away is the second song on the 2021 Infused album, Auto Epiphany. It was written by Rod Skelley, but is actually Shawn Huss’s favorite song on the album. Love Withers Away is an emotional song about love that has died but you can't let go of it. Love Withers Away features Shawn Huss on vocals and acoustic guitar, Dave Carles on bass and Rod Skelley on electric guitar and keyboards.
The band recorded three different versions of Love Withers Away: 1. Love Withers Away - the full band song with the usual Infused instrumentation (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, keyboard and bass) 2.Love Withers Quiet - an electronic instrumental version that remixes some of the melodic themes of the original version. 3. Love Withered - combines the electronic instrumental remix with the original vocal version.
This song went through a long evolution over the years. It was written by Rod Skelley in his early 20s. It was probably partially inspired by failed youthful relationships and definitely heavily influenced by bands like the Cure. It was written on acoustic guitar as just an idea with different lyrics:
Love Withers Away Original Lyrics:
Chorus: Love withers with time, why must it be so
Love withers and dies, why must it be so
1. The tears fall in vain as silence makes its presence known. I know not what the hour is as time is standing still. Although holding each other, we are no closer than strangers. The love quickly transforming into pain.
2. Make believe everything is just fine, we tried and failed. We embrace memories, instead of each other. Holding onto the securities of comfort. I know it is merely finite and fleeting.
3. Trying to keep hold of the slipping moments. Knowing things will change. Trying to forget the practical reasoning. Trying to forget how we’ve grown apart.
4. Each kiss, each embrace, each to be our last. We are no longer who we were. Loathing any movement to the future. Embracing the fading memories.
The original manuscript was rediscovered in 2021 and reworked and rewritten into its current form. Without losing the essence of the original lyrics, the lyrics were edited and reworked. The added line to the chorus makes reference to a future Infused song called, You Will Stay.
Love Withers Away Lyrics from Auto Epiphany:
Chorus: Love withers with time, Love withers and dies,
Love withers away, I still wish you would stay
The tears fall in vain. Knowing things have changed. The sun goes away. And time slips away.
I know we tried and failed. Falling further apart. No longer who we were. Love withers away.
The original guitar chords were also revised for better flow and keyboard was added for atmosphere. The plan was for this song to be part of a Rod Skelley solo album called, Auto Epiphany, that was to be a collection of forgotten songs that had been written and never given life. After hearing some of the songs, Shawn wondered if he couldn’t find a better way to bring the song to life. After hearing Shawn sing this song and few others, the solo album was nixed and the songs were recorded by the band, Infused.
Hope you will enjoy this powerful and emotional song. It captures the lost feelings of being alone when a relationship ends but you still love the person you knew, but that person is no longer who they were.