
Photo: Kevin Paul · CC BY 4.0 · credits
The Fray
Group · United States · Denver · formed 2002
American rock band
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Also known as 衝突樂團
Timeline
2000s
· Debut release
Debut release: Movement EP
First documented EP in the MusicBrainz discography.
source: musicbrainz
2010s
2020s
Biography
Biography
The Fray is an American rock band from Denver, Colorado, formed in 2002 by schoolmates Isaac Slade and Joe King. Their debut studio album, How to Save a Life
How to Save a LifeSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1She Is3:592Over My Head (Cable Car)3:583How to Save a Life4:244All at Once3:485Fall Away4:246Heaven Forbid4:027Look After You4:298Hundred4:149Vienna3:5210Dead Wrong3:0611Little House2:3212Trust Me3:23 (2005) was released by Epic Records and received quadruple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), as well as platinum certification in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Its release was supported by their first hit single, "Over My Head (Cable Car)
Over My Head (Cable Car)SpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Over My Head (Cable Car) (album version)3:592Over My Head (Cable Car) (acoustic)3:53", which peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100. The band saw their furthest success with the song's follow-up, "How to Save a Life", which peaked at number three on the chart and was also a hit in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Both songs received Grammy Award nominations: Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group, respectively.
The group's self-titled second album (2009) debuted atop the Billboard 200, received platinum certification by the RIAA, and gold certification in Australia and Canada. Led by their third top ten single, "You Found Me
You Found MeSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1You Found Me4:03", the album was also nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards. While both albums were commercially successful, critical reception was generally mixed. The Fray was ranked No. 84 on Billboard's Artists of the Decade list. Their third and fourth albums, Scars & Stories
Scars & StoriesSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Heartbeat3:392The Fighter4:193Turn Me On3:024Run for Your Life3:585The Wind4:13619613:527I Can Barely Say4:198Munich3:559Here We Are3:301048 to Go3:2111Rainy Zurich3:4712Be Still2:48 (2012) and Helios
HeliosSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Hold My Hand3:422Love Don't Die3:033Give It Away3:214Closer to Me2:475Hurricane3:486Keep on Wanting4:417Our Last Days3:408Break Your Plans3:479Wherever This Goes3:3810Shadow and a Dancer4:4911Same as You5:06 (2014) were both met with continued mixed reception and trailing commercial response, peaking at numbers four and eight on the Billboard 200, respectively. The band's greatest hits album, Through the Years: The Best of the Fray
Through the Years: The Best of The FraySpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Over My Head (Cable Car)3:582How to Save a Life4:243Look After You4:284All at Once3:495You Found Me4:036Never Say Never4:187Heartless4:168Heartbeat3:419Love Don't Die3:0510Singing Low4:2511Corners3:3212Changing Tides3:30 (2016), served as their final release with Epic. Slade left the band in 2022, and the band returned as a trio to release their sixth extended play (EP), The Fray Is Back
The Fray Is BackSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks1Angeleno Moon2Same Thing3Not Now4Don't Look Down3:185Time Well Wasted2:506Known You Always (2024).
The Fray's mood has been described as austere, theatrical, cinematic, poignant, and ethereal; their lyrical content is based around introspection, with themes of yearning, regret, and angst. The band's use of the piano as the lead instrument in their music has led critics to compare the band with similar British bands such as Coldplay and Keane. The band lists its influences as Counting Crows, Better Than Ezra, and U2.
Formation and early years (2002–2004)
The band members' musical lives were largely formed in Denver area churches where they helped lead worship, and in the Christian school three of them attended. Isaac Slade and guitarist Joe King were several years ahead of drummer Ben Wysocki at Faith Christian Academy. Wysocki and guitarist David Welsh played in the same worship band. In the spring of 2002, former schoolmates Slade and King reconnected and began regular two-man jam sessions that led to writing songs. Slade and King later added Mike Ayars on guitar, Zach Johnson on drums, and Slade's younger brother Caleb on bass, though Caleb was later asked to leave. Caleb's departure from the band caused a rift in his relationship with Isaac, and this rift later became the inspiration for the song "Over My Head (Cable Car)
Over My Head (Cable Car)SpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Over My Head (Cable Car) (album version)3:592Over My Head (Cable Car) (acoustic)3:53", which is about the brothers' waning relationship. Following this Johnson left the band to attend an art school in New York.
Ben Wysocki, a former bandmate of Isaac Slade, joined as drummer and later, Dave Welsh, who was another former bandmate of Slade and Wysocki, was added as lead guitarist to the band. The newly formed band was named the Fray. The band members decided on a name after asking people to put band names on a piece of paper from which they picked randomly. The members of the band first claimed that they found the name suitable because they frequently quarreled about the composition of the lyrics in their songs, but they have since stated they are usually on good terms while composing music and acknowledge contributions from all members. The band has had no permanent bassist since Caleb, instead employing touring bassists on a temporary basis. The current bassist is Dane Poppin, who has been touring with the band since 2022.
The band released its first record, Movement EP, in 2002. The next year, the band released Reason EP produced by "How To Save A Life
How to Save a LifeSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1She Is3:592Over My Head (Cable Car)3:583How to Save a Life4:244All at Once3:485Fall Away4:246Heaven Forbid4:027Look After You4:298Hundred4:149Vienna3:5210Dead Wrong3:0611Little House2:3212Trust Me3:23" co-producer Aaron Johnson, which garnered the band local fame and acclaim. Westword, an alternative newsweekly, gave Reason EP a positive review, stating "The music is epic, no doubt, but it's played on a wholly human scale". Despite these reviews, the band struggled to launch a single; Denver radio station KTCL rejected eight of their songs before the band decided to submit a demo of a song then-named "Cable Car". The song found airplay on a KTCL radio show highlighting local bands, and the radio station received a large number of requests for it soon thereafter. The band changed the name of the song to "Over My Head (Cable Car)", and as the song's airplay increased alongside their local following, the band was voted "Best New Band" by Westword in 2004. Mike Flynn, working in the artists and repertoire division of Epic Records, discovered the band through the article in Westword and soon after, Epic Records officially signed the band on December 17, 2004.
How to Save a Life (2005–2007)
The band's debut album, How to Save a Life
How to Save a LifeSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1She Is3:592Over My Head (Cable Car)3:583How to Save a Life4:244All at Once3:485Fall Away4:246Heaven Forbid4:027Look After You4:298Hundred4:149Vienna3:5210Dead Wrong3:0611Little House2:3212Trust Me3:23, was released on September 13, 2005; its style is between traditional rock and alternative rock. "Over My Head (Cable Car)
Over My Head (Cable Car)SpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Over My Head (Cable Car) (album version)3:592Over My Head (Cable Car) (acoustic)3:53" was released as the first single from the album, and it soon became a Top 40 hit on the Modern Rock Tracks chart in late 2005, peaking at No. 37. The single gained airplay nationally, entering the Billboard Hot 100 chart on the issue marked February 25, 2006. Fourteen weeks later, it reached its peak position at No. 8 on the Hot 100 chart. On the Billboard Adult Top 40 chart, the single reached the No. 2 position. Internationally, the song was a Top 25 hit in on the national charts of Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The song was the fifth-most downloaded single of 2006.
While "Over My Head (Cable Car)" was rising on the charts, the song "How to Save a Life" was first featured during an episode of Grey's Anatomy, aired March 19, 2006, and then on an episode of Scrubs, aired April 25, 2006. Despite not having been originally released as a single, "How to Save a Life" entered the Hot 100 chart on the issue marked April 15, 2006. The song was released as the band's second single. On August 18, 2006, ABC announced that the song would be used for the main advertising promotion for the season premiere of Grey's Anatomy.
Only weeks after this promotion started, the song became the Fray's second Top 40 hit in the United States. The song peaked at No. 3 on the Hot 100 chart, surpassing the peak position of "Over My Head (Cable Car)". It tied for the seventh-longest charting single of all time on the Hot 100 chart, with Santana's "Smooth", at 58 consecutive weeks. The song also topped the Adult Top 40 chart for 15 consecutive weeks. "How to Save a Life" was a major hit internationally, topping the singles chart in Ireland, Spain and Canada. The song also charted in the top five in Australia, Italy and Sweden and was the band's first hit in the United Kingdom, peaking at No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart.
"Look After You
Look After YouSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Look After You (radio edit)4:022Look After You7:27" was released as the third single from the album. It peaked at No. 59 on the Hot 100 chart and was the band's first single to miss the Top 40. The song was written by the lead singer of the Fray, Isaac Slade. It is about his then girlfriend, whom he later married. The album itself peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard 200 chart, and charted in the top ten in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom and was certified the best-selling digital album of all time, breaking the record held previously by Coldplay's X&Y.
While the album was met with commercial success, critical reception from mainstream critics was mixed: Allmusic gave the album a modest review, stating that the Fray "lacked originality" and the album itself lacked any "inspiration and excitement". Stylus Magazine gave the album a negative review, stating, "The Fray, as a rule, are moribund, emotionally strained and uninvolving." Rolling Stone and Blender echoed many of these statements while giving the album three stars out of five. However, the album garnered acclaim from Christian music magazines: Jesus Freak Hideout gave the album a glowing review, stating "How to Save Life is nearly perfect", and gave the album four-and-a-half stars out of five. HM Magazine, another American magazine devoted to Christian music, also gave the album a positive review, rating it four stars out of five.
To promote the album, the Fray began a worldwide tour and released a live album, Live at the Electric Factory: Bootleg No. 1
Live at the Electric Factory: Bootleg No. 1Spotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1How to Save a Life4:412She Is4:163All at Once4:024Chips & Salsa0:365Heaven Forbid4:176Interlude0:487Vienna5:398Dead Wrong3:229It's Not Easy Being Skinny0:3610Over My Head (Cable Car)4:2011Interlude II0:2512Look After You7:2713Trust Me13:32, on July 18, 2006. The concert was recorded on May 21, 2006, at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On September 19, they re-released How to Save a Life as a CD/DVD set including a documentary on the making of the album. On September 4, 2007, the band released another live album, Acoustic in Nashville: Bootleg No. 2
Acoustic in Nashville: Bootleg No. 2SpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Look After You4:552She Is3:493Vienna4:074How to Save a Life4:315Heaven Forbid4:16, which was recorded in late 2006. The album could only be purchased with the original CD from Target but was made available on the iTunes Music Store on November 13, 2007. On October 16 of the same year, the band re-released their 2003 EP, Reason EP
Reason EPSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 7 tracks1Together2:242Some Trust2:543Vienna3:504Without Reason3:335City Hall3:016Oceans3:597Unsaid3:04. The band also released a live cover of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)Happy Xmas (War Is Over)Spotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Happy Xmas (War Is Over)4:12" as a 2006 Christmas single. This song debuted and peaked on the Hot 100 chart at No. 50 on the strength of a large number of digital downloads. The Fray also worked with Reverb, a non-profit environmental organization, for their 2007 summer tour.
The Fray and Christmas EP (2008–2010)
The band finished recording their self-titled, second album at the end of July 2008 for a February 3, 2009, release. The album was produced by Aaron Johnson and Mike Flynn, the same production duo from the band's debut album, and recorded by Warren Huart. A documentary named Fair Fight, directed by Rod Blackhurst, was included with the first 300,000 copies of the second album. The lead single from the album, "You Found Me
You Found MeSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1You Found Me4:03", debuted online on December 9, 2009, on VH1.com, and debuted at No. 28 on the Hot 100 chart, the band's highest debut on the chart at that time. The song peaked at No. 7 on the chart, making it the band's second-highest charting single, and topped the Billboard Adult Top 40 chart as well as the Australian Singles Chart, becoming the band's first song to reach No. 1 in Australia. It is also the band's third song to sell two million digital downloads in the United States, after "Over My Head (Cable Car)
Over My Head (Cable Car)SpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Over My Head (Cable Car) (album version)3:592Over My Head (Cable Car) (acoustic)3:53" and "How to Save a Life
How to Save a LifeSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1She Is3:592Over My Head (Cable Car)3:583How to Save a Life4:244All at Once3:485Fall Away4:246Heaven Forbid4:027Look After You4:298Hundred4:149Vienna3:5210Dead Wrong3:0611Little House2:3212Trust Me3:23". Following the success of "You Found Me", the album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 179,000 copies in its first week of release. The music video was directed by fellow Denverite Josh Forbes. It was filmed in Chicago and was an homage to the Wim Wenders film Wings of Desire.
The Fray released their self-titled, second album to the Christian market on the same day as the secular market. In a video for the song "You Found Me" that includes some behind-the-scenes footage, lead vocalist Isaac Slade says that this album is what they would have done the first time if they had the time. He adds the band wants to model the rest of their careers after this second album. On February 13, 2009, the Fray wrote a song called "Be the One". The song was written in the space of 24 hours when the British magazine Q asked the band to write a love song for the occasion of Valentine's Day.
The demo version of the song was released on the band's official website on November 11, 2009. The band also covered Kanye West's song "Heartless
HeartlessSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Heartless - Swinghouse Session - 20094:152Never Say Never - Live in Minneapolis, MN - 20094:593How to Save a Life - Live at Webster Hall, NYC, NY - February 20094:58", which charted at No. 79 on the Billboard Hot 100; a video for the cover was released worldwide on iTunes on August 11, 2009. Both songs were included in the deluxe edition of the band's second album, released November 10, 2009. "Heartless" was also included on the band's third live album, The Fray: Live from SoHo.
The band released "Never Say Never
Never Say NeverSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Never Say Never4:192Heartless (Swinghouse session)4:173How to Save a Life (live From Webster Hall)4:58" as the second single from the album. The song was a modest hit in the US; it peaked at No. 32 on the Hot 100 chart and at No. 10 on the Adult Top 40 chart. Internationally, it failed to match the success of "You Found Me". The song was used in the first and last episodes of the television series The Vampire Diaries. The third single from the album, "Syndicate" was released on January 12, 2010, and peaked at No. 16 on the Adult Top 40 and at No. 40 on the Pop Songs chart, becoming the band's second single to miss the Hot 100 chart and the lowest-charting single from the album.
Like their first album, The Fray's critical reception was mixed. Rolling Stone termed the album "nothing new", while Entertainment Weekly stated, "The Fray is all blah, all the time: more minor-key melodies and more dreary tempos." Allmusic, whilst giving the album a modestly positive review, echoed many of these statements, commenting that "the songcraft remains virtually unchanged" and termed the album as "How to Save a Life – Part 2". However, AbsolutePunk criticized the negative reviews, stating, "For what it's worth, the Denver quintet has released a charming, appealing record that would be far more praiseworthy if it didn't sound so much like its predecessor... [which] isn't exactly a bad thing." Review aggregator Metacritic lists the album as holding a rating of 56/100 based on nine professional reviews, meaning "mixed or average reviews".
The Fray collaborated with Timbaland on his album Shock Value II, which was released on December 8, 2009. The band was featured on the song "Undertow", which, despite not being released as a single, entered the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 100, the week ending November 28, 2009. On December 22, 2009, the band released an EP, Christmas EP
Christmas EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Oh Come Oh Emmanuel4:552Silent Night2:173Noel4:574Oh Come All Ye Faithful2:375Away in a Manger2:09, as a free download from the band's official website. The EP contained five acoustic covers
CoversSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracksA1Maps3:20A2Ready or Not3:48A3Why3:57B1Boulder to Birmingham5:04B2Streets of Philadelphia3:47 of popular Christmas carols and was recorded by Warren Huart at Blackbird Studio in Nashville. In an interview with Westword in June 2010, guitarist Dave Welsh announced that the band was working on an EP containing covers of songs by artists such as Annie Lennox, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen and Bob Marley but did not give a specific release date.
Scars & Stories and Helios (2011–2016)
In 2011, the Fray contributed two cover songs on compilation albums: "Take Your Time" for Listen to Me: Buddy Holly and "Mahna Mahna" for Muppets: The Green Album. Brendan O'Brien was hired to produce the band's third studio album, later named Scars & Stories
Scars & StoriesSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Heartbeat3:392The Fighter4:193Turn Me On3:024Run for Your Life3:585The Wind4:13619613:527I Can Barely Say4:198Munich3:559Here We Are3:301048 to Go3:2111Rainy Zurich3:4712Be Still2:48. During an interview with Colorado Daily, Slade explained why the band had recruited him: "Sonically, we wanted to make this record sound as close as possible to the live shows." He cited Pearl Jam and Bruce Springsteen as influences for the sound of the record that they were trying to capture. As for the lyrical composition, Slade said the lyrics capture a more aggressive tone than their previous records.
The band began recording the album in March 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, at Blackbird Studio, and the audio mixing began on June 21, 2011. A month later, Slade confirmed via Twitter that the mixing and recording had been completed: "[We] finished our third record about half an hour ago." When asked about possible release dates for the album, Slade mentioned his hope was that the album will be out by October 2011 or at least in time for Thanksgiving. However, the date was pushed backed to early 2012. It was officially released on February 7, 2012. On September 13, 2011, during a live performance at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, the band debuted the album's first single, "Heartbeat
HeartbeatSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Heartbeat3:38", The band announced in an interview on the VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown that "Run for Your Life" would be the album's second single. A music video for the latter song was released on March 13, 2012.
After Scars and Stories, Slade promised a fourth album by the end of 2013.
On June 4, 2013, the Fray announced that they had begun recording. The album's first single, "Love Don't Die
Love Don't DieSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Love Don't Die3:03", was premiered on radio stations on October 15, 2013, and on iTunes a week later. A music video for the song was filmed on November 13, 2013, at Cowboy Palace Saloon in Chatsworth, California, and released on December 6, 2013.
The album was revealed to be titled Helios
HeliosSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Hold My Hand3:422Love Don't Die3:033Give It Away3:214Closer to Me2:475Hurricane3:486Keep on Wanting4:417Our Last Days3:408Break Your Plans3:479Wherever This Goes3:3810Shadow and a Dancer4:4911Same as You5:06 and was made available for preorder on November 25, 2013. The album was originally planned to be released on January 14, 2014, but it was delayed; instead, another song from the album, "Hurricane", was made available that day. The album was officially released on February 25. On May 9, the band announced via Twitter the release of the album's second single, "Break Your Plans". The album was produced by Stuart Price and Ryan Tedder. It received primarily mixed reviews, although it did peak at No. 2 on the Billboard US Top Rock Albums. In mid-2015, the band joined Matt Nathanson as Train's opening act during the latter band's Picasso at the Wheel Summer Tour. The tour started on May 21 and ended on July 25 of the same year. The band also continued to tour with Train into late 2015, until their final show in Las Vegas on November 7.
On September 9, 2016, the Fray released a new single, "Singing LowSinging LowSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Singing Low4:23", which is also included on their greatest hits album, Through the Years: The Best of the Fray
Through the Years: The Best of The FraySpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Over My Head (Cable Car)3:582How to Save a Life4:243Look After You4:284All at Once3:495You Found Me4:036Never Say Never4:187Heartless4:168Heartbeat3:419Love Don't Die3:0510Singing Low4:2511Corners3:3212Changing Tides3:30, which was announced along with the single's release. It was released on November 4, 2016. In late 2016, the band went on tour to promote the album.
Hiatus, Slade's departure and band's return (2019–present)
In July 2019, Slade revealed in an interview that the band would be taking a hiatus after fulfilling their five-record deal with Epic Records, saying they wanted to focus more on their own freedom by "playing the shows we want and picking and choosing". On March 12, 2022, Slade announced that he would be leaving the band. His final performance with the band took place on May 14, 2022, at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, Illinois. Slade now owns a record store in Washington State.
On July 25, 2024, the band released their first single in eight years with a song entitled "Time Well Wasted
Time Well WastedSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Time Well Wasted2:50" from an EP entitled The Fray Is Back
The Fray Is BackSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks1Angeleno Moon2Same Thing3Not Now4Don't Look Down3:185Time Well Wasted2:506Known You Always, which was released on September 27, 2024. It was the band's first release to feature guitarist Joe King as their full-time lead vocalist, with King only having contributed occasional lead vocals to previous albums.
On February 21, 2025, the band performed at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pennsylvania as part of Penn State's annular THON Weekend. Later that year, the band announced a world tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of How to Save a Life. The anniversary tour began on July 25, 2025, in Dallas, Texas, and spanned major U.S. cities through August before continuing internationally across Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Philippines. The tour concluded on December 12, 2025, in Manila.
The band released their fifth studio album, A Light That Waits
A Light That WaitsSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1A Light That Waits3:232Still Got You3:133Ice Cold Lakes3:014My Heart's a Crowded Room3:065Emerald3:186Wherever You Reach for Me2:547Let Me Go First3:358Songs I'd Rather Not Sing2:449Tasted Glory3:2410After You, Only God3:2011Sea Level Drive3:52, on March 13, 2026. The album marked the band's first full-length album in 12 years, as well as their first as a trio.
Musical style and songwriting
How to Save a Life consists of a mix of mid-tempo, piano-driven pop rock tracks and power ballads. The album The Fray spread the spectrum of music: the pop rock songs are faster and more energetic, while the ballads are softer than those on the first album.
Slade's vocals feature a falsetto and a strong American accent. On the second album, his vocals are more aggressive, most notably on the tracks "We Build Then We Break" and "Say When".
The lyrics on both albums revolve around life's problems and issues. Common themes include happiness, sadness, death, the problem of evil, relationships and war. The honest and emotional nature of the lyrics
has also had critics labeling the Fray as emo, comparing them to mainstream emo acts like Jimmy Eat World. The Fray's initial songs contain lyrics with strong religious messages. However, by the time they began work on their debut album, the band decided against being an entirely religious group because they believed that God had called them away from the "Christian music genre and into a secular market".
Planeta Awards
The Planeta Awards is an annual Peruvian awards ceremony established by Radio Planeta. The Fray has received one award from two nominations.
Discography & profile
Normalised profile
Percentiles are computed over every artist in the database, so a tier-3 artist can still sit in the 95th percentile on a single axis.
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 34 | 92.3th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | 21,541,302 | 78.5th |
| Release groups in DB | 43 | 93.3th |
| Studio albums | 5 | 84.6th |
| Awards recorded | 0 | 0th |
| Timeline events | 7 | 82.6th |
| Recording span (years) | 24 | 53.9th |
| Genres | 5 | 88.3th |
Percentiles are computed at render time; missing values mean the artist has no data on that axis.
Discography (43 release groups · 5 studio albums)
Albums · 5
2005 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 12 tracks · 46:11
1She Is3:592Over My Head (Cable Car)3:583How to Save a Life4:244All at Once3:485Fall Away4:246Heaven Forbid4:027Look After You4:298Hundred4:149Vienna3:5210Dead Wrong3:0611Little House2:3212Trust Me3:232009 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 10 tracks · 43:22
1Syndicate3:322Absolute3:493You Found Me4:044Say When5:055Never Say Never4:196Where the Story Ends3:577Enough for Now4:178Ungodly Hour5:079We Build Then We Break3:4810Happiness5:242012 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 12 tracks · 44:43
1Heartbeat3:392The Fighter4:193Turn Me On3:024Run for Your Life3:585The Wind4:13619613:527I Can Barely Say4:198Munich3:559Here We Are3:301048 to Go3:2111Rainy Zurich3:4712Be Still2:482014 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 11 tracks · 42:22
1Hold My Hand3:422Love Don't Die3:033Give It Away3:214Closer to Me2:475Hurricane3:486Keep on Wanting4:417Our Last Days3:408Break Your Plans3:479Wherever This Goes3:3810Shadow and a Dancer4:4911Same as You5:062026 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 11 tracks · 35:50
1A Light That Waits3:232Still Got You3:133Ice Cold Lakes3:014My Heart's a Crowded Room3:065Emerald3:186Wherever You Reach for Me2:547Let Me Go First3:358Songs I'd Rather Not Sing2:449Tasted Glory3:2410After You, Only God3:2011Sea Level Drive3:52
EP · 8
| Cover | Year | Title | Notes | First release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Movement EPSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 4 tracks · 15:001Where You Want To3:22 2Oceans Away4:00 3It's For You3:47 4Vienna3:51 | 2002 | ||
| 2003 | Reason EPSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 7 tracks · 22:451Together2:24 2Some Trust2:54 3Vienna3:50 4Without Reason3:33 5City Hall3:01 6Oceans3:59 7Unsaid3:04 | 1 October 2003 | ||
| 2007 | How To Save A Life EPSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 3 tracks · 12:111How to Save a Life - Acoustic Live at Q101, Chicago, IL - 20064:39 2She Is - Live Acoustic at Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, CA - June 20063:29 3All at Once - Live at The Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA - May 20064:03 | 11 May 2007 | ||
| 2009 | Live From the 9:30 Club: Bootleg No. 3Search SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 5 tracks · 27:141Say When5:29 2Enough for Now4:26 3You Found Me4:19 4We Build Then We Break5:01 5Happiness7:59 | Live | 2009 | |
| 2009 | Christmas EPSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 5 tracks · 16:551Oh Come Oh Emmanuel4:55 2Silent Night2:17 3Noel4:57 4Oh Come All Ye Faithful2:37 5Away in a Manger2:09 | 22 December 2009 | ||
| 2012 | CoversSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 5 tracks · 19:56A1Maps3:20 A2Ready or Not3:48 A3Why3:57 B1Boulder to Birmingham5:04 B2Streets of Philadelphia3:47 | 2012 | ||
| 2024 | The Fray Is BackSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 6 tracks · 6:081Angeleno Moon 2Same Thing 3Not Now 4Don't Look Down3:18 5Time Well Wasted2:50 6Known You Always | 27 September 2024 | ||
| — | Over My Head (Cable Car)Search SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 4 tracks · 19:141Over My Head (Cable Car)4:25 2How to Save a Life4:40 3Look After You5:57 4Heaven Forbid4:12 | Live | — |
Single · 22
| Cover | Year | Title | Notes | First release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Over My Head (Cable Car)Search SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 2 tracks · 7:521Over My Head (Cable Car) (album version)3:59 2Over My Head (Cable Car) (acoustic)3:53 | 7 October 2005 | ||
| 2006 | How to Save a LifeSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 2 tracks · 7:531How to Save a Life4:24 2She Is (Stripped version)3:29 | 2006 | ||
| 2006 | Happy Xmas (War Is Over)Search SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 4:121Happy Xmas (War Is Over)4:12 | December 2006 | ||
| 2007 | All at OnceSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:471All at Once3:47 | 2007 | ||
| 2007 | Look After YouSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 2 tracks · 11:291Look After You (radio edit)4:02 2Look After You7:27 | 7 February 2007 | ||
| 2007 | You Found MeSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 4:031You Found Me4:03 | 30 July 2007 | ||
| 2007 | She IsSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 4 tracks · 15:411She Is (album version)4:00 2She Is (acoustic version)3:32 3How to Save a Life (acoustic version)4:16 4Over My Head (Cable Car) (acoustic version)3:53 | 30 July 2007 | ||
| 2008 | HeartlessSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 3 tracks · 14:121Heartless - Swinghouse Session - 20094:15 2Never Say Never - Live in Minneapolis, MN - 20094:59 3How to Save a Life - Live at Webster Hall, NYC, NY - February 20094:58 | 2008 | ||
| 2009 | Past TalkSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:041Past Talk3:04 | 4 May 2009 | ||
| 2009 | Never Say NeverSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 3 tracks · 13:341Never Say Never4:19 2Heartless (Swinghouse session)4:17 3How to Save a Life (live From Webster Hall)4:58 | 26 June 2009 | ||
| 2010 | Boulder to BirminghamSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 2 tracksABoulder to Birmingham AABoulder to Birmingham | 28 September 2010 | ||
| 2011 | HeartbeatSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:381Heartbeat3:38 | 11 October 2011 | ||
| 2012 | Heartbeat (Latiendo)Search SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:381Heartbeat (Latiendo)3:38 | 11 September 2012 | ||
| 2013 | Love Don't DieSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:031Love Don't Die3:03 | 21 October 2013 | ||
| 2015 | How to Save a Life (Sex Whales & Tryple remix)Search SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:511How to Save a Life (Sex Whales & Tryple remix)3:51 | Remix | 17 June 2015 | |
| 2016 | Singing LowSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 4:231Singing Low4:23 | 9 September 2016 | ||
| 2016 | Changing TidesSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:301Changing Tides3:30 | 28 October 2016 | ||
| 2024 | Time Well WastedSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 2:501Time Well Wasted2:50 | 25 July 2024 | ||
| 2025 | My Heart's A Crowded RoomSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:061My Heart's A Crowded Room3:06 | 18 July 2025 | ||
| 2025 | EmeraldSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:181Emerald3:18 | 26 September 2025 | ||
| 2025 | Songs I'd Rather Not SingSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 2:441Songs I'd Rather Not Sing2:44 | 21 November 2025 | ||
| 2026 | A Light That WaitsSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 3:231A Light That Waits3:23 | 23 January 2026 |
Other · 2
| Cover | Year | Title | Notes | First release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | StrippedSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 5 tracks · 19:531Look After You (acoustic)5:02 2She Is (acoustic)3:38 3Over My Head (Cable Car) (acoustic)3:56 4How to Save a Life (acoustic)4:22 5Elanor Rigby (acoustic)2:55 | Live | 13 May 2006 | |
| 2009 | Walmart SoundcheckSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 3 tracks · 12:551You Found Me (Original Performance Series)4:15 2Never Say Never (Original Performance Series)4:21 3Enough for Now (Original Performance Series)4:19 | Live | 2009 |
Album · 6
| Cover | Year | Title | Notes | First release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Live at the Electric Factory: Bootleg No. 1Search SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 13 tracks · 54:011How to Save a Life4:41 2She Is4:16 3All at Once4:02 4Chips & Salsa0:36 5Heaven Forbid4:17 6Interlude0:48 7Vienna5:39 8Dead Wrong3:22 9It's Not Easy Being Skinny0:36 10Over My Head (Cable Car)4:20 11Interlude II0:25 12Look After You7:27 13Trust Me13:32 | Live | 18 July 2006 | |
| 2007 | Acoustic in Nashville: Bootleg No. 2Search SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 5 tracks · 21:381Look After You4:55 2She Is3:49 3Vienna4:07 4How to Save a Life4:31 5Heaven Forbid4:16 | Live | 4 September 2007 | |
| 2009 | iTunes Live from SoHoSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 6 tracks · 28:081Absolute3:56 2Over My Head (Cable Car)4:12 3How to Save a Life4:50 4Enough for Now4:26 5You Found Me4:08 6Happiness6:36 | Live | 7 April 2009 | |
| 2014 | The CollectionSearch SpotifySearch YouTube Music | Compilation | 14 February 2014 | |
| 2016 | Through the Years: The Best of The FraySearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 12 tracks · 47:291Over My Head (Cable Car)3:58 2How to Save a Life4:24 3Look After You4:28 4All at Once3:49 5You Found Me4:03 6Never Say Never4:18 7Heartless4:16 8Heartbeat3:41 9Love Don't Die3:05 10Singing Low4:25 11Corners3:32 12Changing Tides3:30 | Compilation | 4 November 2016 | |
| — | 2005-05-08: 3rd and Lindsley, Nashville, TN, USASearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 9 tracks · 36:341[introduction]0:43 2Vienna3:50 3Over My Head (Cable Car)4:01 4She Is3:58 5Heaven Forbid4:44 6Look After You4:32 7Fall Away4:39 8How to Save a Life5:17 9All at Once4:50 | Live | — |
Stats & PK
Percentile within all 23,672 published artists.Put The Fray head-to-head →
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 34 | 92.3th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | 21,541,302 | 78.5th |
| Release groups in DB | 43 | 93.3th |
| Studio albums | 5 | 84.6th |
| Awards recorded | 0 | 0th |
| Timeline events | 7 | 82.6th |
| Recording span (years) | 24 | 53.9th |
| Genres | 5 | 88.3th |
Awards & honours
Line-up
| Name | From | To | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Wysocki | — | present | |
| Dave Welsh | — | present | |
| Isaac Slade | — | present | |
| Joe King | — | present |
Where this record comes from
portrait—Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0 · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Fray_-_LA_Arboretum_2.jpgpopularity—kworb.net · no licence published · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://kworb.net/spotify/listeners.htmlaliases/urls—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/2ddd167f-5b8a-4372-b350-6ad50493bac0discography—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/2ddd167f-5b8a-4372-b350-6ad50493bac0core—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q271513genre—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q271513seed-list—wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fraybiography—wikipedia-en · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fray
Why this artist is in the database
- Spotify monthly listeners (kworb.net) — rank #411 · 21,541,302
The Fray
Tier rule: current monthly listeners #411
Image: Kevin Paul · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Wikidata: Q271513 · MusicBrainz: 2ddd167f-5b8a-4372-b350-6ad50493bac0
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