Interesting Question about Fade-Outs

[fendsboy417]

I've been wondering lately why artists choose to use fade-outs on their recordings. Is it their choice or the record company's? How come artists don't use the ending they use live on the original album? Perhaps they have not written an ending? Frankly I'm not a big fan of fade-outs. What are your thoughts?

[Kink Rimson]

Personally speaking, the fade-out is a valid way to end a song on record if it fits, most of my band's songs do have a definite and but some sound cooler faded out, in particular ones that end on a jam or a repetitive riff. It's just what fits the song.

But I'm sure songs are often faded out because they didn't come up with a decent ending...