"So Far Away"
Single by Staind
from the album 14 Shades of Grey
ReleasedJune 17, 2003 (2003-06-17)
Recorded2003
Genre
Length4:03
LabelElektra
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Josh Abraham
Staind singles chronology
"Price to Play"
(2003) 		"So Far Away"
(2003) 		"How About You"
(2003)

"So Far Away" is a song by American rock band Staind. It was released in June 2003 as the second single from their fourth album 14 Shades of Grey. The song enjoyed much success on both rock and mainstream radio, reaching number-one on the US Mainstream Rock Tracks for fourteen consecutive weeks, one of the longest runs in the chart's history, and number-one on the Modern Rock Tracks for seven non-consecutive weeks. The song also became the band's second top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 24.

In May 2021, for the 40th anniversary of Mainstream Rock Tracks, Billboard ranked "So Far Away" at number 20 on its list of the 100 most successful songs in the chart's history;[2][3] in September 2023, the magazine ranked the song at number 89 on a similar retrospective list for the 35th anniversary of Modern Rock Tracks (which by then had been renamed to Alternative Airplay).[4][5]

Reception

Bram Teitelman of Billboard reviewed the song favorably, predicting a rock radio smash due to "the lyrics' sunny disposition and a return to the sonic qualities that radio previously embraced." Teitelman called it a "midtempo song anchored by frontman Aaron Lewis' expressive vocals."[6] Katherine Turman described the song as "an honest and grateful musing on success";[7] fans however feel that the song represents Aaron Lewis moving on in life and speaking of hope and uncertainty,[8] along with the running theme of 14 Shades of Grey. The song was featured in the ninth episode of the third season of the series Smallville, and was used for a TV spot for the 2004 Marvel superhero film The Punisher. The song was also featured on twelfth episode of the forth season of the TV series SEAL Team.

Music video

The music video for the song was directed by Nigel Dick, and is a collage of clips of the band's live performances, some shots of Aaron Lewis' oldest daughter Zoe Jane (who was 1 at the time of filming), and other tour footage. It was filmed during a live performance at Freedom Hall in Louisville, KY.

Track listing

American release

  1. "So Far Away"
  2. "So Far Away" (Radio Edit)
  3. "Novocaine" (Non Album Track)
  4. "Zoe Jane" (Live at KROQ)

UK release

  1. "So Far Away" (Radio Edit)
  2. "Mudshovel" (Live)
  3. "Home-Grown Promo Footage" (Multimedia)

Charts

Chart (2003–2004) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[9] 24
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[10] 16
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[11] 1
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[12] 1
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[13] 17

References

  1. ^ Hickman, Matt (January 9, 2020). "The two sides of Aaron Lewis". Anchorage Press. Retrieved June 19, 2021. ...topping the alt-rock charts with gruff-sounding, navel-gazing ballads like 'So Far Away', 'Right Here' and their biggest hit, 2001's 'It's Been A While', which went all the way to No. 5 on the Billboard 100...
  2. ^ Rutherford, Kevin. "Shinedown & Days of the New Rule Greatest of All Time Mainstream Rock Charts". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 3, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  3. ^ "Greatest of All Time Mainstream Rock Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 3, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  4. ^ Rutherford, Kevin (September 7, 2023). "Alternative Airplay Chart's 35th Anniversary: Foo Fighters Remain No. 1 Act, 'Monsters' New Top Song". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  5. ^ "Greatest of All Time Alternative Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  6. ^ Teitelman, Bram (July 5, 2003). "Billboard". Google Books. Billboard Magazine. p. 31. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  7. ^ "14 Shades of Grey: Staind". Amazon. Retrieved 22 June 2006.
  8. ^ "So Far Away by Staind". Songfacts. Retrieved 22 June 2006.
  9. ^ "Staind Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  10. ^ "Staind Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  11. ^ "Staind Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  12. ^ "Staind Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  13. ^ "Staind Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
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