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"Far Behind"
Single by Candlebox
from the album Candlebox
B-side"Far Behind (Live)"
Released1994
Recorded1992
Genre
Length4:59
Label
SongwriterCandlebox
Producers
Candlebox singles chronology
"You"
(1993) 		"Far Behind"
(1994) 		"Cover Me"
(1994)
Music video
"Far Behind" on YouTube

"Far Behind" is a song by the American rock band Candlebox and the third single from their eponymous debut album. It is one of the band's most well-known songs, entering the charts in August 1994. It is the group's highest-charting hit, peaking at #18 on the Billboard Hot 100, after spending almost a year on the chart. It also reached #4 and #7, on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks and Modern Rock Tracks charts, respectively. "Far Behind" was also included on The Best of Candlebox in 2006.

Meaning

[edit]

"Far Behind" is one of a few hit 1990s singles written in tribute to the late singer Andrew Wood. In a 1994 interview with Playgirl, Candlebox frontman Kevin Martin stated that it was inspired by two friends who overdosed on heroin and "represents the loss of love between friends and having to be left with the feeling of emptiness."[3] He elaborated in a 2008 interview:

"I wrote 'Far Behind' for Andy Wood. I was a huge Malfunkshun fan and a huge Mother Love Bone fan and I got to know Andy early on in his career when I was working in a shoe store with Susan Silver who was managing Mother Love Bone, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains."[4]

Appearances

[edit]

The song was performed on Late Show with David Letterman amidst the promotion of Candlebox.[5] During the 2000s, it has appeared on various 1990s compilation albums such as; MTV the First 1000 Years: Rock, Double Shot: Alt Rock, Essential Music Videos: '90s Rock, The Buzz, Buzz Ballads, and Whatever: The '90s Pop and Culture Box. The song can be heard on an episode of the HBO series Eastbound & Down when Kenny Powers goes to his friend's funeral while carrying a boombox on his shoulder. In the SyFy Channel's television show Alphas the song was played in season 2, episode 4. In Chile, the song was soundtrack soap opera of Canal 13 Las Vega's.

Music video

[edit]

The "Far Behind" video was directed by Nick Egan. It was filmed in a house near Green Lake in Seattle. The exterior shots were filmed at the now razed Elliott Farm in Renton, Washington and the video revolves mainly around the old farmhouse's now supposed inhabitants. Early on, Martin sings with a corded microphone while walking through the neglected structure. A cheerful young woman is also seen sitting at the edge of a grimy, near-empty outdoor pool. The chorus then has a man splashing red paint across the white walls. Various people are seen lying around the house including a lone, weary looking man in a bathtub who at one point appears to be defending himself from a drowning attempt. Song lyrics are scribbled along parts of the walls, and an American flag serves as a backdrop to certain shots. "Far Behind" aired heavily on MTV and was one of the most requested videos of 1994.

"I Didn't Mean To Treat You Bad"

[edit]

In April 2015, Kxng Crooked (aka Crooked I) of the Shady Records hip-hop group Slaughterhouse released an interpolation of "Far Behind" called "I Didn't Mean To Treat You Bad" that features singer Shalé.[6] The song was produced by Jonathan Hay and Mike Smith for the album When Music Worlds Collide.[7]

Track list

[edit]
  1. Far Behind (album version) (4:58)
  2. Far Behind/Voodoo Child (Slight Return) (live) (9:01)
  3. You (live) (5:27)

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[16] Gold 15,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Far Behind

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"Far Behind" is a song by the American rock band Candlebox, released as the third single from their self-titled debut studio album in 1994. The track, a post-grunge power ballad written by frontman Kevin Martin, achieved commercial success upon its single release in 1994, peaking at number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 4 on the Mainstream Rock chart, and number 7 on the Alternative Airplay chart. It remains Candlebox's highest-charting single and one of the defining hits of the 1990s grunge and alternative rock era. The song's lyrics were inspired by the death of Andrew Wood, the lead singer of band , who succumbed to a overdose on March 19, 1990. Martin composed "Far Behind" from the perspective of the drug itself, originally including a direct reference to Wood in the opening line before generalizing it to "Now maybe" to broaden its emotional resonance. Though frequently misinterpreted as a lament for a lost romantic relationship due to its themes of regret and longing, the track serves as a tribute to Wood's influence on the music scene, where Martin had briefly encountered him years earlier. Musically, "Far Behind" features Martin's emotive vocals over a mid-tempo arrangement with prominent guitar riffs and a soaring chorus, produced by at in . The official , directed by Nick Egan, depicts the band performing in a dimly lit room interspersed with abstract imagery of loss, contributing to its rotation on and further boosting its popularity. In 2024, the song re-entered , reaching number 3 on the Hard Rock Digital Song Sales chart, underscoring its enduring legacy three decades after release.

Background

Development and inspiration

Candlebox formed in late 1990 in , amid the emerging music scene that would define the city's rock sound. Frontman Kevin Martin wrote "Far Behind" during 1990–1991 primarily as a tribute to Andrew Wood, the charismatic lead singer of , who died of a overdose on March 19, 1990. The track also drew additional inspiration from another close friend of Martin's who succumbed to a overdose shortly thereafter. In a 1994 interview with Playgirl, Martin described the song as representing "the loss of love between friends and having to be left with the feeling of ," capturing the profound of watching loved ones fade away. He elaborated further in a 2008 interview, revealing that he composed it specifically for , whom he had befriended early in the singer's career after becoming a devoted fan of Wood's prior band, , and . Martin's reflections on the song, shared in subsequent discussions, emphasize themes of and lingering —the sensation of being "far behind" those lost to and untimely . Written before Candlebox's self-titled debut album arrived in 1993, "Far Behind" emerged from this personal turmoil within the band's formative years.

Recording

"Far Behind" was recorded on Easter Sunday in April 1992 at in , Washington. The session lasted approximately 1.5 hours and captured the track as a demo, which ultimately became the final version included on the band's self-titled debut album without additional overdubs. The recording was produced by and Kelly Gray, a Seattle-based engineer and producer known for his work with and other regional acts. Key personnel included Kevin Martin on lead vocals, Peter Klett on guitar, Bardi Martin on bass, and on drums. To preserve its emotional authenticity—inspired by the death of singer Andrew Wood—Martin's vocals were tracked in a single take, emphasizing a raw delivery that conveyed the song's intensity. The rest of the debut album was recorded and mixed the following year, in March–April 1993, at in .

Composition

Musical style

"Far Behind" exemplifies with strong roots, featuring a signature blend of clean, acoustic-like guitar tones and distorted electric riffs that create a dynamic contrast between subdued verses and explosive choruses. This structure allows the song to evoke emotional depth through its gradual build-up, characteristic of the genre's evolution from the raw intensity of early sounds. Composed in the key of at a of 90 beats per minute, the track runs for 4 minutes and 52 seconds, providing ample space for its layered arrangement to unfold. Drawing from the Seattle scene, it features riff-driven energy and atmospheric tension, yet distinguishes itself with a more melodic and radio-friendly accessibility that softens the genre's typical abrasiveness. The instrumentation highlights Peter Klett's versatile guitar work, opening with a fingerpicked clean intro that transitions into heavy, blues-infused electric , complemented by Bardi Martin's prominent bass lines and Scott Mercado's dynamic drumming that propels the song's crescendos. This combination, recorded primarily at London Bridge Studios, contributes to the track's polished production while retaining a gritty, organic feel.

Lyrics and meaning

The lyrics of "Far Behind" explore profound themes of , isolation, and , capturing the emotional turmoil of losing a close friend to a overdose. Written primarily as a tribute to Andrew Wood, the lead singer of who died from a overdose in 1990, the song delves into the survivor's guilt experienced by frontman Kevin Martin, who reflected on his own role in the strained dynamics of their friendship during Wood's addiction struggles. Central to the song's emotional core are lines in the chorus such as "Now maybe / I didn't mean to treat you bad / But I did it anyway," which Martin originally penned more directly as "Andy, I didn't mean to treat you bad," addressing by name to convey personal over neglecting their bond amid his downward spiral. These symbolize the sense of being "far behind" in processing loss, evoking a haunting distance from and the irreversible choices that led to tragedy, without glorifying but instead serving as a for those taken too soon. Martin has emphasized that the song mourns the human cost of , portraying it from the drug's insidious perspective to highlight how it overtakes lives despite initial intentions. The song's structure follows a straightforward verse-chorus form, with repetitive refrains like "Oh, I wanted to say / That I really don't care" underscoring the isolation and that permeates the , reinforcing the theme of as an unbridgeable gap between the living and the lost. This repetition amplifies the introspective weight, allowing listeners to connect the to broader experiences of while rooted in Martin's specific over Wood's overdose.

Release and promotion

Single release

"Far Behind" was released in April 1994 as the third single from Candlebox's self-titled debut album, which came out in July 1993 and had been recorded primarily in 1992. The single was distributed by Maverick and Atlantic Records in multiple formats, including CD, cassette, and vinyl. CD versions featured b-sides such as a live medley of "Far Behind" and Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)," along with a live rendition of "You." Its promotion capitalized on the debut album's commercial momentum, which reached quadruple platinum certification from the RIAA by selling over four million copies in the United States.

Music video

The music video for "Far Behind" was directed by Nick Egan, a British director renowned for his work with acts including Duran Duran and Oasis. Filmed in 1994 in Seattle, Washington, at two distinct locations, the production captured the band's raw energy while incorporating symbolic elements tied to the song's themes of grief and loss. The video features performing inside a dimly lit , intercut with abstract visuals evoking isolation and emotional desolation, such as a young woman seated alone beside an empty in a rural setting and a figure dramatically splashing red paint across a , suggesting themes of inner turmoil and absence. These surreal, shadowy images complement the ' exploration of , creating a moody atmosphere that underscores the sense of being "far behind" in processing personal tragedy. Upon release, the video received heavy rotation on in 1994, which played a key role in elevating the song's visibility and propelling to wider audiences.

Reception

Critical reception

Upon its release, "Far Behind" received praise for its emotional depth and the raw power in Kevin Martin's vocals, with critic highlighting the track as one of the album's standout singles that exemplified the band's strengths in delivering anthemic tempered by pop melodies. Similarly, a retrospective review in Review described the song as "one of the greatest songs of the ," commending its haunting melody and Martin's emotive delivery that captured the essence of grunge's introspective side. In later years, the track has been viewed as a staple of the era, though Candlebox faced criticism for being perceived as imitators lacking the genre's punk edge, as noted in analyses of rock movements. Rolling Stone's 2019 ranking of the 50 greatest albums excluded Candlebox's debut. Critics offered mixed takes on the song's , with some praising its authentic and others viewing it as overly polished compared to the raw aggression of contemporaries.

Commercial performance

"Far Behind" achieved notable commercial success upon its release as a single in May 1994, peaking at number 18 on the chart on October 1, 1994, and spending a total of 23 weeks on the chart. The track performed even stronger on rock-oriented charts, reaching number 4 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and number 7 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. The song's popularity significantly boosted sales of Candlebox's self-titled debut album, which was certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA in 1995 for shipments exceeding 4 million copies in the United States. Internationally, "Far Behind" saw more modest chart performance, peaking at number 93 on the UK Singles Chart in September 1994 and number 28 on the UK Rock & Metal Singles Chart. In August 2024, "Far Behind" re-entered the , peaking at number 3 on the Hard Rock Digital Song Sales chart.

Track listings

Original single

The original single release of "Far Behind" by Candlebox in 1994 was issued primarily on CD and cassette formats through Maverick and Sire Records. In the United States, a promotional CD single (PRO-CD-6770) featured the album version as the lead track, accompanied by live recordings as B-sides, while the commercial cassette single was a two-track release. International commercial variants, such as the European CD single, offered similar content with minor differences in the lead track editing.

US Promotional CD Single (1994)

No.TitleDuration
1."Far Behind" (album version)4:58
2."Far Behind" (live)9:01
3."You" (live)5:27
Tracks 2 and 3 were recorded live at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, Washington, in December 1993.

US Commercial Cassette Single (1994)

SideTitleDuration
A"Far Behind" (album version)4:59
B"You" (live version)5:27
The live track was from the same December 1993 performance.

European Commercial CD Single (1994)

No.TitleDuration
1."Far Behind" (edit)4:12
2."Far Behind / Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" (live medley)9:01
3."You" (live version)5:27
This version's B-sides matched the US promo content, with the medley incorporating a cover of Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)"; tracks 2 and 3 were previously unreleased live recordings from the Paramount Theatre show. No digital reissues of these original single formats were released prior to the 2000s.

Other versions

In addition to the original studio recording, Candlebox released a re-recording of "Far Behind" on their 2012 EP Love Stories & Other Musings, which features updated production aimed at recapturing the song's emotional intensity while adapting it to the band's evolved sound. Live versions of the song have been captured during the band's performances, including a 1993 rendition recorded at the Paramount Theatre in that appeared as the B-side to the single. Numerous other live recordings exist on bootlegs from radio sessions and concerts from 1994 to 2015, such as those from and 101.1 WJRR. During Candlebox's reunion tours from 2006 to 2019, the band frequently performed acoustic renditions of "Far Behind," including sessions in 2009 at 95 WIIL ROCK Studio and in 2013 for BJ & Migs radio. These stripped-down versions emphasized the song's lyrical vulnerability and were featured in intimate settings like in-studio appearances and theater shows. While no official remixes of "Far Behind" were produced, radio edits shortened the track from its original album length of 4:59 for broadcast play.

Legacy

Media appearances

"Far Behind" by has been featured in various television programs and films, showcasing its enduring appeal in dramatic and nostalgic contexts. The band performed the song live on the in October 1993, during the promotional cycle for their debut album, marking an early high-profile television appearance that helped solidify their presence in the grunge-era rock scene. The track appeared in the HBO comedy series in 2012 (season 3), where it underscored a pivotal emotional moment involving the protagonist Kenny Powers, leveraging the song's themes of loss and regret to enhance the scene's intensity. In the Syfy supernatural drama , "Far Behind" played during season 2, episode 4 ("When Push Comes to Shove"), aired in 2012, accompanying a reflective sequence with young Nina listening to music on headphones, highlighting the song's suitability for introspective character backstories. The song also featured in the 2015 comedy film , contributing to its scenes of personal reflection. More recently, it appeared in the Showtime series Yellowjackets (season 3, episode 2), aired in 2025, during a tense sequence underscoring themes of isolation and memory. Beyond scripted television and film, "Far Behind" has been included on compilation albums celebrating rock, such as The Best of released in 2006, which collected the band's key tracks for listening. In live settings, prominently featured "Far Behind" during their 2023 farewell tour (announced as the band's retirement but followed by additional tours in 2024 and 2025), with the track serving as a centerpiece at the tour's closing performance on September 23 in , drawing crowds for a rendition of their signature hit.

Covers and interpolations

The song "Far Behind" has been interpolated in the hip-hop track "I Didn't Mean to Treat You Bad (But I Did It Anyway)" by Kxng Crooked featuring Shalé, from the 2015 album When Music Worlds Collide by producers Smith & Hay. The directly incorporates the opening —"Now maybe I didn't mean to treat you bad / But I did it anyway"—over a reimagined beat produced by Jonathan Hay and Mike Smith, released in April 2015. This adaptation exemplifies the influence of rock on hip-hop, blending Candlebox's elements with contemporary rap flows. Covers of "Far Behind" remain rare, with no major mainstream versions recorded as of 2025. However, the song has appeared in performances and fan renditions, particularly in the of revivals, such as acoustic covers shared online post-2020 and sets by dedicated bands like Far Behind: A to . Underground and international interpretations may exist but are not widely documented in major music databases.

References

  1. https://themusicuniverse.com/candleboxs-far-behind-re-enters-billboard-charts-30-years-after-its-release/
  2. https://www.antimusic.com/p/24/0822candleboxs_far_behind_re-enters_charts_30_years_after_release.shtml
  3. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/candlebox/far-behind
  4. https://americansongwriter.com/behind-the-song-candlebox-shares-what-the-chorus-in-far-behind-was-really-supposed-to-sound-like/
  5. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8746252/
  6. https://arstash.com/candleboxs-iconic-song-far-behind-hits-3-on-the-billboard-charts-30-years-after-release/
  7. https://medium.com/@ArtistWaves/kevin-martin-reflecting-on-andy-wood-his-connection-to-far-behind-c33a581f2a07
  8. https://www.discogs.com/release/18091615-Candlebox-Candlebox
  9. https://artistwaves.com/kevin-martin-behind-the-song-far-behind/
  10. https://genius.com/albums/Candlebox/Candlebox
  11. https://musicbrainz.org/release/a99037af-4267-4171-97d3-8b0d382fd4b3
  12. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/candlebox-mn0000543595
  13. https://www.allmusic.com/style/post-grunge-ma0000005020
  14. https://songbpm.com/@candlebox/far-behind
  15. https://www.discogs.com/release/5509530-Candlebox-Candlebox
  16. https://amnplify.com.au/portfolio-items/interview-with-kevin-martin-from-candlebox-november-23-2023/
  17. https://www.allmusic.com/album/candlebox-mw0000099360
  18. https://www.discogs.com/master/227381-Candlebox-Far-Behind
  19. https://www.discogs.com/release/738571-Candlebox-Far-Behind
  20. https://www.discogs.com/release/4941058-Candlebox-Far-Behind
  21. https://www.discogs.com/release/28335772-Candlebox-Far-Behind
  22. https://wmmr.com/galleries/candlebox-debut-album-30th-anniversary/
  23. https://imvdb.com/n/nick-egan/videography-by-position/dir
  24. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxSJQwJK-QY
  25. https://www.classicrockreview.com/2013/03/1993-candlebox/
  26. https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/top_8_post-grunge_albums_that_prove_it_wasnt_all_too_bad-111407
  27. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/50-greatest-grunge-albums-798851/
  28. https://www.billboard.com/artist/candlebox/
  29. https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/physical-singles-chart/19940911/1/
  30. https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/rock-and-metal-singles-chart/19941009/111/
  31. https://www.discogs.com/release/2921690-Candlebox-Far-Behind
  32. https://loudwire.com/love-stories-other-musings-with-kevin-martin-candlebox/
  33. https://www.discogs.com/release/23065412-Candlebox-Love-Stories-Other-Musings
  34. https://livebootlegconcert.blogspot.com/2019/01/candlebox-live-radios-sessions-usa-1996.html
  35. https://livebootlegconcert.blogspot.com/2024/08/candlebox-live-woodstock-festival-usa.html
  36. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeO0D1zXWu4
  37. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6hyz5E0oeo
  38. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUTpsCGimLs
  39. https://www.last.fm/music/Candlebox/The%2BBest%2BOf%2BCandlebox/Far%2BBehind
  40. https://www.facebook.com/candlebox/videos/far-behind-letterman/263424170960815/
  41. https://www.thefader.com/2024/03/07/the-100-best-needle-drops-in-film-and-television-history
  42. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2156046/soundtrack/
  43. https://www.what-song.com/song/41981/far-behind
  44. https://www.tunefind.com/show/yellowjackets/season-3/261911
  45. https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-best-of-candlebox/166968461
  46. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBrFw45besU
  47. https://www.blackouthiphop.com/blog/kxng-crooked-ft-shale-i-didnt-mean-to-treat-you-bad/
  48. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vBxxVf8f1g
  49. https://www.facebook.com/candleboxtributeband/
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