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Fine Again
Fine Again
from Wikipedia
"Fine Again"
Single by Seether
from the album Disclaimer
B-side
  • "Take Me Away"
  • "Hang On"
ReleasedAugust 2002
Genre
Length4:04
LabelWind-up
Songwriters
ProducerJay Baumgardner
Seether singles chronology
"Fine Again"
(2002)
"Driven Under"
(2003)

"Fine Again" is the debut single by the South African rock band Seether, released in 2002. The song first appeared on the 2000 album Fragile (which was released when Seether were still going by the name Saron Gas). It was also later included on the 2002 EP 5 Songs, and it is the third track on their 2002 debut studio album Disclaimer.

During live shows, Shaun Morgan has been known to dedicate the song to Dave Williams of Drowning Pool as well as Dimebag Darrell of Pantera.

Morgan wrote the song after his parents got divorced.

Music video

[edit]

The video for the song, directed by Paul Fedor, features the band playing on a soundstage while three walls behind them display filmstrip slides of people holding opaque rectangles with phrases depicting their inner feelings on them explaining the reason why they feel down, and broken hearted (which is similar to the album cover). Seether arranged for the concept to be implemented on the cover art to Disclaimer. Ten different versions of the album were released, each featuring a photo of a person from the video. According to bassist Dale Stewart:

Seether came up with the idea of the people baring their souls and holding up the signs and we thought it was a good concept. It's kind of like a thread that runs through the whole album, the fragility, or whatever you want to call it, you know in people. People are always screwed up about something. It doesn't matter if they act like they're not as if they're alright. So therefore, there are times where everybody feels a broken heart.[3]

Appearances

[edit]

"Fine Again" was featured on both the 2002 video games Madden 2003 and Nintendo's 1080° Avalanche, and in the 2018 film Boy Erased.[4]

Track listing

[edit]
Europe Promo CD (2002)
No.TitleLength
1."Fine Again" (Album Version)4:04
2."Fine Again" (Acoustic Version)4:03
  • All tracks mixed by Jay Baumgardner
EP (Limited Edition)
No.TitleLength
1."Fine Again"4:05
2."Needles"3:26
3."Got It Made"4:51
  • All tracks mixed by Jay Baumgardner
US (2002) and Europe (2004) Promo CD
No.TitleLength
1."Fine Again"4:04
  • Mixed by Jay Baumgardner
Australia (2004) Promo CD
No.TitleLength
1."Fine Again" 
  • Mixed by Bob Marlette
Europe and Australia Maxi-Single (2004)
No.TitleLength
1."Fine Again" (New Album Version)4:05
2."Take Me Away"3:57
3."Hang On"3:12
4."Fine Again" (Acoustic Version)4:02
5."Fine Again" (Video)4:04
  • Tracks 1, 2 mixed by Bob Marlette
  • Tracks 3, 4 mixed by Jay Baumgardner
  • Fine Again (Video) on Europe CD only

Chart positions

[edit]
Chart (2002) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[5] 61
U.S. Active Rock[6] 1
U.S. Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks 3
U.S. Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks[7] 6

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[8] Gold 15,000
United States (RIAA)[9] 2× Platinum 2,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
"Fine Again" is a rock song by the South African band , released as their debut single in 2002 from the album . Originally recorded under the band's previous name Saron Gas for their 2000 independent album Fragile, the track was re-recorded with producer for broader distribution on . Written by Seether's lead singer and guitarist during his teenage years following his parents' divorce, "Fine Again" explores themes of emotional turmoil, isolation, and eventual recovery, with lyrics reflecting personal anguish and resilience. The song features instrumentation, including heavy guitar riffs, driving drums, and Morgan's raw vocals, characteristic of early 2000s . , formed in 1999 in , , transitioned from the local scene as Saron Gas to international recognition after signing with Wind-up, with Disclaimer marking their major-label breakthrough. Upon release, "Fine Again" achieved significant airplay success, peaking at number 61 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the Mainstream Rock chart, while topping several active rock radio formats. The accompanying music video, directed by Paul Fedor, depicts the band performing on stage with displays of people holding signs conveying personal messages, emphasizing the song's introspective mood and contributing to its rotation on MTV and other outlets. Over the years, the track has become a staple in Seether's live performances, often dedicated to figures like late musicians Dave Williams of Drowning Pool and Dimebag Darrell of Pantera, underscoring its enduring emotional resonance with fans.

Background

Development and recording

"Fine Again" first appeared on the South African band's 2000 album Fragile, released under their original name Saron Gas. Formed in 1999 in , , Saron Gas built a local following with Fragile, which included the initial version of the track written by lead singer and guitarist during his teenage years. In late 2001, the band signed an exclusive deal with U.S. label , prompting a name change to and a relocation to the to prepare for an international debut. This transition influenced a shift toward a more polished rock sound, as the group re-recorded seven tracks from Fragile, including "Fine Again", for their Wind-up album . Recording for began in early 2002, starting with pre-production in before moving to principal sessions in at NRG Recording Services in North Hollywood and Larrabee Sound Studios in Hollywood. Produced by , known for his work with acts like Bush and , the sessions lasted approximately four months and featured session drummer , who filled in after the departure of original member Dave Cohoe. handled primary songwriting duties for "Fine Again" and performed lead vocals and guitar, shaping the track's raw energy into a radio-ready single. Upon completion of the album in mid-2002, "Fine Again" was chosen as the from Disclaimer, highlighting Seether's breakthrough potential in the American market.

Writing and inspiration

"Fine Again" was written by Seether's lead singer and guitarist and bassist Dale Stewart, with no other co-writers credited on the track. Morgan composed the song amid the emotional fallout from his parents' , which left him grappling with profound feelings of isolation, self-doubt, and the struggle to regain emotional stability. This personal turmoil infused the with raw vulnerability, capturing the internal conflict of pretending to be "fine" while confronting deep-seated pain. In live performances, Morgan has frequently dedicated "Fine Again" to fallen rock icons, underscoring the song's resonance with themes of loss within the music community. Notably, following the death of vocalist Dave Williams in 2002, honored him with the song during shows, and Morgan later extended similar tributes to guitarist after his 2004 murder. These dedications highlight how the track's exploration of grief and recovery extended beyond Morgan's personal experiences to connect with broader tragedies in the rock world. Morgan aimed to channel post-grunge's emphasis on emotional honesty through "Fine Again," with the band's early relocation from to the influencing the re-recording process for Disclaimer and amplifying themes of displacement and in the album. The track emerged as a pivotal piece in these sessions, reflecting Morgan's intent to articulate the psychological strain of such transitions.

Composition and lyrics

Musical structure

"Fine Again" is classified as a and song with a runtime of 4:04. The track follows a verse-chorus form, opening with an introductory riff played on that sets a moody tone before transitioning into verses. This structure builds dynamically, with the choruses featuring heavy distorted guitars and driving drum patterns that amplify the intensity. Key musical elements include on the guitars and Drop-D tuning on the bass, which contributes to the song's heavy, resonant sound, alongside a prominent bass line provided by Dale Stewart that anchors the rhythm section. The arrangement incorporates dynamic shifts, moving from quieter, introspective verses with cleaner guitar tones to explosive choruses that emphasize volume and aggression through layered instrumentation. In production, the song employs layered guitars for added depth and Shaun Morgan's clean vocal delivery, which contrasts with the instrumental heaviness, all mixed by to achieve a radio-friendly polish suitable for mainstream rock audiences. Compared to its earlier version on the band's 2000 album Fragile (under the name Saron Gas), the rendition on Disclaimer is more polished and refined through professional studio enhancement, while the original is rawer and more urgent.

Themes and interpretation

The lyrics of "Fine Again" explore profound themes of emotional desolation, self-destructive impulses, and fragile resilience in the face of personal crisis. Written by Seether's lead singer during his parents' divorce, the song captures the turmoil of feeling abandoned and numb, as evident in lines like "It seems like every day's the same / And I'm left to discover on my own / It seems like everything is / And there's no color to behold." These verses evoke a sense of isolation and depression, where everyday existence feels colorless and burdensome, reflecting broader struggles with failed relationships and inner emptiness. Central to the song's interpretation is the tension between apparent recovery and underlying , particularly in the chorus: "They say it's over and I'm fine again, yeah / Try to stay sober / Feels like I'm dying here." This conveys fleeting relief after a or emotional rupture, juxtaposed with the agony of maintaining amid what feels like a slow , often read as an for , battles, and the facade of normalcy. The mention of underscores self-loathing and the cycle of , while the persistent assertion that "Everything's gonna be fine one day" introduces a thread of hope, symbolizing resilience against overwhelming despair. Deeper verses amplify themes of escapism and relational failure, with imagery such as "I could slip away, I could walk on water / I could find my way to the one / Or I could make this right with someone else / Or I could fade into the night," illustrating fantasies of transcendence or dissolution as responses to heartbreak and self-doubt. Critics and listeners interpret these elements as emblematic of struggles, including alienation and the quest for redemption, which align with post-grunge's raw depiction of and emotional . The song's depth has made it a poignant outlet for audiences navigating similar experiences of loss and tentative healing.

Release

Commercial release

"Fine Again" was released as a single in August 2002 by , serving as the from Seether's debut studio album Disclaimer. The track received initial U.S. radio in the summer of 2002, building anticipation ahead of the album's launch on August 20, followed by physical CD releases including a promotional single and a limited edition EP. Internationally, the single saw a limited rollout with a promotional CD issued in Europe in 2002, though there was no significant commercial push outside the United States. The song appears as the opening track on Disclaimer, which debuted at number 92 on the Billboard 200 chart upon its release.

Promotion and media appearances

"Fine Again" was promoted primarily through targeted radio airplay on active rock stations, achieving the number one position on the Billboard Active Rock chart. This exposure facilitated heavy rotation of the song's music video on MTV following its premiere on the network on August 19, 2002. The band supported the single's rollout with live performances on the second stage of the 2002 Ozzfest tour, alongside major acts such as , , and , which significantly boosted their visibility and generated early buzz in the rock scene. Seether also appeared as an on various rock tours and club dates throughout the year to further promote their debut album Disclaimer. Early television exposure included a live of "Fine Again" during AOL Sessions in 2002. Promotional efforts for integrated the track through press interviews and radio spots, such as the band's appearance on Rockline in 2002, where frontman shared insights into the song's personal origins, inspired by his parents' divorce.

Music video

Production

The official music video for "Fine Again" was directed by Paul Fedor and shot in 2002. Produced by Notorious 24:7 for , with producers Laura Morris and Anette Narciso, the video centered on the band members—, Dale Stewart, and Nick Oshiro—performing on a soundstage. The concept originated from the artwork of 's debut album , emphasizing themes of concealed emotions through visual metaphors rather than narrative storytelling; this approach allowed for a focus on the band's raw while integrating symbolic elements in . Following filming, the footage underwent to align precisely with the song's runtime of 4:04, incorporating projected slides of expressive to enhance the emotional depth, before premiering on August 19, 2002.

Visual style and reception

The music video for "Fine Again," directed by Paul Fedor, depicts the band performing energetically on a soundstage surrounded by projections of everyday people holding signs that expose their innermost struggles and hidden pain. These signs feature candid messages such as "Pick Love Or Fear" and "I Have Shallow Unrealistic Dreams," serving as a visual for the emotional turmoil beneath a composed exterior, which echoes the song's exploration of pretending to be "fine" amid personal hardship. The video's style is characterized by a raw, gritty presentation with dynamic that intercuts the band's intense performance with the stark, revealing of the signs, heightening the sense of emotional vulnerability and immediacy. This approach underscores the thematic rawness without relying on elaborate effects, focusing instead on authentic human expression. Upon release in 2002, the video garnered heavy rotation on , playing a key role in propelling the single to mainstream success and establishing Seether's presence in the U.S. rock scene. Critics and viewers praised its relatable and evocative for capturing universal feelings of inner conflict, though it did not earn major awards. Among fans, the video has become an element of Seether's early visual identity, frequently referenced in band retrospectives for its enduring impact on connecting with audiences through themes of concealed emotional pain.

Commercial performance

Chart positions

"Fine Again" experienced strong performance on U.S. rock radio formats following its release, marking Seether's breakthrough in the American market. The track topped the chart in October 2002, becoming the band's first number-one hit on that tally, due to sustained radio airplay. It also reached number 3 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and number 6 on the Alternative Songs chart, showcasing its appeal across rock subgenres. On the all-format , the single peaked at number 61 and charted for 12 weeks. Internationally, "Fine Again" achieved only modest recognition, with limited chart success outside the and no significant placements in major European markets. The song's robust U.S. rock chart longevity was fueled by consistent radio rotation and helped propel the album to initial sales of over 500,000 copies.
Chart (2002–2003)Peak position
US Hot 10061
US Alternative Airplay ()6
US Active Rock ()1
US Mainstream Rock ()3

Certifications

"Fine Again" by Seether has achieved notable certifications from major music industry bodies, underscoring its long-term commercial viability. The (RIAA) certified the single Gold in 2003 for 500,000 units shipped and in 2004 for 1,000,000 units. On January 8, 2025, the RIAA awarded it 2× Platinum , recognizing 2,000,000 equivalent units that include sales and on-demand audio/video streams.

Formats and track listings

Physical releases

"Fine Again" was initially released as a promotional in the United States in 2002 by , featuring a version of the track as the sole song on the disc. A limited edition EP CD was also issued in the US that same year, containing "Fine Again" alongside album tracks "Needles" and "Got It Made" from the band's debut album Disclaimer. Although "Take Me Away" appeared as a B-side on later international editions, such as the 2004 Australian maxi-single which included the of "Fine Again," "Take Me Away," "Hang On," and an acoustic version of "Fine Again," no verified 2002 US commercial single paired it directly as described. In Europe, a promotional CD single was released in 2002 by Wind-Up and Epic Records, featuring the full album version of "Fine Again" from Disclaimer and an exclusive acoustic rendition. This two-track promo highlighted the song's versatility ahead of the album's wider distribution. The track debuted on the standard Disclaimer CD album, released on August 20, 2002, by Wind-Up Records in the US and internationally, where it appears as the third song in its original studio form. It was later included on the live acoustic compilation One Cold Night, a 2006 release by Wind-Up Records capturing a February 22, 2006, performance at The Grape Street Warehouse in Philadelphia, presenting an unplugged version of "Fine Again" among reinterpreted fan favorites. The song also features on the 2013 retrospective compilation 2002-2013 by Cooking Vinyl, compiling key tracks from the band's early catalog. For vinyl collectors, "Fine Again" was reissued as part of the 20th anniversary deluxe edition of Disclaimer in 2023 by Craft Recordings, available as a limited three-LP set on red vinyl with the original studio track and a live rendition from the era. This trifold package marked the album's first vinyl pressing, encompassing the full Disclaimer tracklist plus bonus live material.
ReleaseFormatYearLabelKey Tracks Featuring "Fine Again"Country
Fine Again (Promo)2002Wind-Up
Fine Again EP (Limited Edition)2002Wind-Up / Fine Again, , Got It Made
Fine Again (Promo)2002Wind-Up / EpicAlbum Version, Acoustic Version
2002Wind-UpFull Album (Track 3) / International
Fine Again (Maxi-Single)2004Wind-Up / Epic, Take Me Away, , Acoustic
One Cold Night2006Wind-UpLive Acoustic Version / International
2002-20132x2013Studio Version / International
(20th Anniversary Deluxe)3xLP2023Studio & Live Versions

Digital and other versions

The digital single for "Fine Again" became available on following the platform's U.S. launch in 2003, marking an early adoption of for Seether's debut track. Today, the song is accessible on major streaming services including and , where the original studio version has surpassed 197 million streams on as of November 2025. Alternate versions of "Fine Again" include an acoustic rendition featured on Seether's live album One Cold Night, recorded during an unplugged performance at the Grape Street Club in and released on July 11, 2006. A live version, captured at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom in 2003, appears on the Disclaimer II deluxe edition, which was released in 2004 and includes audio from the accompanying concert DVD. To mark the 20th anniversary of the album Disclaimer, Seether issued a deluxe remastered edition on January 20, 2023, featuring mastering of the original tracks, including "Fine Again," available in both digital and physical formats. No official remixes of the song have been released by or their label.

Legacy

Use in other media

"Fine Again" by was featured on the of the video game 2003, released in August 2002 for multiple platforms including and . The track's inclusion in this popular series helped expose the song to a wide gaming audience during its debut year. The song also appeared in the snowboarding video game , developed by and released in November 2003 for the Nintendo . Its energetic rock sound complemented the game's high-adrenaline action sequences. In film, "Fine Again" was included on the of the 2018 drama Boy Erased, directed by . The track underscores several emotional scenes, providing a raw emotional backdrop to the story of and personal struggle. Licensing for this placement was handled through The Bicycle Music Company, which had acquired the Wind-up Records catalog in 2013. Originally released under in 2002, the song's early media syncs, including the video game features, were facilitated by the label's promotional efforts, contributing to its sustained visibility in beyond radio and charts. As of November 2025, no major new placements in television or commercials have been reported.

Covers and live performances

The live version of "Fine Again" was first officially released on the bonus DVD accompanying the 2004 edition of Seether's Disclaimer II, featuring footage from live performances during the band's 2004 tour. Another prominent recording appeared on the band's 2006 live acoustic One Cold Night, recorded at the Grape Street in , , where the track was reinterpreted in a stripped-down emphasizing Shaun Morgan's vocals and guitar work. The song has remained a staple in Seether's live repertoire, frequently performed during tours from the band's early years through their 2025 outings, often positioned mid-set to engage audiences with its anthemic chorus. Shaun Morgan has incorporated tributes into many performances, dedicating "Fine Again" to the memory of Drowning Pool singer Dave Williams following his death in 2002, a gesture that began during Ozzfest appearances and continued as a nod to shared experiences in the rock scene. Similarly, starting in 2004 after the murder of Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell, Morgan extended dedications to him during renditions of the track, honoring Darrell's influence on heavy music. In terms of covers, the song saw a reinterpretation by Pawns or Kings featuring Sam Donald in 2025, released as a single on streaming platforms and highlighting and twangy vocals for a Southern twist on the original sound. Numerous independent acoustic covers emerged that year on and , including versions by Joel Goguen in a half-step-down tuning that accentuates the song's emotional , as well as several female-led renditions that add softer, melodic layers to the lyrics. A notable recent performance occurred on November 6, 2025, at the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom in , where delivered "Fine Again" as part of their setlist, showcasing the current lineup of on vocals and guitar, Dale Stewart on bass, John Humphrey on drums, and on rhythm guitar and backing vocals—a configuration that has brought renewed energy to the band's stage presence since Lowery's addition in 2022.

References

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