"Far Behind" is a song by the American rock/metal 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 July 1993 and remaining there until January the following year when it was officially released as a single. 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.
| "Far Behind" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Candlebox | ||||
| from the album Candlebox | ||||
| B-side | "Far Behind (Live)" | |||
| Released | July 1993 | |||
| Recorded | 1992 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:59 | |||
| Label |
| |||
| Songwriter(s) | Candlebox | |||
| Producer(s) | ||||
| Candlebox singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Far Behind" on YouTube | ||||
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
editThe 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
editThe "Far Behind" video was directed by Nick Egan. It was filmed at the now razed Elliott Farm in Renton, Washington and 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"
editIn 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- Far Behind (album version) (4:58)
- Far Behind/Voodoo Child (Slight Return) (live) (9:01)
- You (live) (5:27)
Charts
edit| Chart (1994) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100[8] | 18 |
| US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[9] | 7 |
| US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[10] | 4 |
| US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[11] | 19 |
References
edit- ^ "Behind the Song: Candlebox Shares What the Chorus in "Far Behind" Was Really Supposed to Sound Like". September 30, 2020.
- ^ Wirt, John (May 31, 2018). "Not 'Far Behind': Candlebox brings its '25 Years of Rock & Still Rolling Tour' to Baton Rouge". The Advocate. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
- ^ Nussbaum, Beth R. (April 1994). "Set to Ignite: Candlebox" (PDF). Playgirl. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 24, 2010. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
- ^ "Rekindled :: Candlebox's Kevin Martin talks to AAM". All Access Magazine. July 24, 2008. Archived from the original on November 20, 2010. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
- ^ Candlebox - Far Behind - Letterman on YouTube. Retrieved on July 26, 2008.
- ^ Pratt, Sparkle (April 28, 2015). "KXNG CROOKED f. Shalé - "I Didn't Mean To Treat You Bad"". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- ^ "KXNG Crooked Ft. Shalé - "I Didn't Mean To Treat You Bad"". AllHipHop. April 28, 2015. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- ^ "Candlebox Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
- ^ "Candlebox Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
- ^ "Candlebox Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
- ^ "Candlebox Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2020.