Halfway Gone

Album: Smoke and Mirrors (2009)
Charted: 50
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the first single from American alternative rock band Lifehouse's fifth studio album, Smoke and Mirrors.
  • "Halfway Gone" was co-written by Lifehouse lead singer Jason Wade, Kevin Rudolf and producer Jude Cole (Rocco Deluca, Beth Orton, MoZella). Rudolf came onto the scene in 2008 with his international hit single "Let It Rock." The song's success led him to work with Kris Allen, Alison Iraheta and Cobra Starship. As a singer-songwriter Jude Cole had five US Top 40 hits in the 1990s including the #16-peaking "Baby, It's Tonight." He later became Lifehouse's manager and has co-written several other songs with Jason Wade.
  • Wade told Billboard magazine: "A good year and four months into making the record, we didn't feel like we had that leadoff single." He added, noting that Cole was a big fan of "Let It Rock": "We wanted to experiment sonically and just come up with a fresh sound for Lifehouse, and Kevin really added that. He added this really modern edge to what we do."
  • Lifehouse recorded Smoke and Mirrors between tour dates, whereas in the past, the band tended to take a break from touring in order to record an album. Frontman Jason Wade explained to Billboard magazine: "I'd say a good six years out of the 10 years we've been a band has been out on the road. The process was a little bit different for us in that we would record Monday through Friday and fly out to do a gig over the weekend. So we basically never got off the road."

    Jude Cole added that the first few songs the band recorded embodied the edgier sound of the band's live show, while the rest of the tracks, such as this one, were planned more with radio in mind. He explained: "We had taken a little bit of time off (from recording), and when we went back into the studio - I think because they weren't coming fresh off the road - it was more like, 'I'm kind of in the mood to write something that's radio-worthy."

Comments: 3

  • AnonymousI think the girl is done with the BS and she is fed up with talk being cheap , she is halfway gone , it’s now or never . If he wants to save the relationship he best start to get things right , because a good woman she ain’t coming back , better check in the right stage , or it will be too late to love her .
  • Nancy from Baltimore, MdIt's a fun song to listen to.
  • Tyler from Augusta, KsVery good song. It always seems to make me think (even with the lyrics) that the story behind the song is that someones halfway gone as in about ready for a breakup.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The Remasters

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet SprocketSongwriter Interviews

The "All I Want" singer went through a long depression, playing some shows when he didn't want to be alive.

Marvin Gaye

Marvin GayeFact or Fiction

Did Marvin try out with the Detroit Lions? Did he fake crazy to get out of military service? And what about the cross-dressing?

Steve Morse of Deep Purple

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?