So Far Away by Staind

Album: 14 Shades Of Grey (2003)

Charted: 24

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Songfacts®:

This reflective song finds Staind lead singer Aaron Lewis taking a step back to evaluate his life. All the struggles he went through and everything that seemed so important is now so far away.

Staind formed in 1995 and a year later made an album on their own that they sold at shows. When it moved a few hundred copies, they were thrilled. Then they got a record deal and released an album in 1999 that sold 2 million, followed by their 5-million-selling Break The Cycle in 2001. But as they reached these heights, their problems didn't just go away, and in some ways Lewis' demons got even worse. Their songs remained very dark, which was part of the group's appeal - fans were happy to hear that life can be miserable at times even for rock stars.

But Lewis had his first child in 2002 - daughter Zoe Jane - and developed a different perspective. "So Far Away" finds him in a good place, knowing that everything he went through led him to where he needed to be.
This was the second single from the 14 Shades Of Grey album, following "Price To Play." Both songs did well on rock radio but the genre as a whole was starting to fall out of favor. The album sold over a million copies in the US but was a disappointment compared to their previous album, Break The Cycle, which includes their most popular song, "It's Been Awhile." Over the next few years, Lewis had two more daughters and Staind released three more albums, the last of which, Staind, was released in 2011 as Lewis was launching a solo career as a country singer. The band didn't record again until 2023, when they worked on a new album.
The music video, directed by Nigel Dick, was mostly shot while the band was on tour an includes lots of footage from their shows, including one at the Orbit Room in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Comments: 31

Peg P from Orange CaHaving 23 + yrs clean, this song speaks to me in relation to my journey of recovery. From the first note I can feel tears of gratitude well up as I remember my past and how far I’ve come. Making mistakes, making amends and making myself into the woman I was meant to be. One day at a time I change and accept myself. Right where I’m at, right now. Although self doubt still creeps in, I have so many tools to remind me I’m worthy. Music is one of my most important recovery tools. Thank you, STAIND
Brad from TnThe way everyone can relate to this song says so much without saying anything at all, accept what you’ve done, who you are and life will make sense but for that to happen you must own it and know whatever you’ve done good or bad, it made you who you are.
Mazi from FlI think this song is about a person who is finally accepting themselves. I find this song to be truly inspirational because its talking about a person who has come a very long way in their lives and in spite of their struggles and hardships they can finally breath again and accept themselves. The bridge part when he said " Please dont wake me", its basically a symbol that he doesnt believe that his life has changed and is afraid that his life now is all a dream and not real.
Don from FloridaThe first half of this song or his life talks about all his struggles, problems, regrets, and hardships that have fully consumed him. He doesn't know who he is and it's gotten so bad hes not even sure if he's sleeping or numb and looking for someone or something to wake him up from this nightmare.
At the end hes gotten older, more experienced, and most importantly found the purpose of his life. His true calling has brought him so much happiness that he wonders if he's in a dream state now. But he's ready if a bump in the road comes because he knows he can now handle anything life throws at him now.
This song is so specific and at the same time is a blueprint everyone can learn from. So many valuable life lessons are contained in this song.
Kyndall from Lex, GaThis song is absolutly amazing. So is "For You" (: They are an amazing band and I love them!! <3
-KynKyn Nycole-
Kelly from Edmonton, AbThis song was written by a group of boys in memory of their friend who moved away. And when they were all together it felt like there was no problems. And the friendship helped shape all of the boys.
Julia from Philadelphia, PaThis song means so much to me. There was a point in my life when I felt there was no reason to go on. I felt that I would never make it in life. That I was worthless, useless, and unloved. I weighed 25 pounds underweight and I looked sick. Nobody knew, but I was dying inside. I was 17 years old and head over heels in love with a boy who was bipolar and my parents hated me being with him. He started doing heroin and everything just spiraled downhill. He committed suicide several years ago, and although I was devastated, I learned a valuable lesson. I learned to appreciate life. I learned I am not worthless, useless, and unloved. I realized what my calling is. I am now at a point in my life that I never thought was possible. Sometimes I feel like I am dreaming because how much everyone used to doubt me. I am currently a medical student. Who would have thought....
Prerna from Bangalore, Indiasome songs bring memories to u everytime u hear em'..this song has a special place in my heart..my boy friend dedicated this song to me just a few weeks before he oficially asked me out.we were in different cities then n i knew the first time he told me this song is dedicated to me that he loves me..n everytime i hear this song it reminds me of that particular day...love the song..has a special memory in my life...
Moses from Buda, TxIf you love someone and it doesn't work out It causes problems they push you away they don't trust you at your lowest point your lost. Now through the fire you recover yourself (Alcohol, derpression,insanity) but its better you learned to live with your self and forgiven yourself. She is your friend and its ok. Time To Move on with her in your life again...
Rich from Phoenix, AzThis song is about moving on from past troubles. The past may have been something you liked, but life has changed, and its time to move on for the best, wheather you like it or not. Eventually you will be able to "face the day" again. Very good song.
Catrencella from Mooresboro, NcThis song is one of my fave staind songs.
Desiree from Powers Lake, Ndthis was our prom song...it was so fitting for all the problems and all the stupid freaking drama that happened this year...so fitting :)
Dean from Pune, Indiawatched a video on Youtube the other day, made on Severus Snape, the character in Harry Potter. This song was used for the background. it really suited his character, given his history of being ragged by others. actually got emotional watching it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n28HJBzFaZU
J from Kingstown, OtherThis song to me....brings hope of what the future holds....it brings me through when times get hard and gives me the drive to move forward no matter what i may face and most importantly....it taught me that....failure is not when u fall...failure is when u fail to pick urself up
Heather from Stockton, CaIn other words,
he's far away from who he used to be.
Heather from Stockton, CaIt seems to me that this song is talking about how he's been through SO much turmoil and just SO much that he used to think that he couldn't handle it,
but now he "can face the day" because of who he is, and he's no longer "ashamed to be the person that I am today".

So every chance that he has to sleep, it strengthens him.
Robyn from Johannesburg, South AfricaThis song, this song has alot of meaning for alotta people, as all songs do. anout 6weeks ago my best friend moved to australia and she dedicated this song and said that i had brought out a whole new person out of her, she said she isnt ashamed anymore for who she is... Jess (my best friend) meant so much to me, it was her whole family that really changed me and i am so thankful that staind actually made this song beause when i listen to it, i dont feel so far away from Jess (sounds cheesy, sowi)
Rebka from Crapville, WyThis is a beatiful song. Its full of emotion and has good lyrics and the guitar in the beginning of the song is my favorite part. Staind is awesome.
Sarah from Niagara Falls, CanadaLewis wrote this song, as kind of a response to how his life worked out, because this is at one time not how he pictured life.
Natalie from Spokane, United StatesI love this song.Staind has such awesome lyrics and I love Aaron Lewis's voice.This is one of my favorite songs.
Rachel from Sullivan, MoThis is a beautiful song, I love it. It reminds me of my past...everyone can fall into a hole, and everybody makes mistakes, and there is no better feeling in the world then knowing that you can forgive yourself for what's went wrong.
AnonymousTo begin with,I think a lyric is written by people or someone who wants to share their feelings,lifestyle,hate,love,past,important thoughts of something and from life in generall that has to do with them or others etc etc,.. thru singing it. This song is a meaningfull song
(all lyrics and songs have a meaning, depends on who wrote it and the people who listen to it that if it ralates to them or not or can say: "I've been there before" , "hey, it relates to me" as in Brandon's case , "This is or that was my situation now or before" or "I can feel it") . and thanks to the band,the lyric writer and singer, people can share some meaningfull time, meaningfull feelings, a meaningfull situation or moments of their life in general with themselves and or with people they love ,like or with people who do feel that this song is meaningfull to them too thru listening or singing it. Great song!. This is now my life,smile,dreams and words and I think I'am doing o.k. with them all, the mistakes and struggles are finally start to go away, I can feel I can face another day and I'am not ashamed of the person I'am today, he is welcome but "I'am afraid of waiking" and plse,... "Plse don't shake me". Zzzz zzzz
Jeffmeister from Westminster, MdAaron Lewis has got to have one of the greatest voices in rock music. He always brings emotions out of me that I can't get from anyone else.
Matt from Coralville, Iai love the line, "Im not ashamed to be who i am today" at the end of the chourus. its toatally how i live my life and i can relate to some of the song. sometimes i dont want to wake up, i want to stay in the dream forever. i love it all
Rebecca from Clayton, GaI'm a senior and my class wants this to be our senior song...why do u think he talks about "these are my words that i've never said before" and "these are my dreams but I've never lived before"?
Brandon from South Bend, InIt's about getting past your problems. As I relate to it, it's like looking in your depressed past and know you've beaten the horrible disease. "Feel like I can face the day" is like when the depressed can't face another day. It takes everything they have to simply get out of bed. He hopes it's a dream because he never wants to live nor feel like that again.
-megan; from WhitbyWow.. This song is amazing. It's just one of those songs that make you want to cry. I agree with Mercedes, except mine is an ex.
Leina from Austintown, Ohthis used to be my favorite song...i still makes me cry when i hear it.
Renae from Mill Grove, PaThis song makes me feel lonely for some reason; and I hate listening to it when I'm alone. It makes me cry sometimes.
Steve from Keene, Nhi love this song, very meaningful to me and i hold it close
Mercedes from Portland Yah!, OrI Love This Song It Touches My Heart And Makes Me Think Of My Boyfriend For Some Reason...Weird

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