Candlebox “Far Behind” Lyrics Meaning

“Far Behind” is a song by the American rock band Candlebox, released as the third single from their debut album of the same name. This track stands out as one of the popular hits from the 1990s, dedicated to the memory of the late singer Andrew Wood.

In a 1994 interview with Playgirl, Kevin Martin, Candlebox’s frontman, revealed that the song was inspired by a tragic event involving two friends who lost their lives to a heroin overdose. “Far Behind” serves as a heartfelt exploration of the theme of losing close friends and the lingering sense of emptiness it leaves behind.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the song’s lyrics to uncover its profound meaning.

“Far Behind” Lyrics Meaning

[Verse 1]

Now maybe

I didn’t mean to treat you bad

But I did it anyway

And then maybe

Some would say your life was sad

But you lived it anyway

And so maybe

Your friends, they stand around, they watch you crumble

As you falter to the ground

And then someday

Your friends, they stand beside as you were flyin’

Oh, you were flyin’ oh-so high

But then someday, people look at you

For what they call their own, they watch you suffer

Yeah, they hear you calling home

And then someday, we could take our time

To brush the leaves aside so you can reach us

Hey, but you left me far behind

In verse 1, the narrator acknowledges that they unintentionally hurt someone close to them, despite not intending to cause harm. The line “And then maybe/ Some would say your life was sad/ But you lived it anyway” suggests that the person being addressed had a difficult life, but they continued to live it on their terms, regardless of others’ perceptions.

The person’s friends witnessed their decline and struggles, feeling helpless as they watched them fall apart. At some point, the person experienced success or happiness, and their friends were there to support them during those high moments, as expressed in the lines “And then someday Your friends, they stand beside as you were flyin’ Oh, you were flyin’ oh-so high.”

People who once admired or used the person for their own benefit now see them suffering and hear their cries for help. The narrator reflects on a missed opportunity to help the person, but ultimately, the person left them behind, either through death or emotional distance.

[Chorus]

Now maybe

I didn’t mean to treat you oh-so bad

But I did it anyway

Now I’m saying, but maybe

Some would say you’re left with what you had

But you couldn’t share the pain, no, no, no

The chorus repeats the theme of unintended harm and the idea that the person couldn’t share their pain with others, leading to their suffering in isolation.

[Post-Chorus]

Couldn’t share the pain, they watch you suffer

Mm

This line emphasizes the isolation of the person’s suffering, observed by those around them.

[Verse 2]

Now maybe

I could have made my own mistakes

But I live with what I’ve known

And then maybe

We might share in something great

Won’t you look at where we’ve grown

Won’t you look at where we’ve gone

And then someday comes, tomorrow holds

A sense of what I fear for you in my mind

As you trip the final line

And that cold day when you lost control

Shame you left my life so soon, you shoulda told me

Hey, but you left me far behind

In verse 2, the narrator admits to their own mistakes but accepts them as part of their life experience. There is a sense of lost potential, where the narrator imagines what they could have achieved together, as expressed in the lines “And then maybe/ We might share in something great/Won’t you look at where we’ve grown/Won’t you look at where we’ve gone.”

The narrator fears for the person’s future, sensing an impending downfall. The person lost control of their life, possibly due to addiction, and the narrator feels abandoned and regrets not being able to help.

[Bridge]

Oh no

Oh no, no, no, no, no

Oh no, said oh no

Said oh no

Said oh no

But may—

The bridge expresses a deep sense of sorrow and disbelief over the situation.

[Chorus]

I said maybe

Didn’t mean to treat you oh-so bad

Oh, but I did it anyway, no

Said oh no, maybe, baby

Some would say you’re left with what you had

But you couldn’t share the pain, no

I said now times have changed

Your friends, they come and watch you crumble to the ground

They watch you suffer

Yeah, they hold you down, hold on down

Said maybe love, oh, maybe love

Didn’t mean to treat you bad

But you left me far behind

Left me far behind

Left me far behind

The final chorus reiterates the themes of regret, change, and the enduring impact of the person’s suffering on their friends and the narrator.

Music Video

Candlebox’s “Far Behind” music video, directed by Nick Egan, is a captivating visual companion to the song’s emotional depth. Shot at the now-demolished Elliott Farm in Renton, Washington, the video tells a story within the abandoned farmhouse.

The video opens with Kevin Martin, the band’s lead vocalist, strolling through the rundown house, holding a microphone—a poignant start. Nearby, a cheerful woman by a neglected pool provides a striking contrast, symbolizing moments of fleeting happiness amid desolation.

The chorus takes an intense turn as a man splashes red paint across the white walls, reflecting the song’s emotional turmoil. Throughout, different characters occupy the house, each representing various facets of the song’s themes. A weary man in a bathtub suggests a struggle, mirroring the song’s despair.

Lyrics scribbled on the walls and an American flag in the background underline the video’s depth. This visually compelling video, heavily featured on MTV, beautifully amplifies “Far Behind’s” message of loss, regret, and inner turmoil, leaving an indelible mark on Candlebox’s legacy.

Deeper Meaning Behind “Far Behind”

Candlebox’s song “Far Behind” is a beautiful and haunting track with a deep meaning tied to the tragic story of Andrew Wood, the lead singer of Mother Love Bone. In 1990, Wood passed away from a heroin overdose, leaving a void in the Seattle music community. This tragedy inspired the song, but its true meaning runs deeper.

The title “Far Behind” symbolizes how Martin felt left behind by Wood’s untimely death, capturing the emotional aftermath of losing a friend to addiction.

The lyrics, “Now maybe, I didn’t mean to treat you bad,” express the regret and guilt felt by Candlebox’s vocalist, Kevin Martin. Martin had a personal connection with Wood, who had encouraged him in his musical pursuits. The song captures the essence of regret, acknowledging past mistakes, and the weight of those actions.

Initially, the lyrics were written from the perspective of the drug that led to Wood’s demise, offering a poignant commentary on the destructive nature of addiction. Martin admitted, “It was written from the perspective of the drug that destroyed him.” 

However, in the studio, Martin made a subtle yet significant change, altering “Now Andy, I didn’t mean to treat you bad” to “Now maybe.” This change added an element of ambiguity to the lyrics, allowing listeners to interpret the song in various ways. Many initially mistook it for a love song, unaware of its deeper message.

The song’s lasting appeal comes from its ability to connect with people who have faced loss, regret, or the harm of addiction.

It reminds us that beyond its surface as a straightforward rock ballad, it delves deep into human emotions and highlights music’s ability to express complex feelings.

Leave a Comment

Join My Lyrics Writing Course