“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.

Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.