Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 11, 2026

Far Behind

"Far Behind" is a song by the American rock band Candlebox from their eponymous debut album (1994). The song was released as the album's third single on August 22, 1994. It was the band's second and final entry on the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number 18 after spending nearly a year on the chart, making it their highest-charting song. It also reached number 4 and number 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.

Last revised
Jul 11, 2026
Read time
≈ 4 min
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Citations
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"Far Behind"
Single by Candlebox
from the album Candlebox
B-side"Far Behind (Live)"
ReleasedAugust 22, 1994
Recorded1992
Length4:59
Label
SongwriterCandlebox
Producers
Candlebox singles chronology
"You"
(1993) 		"Far Behind"
(1994) 		"Cover Me"
(1994)
Music video
"Far Behind" on YouTube

"Far Behind" is a song by the American rock band Candlebox from their eponymous debut album (1994). The song was released as the album's third single on August 22, 1994. It was the band's second and final entry on the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number 18 after spending nearly a year on the chart, making it their highest-charting song. It also reached number 4 and number 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.

Meaning

"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."1 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."2

Appearances

The song was performed on Late Show with David Letterman amidst the promotion of Candlebox.3 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

The "Far Behind" video was directed by Nick Egan. It was filmed in a house near Green Lake in Seattle. The exterior shots were filmed at the now razed Elliott Farm in Renton, Washington and the video 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.

Track list

  1. Far Behind (album version) (4:58)
  2. Far Behind/Voodoo Child (Slight Return) (live) (9:01)
  3. You (live) (5:27)

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)12 Gold 15,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Far Behind"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United Kingdom August 22, 1994
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 Maverick 13
United States August 1994 Cassette 14
Australia September 26, 1994
  • CD
  • cassette
 15
References

References

  1. Nussbaum, Beth R. (April 1994). "Set to Ignite: Candlebox" (PDF). Playgirl. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 24, 2010. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
  2. "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.
  3. Candlebox - Far Behind - Letterman on YouTube. Retrieved on July 26, 2008.
  4. "Official Singles Chart on 4/9/1994 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  5. "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart on 9/10/1994 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  6. "Candlebox Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  7. "Candlebox Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  8. "Candlebox Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  9. "Candlebox Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  10. "Cash Box Chart Entries 1990-1996" (PDF). popmusichistory. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  11. "The Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 52. December 24, 1994. p. YE-62. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  12. "New Zealand single certifications – Candlebox – Far Behind". Radioscope. Retrieved December 29, 2024. Type Far Behind in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
  13. "Single Releases" (PDF). Music Week. August 20, 1994. p. 27. Retrieved May 24, 2026 – via worldradiohistory.com. Note: The issue categorizes releases as "23 August–29 August 1994", however, because music in the UK was typically released on Mondays in the 90s, the corresponding release date was August 22, 1994.
  14. McCabe, Kevin (August 27, 1994). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight" (PDF). Billboard. p. 131. Retrieved May 24, 2026 – via worldradiohistory.com.
  15. "New Release Summary – Product Available from : 26/09/94: Singles". The ARIA Report. No. 241. September 25, 1994. p. 21.
External links