"So Far Away" was the second single released off American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 band Staind

Staind

Staind is an American rock band that was formed in 1995 in Springfield, Massachusetts. For 16 years, the band consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Aaron Lewis, lead guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist Johnny April, and drummer Jon Wysocki...

's fourth album 14 Shades of Grey

14 Shades of Grey

-Personnel:* Aaron Lewis – vocals, rhythm guitar* Mike Mushok – lead guitar* Johnny April – bass guitar* Jon Wysocki – drums-Reception:Initial critical response ranged from mixed to average. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album...

. It was released in late 2003 and its momentum carried over into 2004. The song enjoyed much success on both rock and mainstream radio, reaching #1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks

Mainstream Rock Tracks

Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue...

 for fourteen consecutive weeks, one of the longest runs in the chart's history, and #1 on the Modern Rock Tracks

Modern Rock Tracks

Alternative Songs is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in Billboard magazine since September 10, 1988. It lists the 40 most-played songs on modern rock radio stations, most of which are alternative rock songs...

 for seven non-consecutive weeks. The song also became the band's second Top 40 Hit on the Billboard Hot 100

Billboard Hot 100

The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...

, peaking at #24. "So Far Away" was also used in trailer footage of The Punisher

The Punisher (2004 film)

The Punisher is a 2004 American comic book action film, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, starring Thomas Jane as the antihero Frank Castle / The Punisher and John Travolta as the villain Howard Saint, a money launderer who orders the death of Castle's entire family...

before the movie was released, although it was not included on the soundtrack. WWE

World Wrestling Entertainment

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...

 have used this song in one of their Tribute To The Troops videos for 2007, as well as for a video tribute to Mick Foley

Mick Foley

Michael Francis "Mick" Foley, Sr. is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, author, comedian, actor, voice actor and former color commentator. He has worked for many wrestling promotions, including WWE, WCW, ECW and TNA. He is often referred to as "The Hardcore Legend", a nickname he...

. The song also featured in an episode of Smallville

Smallville (TV series)

Smallville is an American television series developed by writers/producers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar based on the DC Comics character Superman, originally created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The television series was initially broadcast by The WB Television Network , premiering on October...

.

"So Far Away" has been described by critics as "an honest and grateful musing on success"; fans however feel that the song represents Aaron Lewis

Aaron Lewis

Aaron Lewis, , is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and founding member of the rock group Staind, with whom he has released seven studio albums. He has since ventured into country music with his debut solo album, Town Line...

 moving on in life and speaking of hope and uncertainty, along with the running theme of 14 Shades of Grey

14 Shades of Grey

-Personnel:* Aaron Lewis – vocals, rhythm guitar* Mike Mushok – lead guitar* Johnny April – bass guitar* Jon Wysocki – drums-Reception:Initial critical response ranged from mixed to average. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album...

.

Video

Two videos for the song were recorded. One was filmed as promotional footage only and received minimal airplay; the one that was aired mostly on MTV

MTV

MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....

 and other television stations during the song's success was one of the band mostly playing live, with several shots of Aaron Lewis

Aaron Lewis

Aaron Lewis, , is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and founding member of the rock group Staind, with whom he has released seven studio albums. He has since ventured into country music with his debut solo album, Town Line...

' daughter Zoe Jane.

American release

1. "So Far Away"
2. "So Far Away" (Radio Edit)
3. "Novocaine" (Non Album Track)
4. "Zoe Jane" (Live at KROQ
   KROQ-FM
   KROQ-FM — branded 106.7 KROQ — is a commercial modern rock radio station licensed to Pasadena, California serving the Greater Los Angeles. The call sign is pronounced "kay rock." It is the flagship station of Loveline hosted by Dr...
   
   )

UK release

1. "So Far Away" (Radio Edit)
2. "Mudshovel" (Live)
3. "Home-Grown Promo Footage" (Multimedia)

Chart positions

Chart (2003)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	24
U.S. Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks	1
U.S. Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks	1