Martina McBride released her honky tonk-flavored debut album The Time Has Come in 1992. Her first big hit was the single "My Baby Loves Me" from her more pop-oriented second album, 1993's The Way That I Am. She became even more visible in 1994 with the crossover success of her anti-domestic violence anthem "Independence Day", also from this album.
In 1995 McBride released the album Wild Angels; "Safe in the Arms of Love" and the title track were country hits, later being her first #1 hit. Her 1997 album Evolution sold over two million units, and included an adult contemporary crossover hit in "Valentine" as well as four number one or number two country hits. The album Emotion came out in 1999; "I Love You" was a big hit in both country and adult contemporary circles. So was the socially conscious "Love's the Only House", a trend that would continue with 2003's "This One's for the Girls", which would become the theme song for the 2005 NCAA Women's Basketball championship tournament. [1] This was followed by the hit singles "How Far" (written by fellow country singer Jamie O'Neal) and "God's Will".
The Long Distance Lullaby Songfacts states that Eleven was Martina's first album for Republic Nashville, ending a 20 year association with RCA. Label head Scott Borchetta encouraged her to write more songs for the record than she had on any of her previous 10 albums, and she ended up co-writing six of the 11 tracks. Eleven was released October 11, 2011.
As of 2005 McBride is generally recognized as one of the top female singers in popular music; with her strong and pure soprano voice she has been labelled "the Céline Dion of country music." Also in 2005 she released a 18-track CD of classic country music standards, which landed at #1 on the Billboard Country Album Chart in its opening week and received much critical acclaim for its authenticity towards traditional country.
She is a four-time Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year winner (a record she holds with Reba McEntire), three-time Academy of Country Music Female Vocalist of the Year winner and a Grammy Award winner. This left-hander performed The Star-Spangled Banner at Game 3 of the 2004 World Series.
"Independence Day" is used as the introductory music for Sean Hannity's popular talk radio show. McBride has appeared at benefit events organized by Hannity, but has declined to take an active political stance. [2] McBride has performed free for fans, such as in a July 3, 2004 show in Owensboro, Kentucky to celebrate the grand opening of the new Independence Bank headquarters.
Recently she helped out contestants on the Canadian version of "American Idol". The winner worked on a song with McBride as well as went on tour with her across Canada.
Martina has sold over 13 million albums in USA alone.
How Far
Martina McBride Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I could sail away
There's the sky
I could catch a plane
There's a train, there's the tracks
I could leave and I could choose to not come back
Oh, never come back
Giving up the fight
Here I am
Begging you to try
Talk to me, let me in
But you just put your wall back up again
Oh, when's it gonna end
How far do I have to go to make you understand
I wanna make this work so much it hurts but I just can't
Keep on giving, go on living with the way things are
So, I'm gonna walk away
And it's up to you to say how far
There's a chance
I could change my mind
But I won't
Not 'till you decide
What you want, what you need
Do you even care if I stay or leave
Oh, what's it gonna be
How far do I have to go to make you understand
I wanna make this work so much it hurts but I just can't
Keep on giving, go on living with the way things are
So, I'm gonna walk away
And it's up to you to say how far
Out of this chair
Or just across the room
Halfway down the block
Or halfway to the moon
How far do I have to go to make you understand
I wanna make this work so much it hurts but I just can't
Keep on giving, go on living with the way things are
So, I'm gonna walk away
And it's up to you to say
Yeah, I'm gonna walk away
And it's up to you to say
How far
How far
Ooh
The song How Far by Martina McBride is a heart-wrenching ballad about the struggles of a relationship that is quickly falling apart. The opening lyrics set the tone of the song as the singer reflects on different ways in which she can leave the relationship. However, she still holds on to hope and tries to appeal to her partner to work things out. She begs for an emotional connection but is continually met with resistance as her partner puts up a wall.
The chorus is a plea for understanding as she struggles to come to terms with the fact that despite her best efforts, the relationship cannot continue as it is. She is asking her partner to take some responsibility and meet her halfway in trying to salvage the relationship. The final verse lays out all the potential distances she could go, from the simple act of standing up to leaving the planet altogether. But ultimately, the decision rests with her partner to decide how far they want to take it.
Overall, the song How Far delivers a poignant and universal message about knowing when to walk away from something that is not working, even if it hurts. It also acknowledges the reality of needing both people to actively work on a relationship if it's going to succeed.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a boat
There's an opportunity to leave.
I could sail away
I have the option to escape.
There's the sky
The world is wide and expansive.
I could catch a plane
A means to leave is available.
There's a train, there's the tracks
Transportation can take me far away.
I could leave and I could choose to not come back
I can escape and not return.
Oh, never come back
Leaving might be the best choice.
There you are
I see you struggling.
Giving up the fight
You're losing the battle.
Here I am
I'm with you.
Begging you to try
I'm pleading with you to do something.
Talk to me, let me in
Share your struggles with me and let me help.
But you just put your wall back up again
You're shutting me out.
Oh, when's it gonna end
This struggle seems relentless and endless.
How far do I have to go to make you understand
I need to know how much effort is required to communicate with you.
I wanna make this work so much it hurts but I just can't
I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make this work, but I'm struggling to see a way forward.
Keep on giving, go on living with the way things are
I can't keep living in this state of limbo, where nothing is resolved and there's no hope for change.
So, I'm gonna walk away
If you can't take steps to make this better, I have to let go and move on.
And it's up to you to say how far
I'm leaving it up to you to decide if this relationship is worth fighting for and how much effort you're willing to put in.
There's a chance
There's always a glimmer of hope.
I could change my mind
I'm not completely set on leaving.
But I won't
Not until there's some indication that things will improve.
Not 'till you decide
The decision is in your hands, not mine.
What you want, what you need
I need to know what you value and what's important to you.
Do you even care if I stay or leave
I'm not sure if you're invested in this relationship enough to keep me around.
Oh, what's it gonna be
I need to know if this is worth fighting for.
Out of this chair
Making a change requires action.
Or just across the room
A small action can make a big difference.
Halfway down the block
Making progress towards change.
Or halfway to the moon
A grand gesture might be needed to make this work.
Yeah, I'm gonna walk away
If things don't improve, I have no choice but to leave.
How far
The distance required to save this relationship is unclear.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: ED HILL, JAMIE O'NEAL, SHAYE SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
savants08
This song really does a great job of reflecting how you feel when you're the only one fighting for a relationship, or when it feels that way. Martina always does a great job of conveying emotion.
Mónica Pérez
I feel the same
Michael McCrea
I asked how far, never got a response. In the heartache I realized I was asking myself how far I had to go to get what was best for myself. Walking away and several states away I realized I had to give to myself to have what I needed all along. Thank You Martina for singing it for the best of us!
Jo Allen
I'm still asking 15 years later.....
Doris Marie Young
I love this song , one of my all time favorites by her , even though I am a huge fan of hers . this song truly describes how many woman feels in relationships , how much they give to their special someone only to find that no matter how much they give , it's never enough so they are left feeling unwanted, unloved, unappreciated and most of all hurt, so they do the only thing that comes natural, they walk away from it , giving up because they gave all they can give and it really is up to the guy and how far he's willing to let her walk out of his life before he realizes she's his everything and chases after her and pledges his undying love for her ... before all is lost forever
Allen Whitmer
@Lycanthromancer I agree, you can easily flip the script, it's not just for women...
Laura R
@Stephanie Kauffman I understand the first 14 years of my marriage was wonderful. Then I got really sick and my husband decided he still loved me but he wasn’t in love with me. I caught him cheating and that really hurt.We now have been married 27 years in January. There are times I wonder if I should’ve given up but I have others that depend on me and my husband and I have to do what’s right for them. we are raising our granddaughter and we are the only stable family life she has. Plus we have a dog that only likes us. So I do what’s best for them. I still am in love with my husband I can’t just stop loving him. Sometimes I wish I could.
Lycanthromancer
For everyone reading this, women aren't the only ones who suffer this kind of neglect. Men do, too, so some of us definitely do understand.
Awful people are awful, regardless of age, race, nationality, or sex. Just know that you don't have to put up with abuse and neglect, no matter who you are.
Crystal Kirby
This song is exactly how I feel. Been with him for 7 years and no engagement.
Sun threw the clouds Zbsv
Stephanie Kauffman how are you 3 yrs later?