The music video had its world premiere on MTV's Total Request Live program on April 13, 2001. The music video begins with Aaron Lewis going through some old photographs, one of which is a picture of his wife. The video switches between him writing a letter to his wife and the band performing in a room full of candles. There are brief shots of Aaron alone in the streets and looking at himself in the mirror while having second thoughts. Throughout the video, Aaron is seen smoking cigarettes. At the end of the video, one of those cigarettes falls onto the floor and burns down his apartment. The video was directed by Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst.
It's Been Awhile
Staind Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Since I could hold my head up high
And it's been awhile
Since I first saw you
And it's been awhile
Since I could stand on my own two feet again
And it's been awhile
Since I could call you
And everything I can't remember
As fucked up as it all may seem
The consequences that are rendered
I've stretched myself beyond my means
And it's been awhile
Since I can say that I wasn't addicted
And it's been awhile
Since I can say I love myself as well and
And it's been awhile
Since I've gone and fucked things up just like I always do
And it's been awhile
But all that shit seems to disappear when I'm with you
And everything I can't remember
As fucked up as it all may seem
The consequences that I've rendered
I've gone and fucked things up again, again
Why must I feel this way?
Just make this go away
Just one more peaceful day
And it's been awhile
Since I could look at myself straight
And it's been awhile
Since I said I'm sorry
And it's been awhile
Since I've seen the way the candles light your face
And it's been awhile
But I can still remember just the way you taste
And everything I can't remember
As fucked up as it all may seem to be, and I know it's me
I cannot blame this on my father
He did the best he could for me
And it's been awhile
Since I could hold my head up high
And it's been awhile
Since I said I'm sorry
The lyrics to Staind’s song “It’s Been Awhile” express feelings that are relatable to many individuals. The song's lyrics suggest that it's been some time since the singer has felt good about himself or loved himself. The song describes the pain and suffering that comes with addiction and the difficulty of accepting responsibility for your actions. The lyrics express regret, apology, and the hope of redemption. The song's repetition of "it's been awhile" signifies the passage of time since the singer has felt and experienced these emotions.
By expressing that he has stretched himself beyond his limits and recognizes that he is responsible for the consequences of his actions, the singer owns up to his mistakes. The lyrics deal with addiction and the struggle to overcome it, and the echoes of severe depression and feelings of shame can be heard throughout the words. Despite everything, the singer still remembers how it felt to be with the person he loves, and it keeps him hoping that he will be able to get better and turn his life around.
In conclusion, It's Been Awhile is a haunting song that portrays the complexities of addiction and self-loathing. Aaron Lewis' vocals and the band's soft rock instrumentation combine to create a moving and emotional track that hits close to home for many people struggling with addiction and depression.
Line by Line Meaning
And it's been awhile
It has been a considerable amount of time.
Since I could hold my head up high
Since I had the confidence to face the world with my head held high.
Since I first saw you
Since the first glimpse of you captured my attention.
Since I could stand on my own two feet again
Since I regained my strength and independence.
Since I could call you
Since I last reached out to you.
And everything I can't remember
All the things that I have forgotten.
As fucked up as it all may seem
As messed up and complicated as things may appear.
The consequences that are rendered
The outcomes that I have faced as a result of my actions.
I've stretched myself beyond my means
I have gone beyond my capabilities and resources.
Since I can say that I wasn't addicted
Since I can claim that I am not dependent or obsessed with something.
Since I can say I love myself as well
Since I can honestly say that I have love and respect for myself too.
Since I've gone and fucked things up just like I always do
Since I have once again messed up and made things worse as usual.
But all that shit seems to disappear when I'm with you
All the troubles and worries vanish when I am with you.
Why must I feel this way?
Why do I have to experience these emotions?
Just make this go away
I wish this feeling would disappear.
Just one more peaceful day
I just want one more calm and peaceful day in my life.
Since I could look at myself straight
Since I was able to look at myself in the mirror without feeling ashamed or disgusted.
Since I said I'm sorry
Since I apologized to those I have wronged.
Since I've seen the way the candles light your face
Since I have seen the beautiful glow on your face when the candles are lit.
But I can still remember just the way you taste
But I can recall with clarity the sensation of your taste.
And I know it's me
I am aware that I am the one responsible for my actions and choices.
I cannot blame this on my father
I cannot hold my father responsible for my mistakes or problems.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Aarron Lewis, John F. April, Jonathan Wysocki, Michael J. Mushok
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@carlmichael771
As an addict of nearly 25 years who has lost love, liberty and seen the loss of life, all due to addiction this song is tremendously powerful to me and resonates like only a handful of songs ever have.
To all those fighting: dont stop.
To all those who are clean: never forget.
To the ones we've lost: we live for you guys.
One love.
@theoldsoul1996
Once a wise man said, "when you're happy you enjoy the melody but, when you're broken you understand the lyrics"
@lolaapelt8616
Wow.....That was profound
@lolaapelt8616
I'm actually going to write that down
@bg8848.
I need to meet this wise man please
@ryanweaver4624
I never heard this till abut 2 years ago. She left then ya i understood the songs. Crazy how that works
@byronwallace1550
That's my first tattoo cheers king
@sektixn
Who’s still rocking this in 2024?
@user-ok4cy2fq8u
Still rocking this post workout
@dianecassivi7528
Me yeah yeah yeah
@codybowers9401
Every day