How Far We've Come
by Matchbox Twenty

Album: Exile on Mainstream (2007)
Charted: 11
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Songfacts®:

  • In this song the narrator is looking back at his own life during an apocalyptic event when the world is ending.
  • The video chronicles many of the important events that have happened over the past 50 or so years, including women marching for equal rights, the moon landing, tearing down the Berlin Wall, the new millennium celebrations, Live Aid and Live Earth.
  • The album gets its title from The Rolling Stones' album Exile on Main St. Matchbox Twenty front man Rob Thomas does have a link with the Stones. He co-wrote "Visions of Paradise," a song on Mick Jagger's 2001 solo record Goddess In the Doorway.
  • This was one of 6 new songs on the album, which emerged from a 12 song recording session in Los Angeles by producer Steve Lillywhite. His many credits include work with U2, The Rolling Stones and Talking Heads. Guitarist Paul Doucette told the Fairfax County Times about his approach to recording: "His basic approach is, you've got to capture stuff the minute you come up with it because that's when it's fresh and that's when it's exciting. That's when you're going to get that magic take."

Comments: 8

  • Jessica from Bloomfield , NjIt's a great song. It's the anthem of our times.
  • Joe from Chicago, IlBarack and hillary are in the music video too.
  • Parker from Glendale, AzThis song was played on the last ever Don & Mike show. A very touching moment when Don left the show after 23 years on the Washington, DC airwaves.
  • Ryan from Morrison, Il I thought Paul Doucette was the drummer, not the guitarist. Also about Mick Jagger and Rob Thomas: they wrote Matchbox Twenty's earlier hit "Disease" (from More Than You Think You Are) together.
  • Alicia from Livermore, Cait makes me think of global warming.
  • Abby from Somewhere Only We Know, United StatesThis song is one my friend really likes. It sort of reminds me of the time in my life when I didn't know who to believe/who to trust, and I'm still feeling like that today.
  • Fn from Lawrenceville, NjThis song always make's feel sad. With the line "Say your goodbyes if you've got soemone to say goodbye to.
  • Murph from Peoria, IlSeems like a good counterpart video to Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire"
see more comments

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