The Bottom Line
Yes, this song is sappy, and, yes, it isn't particularly original. However, this song has emotionally moved many, many pop music fans, and that is an accomplishment for Nickelback worth noting.
Watch the video for "Far Away."
Pros
- It is a classic love song
Cons
- All the negatives you may associate with big, syrupy love songs
Description
- Gentle, chiming guitars
- Chad Kroeger's arena-filling, throaty vocals
- Words designed to touch the audience
Guide Review - Nickelback - Far Away
When writing about pop music, it can be possible to get so entangled in the dry mechanics of describing and evaluating a recording that you miss what is potentially most important about a particular song. Nickelback's "Far Away" is a perfect example. Few music writers with whom I'm familiar have much of a soft spot for Nickelback's recorded legacy. However, I'm convinced that too often we miss Nickelback's greatest asset. Chad Kroeger and company do know how to connect with their audience.
On the surface, "Far Away" is a rather simple love song played in a very familiar ballad formula. Nickelback has followed this simple format for at least three albums. However, simple, particularly in this case, can be a true virtue. Few current pop hit singles are easier to sing with than "Far Away," and there are no convoluted meanings here. Most listeners who have spent a significant amount of time separated from a treasured loved one will understand "Far Away."
It's not possible to write about Nickelback's "Far Away" without mentioning the accompanying music video. With a storyline straight out of the Nicholas Sparks school, Nickelback seals the deal with its audience. "Far Away" will be on the soundtrack to many romances for years to come.
