It's Been Awhile

Infobox Single
Name = It's Been Awhile


Artist = Staind
from Album =
Break the Cycle
Released = June 26, 2001
Format = CD single
Recorded = 2001
Genre = Post-grunge, power ballad
Length = 4:25
Label = Elektra Records
Producer = Staind
Chart position =

• #1 (US Mainstream Rock Tracks)
• #1 (US Modern Rock Tracks)
• #5 (US Billboard Hot 100)
• #6 (Adult Top 40)

Reviews =
Last single = "Home"
(1999)
This single = "It's Been Awhile"
(2001)
Next single = "Outside"
(2001) |

"It's Been Awhile" is the lead single off the album "Break the Cycle" by the alternative metal band Staind.

The song is probably the band's most well-known song, becoming a Top 40 Hit (#5) on the Billboard Hot 100. The song spent a second-best 20 weeks at #1 on the Mainstream Rock Chart (behind only "Loser" by 3 Doors Down) and a then record of 16 weeks on the Modern Rock Chart.The song is about singer Aaron Lewis's life and about how it's been a while since he's done a lot of things. He makes references to his previous drug addiction problem and failed relationships with several women. He mentions his father however he believes he only has himself to blame for his problems.

Music video

The music video begins with Aaron Lewis going through some old photographs, one which happens to be an old girlfriend. The video then switches between him writing a letter to his girlfriend and the band performing casually 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 continuously 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.

Charts

Track listing

#"It's Been Awhile" (LP Clean Edit)
#"It's Been Awhile" (Acoustic Version)
#"Suffocate" (LP Version)

Other

The UK release contains the bonus track "Black Rain" which is renamed from "Excess Baggage" the hidden track on Dysfunction.