About The Song
There is a unique artistry in crafting a song that captures the delicate intersection of vulnerability, strength, and longing — a balance that few artists command as gracefully as Martina McBride. Her 2004 single “How Far”, from the album Martina, is a sterling example of her ability to channel complex emotional terrain into a piece that is at once deeply personal and universally relatable. Known widely for her soaring soprano, impeccable phrasing, and a distinctive knack for interpreting songs with both emotional intelligence and technical prowess, McBride brings these talents to bear in “How Far”, creating a recording that resonates long after the final note fades.
At its core, “How Far” is an exploration of emotional distance — not the geographic miles that separate people, but the unspoken gaps that can form between hearts. The narrator grapples with the uncertainty of a faltering relationship, asking herself and, implicitly, her partner, the titular question: how far is one willing to go to bridge the growing divide? The lyrics, penned by Ed Hill, Jamie O’Neal, and Shaye Smith, tread familiar ground in the country music canon — the theme of love under strain — but McBride elevates them with her interpretative clarity and vocal conviction. Her delivery suggests both the vulnerability of someone confronting possible heartbreak and the quiet resilience of someone willing to fight for connection.
Musically, “How Far” is built around a gentle yet insistent melody, framed by polished instrumentation that leans into contemporary country while drawing subtle influences from pop balladry. The production — clean, unobtrusive, and finely layered — allows McBride’s voice to remain front and center. Her dynamic range is on full display here, from the understated introspection of the verses to the full-throated plea in the chorus, where her voice soars with both urgency and grace. It is this interplay — of control and release, of tension and resolution — that gives the song its compelling emotional arc.
It is worth noting that “How Far” arrived at a pivotal point in Martina McBride’s career. Having already established herself in the 1990s as one of country music’s premier vocalists with hits like “Independence Day” and “A Broken Wing”, the early 2000s saw her expanding her artistic range. Martina, the album from which this single is drawn, is a showcase of both her vocal versatility and her increasing command as a producer and interpreter. “How Far” exemplifies her mature artistic sensibility — unhurried, thoughtful, and precise.
Ultimately, “How Far” is more than a song about romantic uncertainty; it is a meditation on connection and the silent negotiations that underpin all meaningful relationships. Through its poignant lyrics and Martina McBride’s masterful performance, listeners are invited to reflect on their own experiences with distance, longing, and the courage it takes to close the emotional gaps that life so often creates.
Video
Lyric
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
There’s a boat, I could sail awayThere’s the sky, I could catch a planeThere’s a train, there’s the tracksI could leave and I could choose to not come backOh, never come backThere you are, giving up the fightHere I am, begging you to tryTalk to me, let me inBut you just put your wall back up againOh, when’s it gonna endHow far do I have to go to make you understandI wanna make this work so much it hurts, but I just can’tKeep on giving, go on living with the way things areSo I’m gonna walk awayAnd it’s up to you to say how farThere’s a chance I could change my mindBut I won’t, not till you decideWhat you want, what you needDo you even care if I stay or leaveOh, what’s it gonna beHow far do I have to go to make you understandI wanna make this work so much it hurts, but I just can’tKeep on giving, go on living with the way things areSo I’m gonna walk awayAnd it’s up to you to say how farOut of this chair, or just across the roomHalfway down the block or halfway to the moonHow far do I have to go to make you understandI wanna make this work so much it hurts, but I just can’tKeep on giving, go on living with the way things areSo I’m gonna walk awayAnd it’s up to you to sayYeah, I’m gonna walk awayAnd it’s up to you to say how farHow farOoohhhh