Distance (Mammoth song)

"Distance"
Single by Mammoth
from the album Mammoth WVH
ReleasedNovember 16, 2020
GenreHard rock ballad
Length4:12
LabelEX1
SongwriterWolfgang Van Halen
ProducerMichael Baskette
Mammoth singles chronology
"Distance"
(2020)		 "You're to Blame"
(2021)
Music video
"Distance" on YouTube

"Distance" is a song by American rock band Mammoth. It was released on November 16, 2020, as Wolfgang Van Halen's debut solo single from his album, Mammoth WVH. The song is a tribute to Wolfgang's father, Eddie Van Halen. It topped both the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay and Hot Hard Rock Songs charts. The song was nominated for Best Rock Song at the 64th Grammy Awards.

Background and release

Wolfgang Van Halen wrote the song while his father was battling throat cancer, thinking about what life would be like without him. He described the song as highly personal, and said that anyone could relate to the idea of having a profound loss in their life. The song was recorded under the name Mammoth WVH, a reference to the original name used by the band Van Halen.[1] Wolfgang said the idea for the song had existed for some time,[2] and decided to finish and release the song, stating that he wanted to "put it out for dad".[3] He was able to play the song for his father before his death,[4] and it became one of Eddie's favorite tracks.[5] Wolfgang said that his father cried when he first heard the song.[6] He later said that Eddie "just understood it as a song about loss".[7] He also said he "never intended "Distance" to be the very first piece of music people would hear from [him]".[8] He added that "Distance" was not initially intended for inclusion on his debut album.[9] The song was later included as a bonus track on his band's self-titled debut album.[10][11] Wolfgang said it was added as a bonus track "due to the overwhelming response".[12]

The song was released with an accompanying music video.[13] Proceeds from the song were donated to The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation.[1][14]

Composition and lyrics

Wolfgang Van Halen performed all instruments and vocals on the track.[15] Guitar World described the song as a hard rock ballad.[16] It has also been described as an "open letter" to his father,[17][18] and includes lyrics such as "no matter what the distance is, I will be with you".[19]

Wolfgang said the song's chorus was "almost like a mantra" when he thought about his father.[20][21]

Reception

Loudwire included "Distance" on its list of the best rock songs of 2020.[22] In a review, Consequence called the song the album's strongest and most emotionally compelling track.[23] In another review, Classic Rock described the track as more heartfelt, noting that its direct approach prevents it from becoming overly sentimental.[24]

Music video

The music video was compiled from home footage of Eddie Van Halen with his son, spanning from Wolfgang Van Halen's infancy to his performances with Van Halen, and concludes with a voicemail message from Eddie.[25][26] Most of the footage was filmed by Wolfgang's mother, Valerie Bertinelli.[27] The single's cover artwork was based on a scene from the video.[9]

Live performances

The song was performed live on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on February 11, 2021, as the project's first live performance. Wolfgang was joined by a backing band,[28] in contrast to the studio recording where he performed all instruments.[29] It marked the debut of Mammoth WVH's touring lineup, and it took place shortly after the announcement of the band's debut album.[30] During the performance, portions of the song's music video were shown on a screen behind the band.[31] The song was then performed on the television program Today,[32] marking the band's second live appearance, this time in an acoustic arrangement.[20] It was also performed acoustically during a March 30, 2022, show in Sayreville, New Jersey, with Wolfgang playing it solo due to the absence of touring guitarists.[33]

Track listing

"Distance" single[34]
No.TitleLength
1."Distance"4:12

Accolades

Year Award Results Ref.
2022 Grammy Award for Best Rock Song Nominated [35][36]

Commercial performance

The song sold 9,000 downloads in the United States within its first two days of release. It was projected to debut in the top five of the Rock Digital Song Sales chart and to enter the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. The song received early airplay on mainstream rock radio, drawing spins from multiple reporting stations shortly after release.[37] In its first tracking week, the song recorded 826,000 U.S. streams, 13,000 downloads, and 1.6 million radio audience impressions.[38]

Chart performance

The song debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot Hard Rock Songs chart.[39] It also debuted at number 9 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, number 20 on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart, number 32 on the Rock Airplay chart, and number 25 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. It reached numbers one and two on the Hard Rock Digital Song Sales and Rock Digital Song Sales charts, respectively,[38] and number one on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart dated February 27, 2021. On the Rock Airplay chart, it peaked at number 9.[40][41] The song also reached number one on the Mediabase and BDS Active rock radio charts.[12]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Apple Music.[42]

Mammoth

Additional credits

  • Michael Baskette – producer, mixing engineer
  • Jeff Moll – editing engineer
  • Josh Saldate – assistant engineer
  • Brad Blackwood – mastering engineer

Charts

References

  1. 1 2 Zornosa, Laura (November 16, 2020). "Eddie Van Halen's son, Wolfgang, grieves his dad in tender song tribute". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  2. ↑ Hiatt, Brian. "Wolfgang Van Halen on His New Music, His Time in Van Halen, and Getting Closure". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  3. ↑ Aniftos, Rania (November 16, 2020). "Wolfgang Van Halen Slams Rumors He'll Replace His Dad: 'You Can't Have Van Halen Without Eddie'". Billboard. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  4. ↑ Pasbani, Robert (November 16, 2020). "Wolfgang Van Halen Releases First Single "Distance," Off His Solo Project Mammoth WVH". Metal Injection. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  5. ↑ Hadusek, Jon (November 16, 2020). "Wolfgang Van Halen Unveils Debut Solo Single "Distance" with Touching Tribute to His Father: Stream". Consequence. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  6. ↑ Rose, Anna (January 14, 2021). "Wolfgang Van Halen says Eddie Van Halen cried upon hearing his single 'Distance'". NME. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
  7. ↑ Trapp, Philip (January 14, 2021). "Eddie Van Halen Cried When He First Heard Mammoth WVH's 'Distance'". Loudwire. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
  8. ↑ Reilly, Nick (November 17, 2020). "Wolfgang Van Halen pays tribute to his late father on debut solo track 'Distance'". NME. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  9. 1 2 jomatami (November 24, 2020). "Wolfgang Van Halen Had to Ask Father to Use 'Mammoth' Band Name, Reveals How Eddie Reacted". Ultimate Guitar. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
  10. ↑ Hiatt, Brian. "Wolfgang Van Halen Previews Debut Album 'Mammoth WVH'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 11, 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
  11. ↑ Hadusek, Jon (March 3, 2021). "Wolfgang Van Halen Hits No. 1 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Chart with Debut Single "Distance"". Consequence. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  12. 1 2 Mier, Tomas (March 3, 2021). "Wolfgang Van Halen Wishes 'Pop Was Here' to See His Song 'Distance' Hit No. 1 on Rock Radio". People. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Wolfgang Van Halen - Mammoth: Distance (Official Music Video)". Los Angeles Times. November 16, 2020. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  14. ↑ Carter, Emily (November 16, 2020). "Wolfgang Van Halen Pays Tribute To Father Eddie With Emotional Mammoth WVH Single, Distance". Kerrang!. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  15. ↑ Schaffner, Lauryn (November 16, 2020). "Wolfgang Van Halen Debuts First Song With Emotional Tribute to Father". Loudwire. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  16. ↑ Astley-Brown, Michael (November 16, 2020). "Wolfgang Van Halen releases first track from solo band Mammoth WVH". Guitar World. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  17. ↑ Ryan, Patrick (November 18, 2020). "Wolfgang Van Halen opens up about dad's 'really rough' final days, emotional new song 'Distance'". USA Today. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  18. ↑ "How Eddie Van Halen's Son Wolf Remembers His Late Father in New Song 'Distance'". People. November 16, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  19. ↑ Brannigan, Paul (November 16, 2020). "Wolfgang Van Halen releases emotional tribute to his late father Eddie with debut single Distance". Classic Rock. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  20. 1 2 Owen, Matt (February 23, 2021). "Wolfgang Van Halen's Mammoth WVH performs acoustic rendition of Distance live on the Today Show". Guitar World. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  21. ↑ Mier, Tomas (February 19, 2021). "Wolf Van Halen Performs Song 'Distance' — His 'Mantra' for When He Thinks of Dad Eddie". People. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  22. ↑ Schaffner, Lauryn (December 11, 2020). "68 Best Rock Songs of 2020". Loudwire. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
  23. ↑ Hadusek, Jon (June 11, 2021). "Wolfgang Van Halen Forges His Own Musical Path on Mammoth WVH's Self-Titled Debut: Review". Consequence. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  24. ↑ Fielder, Hugh (June 14, 2021). "Mammoth WVH's debut album is high-tech, energetic, relentless and thrilling". Classic Rock. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  25. ↑ Hiatt, Brian. "Hear Wolfgang Van Halen Pay Tribute to His Dad With Debut Solo Single". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  26. ↑ Maxwell, Jackson (November 16, 2020). "Wolfgang Van Halen Premieres "Distance," First Song from Solo Band Mammoth WVH". Guitar Player. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  27. ↑ Dye, Robert (November 16, 2020). "Wolfgang Van Halen Releases New Song "Distance," An Emotional Video Tribute To His Father". American Songwriter. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  28. ↑ Daly, Rhian (12 February 2021). "Watch Wolfgang Van Halen play solo song 'Distance' in tribute to dad Eddie". NME. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
  29. ↑ Roche, Sam (February 1, 2021). "Wolfgang Van Halen's Mammoth WVH to debut Distance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!". Guitar World. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
  30. ↑ Kreps, Daniel. "Mammoth WVH Performs Eddie Van Halen Tribute 'Distance' on 'Kimmel'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 12, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  31. ↑ Childers, Chad (February 12, 2021). "Wolfgang Van Halen Debuts Full Mammoth WVH Band on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'". Loudwire. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  32. ↑ Kennelty, Greg (February 20, 2021). "Wolfgang Van Halen's Mammoth WVH Performs "Distance" on Today". Metal Injection. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  33. ↑ Parker, Matt (April 1, 2022). "Watch Wolfgang Van Halen play a solo acoustic version of Distance at a recent Mammoth WVH show". Guitar World. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Distance - Single by Mammoth". Spotify. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  35. ↑ Trakin, Roy (December 15, 2021). "A Chip Off the Old Rock: Wolfgang Van Halen's Grammy Nomination Pays Tribute to His Late Father, Eddie". Variety. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Wolfgang Van Halen - Artist - Grammy.com". Grammy Awards. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  37. ↑ Caulfield, Keith (November 18, 2020). "Wolfgang Van Halen's Tribute to Late Dad Eddie Set to Rock on Billboard Charts". Billboard. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  38. 1 2 Rutherford, Kevin. "Mammoth WVH's Eddie Van Halen Tribute 'Distance' Debuts Atop Rock Charts: 'I Just Wish He Was Here to See It'". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 13, 2022. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
  39. ↑ Childers, Chad (November 24, 2020). "Wolfgang Van Halen's 'Distance' Debuts Atop Billboard's Hot Hard Rock Songs Chart". Loudwire. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
  40. 1 2 Rutherford, Kevin (February 25, 2021). "Mammoth WVH's Eddie Van Halen Tribute 'Distance' Rules Mainstream Rock Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  41. 1 2 "Rock & Alternative Airplay". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 11, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  42. ↑ "Distance - Song by Mammoth". Apple Music.
  43. ↑ "Bubbling Under Hot 100 Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 14, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  44. ↑ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  45. ↑ "Rock & Alternative Airplay Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 19, 2026. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  46. ↑ "Mainstream Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
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