Distance (Mammoth song)

Wolfgang Van Halen wrote the song while his father was battling cancer, thinking about what life would be like without him. He described it as highly personal, and said its themes of loss could resonate with listeners. 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 song was based on an earlier idea,^[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] commenting "he 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] and stated that "Distance" was intended as a standalone single and not included on his debut album.^[9] The song was later included as a bonus track on the band's self-titled debut album,^[10][11] as Wolfgang commented this is "due to the overwhelming response."^[12]

The track was released alongside an accompanying music video,^[13] and proceeds from the song are donated to The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation.^[1][14]

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 thinking about his father.^[20][21]

Loudwire included "Distance" on its list of the best rock songs of 2020, and noted its focus on grief following the loss of a loved one.^[22] In a review, Consequence called the song the album's strongest and most emotionally compelling track.^[23] According to Classic Rock, the track was described as more heartfelt, noting its direct approach prevents it from becoming overly sentimental.^[24]

The music video was compiled from archival home footage of Eddie Van Halen with his son, spanning from Wolfgang Van Halen's infancy to later appearances with the band 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]

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 but this time was performed 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]

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]

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]

Credits adapted from Apple Music.^[42]

Mammoth

• Wolfgang Van Halen – vocals, guitar, drums, bass, piano, songwriter

Additional credits

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