"Awake" is the lead single and title track from Godsmack's second studio album. "Awake" is best known for its use in the 2000's US Navy advertisements "Accelerate Your Life", with voiceover by Keith David.
In an MTV online chat, Godsmack vocalist Sully Erna said that "Awake" is Godsmack "getting some closure, on a past relationship". Erna then said: "That's me getting closure on a relationship. I'm just saying that now I'm awake, and I'm able to deal with everything I have to deal with. Where before I felt like I was going to lose control without this person in my life. I'm saying that I'm okay now without that person".
"Awake" was released to radio on June 3, 2000. "Awake" achieved mainstream success. The song was on the Mainstream Rock chart for 53 weeks and peaked at number one, their first single to do so. "Awake" also was on the Alternative Songs chart for 28 weeks and peaked at number 12. "Awake" was on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart for 24 weeks and peaked at number one on the chart in 2001. "Awake" was nominated for the Rock Single of the Year category at the 2001 Billboard Music Awards. With the popularity of "Awake", Godsmack's album of the same name was certified 2× Platinum by the RIAA in March 2002.
This song was featured prominently in the Nash Bridges episode "Manhunt" that first aired on November 3, 2000. It was also featured in the game Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2 and The One starring Jet Li. The song is featured as DLC for Rock Band 4 released in 2015.
Since the mid-2000s, the song has been featured extensively in the U.S. Navy's "Accelerate Your Life" commercials. The Godsmack album Awake's opening track, "Sick of Life," would also be used in the campaign.
The song also made an appearance on several compilations including the band greatest hits album, Good Times, Bad Times... Ten Years of Godsmack, WWF Tough Enough, Kerrang: Life Is Loud, and Crusty Demons: Unleash Hell.
The song features as the background track in the promos of the 2006 Bollywood film Fight Club.
