Editing So Far, So Good... So What!

{{Short description|1988 studio album by Megadeth}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox album
| name       = So Far, So Good... So What!
| type       = studio
| artist     = [[Megadeth]]
| cover      = Megadeth-SoFar.jpg
| alt        = An image of a shell-studded, combat-clad soldier whose melted face leers menacingly from beneath a crude helmet. Amidst the ruins of a nuclear holocaust, he stands poised with a powerful weapon behind the distant planet Earth.
| released   = {{Start date|1988|01|19}}
| recorded   = 1987
| venue      =
| studio     = Music Grinder, [[Los Angeles]]
| genre      = [[Thrash metal]]
| length     = {{Duration|m=34|s=26}}
| label      = [[Capitol Records|Capitol]]
| producer   = {{hlist|Paul Lani|[[Dave Mustaine]]}}
| prev_title = [[Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?]]
| prev_year  = 1986
| next_title = [[Rust in Peace]]
| next_year  = 1990
| misc       = {{Singles
 | name        = So Far, So Good... So What!
 | type        = studio

 | single1     = Hook in Mouth
 | single1date = January 11, 1988
 | single2     = [[Anarchy in the U.K.#Megadeth|Anarchy in the U.K.]]
 | single2date = February 17, 1988
 | single3     = Mary Jane
 | single3date = May 12, 1988
 | single4     = [[In My Darkest Hour]]
 | single4date = June 17, 1988
}}
}}

'''''So Far, So Good... So What!''''' is the third [[studio album]] by American [[thrash metal]] band [[Megadeth]], released on January 19, 1988, by [[Capitol Records]].<ref>{{Citation |title=Megadeth - So Far, So Good...So What! Album Reviews, Songs & More {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/so-far-so-goodso-what!-mw0000198682 |access-date=October 21, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> It was the band's only album recorded with drummer [[Chuck Behler]] and guitarist [[Jeff Young]], both of whom were fired from the band in early 1989, several months after the completion of [[So Far, So Good...So What! Tour|the album's world tour]]. ''So Far, So Good... So What!'' features music performed at fast tempos with technical ability; lyrically, frontman and guitarist [[Dave Mustaine]] addresses a variety of topics, including [[nuclear holocaust]] and [[freedom of speech]].

''So Far, So Good... So What!'' was well received by critics upon its release, although retrospective analysis has been less favorable. It managed to enter the top-thirty of the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] (although it received no commercial radio play), and charted in several other countries as well. The album was eventually certified [[RIAA certification|platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]], and indicated Megadeth's forthcoming emergence from the [[underground music]] scene.<ref>{{cite web |title=SO FAR, SO GOOD… SO WHAT! |url=https://megadeth.com/releases/5058/ |website=Megadeth.com |access-date=August 29, 2022}}</ref>

==Background and production==
Guitarist [[Chris Poland]] and drummer [[Gar Samuelson]] had been both fired from the band following the conclusion of the ''Peace Sells'' tour for disruptive behavior, including Poland's habit of pawning band equipment to pay for drugs.{{sfn|Mustaine|2010|p=167-168}} Samuelson was immediately replaced by his drum technician, [[Chuck Behler]]{{sfn|Mustaine|2010|p=167}} (although [[Slayer]]'s [[Dave Lombardo]] considered joining).<ref>{{cite web |title=DAVE LOMBARDO: How I Almost Joined MEGADETH In 1987 |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/dave-lombardo-how-i-almost-joined-megadeth-in-1987 |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=December 15, 2022 |date=January 19, 2021}}</ref> However, a new guitarist would take longer to emerge. At first, the band hired guitarist Jay Reynolds from the band [[Malice (US band)|Malice]],{{sfn|Mustaine|2010|p=169}} but Reynolds was not up to the task of recording, and was subsequently replaced by his guitar teacher, [[Jeff Young]]. [[Dave Mustaine]] has since stated his regret for the way he handled Reynolds's firing.{{sfn|Mustaine|2010|p=170-173}} Other guitarists considered included [[Slash (musician)|Slash]] from [[Guns N' Roses]].<ref>{{cite web |title=How Slash Almost Joined Megadeth: 'Mustaine and I Wrote Some Fucking Dark Riffs!' |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/how_slash_almost_joined_megadeth_mustaine_and_i_wrote_some_fucking_dark_riffs.html |website=Ultimate Guitar |access-date=December 15, 2022 |date=January 19, 2016}}</ref>

Work on the album started while Reynolds was in the band, but continued after the induction of Young. To mix the album, the label turned to Paul Lani, who had remixed the band's previous album, ''[[Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?]].''{{sfn|Mustaine|2010|p=173}} Mustaine was initially skeptical, and later became very irate with Lani's "eccentricities" and his way of handling things. To mix the album, Lani relocated himself and Mustaine to Bearsville Studios, near [[Woodstock, New York]], ostensibly for the purpose of inspiration.{{sfn|Mustaine|2010|p=177-178}} Mustaine decided that he had his limits when he, having just awakened and made coffee, noticed Lani outside in his underwear feeding an apple to a deer. Mustaine flew back to Los Angeles later that day and fired Lani, who was replaced by [[Michael Wagener]]. Mustaine has since criticized Wagener's "pedestrian" mixing efforts, citing the album's "muddy feel", in particular.{{sfn|Mustaine|2010|p=179}} Mustaine was able to recruit [[Sex Pistols]] guitarist [[Steve Jones (musician)|Steve Jones]] to perform guitar parts on "[[Anarchy in the U.K.#Megadeth|Anarchy in the U.K.]]"{{sfn|Mustaine|2010|p=175-176}}

==Music and lyrics==
According to music critic [[J. D. Considine]] of ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'', ''So Far, So Good... So What!'' displays music performed at "volumes approaching the threshold of pain".<ref name="Spin 2"/> This was the first album where another band member other than Mustaine contributed to writing, with bassist [[David Ellefson]] contributing to either lyrics or music on half of the album's songs. The album features fast guitar solos, multiple tempo changes and technical dexterity.<ref name="LA review"/> Mike Stagno of Sputnikmusic observed that the album offers the classic "take no prisoners" style which is commonly associated with Megadeth; however, he noted that the sound does not differ much from the other underground metal bands from that period.<ref name=Sputnik>{{cite web |last=Stagno |first=Mike |title=Megadeth - So Far, So Good... So What! (staff review) |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/11863/Megadeth-So-Far,-So-Good...-So-What!/ |website=Sputnikmusic |date=April 25, 2007 |access-date=July 15, 2012}}</ref> Jim Farber of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' called Mustaine's vocals "bloodthirsty" and praised the musicianship for keeping rhythmic pace even at the "most anarchic moments".<ref name="RS"/> ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' journalist Dennis Hunt noted that the music was filled with extensive and "torrid" instrumentals and described Mustaine's singing as a combination of extreme shrieking and screaming.<ref name="LA Times"/> Despite the positive overview, "Anarchy in the U.K." received some negative criticism, partially because it was perceived to lack the rebelliousness of the original version.<ref name="Allmusic"/>

The lyrical themes on the album explore a variety of subjects, from [[nuclear holocaust]] ("Set the World Afire") to revisionism and censorship ("Hook in Mouth").<ref name="LA Times">{{cite news |last=Hunt |first=Dennis |date=March 6, 1988 |title=Meeting Mr. Megadeth, Dave Mustaine |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-03-06-ca-1027-story.html |access-date=November 10, 2013}}</ref> Still, the majority of the songs are accompanied by the same sentiment of disillusion and nihilism as their previous two albums.{{sfn|Joyner|2002|p=301}} Unlike traditional topics related to [[heavy metal music]], the song "In My Darkest Hour" contains emotional lyrics which deal with loneliness and isolation.{{sfn|Arnett|1996|p=50}} Dave Mustaine revealed that he tried to write about subject matters that were in touch with reality, including social issues and taboo topics.<ref name="LA Times"/> The lyrics on Megadeth's cover of "Anarchy in the U.K." were slightly mistaken because Mustaine claimed he had heard them incorrectly.<ref name=MSN/>

==Songs==
The album's first track, "Into the Lungs of Hell", is an instrumental composition which features synthesized horns, winds and percussion.{{sfn|Pillsbury|2006|p=82}} "[[Set the World Afire]]" is the first song [[Dave Mustaine]] wrote for Megadeth after being fired from [[Metallica]]. He was a member of Metallica from 1981 to 1983, and was dismissed just before Metallica recorded its debut album ''[[Kill 'Em All]]''. He later said that he wrote the lyrics during his journey home from the departure. Inspiration for the song came from a pamphlet he read while on the bus back to California.<ref name=nme>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/features/music-interviews/rock-n-roll-kill-braincells-dave-mustaine-megadeth-2467827|title=Does Rock ‘N’ Roll Kill Braincells?! – Dave Mustaine, Megadeth|last1=Ryan|first1=Gary|work=[[NME]]|date=March 30, 2019|accessdate=June 5, 2024}}</ref> The initial lyrics were reportedly written with a borrowed pencil on a cupcake wrapper, leading some fans to refer to "Set the World Afire" as "the cupcake song",<ref name=revolverjan18>{{Cite web|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-megadeths-so-far-so-good-so-what|title=5 Things You Didn't Know About Megadeth' 'So Far, So Good ... So What!'|date=January 18, 2018|access-date=January 24, 2024|website=[[Revolver (magazine)|Revolver]]|last=Bienstock|first=Richard}}</ref> though Mustaine indicated in a 2019 interview with [[NME]] that the lyrics were written on the backing of a [[Sno Balls]] cake.<ref name=nme/> The beginning of the song contains a sample of "[[I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire]]", a 1941 song by [[The Ink Spots]].<ref>[http://ultimateclassicrock.com/megadeth-so-far-so-good-so-what/ "30 Years Ago: Megadeth Struggle Through 'So Far, So Good ... so What!'"]. ''Ultimate Classic Rock''. [[Townsquare Media]]. Retrieved May 15, 2018.</ref>

"[[Anarchy in the U.K.]]" is a [[Sex Pistols]] cover, which quickly became a staple of the band's live set.{{sfn|Buckley|2003|p=660}} Over the years, the song was dropped from the set list because of its [perceived] anti-Christian viewpoint.<ref>{{cite web|author=Philthy Phil|title=Dave Mustaine Speaks to KNAC.com From Gigantour|url=http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=3761|publisher=[[KNAC.com]]|date=July 24, 2005|access-date=November 10, 2013}}</ref> "Mary Jane" tells a story about a young witch buried alive by her father near the Loon Lake cemetery in Minnesota. According to the legend, anyone who dared to disturb her grave was doomed to a prompt death.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ex-Megadeth Bassist David Ellefson: The Return Of Mary Jane|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ex-megadeth-bassist-david-ellefson-the-return-of-mary-jane/|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=November 8, 2013}}</ref> It was included on the bands 1983 demo.<ref>{{cite web |title=Megadeath (lost Megadeth demo tape; 1983)|url=https://lostmediawiki.com/Megadeath_(lost_Megadeth_demo_tape;_1983) |website=Lost Media Wiki |access-date=March 18, 2025}}</ref> The song features descending guitar lines and begins with Mustaine summoning her spirit during the introduction.<ref>{{cite web|first=Carlos|last=Ramirez|title=10 Most Underrated Megadeth Songs|url=http://noisecreep.com/most-underrated-megadeth-songs/|website=[[Noisecreep]]|access-date=November 10, 2013}}</ref>

"502" is about breaking laws and driving fast cars. The title is a reference to the police code in [[California]] for drunk driving; Mustaine himself would be arrested for drunk driving in March the following year when he crashed into a police car.<ref name="Spin 2"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dui.co/statutes/235932/46.61.502-Driving-under-the-influence.html|title=Revised Code of Washington :: DUI :: 46.61.502 Driving under the influence|website=www.dui.co|access-date=April 21, 2019}}</ref> "In My Darkest Hour" was written by Mustaine shortly after the death of Metallica bassist [[Cliff Burton]]. Mustaine had found out through word of mouth, as his former bandmates never contacted him about the tragic event that occurred in Europe. He later recalled that he was extremely unhappy that day and wrote the song in one sitting.<ref name="AV Club">{{cite web|last=Herzog|first=Kenny|title=Setlist - Dave Mustaine|url=https://www.avclub.com/dave-mustaine-1798226690|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=July 18, 2011|access-date=November 6, 2013}}</ref> "Liar" is a [[diss (music)|diss song]] directed at past member [[Chris Poland]], who Mustaine claimed was stealing guitars and selling them for [[heroin]] money.<ref name=MSN/> "Hook in Mouth" criticizes censorship and the [[Parents Music Resource Center]] (PMRC). Mustaine elaborated that the lyrics were aimed at those who were "fucking around with our constitutional rights and trying to take away our freedom of speech".<ref name="Spin">{{cite journal|last=Palmer|first=Robert|date=April 1988|title=Every Day's a Megadeth Day|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PdiXT9xoRXQC&q=So+Far%2C+So+Good...+So+What%21+megadeth&pg=PA35|journal=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|pages=35–37|access-date=November 6, 2013}}</ref>

== Critical reception ==
{{Music ratings
|rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
|rev1score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref name="Allmusic">{{cite web|last=Huey|first=Steve|title=Megadeth: So Far, So Good... So What!|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/so-far-so-goodso-what!-mw0000198682|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=August 23, 2013}}</ref>
|rev3 = ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''
|rev3Score = {{Rating|2|4}}<ref name="LA review">{{cite news|last=Strauss|first=Duncan|date=January 24, 1988|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-01-24-ca-37887-story.html|title=Sonic Booms: ** Megadeth - "So Far, So Good... So What!". Capitol.|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=November 10, 2013}}</ref>
|rev4 = ''[[Rock Hard (magazine)|Rock Hard]]''
|rev4Score = 10/10<ref name="Rock Hard">{{cite web|last=Stratmann|first=Holger|title=Megadeth: So Far, So Good... So What!|url=http://www.rockhard.de/megazine/reviewarchiv/review-anzeigen/7800-so-far-so-good-so-what.html|publisher=[[Rock Hard (magazine)|Rock Hard]]|language=de|access-date=August 23, 2013}}</ref>
|rev5 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
|rev5score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="RS">{{cite magazine|last=Farber |first=Jim |title=Megadeth: So Far, So Good... So What! |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/megadeth/albums/album/96934/review/5941254/so_far_so_good_so_what |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=August 23, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001030103/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/megadeth/albums/album/96934/review/5941254/so_far_so_good_so_what |archive-date=October 1, 2007 }}</ref>
|rev6 = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]''
|rev6Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="New RS">{{cite book|last1=Brackett|first1=Nathan|last2=Hoard|first2=Christian David|title=[[The New Rolling Stone Album Guide]]|date=2004|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|isbn=0-7432-0169-8|page=[https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/534 534]}}</ref>
| rev7 = Sputnikmusic
| rev7score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=EMERITUS |first1=Mikesn |title=Megadeth - So Far, So Good... So What! |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/11863/Megadeth-So-Far,-So-Good...-So-What!/ |website=Sputnikmusic |accessdate=March 5, 2023 |date=April 25, 2007}}</ref>
|rev8 = ''[[The Village Voice]]''
|rev8score = B−<ref name="Christgau">{{cite web|last=Christgau|first=Robert|title=Consumer Guide Reviews|url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cgv588-88.php|work=[[The Village Voice]]|access-date=August 23, 2013}}</ref>
}}

The album received positive feedback from music critics at the time of its release. In a contemporary review, Holger Stratmann from ''Rock Hard'' hailed the album as "the new masterpiece of Megadeth" and asserted that the band had created a great follow-up to their highly acclaimed ''[[Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?]]''<ref name="Rock Hard"/> Jim Farber of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' also gave the album a favorable review, saying it propelled the group "right at the top of the thrash-rock heap". He concluded his review by saying, "amid today's narcoleptic pop scene, albums like ''So Far, So Good ... So What!'' offer a disruptive noise that's welcome indeed".<ref name="RS"/> Writing for ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'', J. D. Considine felt that the record showed a "genuine maturity" for the band.<ref name="Spin 2">{{cite journal|last=Considine|first=J.D.|title=Megadeth - So Far, So Good... So What!|journal=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|date=March 1988|pages=31|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kSEbtY6IkTgC&q=So+Far%2C+So+Good...+So+What%21+megadeth&pg=PA31|access-date=November 6, 2013}}</ref> In ''[[The Village Voice]]'', [[Robert Christgau]] reacted toward the album with tepid positivity,  and wrote that Megadeth garnered "its modest portions of profit and respect" with their latest studio release. He praised "[[Anarchy in the U.K.#Megadeth|Anarchy in the U.K.]]", commenting that Mustaine covers the [[Sex Pistols]] "like a champ".<ref name="Christgau"/>

Retrospective reviews, however, tend to be more critical of the album. [[AllMusic]]'s Steve Huey criticized the album for lacking "the conceptual unity and musical bite" of its predecessor. According to him, the album "wants to sound threatening but mostly comes off as forced and somewhat juvenile", citing the cover track as an example.<ref name="Allmusic"/>
Conversely, Adrien Begrand from ''[[MSN Music]]'' opined that the record was "somehow ignored" in the band's discography.<ref name=MSN>{{cite web|last=Begrand|first=Adrien|title=Megadeth, 'So Far, So Good...So What!'|url=http://social.entertainment.msn.com/music/blogs/headbang-blogpost.aspx?post=b21fccba-64ff-469f-8a38-ce7a337295eb|work=[[MSN Music]]|date=January 25, 2013|access-date=November 9, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109213000/http://social.entertainment.msn.com/music/blogs/headbang-blogpost.aspx?post=b21fccba-64ff-469f-8a38-ce7a337295eb|archive-date=November 9, 2013}}</ref>

== Touring ==

{{see also|So Far, So Good...So What! Tour}}
The tour that followed the album's release was the first to feature new band members [[Chuck Behler]] and [[Jeff Young]].<ref>{{cite web |title=JEFF YOUNG Blasts 'Douchebag' DAVE MUSTAINE Over Comments About Ex-MEGADETH Members Never 'Amounting To Anything' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/jeff-young-blasts-douchebag-dave-mustaine-over-comments-about-ex-megadeth-members-never-amounting-to-anything |website=[[Blabbermouth]] |access-date=August 3, 2023 |date=July 7, 2023}}</ref> Bassist David Ellefson said that previous members [[Gar Samuelson]] and [[Chris Poland]] were tired of constantly being on the road and their departure was inevitable. He further revealed that drummer Behler was appointed shortly before because the band feared that Samuelson would not be able to continue touring.<ref name="Ellefson">{{cite web|first=Celesete|last=Gomes|title=So Far, So Good For Megadeth|url=http://megadeth.rockmetal.art.pl/interviews_rock1988.html|work=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]|publisher=Rockmetal.art.pl|date=August 1988|access-date=November 8, 2013}}</ref> However, some problems occurred during the Australian leg of the tour. The band was forced to cancel some of these shows because of drug issues. Mustaine claimed that the group returned home because guitarist Young "ran out of heroin", which Young denied, stating that it was Mustaine who wanted to go back to Los Angeles and seek rehabilitation.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ex-Megadeth Guitarist Jeff Young Responds To Dave Mustaine's Drug Allegations|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ex-megadeth-guitarist-jeff-young-responds-to-dave-mustaine-s-drug-allegations/|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=December 20, 2009|access-date=December 17, 2013}}</ref> Both Young and Behler were eventually fired from the band in 1989.<ref name="History">{{cite web|title=Megadeth History - 1988|url=http://www.megadeth.com/history|publisher=Megadeth.com|access-date=November 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906102158/http://www.megadeth.com/history|archive-date=September 6, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Megadeth started performing the album's songs live before the record was released. During 1987 they toured with other [[thrash metal]] bands such as [[Kreator]] and [[Overkill (band)|Overkill]] at a number of European venues.<ref>{{cite web|first=Mike|last=Exley|title=Live Reviews: Megadeth at Queens Hall, Leeds, England|url=http://www.metalforcesmagazine.com/site/live-review-christmas-on-earth-festival-13-12-87/|work=[[Metal Forces]]|date=December 13, 1987|access-date=November 12, 2013}}</ref> The following year Megadeth appeared with more established heavy metal acts such as [[Dio (band)|Dio]] and [[Savatage]] for some shows in North America.<ref>{{cite news|last=Strauss|first=Duncan|date=March 15, 1988|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-03-15-ca-827-story.html|title=Dio Upstaged by Megadeth at Long Beach|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=November 11, 2013}}</ref> They also headlined a European tour, with support from [[Testament (band)|Testament]] and [[Sanctuary (band)|Sanctuary]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Megadeth|url=http://www.metallipromo.com/meg.html|publisher=Metallipromo.com|access-date=November 7, 2016}}</ref> Later in 1988 the group made an appearance at the [[Monsters of Rock]] festival, but were dropped from the line-up after one show;<ref name="History"/> Megadeth was replaced by Testament.<ref>{{cite web|title=Monsters of Rock Schweinfurt 1988 Line-Up|url=http://www.songkick.com/festivals/471099-monsters-of-rock-schweinfurt-1988/id/13337064-monsters-of-rock-schweinfurt-1988-1988|publisher=songkick.com|access-date=November 7, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Monsters of Rock at Mainwiesen (Schweinfurt) on 27 Aug 1988|url=http://www.last.fm/festival/1142175+Monsters+of+Rock|publisher=last.fm|access-date=November 7, 2016}}</ref> Dave Mustaine explained that the band toured quite often because they were not receiving much media exposure: "We do a lot of shows and sell records by word-of-mouth". ''Los Angeles Times'' reported that ''So Far, So Good... So What!'' sold 400,000 copies one month after its release, becoming Megadeth's fastest selling album at that point.<ref name="LA Times"/> The record eventually went [[RIAA certification|platinum]] and indicated Megadeth's forthcoming emergence from the underground scene.{{sfn|Kahn-Harris|2007|p=3}}

==Track listing==
All songs written and composed by [[Dave Mustaine]], except where noted.<ref name=SFSGSWNotes>{{cite book|title=So Far, So Good... So What! liner notes (2004 rerelease)|year=2004|publisher=Capitol Records|pages=4, 6–9}}</ref>
{{Track listing
| headline = Side one
| title1 = Into the Lungs of Hell
| lyrics1 = (instrumental)
| length1 = 3:29
| title2 = [[Set the World Afire]]
| length2 = 5:48
| title3 = [[Anarchy in the U.K.#Megadeth|Anarchy in the U.K.]]
| note3 = [[Sex Pistols]] cover
| lyrics3 = [[John Lydon|Johnny Rotten]]
| music3 = {{hlist|Rotten|[[Steve Jones (musician)|Steve Jones]]|[[Glen Matlock]]|[[Paul Cook]]}}
| length3 = 3:00
| title4 = Mary Jane
| lyrics4 = {{hlist|Mustaine|[[David Ellefson]]}}
| length4 = 4:25
}}
{{track listing
| headline = Side two
| title5 = 502
| length5 = 3:28
| title6 = [[In My Darkest Hour]]
| note6 = 6:26 on 2004 reissue
| lyrics6 = {{hlist|Mustaine|Ellefson}}
| length6 = 6:16
| title7 = Liar
| music7 = {{hlist|Mustaine|Ellefson}}
| length7 = 3:20
| title8 = Hook in Mouth
| music8 = {{hlist|Mustaine|Ellefson}}
| length8 = 4:40
| total_length = 34:26<!--All track times sourced from CD release "CAPITOL CDP 7 48148 2".-->
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = 2004 remixed/remastered edition bonus tracks
| title9 = Into the Lungs of Hell
| note9 = Paul Lani mix
| lyrics9 = (instrumental)
| length9 = 3:32
| title10 = Set the World Afire
| note10 = Paul Lani mix
| length10 = 5:53
| title11 = Mary Jane
| note11 = Paul Lani mix
| lyrics11 = {{hlist|Mustaine|Ellefson}}
| length11 = 4:08
| title12 = In My Darkest Hour
| note12 = Paul Lani mix
| lyrics12 = {{hlist|Mustaine|Ellefson}}
| length12 = 6:11
| total_length = 54:20
}}

== Personnel ==

Production and performance credits are adapted from the album liner notes.<ref name=SFSGSWNotes/>
{|
|valign=top|
;Megadeth
*[[Dave Mustaine]] –  lead vocals, guitars
*[[David Ellefson]] – bass, backing vocals
*[[Jeff Young]] – guitars
*[[Chuck Behler]] – drums, percussion

;Additional personnel
*[[Steve Jones (musician)|Steve Jones]] (of the [[Sex Pistols]]) – guitar solo on "Anarchy in the U.K." (the second one at 1:40)

;Production
*[[Record producer|Produced]] by Paul Lani and Dave Mustaine
*[[Audio engineer|Engineered]] by Paul Lani with Matt Freeman
*[[Audio mixing (recorded music)|Mixed]] by [[Michael Wagener]] at The Enterprise, Hollywood, California
*[[Executive producer|Executive produced]] by Tim Carr
*[[Audio mastering|Mastered]] by [[Stephen Marcussen]] at Precision Lacquer, Hollywood, California
|valign=top|
;2004 remix and remaster
*Produced by Dave Mustaine
*Mixed by Ralph Patlan and Dave Mustaine
*Engineered by Ralph Patlan with Lance Dean
*[[Digital audio editor|Edited]] by Lance Dean with Scott "Sarge" Harrison
*Mastered by Tom Baker
|}

==Charts==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
! scope="col" |Chart (1988)
! scope="col" |Peak
position
|-
{{album chart|Canada|40|chartid=0955|artist=Megadeth|album=So Far, So Good... So What!|rowheader=true|access-date=November 8, 2023}}
|-
{{album chart|Netherlands|51|artist=Megadeth|album=So Far, So Good... So What!|rowheader=true|access-date=November 8, 2023}}
|-
! scope="row"| Finnish Albums ([[The Official Finnish Charts]])<ref name=FINI>{{cite book|last=Pennanen|first=Timo|title=Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972|edition=1st|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava|location=Helsinki|year=2006|isbn=978-951-1-21053-5 | language= fi}}</ref>
| align="center"| 5
|-
{{album chart|Germany4|27|id=681|artist=Megadeth|album=So Far, So Good... So What!|rowheader=true|access-date=November 8, 2023}}
|-
!scope="row"|Japanese Albums ([[Oricon]])<ref name="JPN">{{cite book|title=Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005|publisher=[[Oricon|Oricon Entertainment]]|location=Roppongi, Tokyo|year=2006|isbn=4-87131-077-9|language=ja}}</ref>
| align="center"| 57
|-
{{album chart|New Zealand|41|artist=Megadeth|album=So Far, So Good... So What!|rowheader=true|access-date=November 8, 2023}}
|-
{{album chart|Sweden|37|artist=Megadeth|album=So Far, So Good... So What!|rowheader=true|access-date=November 8, 2023}}
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|28|artist=Megadeth|album=So Far, So Good... So What!|rowheader=true|access-date=November 8, 2023}}
|-
{{album chart|UK2|18|date=19880320|rowheader=true|access-date=November 8, 2023}}
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|28|artist=Megadeth|rowheader=true|access-date=November 8, 2023}}
|}

==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=album|award=Platinum|title=So Far, So Good... So What!|artist=Megadeth|relyear=1988|certyear=1992}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|award=Silver|title=So Far So Good So What|artist=Megadeth|relyear=2004|certyear=2019|id=15469-1101-2|note=2004 release}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|award=Platinum|title=So Far, So Good ... So What!|artist=Megadeth|relyear=1988|certyear=1998}}
{{Certification Table Bottom | nosales=true|streaming=true}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |last=Arnett|first=Jeffrey Jensen|year=1996|title=Metalheads: Heavy Metal Music And Adolescent Alienation|url=https://archive.org/details/metalheadsheavym0000arne|url-access=registration|publisher=[[Westview Press]]|isbn=0-8133-2813-6}}
*{{cite book|last=Buckley|first=Peter|year=2003|title=The Rough Guide to Rock|publisher=[[Rough Guides]]|isbn=1-84353-105-4|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/roughguidetorock0003unse}}
*{{cite book |last=Joyner|first=David Lee|year=2002|title=American popular music|publisher=[[McGraw-Hill Higher Education]]|isbn=0-07-241424-3}}
*{{cite book |last=Kahn-Harris|first=Keith|year=2007|title=Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge|publisher=[[Berg Publishers]] |isbn=978-1-84520-399-3}}
*{{cite book|last=Mustaine|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Mustaine|title=Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir|year=2010|publisher=[[HarperCollins]]|location=New York, New York, USA|isbn=978-0-06-171437-5|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780061714375}}
*{{cite book |last=Pillsbury |first=Glenn |title=Damage Incorporated: Metallica and the Production of Musical Identity |year=2006 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |location=New York, New York, USA |isbn=1-136-09122-X}}

==External links==
*{{Discogs master|type=album|32927|name=So Far, So Good... So What!}}

{{Megadeth}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Megadeth albums]]
[[Category:1988 albums]]
[[Category:Capitol Records albums]]
[[Category:Combat Records albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Paul Lani]]