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Man in the Box
Alice in Chains Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm the man in the box
Buried in my shit

Won't you come and save me?
Save me

Feed my eyes
(Can you sew them shut?)
Jesus Christ
(Deny your maker)
He who tries
(Will be wasted)
Oh, feed my eyes
(Now you've sewn them) shut

I'm the dog who gets beat
Shove my nose in shit

Won't you come and save me?
Save me

Feed my eyes
(Can you sew them shut?)
Jesus Christ
(Deny your maker)
He who tries
(Will be wasted)
Oh, feed my eyes
(Now you've sewn them) shut

Feed my eyes
(Can you sew them shut?)
Jesus Christ
(Deny your maker)
He who tries
(Will be wasted)
Oh, feed my eyes
(Now you've sewn them) shut

Overall Meaning

The opening line "I'm the man in the box, buried in my shit" is a provocative statement that alludes to the feeling of isolation and being trapped in a confined space. The man in the box could be interpreted as representing a person who is struggling with addiction, mental illness, or simply feeling lost and disconnected from the world around them. The imagery of being buried in excrement drives home the idea that the situation is bleak and suffocating - there is no way out without help from the outside.


The repeated chorus "Feed my eyes" can be interpreted in different ways. One interpretation is that it represents a desire to escape from reality by distracting oneself with sensory experiences. Another interpretation is that it represents a plea for nourishment or sustenance, whether physical or emotional. The line "Can you sew them shut?" suggests a desire to be protected or shielded from the harshness of the world. The religious references to "Jesus Christ" and "deny your maker" add a layer of existential questioning to the song - the man in the box may be struggling to make sense of his place in the universe.


Overall, "Man in the Box" is a dark, anthemic song that taps into feelings of frustration, anger, and despair. The powerful vocal performance by Layne Staley and the heavy, grungy instrumentation create a sense of intensity that matches the lyrics.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm the man in the box
I feel trapped and powerless, isolated from the world and stuck in my own negativity.


Buried in my shit
I'm stuck in my own mess and it's suffocating me. I feel overwhelmed and lost.


Won't you come and save me?
I'm desperate for help and support. I don't want to face my problems alone anymore.


Feed my eyes
I'm hungry for something more, something meaningful. I need something to look forward to or hope for.


(Can you sew them shut?)
But at the same time, I'm afraid of what I might see if I open my eyes to the truth. It's easier to stay in the dark.


Jesus Christ
I'm wrestling with my own beliefs and sense of purpose. I feel abandoned or betrayed by the things I used to believe in.


(Deny your maker)
I'm rejecting the idea of a higher power or authority. I want to make my own choices and control my own fate.


He who tries
I'm aware of the risks and challenges facing me. I know that the path forward won't be easy, but I'm determined to keep moving forward.


(Will be wasted)
Despite my hopes and efforts, I fear that my struggle will be for nothing. I'm afraid of putting in all this work and still coming up short.


Oh, feed my eyes
I'm repeating my plea for help, for something to motivate me and give me strength.


(Now you've sewn them) shut
But once again, I'm torn between wanting to see the truth and not wanting to face the harsh reality of my situation. I'm stuck in this cycle of self-doubt and denial.


I'm the dog who gets beat
I'm constantly being beaten down by life, by my own doubts and fears. I feel like I'm not in control and that everything is against me.


Shove my nose in shit
I'm being punished and humiliated for things that aren't entirely my fault. I'm being forced to confront the worst parts of myself.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jerry Cantrell, Layne Staley

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@kinkane5566

@@scottyboy2400 Intelligent people rule NOTHING out. I was recently reconnected with a dude I went to high school with YEARSSSss ago and somehow Nirvana came up and he mentioned how he remembered I was a big fan. We got to talking and he straight up said he didn't think Kurt committed suicide...made me kind of dredge up some past memories of conversations back in the day about how he'd had enough heroin in him to kill an elephant and somehow was able to pull a shotty trigger with his toe?


Honestly....I have been a drug fan, an alcohol fan (which is a drug), and if you told me I could win a million dollars if I could position a shotgun into my mouth and pull the trigger with my TOE when I was f_cked up.....there is just no way. You would have to be DETERMINED and completely sober to do this I think. I'm not a police detective, but the evidence and existence of motives by Courtney just obviously imply something else was going on.


Ok so let's say Kurt was a straight up suicide...you have great points around the concept that NOT ALL of these deaths could be attributed to just the nature of the beast of rock music...


SOMETHING is going on here......



@stepan6917

Stay with me awhile
Rise above the vile
Name my final rest
Poured into my chest
Into the orchard, I walk peering way past the gate
Wilted scenes for us who couldn't wait
Drained by the coldest caress
Stalking shadows ahead
Halo of death
All I see is departure
Mourner's lament but it's me who's the martyr
Pledge yourself to me
Never leave me be
Sweat breaks on my brow
Given time ends now
Into the orchard, I walk peering way past the gate
Wilted scenes for us who couldn't wait
Drained by the coldest caress
Stalking shadows ahead
Halo of death
All I see is departure
Mourner's lament but it's me who's the martyr
Spirit painted sin
Embers neath my skin
Veiled in pale embrace
Reached and touched my face
Into the orchard, I walk peering way past the gate
Wilted scenes for us who couldn't wait
Drained by the coldest caress
Stalking shadows ahead
Halo of death
All I see is departure
Mourner's lament but it's me who's the martyr



@GamerPhilosophy

RIP Andy Wood 1966-1990
RIP Kurt Cobain 1967-1994
RIP Shannon Hoon 1967-1995
RIP Layne Staley 1967-2002
RIP Scott Weiland 1967-2015
RIP Chris Cornell 1964-2017
RIP Mark Lanegan 1964-2022

Protect Eddie Vedder at all cost!!!



All comments from YouTube:

@heterosapien6667

This song is like wine
The older it is, the better it gets

@xlitallica

Bagofcheetos Amen

@schattizuvivene4070

Bagofcheetos no,like Whisky. Bc it’s so Smokey

@cecilia6anosarrudasoares701

Exattly (Exatamente)

@pedromiguelarrudasilvasilv2444

Verdade



..

@chuckchuck4016

Weezer

55 More Replies...

@danielwillette3895

Who else agrees with me that AIC should be in the rock & roll Hall of fame?

@kevinbell1364

Wait? They’re not

@deborahcooney9326

HeLL YES

@JacksonGuitarsPlayer03

daniel willette YEAH

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