The song's sound (and that of the entire EP) is a departure from some of the band's better-known, heavier work. Jerry Cantrell's subtle guitar riffs built around suspended chords (as well as Sean Kinney's soft, syncopated drumming) help lend an unusually airy feel to the song.
It was written by Jerry Cantrell about his unstable relationship with band vocalist Layne Staley.
"No Excuses" found moderate airplay on alternative rock radio and is considered a grunge staple. Although Alice in Chains fared well on mainstream rock radio, "No Excuses" is the only Alice in Chains top 50 song and their only song to hit number one on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
The song is featured in the video game Guitar Hero: Metallica.
The music video for "No Excuses" was released in 1994 and was directed by Matt Mahurin, who had previously directed the "Angry Chair" music video for the band. The video features actor Max Perlich.
03. No Excuses
Alice in Chains Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There comes a time
Got no patience to search
For peace of mind
Layin' low
Want to take it slow
No more hiding or
Disguising truths I've sold
Everyday it's something
Hits me all so cold
Find me sittin' by myself
No excuses, then I know
It's okay
Had a bad day
Hands are bruised from
Breaking rocks all day
Drained and blue
I bleed for you
You think it's funny, well
You're drowning in it too
Everyday it's something
Hits me all so cold
Find me sittin' by myself
No excuses, then I know
Yeah, it's fine
We'll walk down the line
Leave our rain, a cold
Trade for warm sunshine
You my friend
I will defend
And if we change, well I
Love you anyway
Everyday it's something
Hits me all so cold
Find me sittin' by myself
No excuses, then I know
The lyrics to Alice in Chains's song 03. No Excuses are a reflection on the singer's personal growth and decision to face the truth about himself. The song begins by acknowledging that there comes a time when we need to stop searching for peace of mind and start facing the realities of life. The singer wants to take it slow and be true to himself, without hiding or disguising the truth. He's tired of making excuses and just wants to be honest with himself.
The second verse of the song deals with the struggles that the singer faces on a daily basis. He talks about how he's had a bad day and his hands are bruised from breaking rocks all day. Despite the challenges, he still bleeds for the person he loves, and he believes that they are both drowning in their problems. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "No excuses," which reminds the listener that it's important to face reality instead of making excuses for our actions.
The third and final verse of the song offers some hope for the future. The singer talks about walking down the line and leaving behind the rain and cold for warm sunshine. He tells his friend that he will defend them, even if they change, because he loves them anyway. The repetition of the chorus at the end of the song serves as a reminder that it's always better to face the truth than to make excuses.
Line by Line Meaning
It's alright
Everything is okay
There comes a time
There is a moment in time
Got no patience to search
I lack the patience to find
For peace of mind
To feel calm and at ease
Layin' low
Keeping a low profile
Want to take it slow
I want to slow things down
No more hiding or
I won't conceal
Disguising truths I've sold
Hiding the lies I've told
Everyday it's something
Every day there's something new
Hits me all so cold
It affects me deeply
Find me sittin' by myself
I'm alone with my thoughts
No excuses, then I know
I cannot justify it anymore
It's okay
It's all right
Had a bad day
I had a tough day
Hands are bruised from
My hands are hurt from
Breaking rocks all day
Working tough and ungrateful jobs
Drained and blue
I'm exhausted and sad
I bleed for you
I feel your pain
You think it's funny, well
You may think it's amusing, but
You're drowning in it too
You're also struggling
Yeah, it's fine
Yes, it's okay
We'll walk down the line
We will keep going
Leave our rain, a cold
We leave our miserable state
Trade for warm sunshine
We hope for better times
You my friend
You, my dear friend
I will defend
I will protect you
And if we change, well I
Even if we change, I
Love you anyway
Will still love you
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jerry Cantrell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Top10Archive
Lyrics:
It's alright
There comes a time
Got no patience to search
For peace of mind
Layin' low
Want to take it slow
No more hiding or
Disguising truths I've sold
Everyday it's something
Hits me all so cold
Find me sittin' by myself
No excuses, then I know
It's okay
Had a bad day
Hands are bruised from
Breaking rocks all day
Drained and blue
I bleed for you
You think it's funny, well
You're drowning in it too
Everyday it's something
Hits me all so cold
Find me sittin' by myself
No excuses, then I know
Yeah, it's fine
We'll walk down the line
Leave our rain, a cold
Trade for warm sunshine
You my friend
I will defend
And if we change, well I
Love you anyway
Everyday it's something
Hits me all so cold
Find me sittin' by myself
No excuses, then I know
@yellowcapman
This is one of those examples of “When you’re happy, you enjoy the music. When you’re sad, you understand the lyrics.”
@Mariee-jjms
So very true
@satevo462
I'm not happy, the lyrics kick me in the gut. Feels good.
@analterror3224
Don’t feel good for me
@ascendingprayer8383
Well spoken. Truth !
@robertcoble4881
You nailed it!
@ttech694
Here's a band that deserves into rock and roll hall of fame
@MrLump
ttech694 why the hell are they not in? The hall of fame is shit.
@savinpetru6512
@@MrLump i agree. This hall of fame is only inducting non rock artist and shit
@beverlysmith6539
Yes! I agree 100% with that! The hall of fame is rigged like everything else!