Although widely associated with grunge music, the band's sound incorporates heavy metal elements. Since its formation, Alice in Chains has released five studio albums, three EPs, three live albums, four compilations, two DVDs, 31 music videos and 29 singles. The band is known for its distinctive vocal style, which often included the harmonized vocals between Staley and Cantrell (and later between Cantrell and William DuVall). Cantrell started to sing lead vocals on the 1992 acoustic EP Sap, and his role continued to grow in the following albums, making Alice in Chains a two-vocal band.
Alice in Chains rose to international fame as part of the grunge movement of the early 1990s, along with other Seattle bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden. The band was one of the most successful music acts of the 1990s, selling over 20 million records worldwide, and over 14 million records in the US alone, with two No. 1 albums and six Top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 chart. The band has had 16 Top 10 songs on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, 5 No. 1 hits, and nine Grammy Award nominations. Their debut album, Facelift, featuring the hit single "Man In The Box", was released in 1990 and has been certified double-platinum by the RIAA, selling over two million copies. In 1992, the band's second album, Dirt, was released to critical acclaim and was certified quadruple platinum. Their second acoustic EP, Jar of Flies, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart in 1994, becoming the first ever EP and first Alice in Chains release to top the charts, and it has been certified triple platinum by the RIAA. The band's third album, Alice in Chains debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 1995 and has been certified double platinum.
Although never officially disbanding, Alice in Chains was plagued by extended inactivity from 1996 onwards due to Staley's substance abuse, which resulted in his death in 2002. The band reunited in 2005 for a live benefit show, performing with a number of guest vocalists. They toured in 2006, with William DuVall taking over as lead vocalist full-time. The new line-up released the band's fourth studio album, Black Gives Way to Blue, in 2009, which received gold certification by the RIAA and two Grammy nominations. Their fifth studio album, The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, was released in 2013 and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. The band toured extensively and released several videos in support of these albums.
Their sixth studio album, Rainier Fog, would be released in 2018, through BMG records, making it their first big release on the new label. Rainier Fog would end up debuting at No. 12 on the Billboard 200, making it yet another powerful addition to the band's already impressive discography.
Although Alice in Chains has been labeled grunge by the mainstream media, Jerry Cantrell identifies the band as primarily heavy metal. He told Guitar World in 1996, "We're a lot of different things ... I don't quite know what the mixture is, but there's definitely metal, blues, rock and roll, maybe a touch of punk. The metal part will never leave, and I never want it to". The Edmonton Journal has stated, "Living and playing in Seattle might have got them the grunge tag, but they've always pretty much been a classic metal band to the core."
Over the course of their career, the band's sound has also been described as alternative metal, sludge metal, doom metal,drone rock, hard rock, and alternative rock. Regarding the band's constant categorization by the media, Cantrell stated "When we first came out we were metal. Then we started being called alternative metal. Then grunge came out and then we were hard rock. And now, since we've started doing this again I've seen us listed as: hard rock, alternative, alternative metal and just straight metal. I walked into an HMV the other day to check out the placement and see what's on and they've got us relegated back into the metal section. Right back where we started!". Drummer Sean Kinney rejects the grunge label, stating in a 2013 interview "I mean, before we first came out there was no grunge, they hadn’t invented that word. Before they invented the word grunge we were alternative rock and alternative metal and metal and rock, and we didn’t give a shit whatever, we were a rock and roll band!". According to Mike Inez, they were always the metal stepchildren of the Seattle scene.
Jerry Cantrell's guitar style combines "pummeling riffs and expansive guitar textures" to create "slow, brooding minor-key grinds". He is also recognized for his natural ability to blend acoustic and electric guitars. While down-tuned, distorted guitars mixed with Staley's distinctive "snarl-to-a-scream" vocals appealed to heavy metal fans, the band also had "a sense of melody that was undeniable", which introduced Alice in Chains to a much wider audience outside of the heavy metal underground.
According to Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic, Alice in Chains' sound has a "Black Sabbath-style riffing and an unconventional vocal style". The band has been described by Erlewine as "hard enough for metal fans, yet their dark subject matter and punky attack placed them among the front ranks of the Seattle-based grunge bands". Three of the band's releases feature acoustic music, and while the band initially kept these releases separate, Alice in Chains' self-titled album combined the styles to form "a bleak, nihilistic sound that balanced grinding hard rock with subtly textured acoustic numbers".
Alice in Chains is also noted for the unique vocal harmonies of Staley (or DuVall) and Cantrell, which included overlapping passages, dual lead vocals, and trademark harmonies typically separated by a major third. Cantrell said it was Staley who gave him the self-assurance to sing his own songs. Alyssa Burrows said the band's distinctive sound "came from Staley's vocal style and his lyrics dealing with personal struggles and addiction". Staley's songs were often considered "dark", with themes such as drug abuse, depression, and suicide, while Cantrell's lyrics often dealt with personal relationships.
Got me rong
Alice in Chains Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All of this and more of nothing in my life
No color clay
Individuality not safe
As of now I bet you got me wrong
So unsure you run from something strong
I can't let go
Feel a tortured brain
Show your belly like you want me to
As of now I bet you got me wrong
So unsure you run from something strong
I haven't felt like this in so long
Wrong, in a sense too far gone from love
That don't last forever
Something's gotta turn out right
You sugar taste
Sweetness doesn't often touch my face
Stay if you please
You may not be here when I leave
As of now I bet you got me wrong
So unsure we reach for something strong
I haven't felt like this in so long
Wrong, in a sense too far gone from love
Strong, I haven't felt like this in so long
Wrong, in a sense too far gone from love
That don't last forever
Something's gotta turn out right
The song MTV Unplugged by Alice in Chains is a melancholic reflection on insecurity and fear of commitment in a relationship. The opening lines "yeah, it goes away, all of this and more of nothing in my life," portrays a sense of dissatisfaction and emptiness in life. The lyrics further suggest that conformity to societal norms is restrictive to individuality and creativity, "no color clay, individuality not safe." This is then followed by a sense of doubt, that the other person in the relationship "got me wrong, so unsure you run from something strong." Despite the internal conflict, the singer is unable to let go, "I can't let go."
The chorus of the song, "as of now I bet you got me wrong, so unsure we reach for something strong," depicts an uncertain and hesitant feeling towards the other person. However, the desire for love is still strong, "I haven't felt like this in so long," but the singer feels that they are too far gone from the idea of love. The ending of the song is a plea for hope and positivity, "that don't last forever, something's gotta turn out right."
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, it goes away
The feeling of something being there simply fades away until it is gone.
All of this and more of nothing in my life
Despite having seemingly everything in life, there is a profound feeling of emptiness and lack of purpose.
No color clay
Life is bland and meaningless, akin to a lump of featureless clay.
Individuality not safe
It is dangerous to be oneself and stand out from others.
As of now I bet you got me wrong
The artist feels that they are being misunderstood or misjudged by someone.
So unsure you run from something strong
The uncertainty creates a desire to flee from a powerful, intimidating force.
I can't let go
Despite the discomfort, the singer cannot or will not give up on something or someone.
Threadbare tapestry unwinding slow
The intricate design of life is unraveling and becoming more and more worn down over time.
Feel a tortured brain
The artist is struggling with intense mental anguish or confusion.
Show your belly like you want me to
Vulnerability is being expressed in a way that seems to be desired or expected by another person.
I haven't felt like this in so long
It has been a very long time since the singer has had these feelings.
Wrong, in a sense too far gone from love
Something is not right or is missing, and it feels like love is too distant or unattainable to help.
That don't last forever
Positive or negative situations or feelings are temporary and do not endure indefinitely.
Something's gotta turn out right
Despite difficulties or uncertainty, the singer is holding onto hope that things will eventually improve.
You sugar taste
There is an allure or appeal in the sweetness of someone or something.
Sweetness doesn't often touch my face
The artist does not experience positivity or happiness often in life.
Stay if you please
The artist is requesting that someone remain in their life, but it is not certain if the request will be granted.
You may not be here when I leave
There is no guarantee that the person being addressed will still be present when the singer decides to move on or depart.
So unsure we reach for something strong
Two people are uncertain and seeking something powerful or stable to hold onto or support them.
Strong, I haven't felt like this in so long
There is a sense of strength or power that has not been present in the artist's life for a long time.
Wrong, in a sense too far gone from love
Something is not right or is missing, and it feels like love is too distant or unattainable to help.
That don't last forever
Positive or negative situations or feelings are temporary and do not endure indefinitely.
Something's gotta turn out right
Despite difficulties or uncertainty, the singer is holding onto hope that things will eventually improve.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JERRY CANTRELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alvaro Aguilar
Yeah, it goes away
All of this and more of nothing in my life
No colored clay
Individuality not safe
As of now I bet you got me wrong
So unsure you run from something strong
I can't let go
Threadbare tapestry unwinding slow
Feel a tortured brain
Show your belly like you want me to
As of now I bet you got me wrong
So unsure we reach for something
Strong, I haven't felt like this in so long
Wrong, in a sense too far gone from love
That don't last forever
Somethings gotta turn out right
You sugar taste
Sweetness doesn't often touch my face
Stay if you please
You may not be here when I leave
As of now I bet you got me wrong
So unsure we reach for something strong
Strong, I haven't felt like this in so long
Wrong, in a sense too far gone from love
Strong, I haven't felt like this in so long
Wrong, in a sense too far gone from love
That don't last forever
Somethings gotta turn out
Luana Vitoria
Acabou, todo amor e esperança
Parece que sempre há uma nuvem escura debaixo da minha cabeça
Essa é a ideia que tenho quando tudo dar errado
Sentindo-me leve para outra surra
Será que eu falo de mais, guarde para si só
A inveja é tão forte,
E eu sou tão fraco para suportar
Virou moda, os cachorros da minha estão sem os olhos
Gostaria de não poder enxergar
Mas essa escuridão me persegue a qualquer distância
Mantendo-me afastado,
Eu quero seguir o meu caminho
O que há de errado ser normal
Essa vida não é para mim
Åmber💀
I think this is wayyyyyyyy better than the studio version
Åmber💀
@Luci4 happy Halloween ☠️
Luci4
@Åmber💀 have a nice DOOMSDAY!
Luci4
They all are, dummy.
Peanut Morris
amazing especially given the physical condition Layne in at the time. Better than the studio version for sure:)
Cathy Weiss
I agree
Ne'er-do-well
Cantrell is such a good vocalist. Love his voice.
Mike Schliker
Staley encouraged him to sing more too!!
Robert Lansing
what a combo - melts me for sure
One Card Short
mrs cantrell?