Man in the Box
Alice in Chains Lyrics


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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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Comments from YouTube:

@hailtotheking5408

Let's be honest this wasn't in your recommendation. You searched for it

@punchy207

well no shit genius

@azog1103

Let's be honest,
you copy/paste this comment to get likes

@azog1103

@@imo0x039 I didn't wanna speak to you, I wanted to tell that to the first comment's guy.
I've read his comment under every single music video I watched today.

@azog1103

@@imo0x039 Sorry, you lost me. I'm not good enough to understand all that you're tryna tell me

@barcelonaforever6172

Hell Yeah

604 More Replies...

@LeandroLima-mk3eq

-1990: Wow, this song is amazing!
-2024: Wow, this song is amazing!

Alice in Chains for life.

@RepentantRemnant

2023 still Layne sings to a generation.

@hailtotheking5408

Well said

@_Listen_to_Solar_Kama_Sutra

2

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