The song was #19 on VH1's 40 Greatest Metal Songs. Its solo was rated the 77th greatest guitar solo by Guitar World. It was #50 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the 90's in 2006. It is widely considered to be one of the band's signature songs, even though it only peaked at #18 on the mainstream rock charts at the time of its release. The MTV music video for the track was directed by Paul Rachman who also directed the 2006 feature documentary American Hardcore.
"Man in the Box" has been featured in several movies, including The Perfect Storm. The song was also used in several versions of trailers for the 2004 movie Collateral (though it was not included on the movie's soundtrack), as professional wrestler Tommy Dreamer's theme song and in Jerry Bruckheimer's television series Cold Case. It has also been used for hockey games when a penalty is called on the away team, and the skater must go to the penalty box. Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine turned this song into a Lounge style on their 2005 album "Aperitif for Destruction".
In a recorded interview with Fuse TV, Layne Staley himself states that the lyrics are about censorship in the mass media, and "I was really stoned when I wrote it." The original Facelift track listing credited only Staley and Jerry Cantrell with writing the song. All post-Facelift compilations credited the entire band. It is unclear as to why the songwriter credits were corrected.
At Alice in Chains' last concert with Staley on July 3, 1996, they closed with "Man in the Box".
Detroit rap group House of Krazees sampled Man in the Box for a song on their debut album Home Sweet Home, called "Evil That Men Do."
The song is a playable track on Rock Band 2.
Man in the Box
Alice in Chains Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Buried in my shit
Won't you come and save me?
Save me
Feed my eyes
(Can you sew them shut?)
(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
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
@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
@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