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.
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 of Alice in Chainsā song āNo Excusesā convey a sense of acceptance and self-reflection. The opening lines, āItās alright, there comes a time, got no patience to search for peace of mindā express a feeling of resignation and a need to let things be. The singer admits to ālaying lowā and wanting to ātake it slow,ā showing a willingness to face the truth and stop hiding behind lies.
The chorus, āEveryday itās something, hits me all so cold, find me sittinā by myself, no excuses, then I knowā is a powerful reflection on the inevitability of lifeās hardships. The phrase āno excusesā implies that the singer is no longer making excuses for his or her actions, but is instead accepting the consequences of their choices. The song suggests that the only way to move forward is to acknowledge reality and move on with acceptance.
The final verse, āYeah, itās fine, weāll 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 anywayā is a beautiful message of friendship and loyalty. The singer is grateful for the companionship of a friend and vows to remain loyal even if things change. This sentiment reinforces the idea that life is full of change and challenges, but true friendship can weather any storm.
Line by Line Meaning
It's alright
Everything's okay
There comes a time
A time comes
Got no patience to search
Don't have the patience to look
For peace of mind
For mental calmness
Layin' low
Trying to stay hidden
Want to take it slow
Want to go at a slow pace
No more hiding or
No more concealing or
Disguising truths I've sold
Hiding the lies I've sold
Everyday it's something
Every day brings new problems
Hits me all so cold
Affects me badly
Find me sittin' by myself
Find me alone
No excuses, then I know
No justifications, so I understand
It's okay
Everything's fine
Had a bad day
Experienced a terrible day
Hands are bruised from
Fingers are injured from
Breaking rocks all day
Smashing stones all day
Drained and blue
Exhausted and depressed
I bleed for you
I suffer for you
You think it's funny, well
You find it amusing, so
You're drowning in it too
You're also struggling with it
Yeah, it's fine
Everything's good
We'll walk down the line
We'll stay on track
Leave our rain, a cold
Abandon our misery
Trade for warm sunshine
Exchange for happy times
You my friend
You, my beloved friend
I will defend
I'll stand up for you
And if we change, well I
Even if we change, I
Love you anyway
Will love you no matter what
Lyrics Ā© 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 āWhen youāre happy, you enjoy the music. When youāre sad, you understand the lyrics.ā
@Mariee-jjms
So very true
@satevo462
I'm not happy, the lyrics kick me in the gut. Feels good.
@analterror3224
Donāt 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!