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.
Rain When I Die
Alice in Chains Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What she slippin' inside, slow castration
I'm a riddle so strong, you can't break me
Did she come here to try, try to take me
Did she call my name?
I think it's gonna rain
Oh, when I die
Was it something I said, held against me?
Ain't no life on the run, slowly climbing
Caught in ice so she stares, stares at nothing
I can help her but won't, now she hates me
Did she call my name?
I think it's gonna rain
Oh, when I die
She won't let me hide
She don't want me to cry
Yeah
Will she keep on the ground, trying to ground me
Slowly forgive my lie, lying to save me
Could she love me again, or will she hate me
Probably not, I know why, can't explain me
Did she call my name?
I think it's gonna rain
Oh, when I die
The lyrics of "Rain When I Die" by Alice in Chains suggest a deep and introspective reflection on the singer's state of mind. The opening line "Is she ready to know my frustration?" sets the tone for a conversation or confrontation with another person. The singer talks about his mysterious and powerful presence, as he describes himself as a riddle that's too strong to be broken. However, he seems to be aware of the dark side of his personality and acknowledges the possibility that his actions or words might have caused some hurt. He wonders if he is being judged for something he said or did and held against him. The lines "Caught in ice so she stares, stares at nothing/ I can help her but won't, now she hates me" showcase the torment and inner conflict of someone who wants to reach out and help but holds back due to fear of rejection or vulnerability.
The chorus "Did she call my name?/ I think it's gonna rain/ Oh when I die" is an oblique reference to the idea of divine judgment and reckoning. The misty imagery of the rain implies the idea of a spiritual cleansing or a premonition of death. The singer seems to be grappling with the existential question of his worth and purpose, and if his life has any meaning beyond his immediate desires and pleasures. The lines "She won't let me hide/ She don't want me to cry" suggest that there is someone who cares for him and wants him to be emotionally honest and vulnerable.
Overall, "Rain When I Die" is a powerful and poignant song that delves deep into the themes of guilt, redemption, and salvation. It is a song that resonates with those who have suffered pain, loss, and uncertainty in their lives and are looking for a way to make peace with themselves and the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Is she ready to know my frustration?
The singer wonders if the person is willing to understand their inner turmoil.
What she slippin' inside, slow castration
The singer is metaphorically describing the discomfort of being vulnerable.
I'm a riddle so strong, you can't break me
The singer believes they are complex and resilient; impossible to break down.
Did she come here to try, try to take me
The artist is questioning whether the person has come with an ulterior motive to harm them.
Did she call my name?
The artist is uncertain if the person wants their attention.
I think it's gonna rain
The singer senses that an emotional outburst is forthcoming.
Oh, when I die
The singer is contemplating their own mortality.
Was it something I said, held against me?
The artist questions whether their words have caused them harm.
Ain't no life on the run, slowly climbing
The artist is saying that running from problems solves nothing, as we must deal with the difficulties and climb our way out.
Caught in ice so she stares, stares at nothing
The artist is trying to draw attention to someone's fear or anxiety, and their resulting sense of being emotionally frozen.
I can help her but won't, now she hates me
The singer is aware of their ability to assist someone, but for unknown reasons refuses to do so, ultimately driving them away.
She won't let me hide
The artist cannot conceal their emotions from the person in question.
She don't want me to cry
The singer believes that the person wants them to be strong and in control of their emotions.
Will she keep on the ground, trying to ground me
The singer wonders if the person will try and keep them anchored to reality.
Slowly forgive my lie, lying to save me
The singer hopes the person can forgive them for a past falsehood; a lie the singer told to avoid feeling embarrassed or ashamed.
Could she love me again, or will she hate me
The artist wonders if they have any chance of being forgiven and loved again, or if hate is the only option.
Probably not, I know why, can't explain me
The artist comes to the realization that perhaps they are not worthy of forgiveness or love, even though they do not understand why they may be this way.
Did she call my name?
The singer still remains uncertain as to whether they are wanted or not.
I think it's gonna rain
The singer senses once more that an emotional outburst is impending.
Oh, when I die
The artist's contemplations of mortality persist.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Layne Staley, Sean Kinney, Jerry Cantrell, Michael Starr
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@GamerPhilosophy
RIP Andy Wood 1966-1990
RIP Kurt Cobain 1967-1994
RIP Shannon Hoon 1967-1995
RIP Layne Staley 1967-2002
RIP Scott Weiland 1967-2015
RIP Chris Cornell 1964-2017
RIP Mark Lanegan 1964-2022
Protect Eddie Vedder at all cost!!!
@punkleiroh9711
Is she ready to know my frustration?
What she slippin' inside, slow castration
I'm a riddle so strong, you can't break me
Did she come here to try, try to take me?
Did she call my name?
I think it's gonna rain
When I die
Was it something I said, held against me?
Ain't no life on the run, slowly climbing
Caught in ice so she stares, stares at nothing
I can help her but won't, now she hates me
Did she call my name?
I think it's gonna rain
When I die
She won't let me hide
She don't want me to cry
Will she keep on the ground, trying to ground me?
Slowly forgive my lie, lying to save me
Could she love me again or will she hate me?
Prob'ly not, I know why, can't explain me
Did she call my name?
I think it's gonna rain
When I die
@hernanramirez3746
Lirycs:
Is she ready to know my frustration?
What she slippin' inside, slow castration
I'm a riddle so strong, you can't break me
Did she come here to try, try to take me?
Did she call my name?
I think it's gonna rain
When I die
Was it something I said, held against me?
Ain't no life on the run, slowly climbing
Caught in ice so she stares, stares at nothing
I can help her but won't, now she hates me
Did she call my name?
I think it's gonna rain
When I die
She won't let me hide
She don't want me to cry
Will she keep on the ground, trying to ground me?
Slowly forgive my lie, lying to save me
Could she love me again or will she hate me?
Prob'ly not, I know why, can't explain me
Did she call my name?
I think it's gonna rain
When I die
@travishorn6773
Best band of the grunge era. Hands down.
@c.h.3424
Absolutely. AIC has music like no other. Still my go to when happy or down in the drenches.
@automachinehead
ackshully, if you think of grunge as a way of life and not just a fashion statement, AIC is the only one who belongs in that criteria.
@SolidBased
A FKN MEN TO THAT!!! And I LOVE Chris, Kurt, Scott, Andy, Peter, etc!!! All legends gone WAY TO FKN EARLY regardless!!! Such a shame😞!!!
@chuckostudios1312
they’re more on the metally side but i agree entirely
@grantleslie4293
It’s them or Soundgarden for me. I go back and forth between the two
@GamerPhilosophy
RIP Andy Wood 1966-1990
RIP Kurt Cobain 1967-1994
RIP Shannon Hoon 1967-1995
RIP Layne Staley 1967-2002
RIP Scott Weiland 1967-2015
RIP Chris Cornell 1964-2017
RIP Mark Lanegan 1964-2022
Protect Eddie Vedder at all cost!!!
@Mickeyliv-ij8tt
He was on the outside so he doesn't have the curse.. Cali boy..
@IronFloydian
Vedder's going to be the one to break the curse, I'm tellin' you man.
@2dogsandachick
RIP Chester Bennington 1976- '17