In an interview for the making of the video of “Your Decision”, Duvall stated “This song is all about choices and their consequences”. Many fans believe this song was written from Cantrell to the late Layne Staley, who couldn’t kick his addiction to drugs. Staley died in 2002.
Your Decision
Alice in Chains Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Watched your fears become your God
It's your decision
It's your decision
Overwhelmed, you chose to run
Apathetic to the stunned
It's your decision
You feed the fire that burned us all
When you lie
To feel the pain that spurs you on
Black inside
No one plans to take the path that brings you lower
And here you stand before us all and say it's over
It's over
It might seem an afterthought
Yes, it hurts to you know you're bought
It's your decision
It's your decision
You feed the fire that burned us all
When you lie
To feel the pain that spurs you on
Black inside
It's your decision
It's your decision
No one plans to take the path that brings you lower
And here you stand before us all and say it's over
It's over, it's over
Alice in Chains's song Your Decision is a powerful reflection on the impact of the choices we make in life. The opening line - "Time to change has come and gone" - sets the tone for a song that explores the consequences of failing to seize opportunities for growth and transformation. The verse that follows describes a person who has allowed their fears to become their God, suggesting that their inability to face their own anxieties has left them feeling overwhelmed and apathetic to the world around them.
The chorus in "It's your decision" is repeated throughout the song, and it highlights the central theme of personal responsibility. The lines "You feed the fire that burned us all / When you lie / To feel the pain that spurs you on / Black inside" suggest that the singer has been unable to confront their own flaws and insecurities, and that their self-destructive behavior has hurt those around them.
The song ends on a note of resignation, as the singer accepts that their path in life has led them to a place of darkness and pain, and that their decision to ignore the need for change has brought them to a dead end. Overall, Your Decision is a powerful reminder that the choices we make have real consequences, and that we must be willing to confront our own fears and shortcomings if we hope to find fulfillment and happiness in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Time to change has come and gone
You had the chance to make a change, but you let it slip away.
Watched your fears become your God
You let your fears control you and dictate your actions.
It's your decision
You are the one who has control over your choices and actions.
Overwhelmed, you chose to run
When things got tough, you decided to give up and run away from your problems.
Apathetic to the stunned
You were indifferent to the impact your actions had on others.
You feed the fire that burned us all
When you lie
Your lies and dishonesty only fuel the flames of conflict and hurt everyone involved.
To feel the pain that spurs you on
Black inside
You wallow in your own pain and misery, using it as fuel to keep going.
No one plans to take the path that brings you lower
Nobody intends to make self-destructive decisions.
And here you stand before us all and say it's over
It's over
Now you are facing the consequences of your decisions and declaring that it's too late to go back.
It might seem an afterthought
Yes, it hurts to you know you're bought
You may have realized too late that you were being controlled and manipulated by outside forces, and that realization is painful.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jerry Cantrell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Red05150
Jerry Cantrel has always been the heart of Alice In Chains, this song just proves it, his vocals are haunting, Layne is missed, but Jerry still carries on.
@sanzen1234
Wish he sang lead on the older songs
@sanzen1234
Live I mean now that Layne is gone
@Red05150
@@sanzen1234 He sang lead on a LOT of older songs- "Brother", "Got Me Wrong", "Would?", "No Excuses", "Don't Follow", "Heaven Beside You", "Over Now", and more.
@FWDSUXARSE
@@mhajski All amazing and classic songs. Some of my favorites.
@jordanclark9721
Maybe the architect, but not the heart, they were never the same after... never will be.
@dominictrujillo5323
These guys should definitely be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by now…💜
@adamlawrence8433
The rock and roll hall of fame is just a joke at this point
@MSUSpartanFootball
@Adam Lawrence ...agreed. Anymore, rock musicians should be demanding their name not be added to the ballot. Going back to the mid-80's, there were acts inducted that WERE NOT ROCK AND ROLL. Let nominate Nugent/Aerosmith/Zeppelin/REO/Styx/Boston, etc for the R&B or Country Music HOF and see how that goes over. Just like the girls that want to be in Boy Scouts even though there is such as thing as the Girl Scouts. Its a f**ked up world we live in.
@lauramayfield5410
I can't believe they're not already in it!!