He also has a solo career, having released the albums Boggy Depot in 1998 and Degradation Trip Volumes 1 & 2 in 2002. Cantrell has also collaborated and performed with Heart, Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, Pantera, Circus of Power, Metal Church, Gov't Mule, Damageplan, Pearl Jam, The Cult, Stone Temple Pilots, Danzig, Glenn Hughes, Duff McKagan and Deftones, among others.
Cantrell was named "Riff Lord" by British hard rock/metal magazine Metal Hammer in 2006. Guitar World Magazine ranked Cantrell as the 38th out of "100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time" in 2004, and the 37th "Greatest Guitar Player of All Time" in 2012. Guitar World also ranked Cantrell's solo in "Man In The Box" at No. 77 on its list of "100 Greatest Guitar Solos" in 2008.
He also contributed to the soundtrack of The Cable Guy (1996), John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017) and Dark Nights: Metal (2018), and has made cameos in films such as Jerry Maguire (1996), Rock Slyde (2009) and Deadwood: The Movie. Cantrell also acted in the Alice in Chains mockumentaries The Nona Tapes (1995) and AIC 23 (2013).
Cantrell is a recovering addict and alcoholic and has been sober since 2003. He was awarded the 2012 Stevie Ray Vaughan Award from MusiCares, for his work helping other addicts with the recovery process. Cantrell said in his acceptance speech, "I crash landed here almost 9 years ago, in Los Angeles. Sean [Kinney] was at the door with my brother, so my choices were open the door and go to rehab or jump out the back window down a cliff into some black berry bushes. That’s the choice I took. Luckily they caught me because I couldn’t go anywhere, I was kind of stuck in a bush at the bottom of a cliff bleeding, and I ended up here. I didn’t intend to get here but I’m very grateful I am here, and it took a lot of people to help me get here. It's been an amazing day. It's overwhelming. I'm as imperfect as they come. I just don't get high today and wake up the next morning and try and do the same thing. A lot of people stand and get the fuck back up after falling. Some people don't get that chance. My band's been a harsh example of that – what happens when you don't deal with it." Cantrell and his Alice in Chains bandmates played a five-song set at the awards event and Cantrell stated, "We really miss Layne [Staley] and Mike [Starr], and we carry them with us in our hearts".
Angel Eyes
Jerry Cantrell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Worn, tired siren drawn tunnel vision
Don't forget this chance only live once
Sprung, hypnotized by light, had to get some
Get it all
She said I forgive you
Don't regret our time
Angel eyes
Four years and still I dream
Agonize
Such beauty not since seen
Bow down, piper leading, you were one
Hungry, took the prize, then you got dumb
Don't live out your life like a sad song
Sprung, hypnotized by light, had to get some
Get it all
She said I forgive you
You must do or die
You've got to let me go
Angel eyes
Your face is all I see
Agonize
Forever haunting me.
In Jerry Cantrell's song "Angel Eyes," the lyrics paint a picture of a nostalgic love affair. The persona describes himself as "homely, thick in mind," meaning unattractive and not quick on the uptake. He is drawn to a woman who is a "worn, tired siren," with tunnel vision. The persona tells us that the chance to be with her was a one-time opportunity. He became "sprung, hypnotized by light, had to get some," meaning he was smitten and could not resist her pull.
The relationship between the persona and the woman lasted four years, and he still dreams of her. He agonizes over the beauty he once had but has not seen since. The lyrics reveal regret and the feeling of a lost opportunity. When she told him, "I forgive you," he was told to "get it all." She asks him, "Don't regret our time," but he is told to "move on love." The persona is heartbroken and haunted by her memory. She is forever "angel eyes" haunting him.
Interestingly, the lyrics could be interpreted as a cautionary tale about the dangers of love. The persona falls hard for a woman who, in the end, leaves him with nothing but heartbreak. In conclusion, the lyrics to Jerry Cantrell's song "Angel Eyes" tells the story of a love affair that started as a one-time opportunity but eventually ended with the persona forever agonizing over the loss of such a beautiful relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Homely, thick in mind, never listen
You are plain and dense, and do not pay attention to advice
Worn, tired siren drawn tunnel vision
Your lustful pursuit has led you towards unfulfillment and monotony
Don't forget this chance only live once
Remember that this opportunity is unique and you will not get another one like it
Sprung, hypnotized by light, had to get some
Suddenly aroused, mesmerized by the beauty, had to have her
Get it all
Take everything you want
She said I forgive you
She pardoned your misdeed
Don't regret our time
Do not lament the duration we spent together
You've got to move on love
You must continue with your life, my dear
Angel eyes
A reference to the beautiful siren who captured his heart
Four years and still I dream
Even after all this time, I still fantasize about her
Agonize
To experience great physical or emotional pain
Such beauty not since seen
No one else has been as beautiful as she was
Bow down, piper leading, you were one
You were under her influence, following her like a rat to the sound of a flute
Hungry, took the prize, then you got dumb
Driven by desire, you won her over, but then lost your wits
Don't live out your life like a sad song
Do not make your life a melancholic tune
You must do or die
You must take action, or it will result in a perilous outcome
You've got to let me go
You must release me and accept that the relationship is over
Your face is all I see
I am haunted by your beauty, and imagine your face continually
Forever haunting me
Continuously disturbing, distressing me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Benny Goran Bror Andersson, Bjoern K. Ulvaeus
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eleni Xatzi
Homely, thick in mind, never listen
Worn, tired, siren drawn, tunnel vision
Don't forget this chance only live once
Sprung, hypnotized by light, had to get some
Get it all
She said I forgive you
Don't regret our time
You've got to move on love
Angel eyes
Four years and still I dream
Agonize
Such beauty not since seen
Bow down, piper leading, you were one
Hungry, took the prize, then you got dumb
Don't live out your life like a sad song
Sprung, hypnotized by light, had to get some
Get it all
She said I forgive you
You must too or die
You've got to let me go
Angel eyes
Four years and still I dream
Agonize
Such beauty not since seen
Angel eyes
Your face is all I see
Agonize
Forever haunting me
Lara Fox
Jerry has such a beautiful voice. One of the greatest (and most underrated) musicians of all time!
James Huss
Cantrell's solo work was very underrated. This is a great song.
DanielJob&Noah
he does seem to be able to keep on consistently making excellent music
Camo Cutie
Wish Jerry would do another solo album! Degradation Trip and Boggy Depot were freakin' awesome!
Shay Farley
Late reply but yes they are both brilliant work!!
Mister J
A studio acoustic album would be cool
Joe Rogan Official
Mister J
Hello yeah
Jeff Bonney
It was just announced today, 2/17/20, that Jerry is working on another solo album!
𝕿𝖗𝖔𝖚𝖇𝖑𝖊™
@Jeff Bonney I hope that's true
CHRIS BROESKY
see why cant they play stuff like this on the radio? Love Cantrell