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".
Dying Inside
Jerry Cantrell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Roll first class, limousine drool, packed house every night
Hey rock star, got a cold beer? Sure you don't mind do you?
Ain't life sweet. party non-stop, 24/7 - cool
So proud would be your mother
Anything you want, pick you lover
My god how your star shines
Dying inside
Live your dream, walk in those shoes, trade with you any time
Worldwide name, freedom much fame, spinning gold song and
Rhyme
So proud would be your mother
Anything you want, pick you lover
From here loos so fine
My god how your star shines
Dying inside
My god how your star shines
Dying inside
Play, get paid, couple sports cars, sure you done paid your dues
Big house own, no boss fun, lucky fuck I wish I was you
So proud would be your mother
Anything you want, pick you lover
From here loos so fine
My god how your star shines
Dying inside
My god how your star shines
Dying inside
The lyrics of "Dying Inside" by Jerry Cantrell seem to be a commentary on the glamorous and exciting lifestyle of a rockstar. The lyrics portray the life of a successful rock musician as one filled with luxury, fame, and pleasure. The first few lines of the song describe the lavish life of a rockstar that includes first-class flights, limousines, sold-out concerts, and partying non-stop. The lyrics seem to suggest that this life is something that the singer wants, but can only dream of.
However, the chorus of the song, "Dying inside", seems to suggest that there is something deeply wrong with this lifestyle. The singer seems to be envious of the rockstar's life, but at the same time, pitying them. The life that the rockstar leads is one that the singer describes as essentially soulless and empty. It is a life that is full of excess, but lacks real substance.
The second verse of the song continues with the theme of envy and the desire to trade places with the rockstar. However, the chorus again brings us back to the idea of the hollowness of this lifestyle. The repeated "dying inside" seems to be a poignant reminder of the high price that comes with fame and excess.
Overall, Jerry Cantrell seems to be using "Dying Inside" to critique the glorification of the rockstar lifestyle, and to point out the emptiness that can lurk beneath the surface of fame and fortune.
Line by Line Meaning
Long fat green, love what you do, so young must be nice
Money, success, and joy come easy when you're young and passionate.
Roll first class, limousine drool, packed house every night
Enjoying the luxuries of fame, travel, and adoring fans.
Hey rock star, got a cold beer? Sure you don't mind do you?
Casual interactions with fans and enjoying the perks of celebrity life.
Ain't life sweet. party non-stop, 24/7 - cool
Celebrating life and enjoying the nonstop party atmosphere of the celebrity lifestyle.
So proud would be your mother
Your mother would be incredibly proud of your success and accomplishments.
Anything you want, pick you lover
With wealth and fame comes the ability to have anything you desire, including romantic partners.
From here looks so fine, My god how your star shines
The view from the top seems perfect, with a bright and shining star status.
Dying inside
Despite the trappings of success, there is a sense of emptiness and longing within.
Live your dream, walk in those shoes, trade with you any time
The singer wishes to exchange their own life for the glamorous one led by the subject of the song.
Worldwide name, freedom much fame, spinning gold song and rhyme
Enjoying global recognition and artistic freedom to create hit songs and meaningful lyrics.
Play, get paid, couple sports cars, sure you done paid your dues
Reaping the rewards of hard work and talent with financial success and material possessions.
Big house own, no boss fun, lucky fuck I wish I was you
The singer openly admits to being envious of the subject's life, with ownership of a large home and no need for a boss.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Jerry Cantrell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Duff787
on Dickeye
It's all about Layne. Jerry was pissed that he recorded with mad season. Born traitor. Layne and Jerry did lots of drugs together. Only thing he came here looking for. Injected concrete is a not so subtle reference to what dealers cut heroin with. Layne frequently shot up between his toes to hide track marks. Hide bloody feet.