Alice in Chains

Released: September 29, 1992

Songwriter: Jerry Cantrell

Producer: Alice in Chains Dave Jerden

"Rooster" is a popular single by the grunge/metal group Alice in Chains. The song was released in 1993 and is featured on their second, full-length studio album, Dirt. It was written by guitarist Jerry Cantrell for his father, who served in the Vietnam War. His nickname was "Rooster." It is unknown where the nickname originated, but there is speculation that it may have been in relation to the 101st Airborne Division, in which Cantrell's father served. Read more on Last.fm.

Length: 6:14

[Verse 1]
Ain't found a way to kill me yet
Eyes burn with stinging sweat
Seems every path leads me to nowhere
Wife and kids, household pet
Army green was no safe bet
The bullets scream to me from somewhere

[Chorus]
Here they come to snuff the Rooster
Here come the Rooster
You know he ain't gonna die
No, no, no, you know he ain't gonna die

[Instrumental Interlude]

[Chorus]
Here they come to snuff the Rooster
Here come the Rooster
You know he ain't gonna die
No, no, no, you know he ain't gonna die

[Verse 2]
Walking tall machine gun man
They spit on me in my home land
Gloria sent me pictures of my boy
Got my pills 'gainst mosquito death
My buddy's breathing his dying breath
God, please, won't you help me make it through?

[Chorus]
Here they come to snuff the Rooster
Here come the Rooster, yeah
You know he ain't gonna die
No, no, no, you know he ain't gonna die

Alice in Chains are a Seattle-based rock band. They rose to international fame in the early 1990s as part of the ‘grunge’ movement. They are one of the most critically and commercially acclaimed acts of the 90s. Their first 3 studio albums all went multi-platinum and they have received 8 Grammy nominations for Best Hard Rock performance (sadly, never winning once).

Their unique sound comes from the harmonized vocals of co-founders Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell, as showcased in some of their biggest songs like “No Excuses” from Jar of Flies, “Angry Chair” from Dirt and “Again” from the self-titled album. Cantrell also serves as the primary songwriter and guitarist of the band.

The band was never restricted to grunge. Cantrell believes it to be heavy metal; and indeed a lot of modern heavy metal bands cite Alice in Chains as an influence, including Metallica for Death Magnetic.

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Rooster

Dirt (Remastered)

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