Alice in Chains

Released: September 29, 1992

Songwriter: Layne Staley Jerry Cantrell

Producer: Alice in Chains Dave Jerden

[Verse 1]
What the hell am I, thousand eyes, a fly?
Lucky then I'd be in one day deceased
Sickman, sickman, sickman, sickman

[Pre-Chorus 1]
I can feel the wheel but I can't steer
When my thoughts become my biggest fear

[Chorus]
What's the difference, I'll die
In this sick world of mine

[Verse 2]
What the hell am I, leper from inside?
Inside wall of peace, dirty and diseased
Sickman, sickman, sickman, sickman

[Pre-Chorus 2]
I can see the end is getting near
I won't rest until my head is clear

[Chorus]
What's the difference, I'll die
In this sick world of mine

[Bridge]
Can you see the end?
Choke on me, my friend
Must to drown these thoughts
Purity over rot

[Verse 3]
"Yeah, though I walk through the valley of rape and despair
With head high and eyes alert
I tread on a plane of many
We who are of good nature and intention
But cannot touch on the dark
Recesses of memory
And pain learned, so come walk
With me, feel the pain
And release it"

[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 4]
What the hell am I, worn eroded pride?
Saddened 10 miles wide, I'm gon' let it slide
Sickman, sickman, sickman, sickman

[Pre-Chorus 1]
I can feel the wheel but I can't steer
When my thoughts become my biggest fear

[Chorus]
What's the difference, I'll die
In this sick world of mine

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.

more tracks from the album

Dirt

From the albums

Dirt (1992)
Music Bank (1999)

Alice in Chains popular songs

SickmanAlice in Chains

Alice in Chains

Dirt