Alice in Chains

Released: January 25, 1994

Songwriter: Mike Inez Jerry Cantrell Layne Staley

Producer: Alice in Chains Toby Wright

[Verse 1]
Yeah, hey, I want to travel south this year
I won't, won't prevent safe passage here

[Chorus 1]
Why you act crazy
Not an act, maybe
So close, a lady
Shifty eyes, shady

[Verse 2]
Yeah, hey, yeah, tears that soak a callous heart

[Chorus 2]
Why you act frightened
I am enlightened
Your weakness builds me
So someday you'll see

[Refrain]
I stay away

[Chorus 1]
Why you act crazy
Not an act, maybe
So close, a lady
Shifty eyes, shady

[Refrain]
I stay away
I stay away
I stay away
I stay away

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

Jar of Flies

From the albums

Jar of Flies (1994)
Nothing Safe - The Best of the Box (1999)
Music Bank (1999)
Greatest Hits (2001)
The Essential Alice in Chains (2006)
Original Album Classics (2011)

Alice in Chains popular songs

I Stay AwayAlice in Chains

Alice in Chains

Jar of Flies