Alice in Chains

Released: July 30, 1996

Songwriter: Jerry Cantrell

Producer: Alice in Chains Alex Coletti Toby Wright

[Intro: Jerry Cantrell]
Bury me softly in this womb
I give this part of me for you
Sand rains down and here I sit
Holding rare flowers in a tomb, in bloom

[Verse 1: Layne Staley]
Down in a hole and I don't know if I can be saved
See my heart, I decorate it like a grave
You don't understand who they thought I was supposed to be
Look at me now, a man who won't let himself be

[Chorus: Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell]
Down in a hole
Losin my soul
Down in a hole
Losin' control
I'd like to fly
But my wings have been so denied

[Verse 2: Layne]
Down in a hole and they've put all the stones in their place
I've eaten the sun so my tongue has been burned of thе taste
I have been guilty of kicking myself in thе teeth
I will speak no more of my feelings beneath

[Chorus: Layne and Jerry]
Down in a hole
Losin' my soul
Down in a hole
Losin' control
I'd like to fly
But my wings have been so denied

[Bridge: Jerry and Layne]
Bury me softly in this womb
Oh, I want to be inside of you
I give this part of me for you
Oh, I want to be inside of you
Sand rains down and here I sit
Oh, I want to be inside of you
Holding rare flowers in a tomb, in bloom
Oh, I want to be inside

[Chorus: Layne and Jerry]
Down in a hole
Losin' my soul
Down in a hole
Feelin' so small
Down in a hole
Losin' my soul
Down in a hole
Out of control
I'd like to fly
But my wings have been so denied

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

Original Album Classics

From the albums

MTV Unplugged (1996)
Original Album Classics (2011)

Alice in Chains popular songs

Down in a Hole (Unplugged)Alice in Chains

Alice in Chains

Original Album Classics