Alice In Chains - Down in a Hole (MTV Unplugged - HD Video) 

A heroin addict knowing he's in too deep and his fate is sealed, sitting here singing the song of his life with three of his strongest believers playing by his side, all 4 clearly connected in the moment. Easily one of the most powerful performances you'll ever see in this lifetime, or any other

the people that attended that concert are some of the luckiest individuals alive

I was a heroin addict for six years. This song hits deep for me. Homeless, a hooker, jail, the whole deal. I know the feeling of just wishing you could just be inside of someone else. I lived it every day for six years. Been clean 15 years now. I get it. Poor Layne.

Can we bring this back? This music? This feeling? This vibe. The world needs more of this.

You know the band is legendary when you prefer the unplugged session over the studio recordings

The vocal harmony between Layne and Jerry is really out of this world

Don’t ask if we’re still here.. we never left

Layne was legitimately singing his own eulogy here. One of the last times he was seen in public, let alone performed. RIP to arguably one of, if not, the greatest male vocalist to exist.

Someone said this was the closest you'll get to seeing someone sing at their own funeral and I was like Damn

He never lost it. No matter how high, how sick... The look on Jerry's face was pure respect and love for his troubled brother.

Jerry treated him like a true friend should. Like family. Not because of money. He knew he was priceless! 😢

The best MTV unplugged performance of all time!!!

“One can save millions, but sometimes, millions can’t save one” RIP LEGEND

Layne and Jerry's vocals harmonising together is just incredible.

The way Layne and Jerry harmonize "fly" together just gives me goosebumps.🤘🏻

The harmony between Layne and Jerry is so beautiful. The way that Jerry just smiles after the first chorus as he looks at Layne. You can tell Jerry knew how special those moments were. It almost feels like someone singing at their own funeral

Can we also talk about how incredible that acoustic bass sounds here

Isn't its weird that Grunge bands had the best unplugged sessions

Laynes voice is so haunting in this .. there is a deep suffering in the tone , so much raw emotion and feeling , it's like a hes whaling.. crying out for help .. by far the best mtv unplugged session ever.. R.I.P layne legend's never die

It's literally the soundtrack of my youth. This album and Nirvana unplugged I would play over and over. And over. It's not one bad song. As a young teenager in the 90's the pain in their voice summaried how I was feeling. I struggled with opiate addiction, and these 2 helped me through. I just wish they were still with us R.I.P. It seems all my favorite bands either overdosed or commit suicide. I miss them so much. It gets better. If no one has told you I give a shit about you. I do. I'm still struggling with my own demons. Growing up, I lived my life knowing I wouldn't live past 30 years. Now he I am 45 still going. Can't say I'm genuinely happy, but it's better then being dead. Stay strong. And everyone. EVERYONE CAN CHANGE. Have a good night, my brothers.

25 years of this show. One of the greatest unplugged performance of all time.

Layne and Jerry were just meant to be together. I've never heard two voices merge so beautifully and effortlessly.

The first verse is soooo powerful, Layne knew. Jerry and Layne's harmony is just transcendent.

Hands down the BEST MTV unplugged of alltime

The bass throughout this whole set is unbelievable

“Perfection” is the only word to describe the performance of this song.

This is beyond heartbreaking

Man I wish they did acoustic performances like this in Layne’s healthy prime. Even as strung out as he was and appears to be missing a bunch of teeth, his voice still hits me like it always did. Truly heart breaking that nobody could help him. As an ex-addict myself, I can understand exactly the hole that he was in. RIP Layne, you’ll never be forgotten!

I don’t EVER comment on things, but this particular video is so special to me. When I was a little girl, my mom raised me on 90’s “grunge”. I have so many special memories of Saturday mornings at home, windows open, with Alice In Chains blaring as my parents cleaned the house. Life took an ugly turn not too long after that. When I was young adult, my mom and I became extremely close. She was my absolute best friend in the world. I lost her to cancer in the summer of 2017. Now that I’m around the age she was when she listened to this music, it hits me on such a different level. I became obsessed with Layne and started researching his entire life and career. I can now understand. I feel the same pain and drive that she did through his voice, over 20 years later. It makes me feel like she’s still here... telling me she understands and it’s okay. So grateful for AIC, and this live session.

One of the best live performances in history...hands down.

Whoever came up with the idea to put down in a hole in the setlist , I just want you to know that you did humanity a great service

Lane's wings were not denied. Amen in Jesus name

No one talks about the incredible camera work here. The way the camera goes in and out of focus when Layne and jerry are singing just shows the emotions and when Layne belts out that first down in a hole the way the camera zooms in on him just adds another haunting vibe to this whole performance. Great work by MTV . God how did we go from this to practically brain dead content

Layne died 19 years ago today; he was dying here and not only did he give one of the best performances of all time, he still gave a better performance than anybody today. RIP Layne you were one of the greatest singers to ever live, we miss you.

This song hit me hard when I was a freshman in high school in 92. I felt every word. I felt alone and lost. 30+ years later I still feel every word. Thank you AnC for helping me through hard times. RIP Layne.

No autotune, just pure singing, pure emotion, pure magic, AIC

That nod of approval from Jerry at 2:16 is everything! It's almost like you can see him giving the band this look of "see, I told you he was gonna kill it!" RIP Layne 🙏🙏

Cantrell has an amazing way with words and music. This song was originally written by Jerry after the end of his 7-year relationship and the helplessness he felt at the time. But when sung by Layne it transcends its original intent to mirror Layne's own struggles with addiction. This song is a masterpiece.

it breaks my heart to see this performance. this was his last, and he was indeed down in a whole. RIP Layney

I'm so thankful that this unplugged happened

That haunting voice; one of the most unique voices able to convey darkness, depression, despair, torment. Heartbreaking.

How effortless Layne’s voice is. But he and Jerry together here is pure heaven. Both are amazing

Probably the best live performance ever.😊

When MTV was music TV...

There will never be another Layne Staley. Not to take anything away from guys like Cobain and Cornell, but there's just something about Layne's voice that grabs you and doesn't let go. RIP to a legend.

2:16 that smile there, i read in an interview that the band actually had a fight weather or not Layne could pull the show off. Jerry was the only one who was certain he could, so when he hit that high note he gives a "told you so" to the rest of the guys. unreal man, the dudes pretty much dead, and the drugs have sucked all the life out of him, and he still managed to project as much emotion into this. music is incredible.

Saw this live... awesome... what a talent.

"Down in a hole and they put all the stones in their place. Ive eaten the sun so my tongue has been burned of the taste." Love these lyrics. Love the whole song really.

Jerry's nod of approval when Layne hits those notes still brings tears to eyes.

Keep in mind they hadn’t played together live for two years or something and they managed to put on one of the most memorable performances ever.

4:40 Layne holding his voice while Jerry sing is literally beautiful

That Jerry's smile saves me in hardest moments... Love it so much.

Layne wanted Jerry to sing this because it was Jerry's song and he felt like he should. That's why they switched vocal positions in the last verse, and Layne stops singing. Layne wanted him to have some spotlight. Layne loved Jerry's voice.

This guy is dying and half dead and he still has that voice, it's unreal.

One of the absolute best of the Unplugged series... and one of the best rock vocalists of all time.

One of the most haunting voices in rock and roll history.

How on gods earth did MTV go from putting on masterpiece shows like this to being taken over by Jersey Fucking Shore?

The unfortunate reality of this brilliant song is the pain someone has to be dealing with to make such a masterpiece.

This is the best performance of a single song in the history of Unplugged. Perfection.

I remember watching this when it first premiered on MTV back in the 90's and to this very day it still gives me the chills. This song is a one of a kind. RIP Layne

See what life is like. A man on the verge of death, singing a song that exposed everything he felt at that moment, making dozens of people happy around him. Be at peace, Layne.

"I'd like to fly.. but my wings have been so denied" - I feel that in my bones.

Another day… another soul lost 😢…. We listen to you! Not for sadness, but for the miracle you brought us!! Strength within!!!

When Layne only sings all I wanna be inside 😢it duets so perfectly with Jerry singing how it's supposed to go,you are so missed layne

who's still here in 2024

In my opinion Alice in Chains and Nirvana unplugged were 2 of the greatest recordings ever.

Layne was the voice of Alice In Chains. It was a monumental loss when he left us so early.

Everything is just absolutely and perfectly connected in this performance. Vocals, instruments and feelings. I’ve heard it several times and still hits me like the first. RIP Layne

Poetic souls have a way of expressing hell with beauty.

Layne and Jerry harmonizing the Chorus is heaven

So grateful to have grown up during this amazingly musical time.

It's 2024 and it's still a masterpiece! It never goes out of style

Jerry is a genius. And a pretty darn good singer. He gets credit for writing and riffing, but his vocals are on point too. Maybe the most underrated musician of the '90s.

His hopelessness was so apparent when he would sing. Bittersweet. Music was the only thing that set him free. 💔

Best umplugged ever listen in my life

Son: "Why is my sister's name Rose?" Me: "Because your mother likes Roses, so that's what she named her." Son: "Oh Okay, thanks." Me: "No problem, Alice in chains - Down in a hole (From MTV Unplugged)."

15 years ago i thought my funeral was coming soon. I have a wife and two kids now and this song takes me back and makes me so grateful i survived. Friends dont let friends do heroin.

Watching Layne fuck up with the lyrics so much during this concert and seeing Jerry follow Layne and just make it work is everything to me. it truly speaks on their bond even after everything. Those two loved each other so dearly

Goodness! I'm stunned at the power and depth of this music. Listening to AIC is one of the best finds - a revelation.

Omg I totally love how Jerry looks back and smiles at the others as Layne is singing one of his epic high notes 2:16. It just gave me chills. Epic

It's 2023 and it's still a masterpiece! It never goes out of style

The sheer joy on Jerry's face hearing layne sing is amazing

i LOVE the switch between the picking pattern to the strumming pattern around 1:04

Being a ex hairon addict this song freaking hit home for me I'll be sober for two years February 19th 💪💜🤘

This song kept playing in my head when I was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer in June of 2018. With complete faith in my medical team, God, and his will for me, I have been in remission since October of last year.

Not many songs can have the ability to touch your soul especially if you've been in a very dark place for a long time. This song among others have helped me overcome some lonely nights.

This is without a doubt, one of the best live performances of a song in history. Everyone was on 110%. Fucking haunting tho.

There's people in this world who will watch this, and get nothing out of it at all. And that, is the greatest tragedy of all.

The greatest unplugged. I listen to this on my way to work all the time. Right now while I'm my basement lifting weights. 90s forever!

Most memorable unplugged in history 😢❤ Always! So Much love! A great band, dedicated & layne, i hope you are at peace! Wherever that is but somewhere beautiful. Your soul very much was. This will always be my favorite alice in chains song.

The way Jerry looks at the other members after Layne hit the note like: see guys he can do it !!

Jerry Cantrell harmonizes with Laynes in such a unique way. They complement each other so well, yet together they have such a powerful, somber, and eerie melody. The sheer odds of them both forming a band and being so perfect for each other are astronomical. That's why I feel so blessed to have grown up with AIC.

One of those songs that elicit so much emotion inside - no matter how many times you hear it. Miss you Layne.

The most beautiful beautiful voice ever. So raw, so sincere. Without even trying to hard he had the most beautiful ever. He was able to show his pain through his songs. May he rest in peace. We didn’t deserve him back then

Layne was a shell of himself and still absolutely killed this entire show. RIP Layne. Always getting me through hard times

As sick as he was, he never lost his voice. It was effortless and crystal clear. You can see the agony and despair on his face at times. You could tell he felt like shit but gave a great performance anyway. A true artist . This is so sad on so many levels. Heroin is a terrible drug...

Seeing this again after so many years broke me down for all the people I have lost over the past few years. The 90s were a wonderful time in my life that I scarcely appreciated because I thought those days (and my youth) inexhaustible. They weren't and my youth wasn't either. Take a moment to be present, if you are lucky enough to be young and still have all of your friends, because, one day, you won't have either.

One of the best songs ever written!

Something went wrong in this world when mtv teen mom became more important than aic, pj, and nirvana unplugged

This era is unmatched, everything seemed to be better back then. Music, movies, people, everything.