Yes a million times to this. One of my all time favorite singers is Layne. Robert Plant (simply beautiful in a Renaissance way, takes me to a different realm), Bon Scott (I love his unique, hobbit like voice), Axl (he got me into rock n’ roll and metal in the first place, plus his range is/was incredible), Steve Perry (just a lovely crooner), and Layne are my top favorite singers. I’m sure I’m missing some, but hell, I LOVE Layne’s beautiful pipes, and the feelings he conveyed.
The harmonization between these two, was what made them stand out above the others of the grunge era. Yes there were other great bands during this era, but none could replicate what Alice in Chains we're doing at that time.
And a few, to say the least, definitely tried. Godsmack was one of them and it was blatant. "Voodoo" was the biggest offender imo. It wasn't nearly as good but it was obvious what they were trying to do
Well that’s not just Layne singing, you can hear him and Jerry harmonizing on many parts. Very complimentary of each other as Jerry is an excellent singer in his own right. These two just made the vocals a force of nature that most bands can’t even get close too.
And still is very unique to this day. No band in any other genre has come close to copying or even imitating it! The harmonizing is a quintessential AIC trademark and that's not including the little things like Jerry harmonizing his guitar with Layne's voice.
I agree. No one made you feel like he did. I call it my " slit my wrists and lay in a warm bath" favorite band. That album was definitely dark and sad. Rip Layne.
They're harmonies are unmatched. Laynes range has no limits. Its beautiful to hear and yet sad. Sad they were together for such a short time. We all lost out on what could have been.
in every one.. thats why he sounds like that one could strike all his notes, and forms of melody, but could never emulate sheer sensitivity of his singing
I've listened to this song at least a hundred times in my lifetime and this, this right here has touched me in a way that this song never had. To hear Laynes vocals got me emotional. Every song has his soul in it.
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 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 Down in a hole, feelin' so small Down in a hole, losin' my soul I'd like to fly, but my wings have been so denied 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 the taste I have been guilty of kicking myself in the teeth I will speak no more of my feelings beneath Down in a hole, feelin' so small Down in a hole, losin' my soul I'd like to fly but my wings have been so denied 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 Holding rare flowers in a tomb (oh I want to be inside of you) Oh I want to be inside Down in a hole, feelin' so small Down in a hole, losin' my soul Down in a hole, feelin' so small Down in a hole, outta control I'd like to fly but my wings have been so denied
The song was about Jerry's girlfriend and the stuff they were going through. A song about love, rejection, anger and depression... But to me, hearing Layne sing it, it feels like a completely different song. It's as if the song was written for him, a song where he feels lost, broken, already dead and too far gone for help....
@Akhenaton I don't know about heroin, but Jerry was fucked up on drugs, too. A lot of their pain came from the same places at that time. The song fit both of them pretty well at the time of its writing and recording.
I have always strongly felt that Jerry vicariously without knowing wrote this song for Lane eventhough in reality it was about his relationship to his ex girlfriend and the state of himself at the time. Lane then read it and it hit home deep inside of him. Whatever divine powers intervened in this beautiful and haunting song it delivered a great insight into the storms and battles that Jerry and Lane were experiencing. RIP Lane, thank you for sharing your gifts with us while you were here with us. God rest your soul my friend.
I’m late to the AIC party as I didn’t grow up with them… that being said. Extraordinary, show stopping talent. I am glad we got to hear Layne’s voice, even tho things didn’t end well for him. Incredibly talented, and timeless.
I’ve listened to this song thousands of times with the band. Grew up in Seattle in the early 90’s I was in high school. AIC was my favorite of the Seattle bands. Hearing this and examining the lyrics even closer brings this song even more meaning than I had when I was in a dark age of my life in dark, wet, gloomy Seattle with plenty of drugs, women and problems. Thanks for posting this
Same here. Used to listen to this song multiple times a day in the 90's, and can hear stuff in this I never really noticed. Mine is the "sun, so my tongue" part. Has such a bluesy thing going on. 2:33 Though the harmonies during the "oh I want to be inside of you" part are up there.
This is fucking awesome. ALICE IN CHAINS saved my life way back when cause Layne seemed to be the only one who could articulate how I felt perfectly. Rest in Power Layne‼️💯
Damn where has this been? Rarely ever here just vocals? Shows the greatness of AIC? And the confidence they had in their vocal ability? Sounds good without instruments which just plain " says it all with how GREAT AIC with Lane truly was?
PT-BR: Que harmonização linda, Layne cantando na nota principal e Jerry cantando na terça, na oitava e às vezes na mesma nota que Layne. Que arranjo vocal maravilhoso. É de chorar. Obrigado Layne por ter existido.
@@christopherhickman3579 so if you listen to Jerry’s line you can tell it’s a duplicated track. Laynes on the other hand you can hear slight differences, most notable is when he says “denied” one ends a split second after the other. If it was a duplicated track it would be exactly the same
The lyrics of this song are nothing short of epic. Anyone who has been through ringer in love and life can relate to these words. The blending of sexual and addiction references in this song and how Jerry manage to put that shit in words is amazing. He knew how to write a song to have many meanings for different people. That there is a gift.
If I were Jerry Cantrell I'd be ocassionally playing these vocal only tracks in private and singing along with Layne. Must be so incredibly satisfying to have found someone with the ability to make such MASTERFUL music with
Is it possible that this song and others like this are providing relief to the stress contained in actual physical land of the Pacific Northwest and beyond?
