Alice In Chains - The Killer Is Me (From MTV Unplugged) 

Not enough credit goes to the drummer Sean Kinney during this session. Absolutely stellar mix of restraint and emphasis.

“I Wish I Could Just Hug You All But I’m Not Gonna” - Layne Staley

I wish i could hug you too, Layne.

Hearing Layne singing the line "The Killer is Me" is heartbreaking.

Regardless of Alice in Chains dark lyrics. They always kept a pretty good sense of humor and silliness. Those credits at the end are proof of that.

Jerry Cantrell could have played with any band, any generation, any music scene and made that band better. True artist... Truer poet.

That riff has a very chaotic feeling to it, although Jerry plays it in such a gentle manner I don't know him but you can tell he's already used to all the crap and darkness in life and expresses it beautifully

Jerry is such a sunshine, We must protect him at all cost

ive been on an Alice in chains binge and there isnt a single song of theirs I dont like. not one. thats how good they are.

“I wish I can just hug you all... But I’m not gonna” -Layne Staley Thinking of putting that as my graduation quote

“I wish I could just hug you all! But I’m not gonna.” That bit always gets me.

5:35 Layne trying to drink from the bottle then realising the cap is still on, bless him

The way he was singing a funny song at the beginning, then said "The Killer is Me" with a solemn face 0:25

Under appreciated AIC song - love this one and there’s literally nothing bad about a single moment of this whole performance except the part when you realize it’s over

The last few seconds are the best tho. Thank me later. 5:05 Standing ovation from the crowd 5:15 Jerry turning around to see everyone on their feet cheering 5:23 Mike and Jerry hugging 5:25 The very iconic "I wish I could just hug you all" from Layne 5:29 Jerry smiling while waiting for Layne to turn around to hug him 5:34 Layne drinking to a closed water bottle lol

The guitarwork on this song hypnotizes me

i know this is pretty parasocial of me to say, but this song always hits me the hardest because it’s the last in this unplugged concert and whenever it ends, i feel like we’re losing layne and the original AIC all over again.

I'm 42 and have been listening to Alice in Chains since my tweens. I own this video and would watch obsessively. This song didn't register back then. Now it's the most beautiful song I've ever heard

I really think Sean's drumming shines here. But everyone does throughout. Saw them 3 times in the early 90s. So glad.

"I wish I could hug you all! ButI'mnotgonna." Our boy was precious

That Jerry's hug at the end tho...

jerry looks so sad.....i think he knew things were changing......so sad, such talent...such brotherhood ....i like the new aic, but will never be the same....miss you mike and layne

The way Jerry was waiting for Layne to turn around so he could hug him at 5:28. I'm fine I'm not sobbing at all.

Don't need a gun Pointed at me Don't need to run Killer is me Killer is me So the sun Shines upon me Having fun Killer is me Insane the mind In the name of me Can't find the time To let things be Insane the mind In the name of me Can't find the time To let things be Let things be Oh yeah Can I start over? Oh yeah Can I start over? And get over it So the sun Shines upon me Having fun Killer is me Killer is me Killer is me Oh yeah Can I start over? Oh yeah Can I start over? And get over it Let things be

0:20 Jerry and Layne so in sync they even harmonize runs

Such a beautiful and haunting song. I really wish I had had the opportunity to see Alice in Chains when Layne was alive.

Wow! Layne had such a great sense for harmony. He's the cherry on top in this one.

Incredible atmosphere. This is a little masterpiece. Absolutely loved it since the first time I heard it. And what a way to close a concert. Huge band

I wish I could just hug you all, but I'm not gonna

I think this song, was the start of Jerry Cantrell's small solo career. Normally, Layne does the lead vocals and Jerry does the backing vocals. But this time, the roles changed.

Still the best unplugged ever😝

Lump in my throat watching Layne walk off stage. God damn it's heartbreaking.

This song, and performance is so haunting. Layne seems reluctant to sing it cause he knows its about him and his fate.

Greatest sound for any acoustic set you will ever hear. AiC Unplugged was a masterpiece of raw talent and brilliant musicianship. The drums especially are amazing. Greatest band from the 90's by a country mile. Greatest singer ever.

The "Alice In Chains would like to thank" list is hilarious.

I enabled the subtitles, read all the words and realized just how powerful this song really is...Damn these guys were the best!

Dude layne is SUCH a legend when you see the credits roll and see his name it's almost like seeing daffy duck or some shit, he was so amazing and died so young tragically it just doesnt even seem real

I miss the 90's.

Love Jerry’s Calhoun Tubbs/Living Color shoutout 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. Still my fav band 27 years after I heard Dirt for the first time. Layne will always be the man 🤘🙏🏻💜

I feel this song in my bones. I used to live in Seattle; now on the outskirts, as gentrification has changed our city. I work in the U-District. I know this place and how it affects your overall mental state. This place has a way of leading you to some semblance of escape, particularly during the 9 months of rain. I couldn’t think of a better psychological summation of how this area can beckon you into a place where a substitute for the sun can be found, where a path forward is difficult to foresee through the downpour. Yet, somehow, we feel relief this time of year when the clouds enshroud us again. It’s that time of year. Thanks for the soundtrack.

I am so damn pleased that this now exists here on RU-vid for the world to watch, listen, feel, and enjoy.

Can't get enough of this song. Sounds so epic live. Brings me to a peaceful place I don't even recognize.

This song is so powerful to me, it gives me chills every time I listen to it. Especially this version, at the end the roar of the audience makes it that much better, imo.

Bought me to tears honestly seeing laynes last days . How down he was. Trying everything he has to solidly perform. Damn

The way Jerry hugs Mike 🥺

AIC and Nirvana were the best unplugged sessions. It's how poignant it seems now looking back. A lot of the themes are fame and death. I lost my brother in law to suicide. You never see the signs until afterwards.

“just something we’ve been fucking around w” proceeds to play the most beautiful piece of music ever played

And there it was, ladies and gentlemen..*the* best unplugged set you have saw and ever likely to see again. God bless you Layne. Thanks for the music 🙏🏼

This was just a few months before Demri died. If he looked so sad and sick here I can't imagine how much worse it was after her death :( But his angel voice will live on for eternity.

The last part made me cry..Layne i wish i could hug uuu😔❤

Still watching this concert after all these years. Masterclass performance by these uber talented musicians.... 👏👏👏👏 RIP Layne 🌹

Last night I had the weirdest dream. It was about Layne, apparently I resurrected him but only for 24 hours. We had dinner and sang a few tunes (I only remember Frogs). I was amazed by the raw power of his voice live. Anyway, at the end he vanished and left his clothes. Sad an beautiful.

"AN EXTRA SPECIAL THANKS TO YOU FANS FOR STICKING WITH US ALL THESE YEARS. PLANS FOR A GROUP HUG ARE TEMPORARILY ON HOLD. BUT WE'LL LET YOU KNOW WHEN THE SCHEDULE CLEARS UP." - I'd say this performance inevitably turned into our group hug. - But I'm still waiting on that Jerry! 😃🤘🏼

Layne is at rest now, not suffering. RIP.

After watching the new interview with Jerry and Lars this is much more sad than it already was before

Even though I've been listening to them for decades.. it's just recently that I developed a huge crush on Jerry. I think it has a lot to do with him in this show. And he still looks and sounds SO good today. Still never saw them play live. Someday!

Удивительный концерт, с какой-то невероятной, меланхоличной, интимной атмосферой. Деликатные барабаны Шона, глубокий бас Майка, Джерри-моторчик, вечный двигатель группы, автор потрясающих песен, и Лейн... На Лейна особенно больно смотреть - не человек, а выжженная изнутри оболочка...Но несмотря ни на что он поёт, не во всю свою силу, но с чувством, от души. Голоса его и Джерри - как гармонично они оттеняют и дополняют друг друга. Моя глубокая благодарность всем этим музыкантам, которые записали и подарили поклонникам этот шедевр.

This is exactly why this is The greatest band of any and all time💋🤘🏽💋

Damn Inez played guitar on this one an Scotty played bass!!! Never realized that before

The credits are epic, thanking everyone from Silver Management, dog trainers to Lawn Care professionals... these guys were AMAZING. ❤ 🎶 🎸 🥁 🎤

Jerry & Mike hugging...I'm sure they knew that was one of the final live performances with Layne. It was probably much more emotional being there than we know. Would have loved to see the camera following them around after the show a bit more, so we could see them chatting with Metallica and others in the audience. Wondering if Layne stuck around for a bit or if he made a bee line to the restrooms to shoot up, since the show went on for quite a stretch (for him, anyways). So powerful, poignant and _painful._ Layne was just a shell of his former self. Even the pink hair couldn't cover that up. 💔😭💔😭💔

I’d love nothing more than to hug Layne

“I wish I could just hug you all… but I’m not gunna” you can tell Jerry got a bit of a kick outta that 😂😂👌🏻

Every time I watch this unplugged, I have a big wish I could just time and space Travel and give a tight hug on Layne.

Let my recite my favorite poem. Roses are red violets are blue when I listen to Alice in Chains my neighbors do too.

Rest in Peace Layne, it's now 2019, 17 years later and I will forever play your body of work.

Man, I had forgotten that Scotty switched to the acoustic bass and Mike went over and played the harmonics on acoustic guitar for the closer. Fkn awesome way to end it!

Alice in Chains had the best unplugged out of all the musicians who did the unplugged concert. Layne was an amazing singer and its breath taking the way he harmonized so beautifully with Jerry. Its comforting to know this unplugged will be there to remind everyone how great AIC was and that not so long ago music could speak to and touch your heart and your soul. Alice in Chains has been my favorite band since I bought the self titled album when I was 14. Their music has been there for me through some of the hardest times in my life. Like listening to Jar of Flies, the music takes you somewhere in your mind and you feel like the lyrics were written just for you. Jar of Flies is a musical masterpiece, the lyrics will get you in the feels. If you listen to Jar of Flies and don't feel some kind of way, then your not human. I wish I could go back in time, set in the front row and feel the incredible atmosphere in this place while they are playing. If I had a magic lamp that would be my first wish. Lol.

Killer is alice in chains!!

It’s Sad To Hear This Especially That This Was The Last New Song Alice In Chains Put Out There In Acoustic. I Wonder How It Would Sounded If It Was On A Record. Rip Layne 😢

Peeps dont realize just how special this show was... a true masterpiece

Jerry doing his Jerry thing!!! Gotta LOVE IT!!! Harmonization is a beautiful thing!!!

Man that hug between mike and Jerry was cool but we all know we wish it was Layne and Jerry man rip the legend

My absolute favorite band from this era of grunge. Super talented. Every song is just brilliant. Nothing like that nowadays.

Always Bittersweet. I'm so grateful for Alice in Chains' music, but how it ended rips my heart out every time.

singing along when you are alone and going through it boosts your mood. life is good and everything will be okay

"Let Things Be..." I struggle as much as they did with this...even now after my own tragedy...

Grunge had a huge impact on my life. Thanks AIC, Nirvana, STP, Pearl Jam and Chris Cornell🙏

I felt like magic was captured on this album. On a whim I bought it not knowing much about Alice In Chains. One of my favorites to this day.

Still sends shivers down my spine.

They were so musically connected as a group. Soooo goood.

Strange, I've listened and watched Alice In Chains MTV unplugged so many times but somehow skipped over the last song in the set. I have never heard this song by them, or at least I don't remember hearing it. It's beautiful though chilling.

This show is bitterweet. Its a highlight - one of the best concerts they did along with Live at the Moore. But bittersweet because the guys had a feeling this might be their last together. "Sean Kinney told journalist Greg Prato in Grunge Is Dead: The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music. “Up to the moment, it was just a nail biter. Barely any rehearsing at all, guys not showing up - the same s---. Rolled out there and everything worked. Right then is when I knew, 'OK, if we never do anything again, I’m good with this. I’d rather leave on a high point instead of throwing drug paraphernalia into a garbage can in an airport, while I’m jumping on a plane, hoping to not get arrested.'”

That was a great live performance! The end of that video is fucking cute "I wish I could hug you all but I'm not gonna" 😂❤

Love Jerry's sense of humor throughout this. The country song, the Enter Sandman go (cuz MTV and radio were over-playing the shit outta that song plus Lars was in the audience) and the Living Color reference from Calhoun Tubbs/David Alan Grier "wrote a song bout it, like to hear it, here it go", which just happens to be my favorite Living Color skit. Miss you Layne.

This song has such a chaotic sound and feel to it

"Alice In Chains would like to thank the following people: housepets, general acquaintances, doctors, lawyers, flight attendants"

Mike Inez nailing every harmonic for an entire song.

5:26 so genuine. We miss you

One of the best rock albums ever

Seeing Jerry throw that arm around Layne hits deep.

I didn’t know Scott and Mike switched guitars for this

Jerry is so so cute love him

Just genius, Jerry

That main riff is so chaotic and sounds almost….uneasy. Yet, I absolutely fucking love it

Watching him go out there in that shape and perform like that is real.

Jerry’s favorite part of the show was when Layne said “I wish I could just hug you all, but I’m not gonna”

I feel like this song could’ve fit on a 4th album with like Died and Get Born Again. But this is a masterpiece no matter what I’m just glad we got to hear it once. Perfect show.

These songs have been such solace and catharsis in my life - hell even epiphany and inspiration at times. Feel the gun pointed at me Free to run Killer is me I make my own life choices and live with them . When I’m in a situation that sucks the life out of me , then I’m free to run - but I stay in it and I’m the killer of my own soul

It's 9am here in Serbia and I'm already crying