Therapist gets Down in a Hole with Alice In Chains
Вставка
- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- Therapist analyzes the lyrics to Down In A Hole by Alice In Chains to discuss how the the fantasy of being rescued a certain way often prevents us from seeing the reality of the rescue in front of us. We can use this song to grieve that the reality of an instantaneous rescue isn't possible and start to clear our vision to see the possibility for rescue in front of us!
#aliceinchains
--
❤️ Volunteer and offer support to other music fans: www.heartsuppo...
🤝 Partner your company with ours to help heal the scene: www.heartsuppo...
👉 If you open up about your mental health in the comments using @heartsupport, we’ll write back to you.**
✌️Build a relationship with a peer supporter who will provide weekly mental health support for an entire year (for free): www.heartsuppo...
🫶 You can donate to HeartSupport at: www.heartsuppo...
Disclaimer: For educational and informational purposes. Not intended as medical or therapeutic advice, or to evaluate, assess, ameliorate, modify, adjust, diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease, condition, disability, problem, dysfunction, or disorder.
** Subject to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service: www.heartsuppo...
The best thing MTV ever did.
This is the best Alice in Chains performance on video. It ain't even close.
100% true
@@SheldonGoffFacts, Live at Moore theatre 1990 is a close second for me
It would be pretty cool if they played good music on mtv again!
Agree
"You don't understand who they thought I was supposed to be" just hits man.
Yes! The "YOU don't understand who THEY though *I* was supposed be" then "Look at ME now: a man who won't let HIMSELF be."
The others, whoever they were were, eroded his own agency, his aspirations, and stole his comfort in his own skin.
@@go-nogo1475some of the best lyrics he (Jerry) ever wrote
But you’re not defined by anyone else's expectations. It’s easy to get caught up in what others might think, but what really matters is who you are and who you want to become. You’ve got the power to shape that-don’t let anyone else’s view of you keep you from moving forward. A thought process focused on constant self-criticism or feeling inadequate in the eyes of others can potentially contribute to unhealthy coping mechanisms, including addiction.
I got this line tatted. Shit digs my soul
@@thomas2236 that’s why ppl believe in religion cause they NEED a reason to live
So difficult to watch those Unplugged clips anymore. As people have said, it's like Layne is singing at his own funeral. Heartbreaking.
I enjoy the live videos. No need to feel down in a hole
I think it was worse when I saw Layne live and he couldn't even stand he was so wasted 😢
I know the true story, Laynes girlfriend(Demri) we must undestand him(Layne) because of dead tragedy became depressed
That reminds me of Amy Winehouse. Her last performance she was staggering
@@miletitytivadar4974 demri passed away after this
The reason you can't describe what you are hearing from Layne's voice is because what you are hearing is raw emotion, not technique, he's not singing the songs, he's living the songs and expressing it.
Also, the entire MTV Unplugged show is both amazing and heartbreaking; it's like watching Layne's suffering put out right in front of the world for all to see.
Also good to remember Layne literally had most of his teeth rotted out by this point and was on copious amounts of heroin. He is quite literally at his lowest point in life in this singing his own funeral with a barely working body
@@Ps1ClassicGameplay He hadn't lost any of his teeth yet. This is a rumor that goes around. If you look at mad season live at the Moore less than a year before his teeth were fine. Around the time of MTV unplugged they shot the Nona files and you can see all his teeth though they have deteriorated and are not in good health. I think he is super self conscious and is trying to keep his head down hide them here but they are there or his whole face would have lost structure. According to his father he started to loose them around 1998 after he had become reclusive x
Jeez yeah... it's crazy
Bruh u can still hear all the techniques and skills here, what Layne lost at this point was the energy and power to be performing his songs
To be fair, he did have solid knowledge of technique. It was emotion plus technique that made his songs so unique.
Laynes and Jerrys voice: Perfect harmony.
Y grandes amigos siempre!
Being depressed really does feel like being stuck in a hole with no hope of ever climbing out. The feeling of wanting to be free, to be able to fly but being denied that is very relatable.
so true, such a heavy sense of guilt, i put myself in this situation
While you watch seemingly everyone else climb out of the hole with such ease
You described it so well
Recovering addict here. The “womb” is also a metaphor for the kind of comfort certain addicts seek. Being too sensitive for the world, we seek to return to a state of helpless bliss. After years of addiction, the grave seems equally blissful.
Perfectly said...😢
Wow...I keep reading what you said and it hits dead on...I used over 20 yr & not use over 20 yr and I still feel that every day.. that feeling if I could just fly away,...
That’s the power of Alice In Chains
And congratulations! Sorry I didn’t lead with that lol. 20 years. Stay strong!
It felt like warm gravy pouring all over me
Greatest performance ever recorded. He knew his time was coming and thought enough of us to give us everything he had left on that stage …Layne you are missed sir
i love toward the end how Jerry and Layne flip octaves. Jerry was higher and layne was lower, but then they switch.... and as Jerry is giving the lower range and soulful sound... layne just peeks over his shoulder and gives a small smirk... like "hell yeah man".
Layne Staley's voice was one of the most hauntingly tormented ones ever!!!! In 1992 I bought Alice in chains' first 2 albums, I was 22. My son was born 6 years later, is now 26 and has had a poster of Layne in his room for over 10 years now. That voice......oh man that voice.
Suffering in front of his band, the audience & no one can get to him…so raw, so real and so painful. Miss you Layne.
So true. I struggle to understand how someone can get to this level of addiction. To throw your life away, especially as successful as Layne, for a drug is beyond my comprehension. The drug is EVERYTHING to these poor souls.
@@philbellmore9944 because addiction isn't a rational thing; it sneaks up on you, and by the time you realise it's got it's hooks in you, it's too late.
Far Behind!!!❤❤❤
This was my go to in my depression in the 90's. Now it is a look back at the hole I climbed out of.
I’d argue that Layne is one of if not the greatest loss in music. Obviously biased as a huge fan, but god I wish he was still here.
Oh man me too. Think of the music we lost. His voice was incredible!
Me too
Yes, him and Chris Cornell hit me so hard.
If Layne were still with us, there's a chance that Chester Bennington would be, and by proxy, Chris Cornell too.
It's a devastating butterfly-effect.
At 3:41 in your video, watch how Jerry looks back at the rest of the band and nods his head as to say to them "Yeah, Laynes still in there somewhere".
I like that noticed it too
I heard Layne was a few days sober before this taping and was starting to get shakes so decided to dose up right before the show. There are a few times Jerry thought he was gonna nod off during the set
@@DasBoot619Jerry also had food poisoning during this performance. Both of them were struggling through it in their own unique ways and still made sure to look out for each other.
It’s important to mention that Layne was strung-out, 40 pounds underweight, and dying during this performance and still sung incredibly. It truly felt like he was singing at his own funeral for the entire MTV Unplugged show.
Rip.
"look at me now im a man who wont let himself be" is such a gut punch of a lyric
Especially when you know exactly the way and place he’s talking about
this song was played on repeat for several weeks after experiencing a very bad break up. I just felt like I couldn't function as a person and sadly, as a father. But this song also helped me heal because I used it as an outlet for my depression and self-loathing. Layne ultimately couldn't help himself, but he helped save my life.
Yeah….the lyrics were written by Jerry….
Thank you for this.
"You don't understand who they thought I'm supposed to be". Pressure, real or imagined, from parents or other important people in your life can really mess you up. I'm 64 and recently retired. I started living MY life just a few years ago. I don't really care what other people think of me anymore. I often felt/feel I've let other people down, despite giving it my best effort. Now I just don't give a crap.
grunge's unpluggeds are top-tier live shows everyone should experience
“Look at me now, a man who won’t let himself be” is a line I’ve related to from the first time I heard this song back in the 90s. 30-plus years later, it might be more relevant now than it was when I was a young adult trying to find my way.
Yeh... time served in the hole of self and not a day you've let yourself be 💙🖤
@anotherfaceless. Living in your head space can be rough…
50, divorced for two years after 17 years together, and at my lowest point of my life. Layne was such an important part of my life and this live performance was such a gift. I cried the entire time you played the song.
Great songs are loosely written so they apply to as many people as possible. THIS is an absolutely epic song!
For the “someone throwing you a rope” thing, sober for 31 years, I have flashes of moments, of the times I was thrown a rope and either didn’t see it for what it was, or was actively avoiding the opportunities given. I have had some of the most satisfying experiences of my life going back and reconnecting with those who tried to help me when I didn’t want it. Everything is a two way street.
Ohhh fuck this is a good comment. I appreciate you speaking up. I've got 6 months again and every time lately , I'll get close to this time frame and relapse. My fingers are crossed, but damn if I've ever acknowledged those ropes tossed to me, I would've got this years ago. You speak truth. Congratulations on your time.
Alice in Chains - Love,Hate,Love (live at the moore)
Not enough people react to that performance. It’s jaw dropping
Yeeeaaaaahhhhh
THIS!
This is a song about pain…
Anyone there that night became a demigod
Favorite line " I'd like to fly, but my wings have been denied"
Jerry wrote a Lot of the songs. Layne had the addiction problems. He Actually told Jerry to start Singing- since these were His lyrics/ life experiences... Jerry was afraid, but gave it a go. And We were gifted with this Band then/ and now.
Jerry Cantrell is one of the best songwriters
I always wondered if Jerry wrote lyrics of what he sees through Layne.
@@frankydominguez6581nah Jerry just went through his own shit, like this song is about Jerry and his life and relationships and shit but alot of the lyrics can also apply to Layne and the shit he was going through
@@frankydominguez6581 i thought this song was about a girlfriend jerry had and how he felt about their relationship at the time or something
@frankydominguez6581 he wrote this song about his girlfriend 😂
@@frankydominguez6581Jerry wrote this song about an ex girlfriend
I suffer from the same kind of depression that took Layne, and Chris Cornell, and Robin Williams from us. The words to this song burn somewhere down deep when I hear them. The darkness and haplessness and the desperation for any kind of relief is very, very hard to face sometimes. Sometimes all you can do is just put your head down and hang on. The very idea that someone else has felt these things, and put them into words for me to relate to in my own way, is one of the things that help me go on.
I honestly know what you mean bro, it's rough as and this gives us relief. Reach out for a chat if your lonely, we got this together ay 💪
A phrase from the Beserk Manga really resonates with me when I hear this song. Skull Knight saves Guts and tells him, "struggle on struggler". It isn't easy, just don't give up! 😢 ❤
This was the best performance ever record by mtv. We will never have music like this again in my life time. The man was made of music.💪✌️👍
That acoustic bass!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥
A true description of what depression felt like for me. As an A in C’s fan for 30 years, this song has helped me climb out of a few “holes”.
Thank you for bringing up some points that I haven’t thought about.
It’s heartbreaking seeing Layne so deep in his adiction…. RIP angry angel… I hope wherever you are now that you are happy and at peace.. You are so loved and missed Layne…❤
It is interesting that you were talking about someone in depression/addiction yearning for that instant relief. I am an addict but clean for 9years and what I found for myself is that the yearning for instant gratification is a huge catalyst for the addiction process. So it makes sense from that view point that someone feeling this way gets stuck down in that hole. I was stuck for 6 years. Now that I am clean and time has passed I have learned patience and have never been happier. Well done reaction and a powerful powerful song.
There is nothing more organic than the audience's applause at the end of this...They realize they just saw something great
Them harmonizing different lyrics has always blown me away on this song. I grew up in the grunge era in Seattle and always loved these bands.
This song/band kept me alive more times than I care to admit
Me too. And they are still doing it!
Same, bro. Same.
Layne was just magical... is so sad him sing this, knowing what happened to him... But im also feel happy, because he show me through his song the talent he had, the emotions he put into his singing... thx you Layne... and you will be FOREVER with ur fans
A womb is also where you're protected from the outside world where as a tomb is where you go once the outside world is done with you.
I like this. Never thought of that. 👍
The greatest voice to ever do it
This is some awesome music from back when I was down in a hole myself with crack addiction and I can say you explained it very well and it actually helped me clear the negative listening to this music while I was feinding for another hit but I am 17 years clean from that drug and I climbed out of that hole praise Jesus Christ!
God how I wish I could have been at that unplugged show. What an amazing moment in one’s lifetime that you’d never forget.
The Voice. That’s what we call him. He gave a voice to all of our pain when we were young.
You're breakdown of this song was very insightful. I was in that hole for many decades. I wish my daughter could have heard your analysis before she took her life. Please keep doing what you're doing. You may save a life and not know it.
This song quite literally saved my life.
Nice reaction. Notice that Lane is reading lyrics. With one foot in the grave, he paints an absolute masterpiece. This concert would become a tribute to Lanes immense talent.
When I watched this live I knew I wouldn't hear his voice again. Extremely sad how he left this earth with one of the most iconic voices in music. Addiction is a bitch!
Hands down my favorite AIC song. I could listen to this one on a loop for an hour straight and feel it deep in my soul each and every time like it was the first time. Rest in peace, sweet prince. 😢
I read a comment somewhere that pretty said that much this performance was the closest thing you will ever get to somebody singing at their own funeral. Layne was so far down in his addiction at this point, he was really suffering. Yet they still managed to pull of one of the most legendary performances in history.
We miss you Layne.
Agree with all of that. And what's crazy is that you can tell he's only operating at a percentage of his abilities. In this performance, the man was on heroin (he had to get a fix before the show to get through it, reportedly), forehead-deep in his addiction and decline, and circling the drain, and he still managed to give a performance that puts many other clean, healthy, and full-powered artists to shame. Dude was a beast.
@alexguitarman100, I agree my dude. If any vocalist that I know of who came the closest to singing at their own funeral it'd be Chris Cornell. I know he was definitely closer than Layne ever would of been for sure. If you go back & look & listen to the encore Soundgarden did on the night Chris passed away. It should be easy to see that Chris was trying to reach out in his own subtle way to anyone who'd listen. Without warning Cornell played the bands music conductor doing a song mashup starting with "Slaves & Bulldozers." (Every word I said is what I mean. Everything I held is what I freed.) Then Cornell led the rest of the band into "In My Time Of Dying by Zeppelin." (In my time of dying, want nobody to mourn. All I want for you to do is take my body home. Well, well, well, so I can die easy, etc..." Then went back into "S&B" to end the concert. (Everything I gave is what I need. Everything I've shown is what I feel. Now you know why I've been taken...) Just saying.... ++Peace & Rock n' Roll 4 Your Soul My Friend++ 🤘😜🤘
I think it's a powerful message that you put in at the end. Even if you are fortunate enough to have people there to throw you a lifeline, you still have to grab it.
AIC is my favorite band. This has always been my favorite song. This always hits so hard for me for so many reasons. I started singing along and my husky came to check on me. She thought I was sad. Cantrell's new album is incredible too.
this is honestly the best reaction to music i‘ve ever seen on yt and trust me i‘ve watched a lot of reactions
This was one of my favorite songs about 12 years ago when I was still in the "fun" stage of opiate addiction. I am now 307 days sober and I can't watch this now without tearing up. Seeing Kurt so close to one of the two conclusions of drug addiction is heart-wrenching. I am thankful every day that I climbed the rope out of that hole.
Congrats on finding sobriety, hands up/chin down and keep battling.
The vocalist is
Layne Staley
Layne's voice paints a portrait of pain, but Jerry's guitar is the canvas.
That acoustic bass tone, though!!!
The fascinating thing about the lyrics is that you can interpret it from an addiction, depression, or relationship perspective and they all work.
Paused... this is the hardest song. The harmony is amazing.
I am hitting three years sober on Thursday 11/14. This has always meant something since the first time I heard it when it was new. So glad that I am alive to hear it today 30 some years later.
Always a favorite song! I now look at it through the eyes of a cancer patient who is struggling and wishes he could have been a better person and regrets not being a better husband, father and friend.
After his fiancee died, Layne gave up....... On a lighter note, "Friends don't let friends get haircuts!"
"Friends don't let friends get "Friends" haircuts", referring to the show Friends.
Was actually a dig at Metallica.
@@Nanashi_MYOBit was more a joke than a dig
@cooperfontenot23 A dig can be a joke if it's done with respect and comradery
@@Nanashi_MYOB real
This song is my depression meter. Sometimes it makes me sit there with tears running down my face because I understand exactly what he’s feeling.
You need to seen Layne at his peak, love, hate, love - live at the Moore. The unplugged session is so fucking bittersweet. I really wish Layne could of found a way out of his addiction
Hellfuckinyeah, that whole video is priceless!!
7:30 is actually such a great point that I’ve never thought about. Fantasizing about an instantaneous solution does nothing but force you further down into that hole.
It’s mind blowing hearing your analysis of this powerful 90’s record as the sounds of sirens and city madness in the background lol…. How you have focused to be so intelligent and inspirational with all that in the background is something else….
One of my favourite bands.
This hits home for anyone that has ever suffered from depression, anxiety, addiction or all of the above combined since depression and anxiety can lead to drugs. Hang in there friends you are not alone.
Thank you Dave for your support
I love that you’re doing Alice In Chains. Please do “Rotten Apple”. Such a great addiction song, that very few understand. Lots to unpack in that one. Even the vibe of the instrumental parts take you to that point where you feel the hopelessness of being trapped.
And the whole thing might be their most haunting next to Frogs
Brah shame in you is so underrated, such a potent song
I'll be honest. I wish you was my therapist. I speak more through my writing/lyrics than I do in actual conversation. Granted I doubt therapy would help my sadness, pain & anger but I always have hope..
The greatest thing this channel does is not make me feel alone. The way you describe these songs just makes me feel understood - validated. I play so many songs for friends that I feel like they bare my soul lol, and my friends are just like "cool - maybe something more upbeat next time though"
Layne Staley was awesome! I saw him live so many times in my teens and he always sounded incredible! I had the honor of jumping up on stage with them and Layne pushing me back to the crowd! Best show seeing them ever! We lost so many of my favorite artists I grew up listening to, to addiction!
Brings a tear to my eyes everytime I hear this, because I watched it live. RIP Layne.
This UA-cam channel is gold. So informative and inspiring and helpful. Good job Taylor and whoever else is involved in the project. Amazing
“i want to fly, but my wings have been so denied” i interpret it as a way of saying i want to become a better human, but when i’m gone i’ll reap what i sow, i’m not earning my angels wings for who I’ve grown into.
I appreciate and liked this to keep real music alive. Hopefully younger generations find strength and remember that it's not over till it's over. It's ok to ask for help. Your not alone
My therapist asked me to play her a song that describes how I feel when I'm at "the bottom" in my depression. I played her this song...she had to excuse herself from the room, crying
That era of 90s music possibly had some of the greatest lyrics ever written. from the soul, original, and just piercing the soul.
Don't forget we as humans are the best at failure, the pains of addiction are real.
But there is also a mental side that breaks you down, and it rules over you. I was fortunate enough to escape but I have many friends that aren't as a fortunate..😢
I am so glad I found your channel, I was just trying to watch reaction videos but found something so much more meaningful, so much of what you say is so damn relatable. Thank you for what you are doing.
You should check out “ Black Gives Way to Blue”
Jerry wrote it long after Layne’s passing and it’s a tribute to him and a way for the band to understand having to move on without him.
Brings me back to listening to this as a teenager. I can definitely hear Layne’s pain before his passing.
I've felt the womb reference was to be back in the safety of being in the mother's womb of comfort and protection. Thats always been my interpretation.
Me too ! I also feel this line like wanting to reborn and restart his life differently in order to avoid bad life's choices and situation
Another of the songs I wanted my X wife to hear and possibly understand me. THAT said I was never a drug addict but for the occasional weed smoked to ease anxiety. THIS is yet another that speaks of something I can relate to.
I love that you’re so young and aren’t immediately getting it🥹❤️
AIC my third fav band of all time.
Layne R. I.P.
Layne,jerry one of the best duo's in rock music ever, the melodies that they create are amazing.
Jerry stills rock at 57.
Always love that smile from Jerry when Layne hits that note @ 3:40
A womb your protected, the tomb your protected as now nothing can hurt you. Some yearn for the peace of the tomb as a release from the hole.
I still love him and his voice-forever. RIPLAYNE #AIC 🔥❤️🤘🏼 🎤🎸
On this night, Layne made this song his own…..it took on an entirely different meaning than Jerry originally intended. It is beautiful, yet heartbreaking. Truly, Layne’s soul was performing. The harmonies between him & Jerry have yet to be matched - they were a perfect duo.
Chills! My favorite MTV unplugged by farrrrrr. Rooster should be next from this performance. Actually angry chair has more of a deeper meaning about addiction. Rooster is about Jerry's father in war, Layne wrote angry chair.
I find the hardest part for me about this unplugged session is that it’s the second to last time the band played with Layne before his death. His addiction had gotten so intense that he was constantly missing sessions. He was doped up during this session, and it’s sad that you can’t even recognize it because that’s what everyone knows him to be.
The other sad part is knowing Layne had been dead for 2 weeks before his body was found. That feeling of being so alone was such a real thing. Nobody came to check up on him or anything. And he had just been laying on his couch dead for weeks.
My God have I been in that hole before. Its a LOOOONG road out to save, then love yourself.
Anyone who's struggling with "contemplating" I'm not gonna tell ya to seek therapy or 302 yourself.
Cause I couldn't stand that, I resented it. Just please go around someone, anyone who'll love you, or at least
Share time with you, so you remember you're still human. And if you don't have anyone, go to a meeting, a concert, a church, ANYTHING! just be around people that aren't filled with hate or anger👍🏻
anyone else notice instead of, "speak no more" - sounds like, "grieve no more"... haunting and prophetic
I am so incredibly jealous that I was not one of the audience members during this performance for MTV unplugged.
It was my dream to always see them live in person especially in this special way. And I remember watching a ton of biographies on the band and how incredibly uncomfortable they were playing especially since Lane was very vulnerable at this time.
I will forever miss the original band nothing can ever compare to it. Ever😢
You are so spot on. Much respect.
Ever since I watch u put them on with nutshell I heard their music but "man in the hole" hits me cuz I had a vary challenging life thank u for that ❤🎉😢
Although Layne died several years after this it it quite haunting as people have mentioned. The defeat in his voice, the pain, sadness... He seems to have come to terms with his addiction.
It’s not a top rec but AIC’s song I stay away, always sounds so incredibly melancholic & nostalgic, even the first time you hear it. It makes you feel like the person singing is almost gone. Like if you’ve ever had a friend who was self destructing & you could just feel that you were loosing them, but it was almost fate that they’d be gone. Like it’s a hard thing to explain. Like someone who’s on that line between life and death & you don’t know which side they’ll end up on.
RIP Layne....better than most of us! ❤❤😢😢😢
Rest Peacefully Layne... We All Miss You Sadly Man..
100
if you hear the unplugged you need to hear the album versions too. They are both different sounding but incredibly powerful. Hearing Layne in his prime is an unforgettable experience.
Stunning, stunning track - part of the perfect Album. His voice is (was) special, loaded with emotion, yet he made it seem totally effortless
That first "down in a hole and i dont know if i can be saved" hits like a truck every time
Its hard to listen to Layne, cause you can feel the pain in his soul, and see the hurt in his eyes! There are days, I can relate to him! BTW I am proud of you for adopting Mosh! I grew up with dogs and cats, been around them all my life. And I can tell you, in these dark days that consume me, my cat and my dog are the only true friends I have! I doubt that I would be still here without the 2 of them!