I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
My cup runneth over
Like blood from a stone
These stand for me
Name your god and bleed the freak
I like to see
How you all would bleed for me
When the pig runs slower
Let the arrow fly
When the sin lies bolder
I'll pluck out thine eye
These stand for me
Name your god and bleed the freak
I like to see
How you all would bleed for me
If you scorn my lover
Satan got your thigh
If you steal in hunger
I will kick you when you try
These stand for me
Name your god and bleed the freak
I like to see
How you all would bleed for me
(In Backround) "All these things that you've done for me,
Have left me so... FUCKING TIRED
I'm not saying that you haven't done a lot of good,
But if there's one thing you can do,
You can BLEED FOR ME, BLEED FOR ME"
These stand for me
Name your god and bleed the freak
I like to see
How you all would bleed for me
These stand for me
Name your god and bleed the freak
I like to see
How you all would bleed for me
Like blood from a stone
These stand for me
Name your god and bleed the freak
I like to see
How you all would bleed for me
When the pig runs slower
Let the arrow fly
When the sin lies bolder
I'll pluck out thine eye
These stand for me
Name your god and bleed the freak
I like to see
How you all would bleed for me
If you scorn my lover
Satan got your thigh
If you steal in hunger
I will kick you when you try
These stand for me
Name your god and bleed the freak
I like to see
How you all would bleed for me
(In Backround) "All these things that you've done for me,
Have left me so... FUCKING TIRED
I'm not saying that you haven't done a lot of good,
But if there's one thing you can do,
You can BLEED FOR ME, BLEED FOR ME"
These stand for me
Name your god and bleed the freak
I like to see
How you all would bleed for me
These stand for me
Name your god and bleed the freak
I like to see
How you all would bleed for me
Lyrics submitted by Ice
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Just to start I have to say I think its pointless to argue songwriting credits regarding any Alice in Chains song of the Layne era. Layne and Jerry were both quick to recognize each others gifts and respective talents when it came down to total song production which goes far beyond just the lyrics. Jerry's strength was lyricism. Layne had a gift for creating the slighty dissonant harmonies that gave Alice their distinctive sound. It's a bit ridiculous to argue who was more important to the band. That aside, it's nice to see that so many people are still passionate about AIC. Bleed the Freak is a song that's lyrics have fascinated me from the first time I discovered it. At face value it may seem like another angry hard rock song with a sinister title. Because of this it seems it's lyrics aren't given the attention they truly warrant. The more I listen, the more I believe this to be one of the great songwriting achievements of any generation. The message is as profound and relevant as any song I've ever heard. I believe it is written from the perspective of someone that has been berated constantly by all different kinds of people, all of whom see themselves worthy of making such judgement and justify doing so by referencing a particular set of beliefs. I think the writer is using religion as a device to highlight the righteousness and hypocrisy that plagues modern society. Rather than living by the principals of their religion, they preach it's doctrines and degrade those with opposing beliefs, all the while apathetic to the cause of doing good as it is more convenient to point fingers. I don't think the song is a knock on religion in itself but rather the way in which it has been manipulated to be self-serving and hollow by people that are far from holy. The lines "These stand for me/Name your God and bleed the freak" seems to first make light of how people use a religion's values as a front or representation of themselves and then of how some will judge and ridicule in the "name" of their particular God, choosing to ridicule others with contrary beliefs and point out their wrongs as "infidels" rather than focusing on doing good themselves. In other words they choose the easiest target, which is perhaps the basis for the lines, "When the pig runs slower/Let the arrow fly". In its entirety the song seems to be highlighting the way in which the world seems to point fingers and create scapegoats for the problems that face us rather than taking initiative and responsibility. The way in which religion has been transformed and used to do this is a perfect illustration of that problem. It is easier for man to blame Satan for the evils of the world then it is to admit our responsibility in creating those evils. This is just a great all-around piece of music from it's lyrics to it's production and evocative tone. That era of rock seems so recent, and yet, long-lost and so far from what we've been fed through the post-grunge to the present.
@JohnPaul33 <br /> <br /> Jesus Christ himself was killed by religious hypocrites who handed him over to the Romans. He was accused of blasphemy, heresy, and of serving Satan.
@JohnPaul33
@JohnPaul33 Amen to what you said. It doesn't matter who wrote what. Alice in Chains was collectively one of the best collaborative effort of all time in music if you ask me. They had a chemistry have yet to see again since we lost Layne. Others on here maybe don't know that they worked together on many of the lyrics with Layne writing a lot on his own. And, there are tons of unreleased sons he worked on while at his University Apartment that never have been released. At any rate, you are correct in saying who really gives a #$_# it's just amazing music. I can tell you Alice in Chains and this genre of music is not dead in my house, I have ten year old twins and I am on a mission to show them what real music sounds like. Much different than what we hear on the radio these days. Their songs were raw, passionate, full of feeling that I think anyone can relate to no matter what. I know many think all the songs are about using drugs, but they can be used to relate to any situation. The only songs I know are about drugs are surely labeled that way. It's great that people can relate to this music. I miss Layne so much that I watch videos of him everyday. I am 34 and was younger when they became famous, but I loved them the first time I heard them even that young I related. I love your interpretation of this song. It is spot on. I was going to write my own interpretation but you took the words right out of my mouth. You have a great mind, and thank you for sharing your thoughts. It's nice to hear from people who use their mind and analyze music correctly. To some this song may mean something else, and thats ok. That's the point of music, to keep t loose enough that people can apply to their own lives and interpret as they like. But, I feel you really captured the essence of Jerry and Layne and what they were trying to convey in this song. Great job man
Well said Sir. This song is my anthem as to avoid repression. I will forever miss Layne..
From the Music Bank Liner Notes:
The song is us against the world, those people who a put you down: “I put up with many years of you putting us down and watching us bleed, now I'd like to see you bleed some back.”
I think it's about how conformists/religious priests/social drones try to bring down those who are different from them. They use some excuse or the other (God) and ostracize these "freaks" (Bleed the Freak). And of course, the "freaks" want to see them bleed someday.
You know what, you could very well be spot on. I never thought about that. There are religious references in some of their other songs, although mainly from the creation of Layne, coz Jerry wrote this one.
Not sure on the meaning, but there seems to be religious references: "My cup runeth over", a quotaion from the pslams of the bible. "When the sin lies bolder, I'll pluck out thine eye", Jesus once said "If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it away" "Satan got your thigh", the satanic reference "Name your god", Decide your belifes "And bleed the freak", shun and harm what is not associated w/ those belifes
I think that this song uses the topic of religious intolerance as a metaphor for society failing to understand the human bond. That if someone isnt the same as you they are wrong. i do not think that this song is about drugs, however layne's drug addiction my be one of the contributing factors to him feeling disconnected to society. That is what this song means to me.
A lot of the worst atrocities in the history of the world have been fought in the name of religion. The political/religious leaders preyed on the faith of the followers(freaks)to fight the wars for them. There are a lot of freaks today that fight wars for unknown Gods...
I prefer the Live album version of this song rather than Facelift. Check it out, if you haven't already.
best AIC song on the best AIC album. The album cover for facelift is hilarious, but it freaks me out At the same time.
LONG LIVE LAYNE!
Yeah, who is the guy on the cover?
Yes because Jerry Cantrell is an idol that should be worshipped to the end of days.
Great F-ing song. One of my faves. To me, no matter what the exact meaning is, it just says "go fuck yourself" to all the people who gave them shit.
According to Jerry Cantrell it means this, "The song is us against the world, those people who put you down: I put up with many years of you putting us down and watching us bleed, now I'd like to see you bleed some back".. that was taken from Music Banks Liner Notes