God Am

God Am? Goddamn.

Agreed with most of the interpretations here. Although, I do think the song has a joint meaning. The verses are, as one poster here pointed out, like a disappointed prayer. Where he's basically feeling like, no matter how hard he tries, things keep getting worse and worse for him. And he's questioning why, if God's an all-loving God, he seems to have no problem letting things continue the way they do for Layne.

The second meaning is in the chorus. Where he's questioning whether it's really possible for human beings to be perfect, as God is. I think "Can I be as my God Am"? is really meant more to be a rhetorical question. As in, "Is it really possible for me to be perfect as God is"? It seems to tie into the verses as a sort of plea for forgiveness. Layne's basically saying, "God, I know I've made some mistakes in my life. But no human being is perfect. Can't you still forgive me?"

Beautiful song.

nah its about how he thinks he has god inside him, like inside everyone there is the capability to be like god, but arent because the choices and mistakes they make. its in the book angy chair about layne

Alice In Chains=Best Band Ever Layne was so talented so were Jerry Cantrell Mike Starr/Inez and Sean Kinney. Nirvana is shit compared to AIC

Jackendinofan ur right...this aint an anti-christian song...cuz i do same thing...i get mad at god but i dont ever deni him...Im a christian too and all christians struggle in life and gets mad at god...thats wat makes us christians and we grow in that

"How proud are you being able,To gather faith from fable"

One of my favorite lines from Layne. Beautiful song, man.

The significance of the "does God have lips" part is another drug reference. The sound in the very beginning of the song sounds like somebody sparking a bong. So it seems like somebody's getting high, and thinking philosophically about God. Whoa...

Then the song starts. And it's a damn good song too.

Its definitely "but does he have lips" he is questioning why God doesn't answer his call for help. All interpretations aside, one of the best AiC songs. As a follow up to the equally powerful shame in you it is perfect. R.I.P Layne

hell yea! Layne's fuckin' lighting up!

now everytime I light up with a bong, i know what i'm saying! haha

and I agree that it is a denouncing of religion and an almost cynical prayer to God...

RIP Layne

When he says "sure, god's all powerful, but does he have lips" it isn't actually a person in the band saying it. It's actually a movie quote from Sean Penn's character "Spicholi" (surely misspelled) in the movie "fast times at Ridgemont High". He plays a stoner and says it while taking a bong hit while his buddies are amazed. As far as the song, he's basically having a conversation with god almighty and telling him he's losing faith in him because he now worships a new god named "Heroin" and doesn't have time for anyone or anything else in his life since his new god has completely consumed every minute of every day. He's asking "how can you love me and let this happen to me?"