Alice in Chains – Nothin' Song

"Nothin' Song" as written by and Sean Kinney Layne Staley....
Began this take at 7:38
Head hit the board, enough that it aches
Wonder should I be working so late
Began this take at 7:38
Head hit the board, enough that it aches
Wonder should I be working so late
Wonder should I be working so late
Began this take at 7:38
Head hit the board, enough that it aches
Wonder should I be working so late
Wonder should I be working so late
Well the nothin' song sticks to your mouth
Like peanut butter on the brain
Like peanut butter on the brain
Nothin' ever stays the same
Nothin', yeah nothin', nothin', nothin'
Went outside to give all a break
Wearing cowhide, steak on a skate
Back inside, Sam throw away your cake
Went outside to give all a break
Went outside to give all a break
Wearing cowhide, steak on a skate
Back inside, Sam throw away your cake
Back inside, Sam throw away your cake
Well the nothin' song sticks to your mouth
Like peanut butter on the brain
Like peanut butter on the brain
Nothin' ever stays the same
Nothin', yeah nothin', nothin', nothin'
Gotta finish so I can awake
Feed the cat as she spreads all the waste
Snap her neck or trade in for new make
Gotta finish so I can awake
Feed the cat as she spreads all the waste
Snap her neck or trade in for new make
Snap her neck or trade in for new make
Well the nothin' song sticks to your mouth
Like peanut butter on the brain
Like peanut butter on the brain
Nothin' ever stays the same
Well the nothin' song sticks to your mouth
Nothin'
Nothin'
Nothin'
Nothin'
Nothin'


Lyrics submitted by Ice

"Nothin' Song" as written by Sean Kinney Layne Staley

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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Nothin' Song song meanings
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21 Comments

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  • +7
    General CommentHere's *EXACTLY* what this song is about:

    "REVOLVER: it sounds like some of the guys felt your indulgences were getting in the way of the band.
    STALEY: I got things done, didn’t I? I’d show up five hours late to band practice with no lyrics, and they’d yell at me and I’d leave. But I’d come back and do it all late at night. In the end, all the songs got finished."


    Basically, Layne just wrote random lyrics to a song done, period. When I hear this song I always think of the scenario Layne described above (showing up to practice, probably strung out, with no lyrics....getting into a fight with the band members and storming off.....coming back and writing these nonsensical and arbitrary lyrics late at night).

    I'd LOVE to see Jerry's reaction to hearing these lyrics for the first time...lol.
    cosmicatomicon March 05, 2012   Link
  • +2
    General Commentim not sure about this song. it probly is about writers block and they just recorded it so layne wouldn't have to worry about it. cause the chorus says "the nothin song sticks to your mouth like peanut butter on the brain." Cool song
    beavis&butthead69on May 26, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General CommentWriters block.

    I thought the line was "Wearing cowhide, steak on a steak" . that makes more sense to me.
    sillybillyon April 04, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General CommentIt seems like the band is actually having trouble recording a track, and that's where he comes up with the lyrics. Repeating the same riffs and lyrics over and over, take after take, until the words mean nothing anymore and he can't get the track out of his head. So, he's wondering about if he should be working so late, and when the recording session will be done.
    ninjasinloafon September 25, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis song is, well... about nothing. Or moreso not having anything to record. Started with nothing, just throwing around ideas. He doesn't have anything making a whole song about. He wonders if he should stop, but he can't. He can't escape the "nothin song" he will always be thinking about until he finishes it. Finally when he has something and takes a break, he comes back and his idea's are lost. Sam threw away his "cake" or best idea.

    He desprately wants to get it finished, so he can forget about.
    Redsand187on April 18, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Commentummm it does kinda seem about nothing, but i'm almost positive it has a deeper meaning to it. The lyrics themselves don't have anything to do with the usual drugs and what not, but some of it seems like it means something.
    public_menaceon April 22, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Commentits about the songwriting process and being tired of it. I love the lines about his cat... only a cat owner would write about how cats get into the trash!! lol Maybe its about writers block and needing to come up with a great idea for an album and having absolutely nothing on your mind... I can relate to that being a hopeless songwriter myself. haha!
    Angry Saron May 25, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentOne of my favorite AIC songs hands down. It's definitely about writer's block and being desperate just to get it all done. When I first heard this song, it was like 2:00 AM and it definitely matched my hyped-up-all-the-while-still-blah mood. It's just a bunch of randomness and I love it.

    Whaaheee, thoughts scrambled like eggs...
    tiffany_in_chainson December 26, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General CommentIt's about all that and if you really look at the lyrics, it's also showing that he could write great lyrics, which Layne knew for a while now.
    TheDeaderManon March 22, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentIsn't it about being bored and having nothing to talk about?
    ILUVLAYNEon September 04, 2010   Link

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