This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
We chase misprinted lies
We face the path of time
And yet I fight
And yet I fight
This battle all alone
No one to cry to
No place to call home
Ooh
Ooh
Ooh
Ooh
My gift of self is raped
My privacy is raked
And yet I find
And yet I find
Repeating in my head
If I can't be my own
I'd feel better dead
Ooh
Ooh
Ooh
Ooh
We face the path of time
And yet I fight
And yet I fight
This battle all alone
No one to cry to
No place to call home
Ooh
Ooh
Ooh
Ooh
My gift of self is raped
My privacy is raked
And yet I find
And yet I find
Repeating in my head
If I can't be my own
I'd feel better dead
Ooh
Ooh
Ooh
Ooh
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
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.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
This song is about not wanting to live. It's about feeling alone and not being able to find anyone that you can identify with. It's about feeling like a outcast and not being able to fit in anywhere. I would site lines but there up their, take a look. Easy song to understand.
@PsykeZ555 Terrible interpretation that misses the point. What about "misprinted lies?" What about "privacy?" What about "gift of self?" None of these fit with this ridiculous interpretation that cops out by falsely claiming "the lines are up their [sic]."
@despondent not saying I agree with @PsykeZ555 interpretation fully but I think that the line "We chase misprinted lies" very much agrees with the theme of being an outcast (that is don't see reality the same as the rest of us).<br /> <br /> Similar the lines about gift of self and privacy fit the themes offered of feeling alone, no identity and not fitting in. That is they feel like everyone has taken advantage of them and abused their nature.<br /> <br /> I don't agree that it is about "not wanting to live" ... I think the song is arguing that sometimes life is a struggle (i.e. depression, drug abuse, relationships, expectations, conformity, loneliness / isolation) and that perhaps it would be easier just to give up (die) ...
@PsykeZ555 - Fair enough. I agree with you. Thanks for the reply.
@PsykeZ555 to build on your point a bit - It's about feeling like a outcast (as Layne did I imagine) while being under the microscope of fame (no privacy as the lyrics mention). He was a drug addict who found out the hard way that no drug out there could drown out or help anyone escape that kind of darkness.
Let me begin by saying I was once a hardcore heroin/cocaine/benzo user. I have been a year clean and I use alice in chains as my higher power because I can relate to so much of what Layne is singing about in mostly all his songs. this particular song is about his life and his addiction in a "nutshell" "we chase misprinted lies" -he is talking about the money glamour and fame its not real. you don't need all that shit to be content in life "we face the path of time" -pretty fucking self explainatory "and yet I fight.. and yet I fight.. this battle all alone" -He is talking about fighting his addiction within himself because any addict or alcoholic out there knows you have to want it and do it on your own no one can help you "no one to cry too, no place to call home" -what he means by this is no one wants to hear his complaining about his addiction anymore because I know no one wanted to hear me cry and complain anymore poor me and after being in the marines and getting out I had no place to call home either "my gift of self is raped" -He is saying addiction has ahold of him like its raping himself of who he really is "my privacy is raked" -Meaning he has no privacy with the media openly talking about his addiction "and yet I find.. and yet I find. repeating in my head if I cant be my own id feel better dead" -going back to what he said about "gift of self is raped". he just wants to be normal again and not have to suffer through a hellish addiction where you hate waking up in the morning that you actually would feel better dead. trust me ive been there.
I just recently lost a friend, my best friend of 25years to heroin because he couldn't be his own, he wasn't strong enough to beat his addiction. I loved him like a brother. now every time I listen to AIC it has so much more meaning to me. Thank you Layne Staley R.I.P And your wings are no longer denied. you too Tony Franza R.I.P brother AUG,22,1989-APR,4 2013 you both are not forgotten
Thank you. You get it, you understand it....
Much respect to you! This is a very intriguing interpretation of what Layne May have been feeling. Love it <3!!
@usmcgorman man,you are the most modest and honest person i have ever yet to meet,fist let me say congratulations on you being clean this long -nod- also the fact you admitted you an ex-addict is powerful in itself,you have my utmost respect for that. what you said..this whole breakdown was pretty powerful,thank you so much for expressing all that how you could relate to it.
@usmcgorman <br /> Right on, hope your still clean and sober, wish I could say the same for me. Maybe I used my marriage as my higher power, now after 33 years husband decides loves his Harley more than me and tossed my 10 years out the window. I have been drowning in my sorrows all day to, morphine and any other pill, no longer shot it cuz no longer worker as a nurse so no more access to the real good stuff. No one want to hear me anymore, myself, I'm the most sick and so tired of me. At 54, no kids, just lost my Mom the end of October, Dad two years before that, two brothers, only one who cares. Layne, as we all are right, was such a tortured soul. I don't think as such a talented artist that their heads ever shut off so they get no peace and falsely, or not I didn't live his life, think it's the only way to shut the fucking noise up, especially when it seems all self deprecating. My he, ha girl, Mike, your Tony, soon me? RIP. Your friend tony, born 1989, means your young dude, I hope you unlocked the solution hat works for you to stay clean as you still have do my more to live for. Peace out and all you youngin's don't go down that fucked ups road, if you are on it, reach out and grab on to something to get your fucking ass off it. Or else your looking at jail, institutions, or death, there is no rainbow at the the pot of that shit, trust me.
@usmcgorman <br /> Sorry major f'd up spelling, "my he ha girl"???? How did Layne and his girl turn into that? Also very sorry for the post all together, was first, maybe last now, and wasn't thinking, shouldn't of put that out there for all to see. Tried to deleted! Can't! If someone has the power to please do so.
@usmcgorman
Incredible. Thank you so much for sharing your story, experience, and you're keen analysis of "Nutshell". I agree with your assessment, but I also feel this song is about chronic depression, in addition to addiction and the bright lights. But, then, its his whole life in a "Nutshell".
@usmcgorman semperfi brother
@usmcgorman I´ve been there myself to, still am. I'm keeping digging my out. And i understand the lyrics. Thanks for giving your view of the song. I agree.<br />
@usmcgorman I like to think this can apply to depression in a way "gift of self" part being depression seems inescapable. "Privacy raked" being the bad thoughts invading you head it's another way I like to interpret it. "If I can't be my own" part can be wishing you didn't have the problems depression brings and feeling better off dead. "Fighting alone" part being nobody listens to your crystal for help.
@usmcgorman cries*
@usmcgorman man, you get it. I’ve been sober for 20 years now. When that song came out. I had lost 3 friends. I was close to either overdose or gun to my head. Never thought I could make it out.
Sorry for your losses brother. Keep up the good fight.
@usmcgorman Only an addict can truly get the meaning of this song. Not everyone can word it as eloquently... Thank you. AIC has been with me through some very dark and fucked up times. I have kicked a lot of things, but I gotta say morphine and benzos were the hardest. I just got done telling my son "There's time when songs you love and relate to pertain more than ever... Now is one of those times". Someone I love dearly is now fighting the fight, so I'm feeling this song more than ever!
@usmcgorman Perfectly explained, you’re lucky to be here to educate the people who read this! What a bittersweet area of expertise to have/share, however, the world will depend on people like you! (I HOPE that future treatment centres are staffed with individuals like you as the Drs of Clinical Treatment, cause you can empathize, not pretend to know the true feelings of an addict because of what you read in a book! <br /> May you keep educating and telling your story! <br /> I think you are incredibly amazing & courageous!
@usmcgorman I really liked this breakdown. I knew this song hit deep for me. I couldn’t figure out why. <br /> I’m 5 years clean from heroin and meth. Addiction is one battle. Mental health is another battle. It’s easy for me to stay away from hard drugs. However, the mental battle I have everyday with myself is the most painful right now. Not with drugs but with life in general, feeling left to fight it on my own. Therapy helps on the days I see her. The other 13 days can be tough sometimes.
@usmcgorman I know I\'m late to the party on the comments but I like to read up on alot of song meanings. Thank you for posting this. This really helps my understanding of the song. By far one of the best ones ever!
@usmcgorman I am with you brother, you nailed it. I hope you are still clean man, yes I fought this battle for years and still have to fight everyday even though I am clean now. RIP Layne the best frontman ever!!!
Definately my favorite Alice in Chains song ever. It just conveys such a sense of hopelessness and emotion. Someone who has just been beaten down and has nothing to live for. No love, no hope, no faith, no will left to live. Someone on their last leg. I think interpretations about "media" or "government", although I respect all of your opinions, are taking the song out of its scope, which I believe is inside the person's head. Like an emotional struggle. It just doesn't feel right if you put it in the context of an "opressive government". Or "the music industry is controlling me". I think if Layne would write a song about that he wouldn't make it in this way. I'd imagine a more heavy, upbeat, "Fuck you" sorta song, instead of tired, worn, dreary anthem to heart-broken people.
@atomsplitter Exactly how I feel.
This song is about how lonely and depressed Layne really was. When he "fights" he means he is trying to fight his drug addictions alone. However it is very hard for him because he has to support system to get him through it. He has no one or even his own family helping out. When he says his privacy is raked he means that the media is always constantly focusing on his drug problems rather than the awesome music he puts out. He has enough and he he can't take it anymore. If he can't fix anything or be his true self again he would rather be dead. This song is so powerful. It really does feel like this is his suicide note. My favorite AIC song ever but its so painful to listen to especially since he has passed on. RIP Layne.
Very much agree with u. This song is so haunting and melancholic that it makes u feel empty n' low inside. It clearly makes u feel that how lonely, helpless n' down he was. Wish I could help him those hard times. RIP Layne .. ur music would always rule the hearts of true grunge luvers! <br /> <br /> Cheers<br /> -Jit
this song represents his struggle in a "nutshell". people believe everything they read to the point that he felt that noone really "knew" him, therefor, he has noone and no place to call home. maybe he regrets the stardom because there's no longer a real sense of privacy, but he'll continue to be his own
@eddievanhillbilly \r\nI believe you are spot on with how you interpret the lyrics. \r\nI also feel like the lyrics identify me only by my own perception. \r\nI honestly believe AIC is has saddest songs ever written the way they sing them just kills
I think they are talking about the scrotum, since the scrotum is a nut shell.
"and yet I fight, this battle all alone, no one to cry to" to me is about the battle a scrotum goes through with it's owner's fist during extended sessions of masturbation. The scrotum cannot do anything about it, hence 'no one to cry to'.
As for 'My gift of self is raped, My privacy is raked" it seems that the scrotum is having trouble dealing with the fist that comes to pound it for hours on end, not giving the scrotum and privacy.
"I'd feel better dead" is the scrotum's way of saying, I'm tired of all the masturbation sessions and I'd rather be dead than go through these constant beatings.
@mrbippies
@mrbippies Holy shit that is fucking priceless.... seriously fucked up, but priceless nonetheless.
@mrbippies ????????????????????????????
@mrbippies Hialrious!!!!
@mrbippies I was listening to this song while depressed and I have to say, this fucking interpretation made my day. \r\n\r\n
@mrbippies I was listening to this song while depressed and I have to say, this fucking interpretation made my day. \r\n\r\n
@nicktumi <br /> Just curious...but...when did you begin communicating with other men's ball sacks?
this song is about layne's struggle with the addiction, how he had no one to rely on or no one to turn to during his battle, and also how the media would always print bad things which a lot of them were untrue hence "we chase misprinted lies"
When he says "we chase misprinted lies" he is referring to what people think is important in their life and what they want. When youre young you think of getting rich and becoming famous but laynes sayin it aint all its cracked up to be. notice in both those lines he puts we. he is talking about everyone. the second line is literal, we all face time. what i think the rest of the first verse means is that layne is actually fighting what he talked about in the previous line. Time. Everyone grows older and dies and I suspect at this time in his life Layne didnt want to die. he feels alienated and like no one else is concerned with this problem.
the second verse is about his lack of privacy and him being who he is. No one can change who they are. If layne cant be himself why even exist?
Thats what i think anyway. its a great song no matter what it means.
Sliznut,<br /> <br /> I always enjoy what you have to say. <br /> <br /> Anyway, I think you are exactly right in your interpretation. Layne had a lot of courage to be himself and be open about his problems. He faced the ridicule of the media, but he had a powerful impact on many of us. That wouldn't have been possible had he not stayed true to himself. I feel like he wrote this song because as you said he wanted to live, but he was well aware of his own possible death due to his addiction. He also is saying that if he were not famous, he could just be himself and he wouldn't have to hide because no one would be looking. It's pretty creepy and sad and powerfully beautiful and full of light if you take this song and also listen to it reversed. Someone typed out the lyrics, approximately how it sounds in reverse, and it's something wonderful, yet tragic. In that sense, it really is a nutshell in that it does sum of so much of his life in one song.
I suppose it's natural for people who dont understand the agony of opiate addiction, matched with little knowledge of how severely this affected his life to miss the point of this song.
This song is simply put Layne Staley admitting defeat to Heroin. Despite the tabloids (concerning loser from Mettalica's comments during the 94 tour AIC had to drop out of due to Laynes health in which Metallica called him a panzy junkie who couldnt play).
His privacy is raked, he fights this battle all alone, and ultimately being unable to play 90% of the time due to dopesickness, and being on the noose of withdrawal leaves him with the realization he would be better off dead. He was a kind person who had an addiction that hurt everyine around him, and even though it destroyed every ounce of his physical body he still cared deeply about the impact it had on everyone and everything he loved.
Sad but relatable for some, which is fortunate and unfortunate.
I agree 100%
its about realizing that no matter how many people misunderstand or cant accept you for the way you are.. you wont give in to being conformitized. its a fight between being well known and accepted.. to being notorious, bitched about and exploited. and u couldnt give a damn
No, what he is saying is: Whether it be fame, fortune, glory, or money... we seem to all want it..(misprinted lies)...<br /> <br /> He talking about being alone on top of the world. He says, "No one to cry to, no place to call home." He feels left out in the crowd. <br /> <br /> The part where he says, "My gift of self is raped." He means, he is so controlled by touring, publicity, people, etc. that he feels he cannot be himself or have his own life beyond his fame/band. The part where he talks about, "If I can't be my own, I'd FEEL better dead.." He say's very clearly that he doesn't feel like he is allowed to live or be himself anymore and being dead would feel better than to be controlled....<br /> <br /> The song is black and white... Love this band...they have always been one of my favorites...
"conformitized" Rofl
@haybrie--- its deeper than that.