Your Decision Lyrics
Watched your fears become your god
It's your decision
It's your decision
Apathetic to the stunned
It's your decision
It's your decision
When you lie
To feel the pain that spurs you on
Black inside
And here you stand before us all and say it's over
It's over
Yes, it hurts to you know you're bought
It's your decision
It's your decision
When you lie
To feel the pain that spurs you on
Black inside
It's your decision
And here you stand before us all and say it's over
It's over
amazing....watch the video on youtube....to me this song explains the results of a life full of selfish choices made knowing they were wrong....it is so easy to get onto the wrong path....we all know the difference between right and wrong, even as small kids....your mom told you NOT to get into the cookie jar, but you did it anyways, looking back at her with that half-smile smerk on your face....this is how it starts....we get older, and the choices laid at our feet can have much greater penalties, yet are still just as tempting as a cookie is to a child....at some point in all of our lives, we made a decision that landed us where we are today....and at some point in all of our lives, choices made have revealed regret....if only we could learn to listen to the little voice in our head pleading to us that we are about to do wrong....think about this the next time you have a chance to cheat, a chance to steal, a chance that could result in pain....if you are somewhere that you feel like you shouldn't be, listen and turn around....you feel this way because the selfish decisions you're making are consuming the possibilty of ever being innocent again....there it is, typed out for you plain as day....no one plans to take the path that brings you lower....do not let your time to change have come and gone....you don't decide the end of you, that is up to Him....but when He says it's over, it's over....my friends, today, it's your decision....1 Corinthians 10:23
This is exactly how I interpret this song, also. I, too, have seen the video. The song makes me sad, but it also kind of gives me hope. We ALL have the choice to either give in to temptation or resist and rise above. I relate to this song on a very personal level. Several months ago, I gave in to a temptation, which led to incredible regret and heartache. All I could do was seek forgiveness, learn from it, and move on. It could've turned out much worse, but it's devastating to realize you've just made the biggest mistake...
This is exactly how I interpret this song, also. I, too, have seen the video. The song makes me sad, but it also kind of gives me hope. We ALL have the choice to either give in to temptation or resist and rise above. I relate to this song on a very personal level. Several months ago, I gave in to a temptation, which led to incredible regret and heartache. All I could do was seek forgiveness, learn from it, and move on. It could've turned out much worse, but it's devastating to realize you've just made the biggest mistake of your life. I certainly hope and pray I never make a bigger one. I also really appreciated your reference to scripture. As soon as I got done reading your post, I went and looked up the verse. I never would've imagined when I woke up this morning that a comment on an Alice and Chains song would be the thing that led me to my bible today. Thank you for posting. I'd say you hit the nail right on the head with your interpretation. At least, that's what this song means to me....After all, isn't music supposed to be embraced on a personal level? If not, then what's the point?
@JC98SS Oh my goodness!!! HOW TRUE!!!! That's a wonderful comment. This immediately made me think back to a time where I was the happiest in my life. Or at least I thought... I was making a food delivery to a coffee shop in Prophetstown, IL, and my tractor-trailor was parked in the back ally. When I attempted to drop my ramp I noticed that it would have blocked an already open garage door. The man happened to see me when I pulled up for the restaurant's food order. I pulled my truck up...
@JC98SS Oh my goodness!!! HOW TRUE!!!! That's a wonderful comment. This immediately made me think back to a time where I was the happiest in my life. Or at least I thought... I was making a food delivery to a coffee shop in Prophetstown, IL, and my tractor-trailor was parked in the back ally. When I attempted to drop my ramp I noticed that it would have blocked an already open garage door. The man happened to see me when I pulled up for the restaurant's food order. I pulled my truck up a few feet as to not be in his way. And with each trip in and out of my trailer I found myself having a conversation with this man who was working on a car. Evidently, he was a religious man because his every word was in a way that could be described as a man of God. Long after making the delivery I was having good conversation with this man. Before leaving he said that all of our lives are like a line. He then threw the set of keys he had in his hand across the garage floor. All I could see at first was the key chain. I think it was a rabbit's foot, eight ball, or something like that. But yea! He said to picture a long line. "Your life represents that line," he said. "And that each of us starts on one end (the beginning) and we will eventually end at the other. He further went on to say that the easiest way or the most convenient, less harmful way is from point to point. But there are many branches in which to choose from. We all will get there in the end. But how we get there is by our choosing. I've lived long enough to know that I am not proud of all the things that I've done with my life. But life itself has taught me that great lesson. THANKS FOR SHARING!!!
@JC98SS Oh my goodness!!! HOW TRUE!!!! That's a wonderful comment. This immediately made me think back to a time where I was the happiest in my life. Or at least I thought... I was making a food delivery to a coffee shop in Prophetstown, IL, and my tractor-trailor was parked in the back ally. When I attempted to drop my ramp I noticed that it would have blocked an already open garage door. The man happened to see me when I pulled up for the restaurant's food order. I pulled my truck up...
@JC98SS Oh my goodness!!! HOW TRUE!!!! That's a wonderful comment. This immediately made me think back to a time where I was the happiest in my life. Or at least I thought... I was making a food delivery to a coffee shop in Prophetstown, IL, and my tractor-trailor was parked in the back ally. When I attempted to drop my ramp I noticed that it would have blocked an already open garage door. The man happened to see me when I pulled up for the restaurant's food order. I pulled my truck up a few feet as to not be in his way. And with each trip in and out of my trailer I found myself having a conversation with this man who was working on a car. Evidently, he was a religious man because his every word was in a way that could be described as a man of God. Long after making the delivery I was having good conversation with this man. Before leaving he said that all of our lives are like a line. He then threw the set of keys he had in his hand across the garage floor. All I could see at first was the key chain. I think it was a rabbit's foot, eight ball, or something like that. But yea! He said to picture a long line. "Your life represents that line," he said. "And that each of us starts on one end (the beginning) and we will eventually end at the other. He further went on to say that the easiest way or the most convenient, less harmful way is from point to point. But there are many branches in which to choose from. We all will get there in the end. But how we get there is by our choosing. I've lived long enough to know that I am not proud of all the things that I've done with my life. But life itself has taught me that great lesson. THANKS FOR SHARING!!!
After seeing the video, I thought this was about Layne and Mike Starr. The guys are all dressed in black suits, as for a funeral; the camera follows a girl (whom I think bears a resemblance to Demri) who obviously represents temptation. She walks from room to room showing various acts of debauchery while each of the guys sits or stands by passively. Jerry sits near a table where fat execs dine on human organs and appear not to notice him (corporate greed, the act of "eating the artist alive"), and at the end, the girl who I believe represents Layne's ex digs into a human heart.
However, the lyrics seem to point toward Mike Starr:
"time to change has come and gone, watched your fears become your god" "you fuel the fire that burns us all, when you lie" and "it might seem an afterthought, yes it hurts to know you're bought"
To me, this refers to Mike's drug addiction, his book, and his appearance on Celeb Rehab.
Just my two cents. This is a beautifully haunting song; can't stop listening to it.
@RockChickie I have not seen the video but from the lyrics I think it is very much about Layne and Mike. Perhaps the lyric you speak of is more to Layne though, who pretty much and single handedly 'broke the Chains' so to speak with his addiction and the way he decided to live his life. Though Layne died in 2002, it is written that he really fell into a hole of addiction many years earlier. He last performed with AIC in 1996, and hadn't spoken to any of them for several years before he died. So when...
@RockChickie I have not seen the video but from the lyrics I think it is very much about Layne and Mike. Perhaps the lyric you speak of is more to Layne though, who pretty much and single handedly 'broke the Chains' so to speak with his addiction and the way he decided to live his life. Though Layne died in 2002, it is written that he really fell into a hole of addiction many years earlier. He last performed with AIC in 1996, and hadn't spoken to any of them for several years before he died. So when I read the line "And here you stand before us all and say it's over" and "It's your decision" I think its ceding control to Layne. It's clearly a multiple layered meaning, its his decision how to live his life, its his decision how to handle his pain/problems, and there was nothing anyone else could do it was his decision and death that led to the AIC breaking up.
"Nobody plans to take the path that takes you lower" (double meaning, bring you down and also lower into your grave) but the line "here you stand" line is powerful to me because it is not really him, it is him in his death standing there saying its over. Its him in his death, his eternal legacy and his persona and his importance to the band and all that. The band may have wanted to go on and make more music together but it was his decision and everyone else had to go along with it. They gave him the power to decide for them. That's how i read it at first, anyway with my limited understanding of events.
You could be right about the "fears become your god" part going to Mike. Mike's death was very sad too, and I know less about it though I do recall he was on TV with that counselor from Thelonious Monster and Dr Drew etc. surely there are many parts of this song that goes over my head but my first reading I thought of Layne.
@RockChickie Notably, this comment was made before Mike Starr's death, so it was recognizable as being possibly about him even before then.
@RockChickie Notably, this comment was made before Mike Starr's death, so it was recognizable as being possibly about him even before then.
slipknot342 - You didn't know Layne, they did. They have a better perspective on what he did and did not do. I don't think you "get it".
In any case, I don't find these lyrics disrespectful, just honest and sad. As I understand it, they were all as bad as each other with the "addictions" weren't they?? However I think the others tried and managed to clean up, Layne didn't - he was "consciously avoiding changes".
the video also shows them sitting in the room; watching it happen....I think they are showing their sorrow for not stopping it as well.
the video also shows them sitting in the room; watching it happen....I think they are showing their sorrow for not stopping it as well.
I wish people would post the correct lyrics so half the thread wouldn't be spent correcting them.
I'll fix anything that needs fixing as soon as the album hits the shelves...
I'll fix anything that needs fixing as soon as the album hits the shelves...
If you don't think these lyrics are right why don't you suggest alternatives? Everyone would be much better off.
If you don't think these lyrics are right why don't you suggest alternatives? Everyone would be much better off.
Just a guess here, but after seeing the video, I came to the conclusion that the vid was about one who was taken in by temptation, and when one is taken into temptation that one can't resist, and therefore gives in to it, it leads one to a place where they are taken advantage of, or 'eaten', if you will. I believe the video corresponds well with the lyrics. But that's just me. :)
I agree with everybody and thought I'd put my intake in. The day my boyfriend and I broke up, I was driving home from school, (I had to leave, because seeing him with another girl was killing me) I heard this song and had to pull over, I was crying so bad. This song is so deep and haunting I love it. I agree with everyone, thought I think it could possibly also be about a breakup? Tell me what you think?
Anyone ever notice how much the guitar riff in this song resembles the one from "Nutshell"?
My favorite song from the new album. The solo sends chills down my spine.
Anyone ever notice the chords and rhythm are strikingly similar to "Polly" by Nirvana?
Anyone ever notice the chords and rhythm are strikingly similar to "Polly" by Nirvana?
I read in an interview that Cantrell said it's about "choosing life over death" or something like that
I, personally, think this song is about suicide and self-destructive ways.
In my own opinion, this song is about Layne's deadly addiction. It was his decision to give into the addiction and let it own him til the day he passed away.