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All I Am Lyrics

Cannot recognize the face before me
It's unfamiliar
Time has left me broken down and homely
Can you still see me undisguised?

Outside the window of your eyes
Clinging to the memory of your prime
After many years the road you wandered
Left you here alone, deprived of others

On your toes or on your heels
There's a line drawn on the floor
Where the blood has dried, there is no shine

Have another go my friend
You see I can't feel anymore
While you question just who the hell am I

Is this all I am?
Given all I can?
Is this all I am?

'Till the end of time, never knowing why

Ghosts and damage, no advantage for me
I'm past believing
Understand the price you pay disarming
When you can leave it all behind

Outside of the window of your eyes
Clinging to the memory of your prime
After many years the road you wandered
Left you here alone, deprived of others

On your toes or on your heels
There's a hole worn in the floor
Where the blood has dried, there is no shine

Have another go my friend
You see I can't feel anymore
While you question just who the hell am I

Is this all I am?
Given all I can?
Is this all I am?

'Till the end of time, never knowing why

Cannot recognize the face before me
It's unfamiliar
Song Info
Submitted by
evanriley4410 On Aug 24, 2018
3 Meanings

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Cover art for All I Am lyrics by Alice in Chains

According to the actual lyrics, here's my interpretation. I think the song is about a drug addict who is so numb from all the damage his addiction has done to his body, spirit & soul that he doesn't he know what's left of him that's real anymore. What's actually left is foreign to him & destroyed.

My Interpretation

@EternalTearsOfSorrow

That's what I thought as well. I think that this song was about Layne. Kind of a dedication to him just like "Black Gives Way to Blue" was as well.

Also, I'm surprised to see someone still posting on here lol. Nice to meet anther AIC listener though.

Cover art for All I Am lyrics by Alice in Chains

This is the aftermath of the song voices in finally coming to terms with not knowing who they are after so many years of “playing the part”. Black gives way to blue... I’m thinking more Take Her Out where JC decided to tour again after LS death.

My Interpretation
Cover art for All I Am lyrics by Alice in Chains

My guess is that the life Jerry originally chose to live - being in AIC - has now caught up to him. 20 years on, he's reaping the results of a hard life of smoking, drinking, drugging, nameless women, little sleep, bad food, major life losses, the works. All the things that once seemed exciting in the beginning, tend to take a major toll on one's body and life after many years. So he doesn't really recognize himself anymore. Whereas he used to be "beautiful", as he ages, he's surprised by how he now looks (TBT, he certainly does sport a different "look" than what he used to). I think it's just basically a man who's aging, looking back on life his in his prime, and wondering "how the hell did I get here, and is this all there is?" CLASSIC Solomon questioning.

My Interpretation
 
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