The song is originally from the EP, Sap, It is written and sung by Layne, chorus by Ann Wilson of Heart, Layne, and Jerry Cantrell.
Great song! About loneliness and depression; above all, feeling alienated from those you thought were your friends. No matter where he goes or who he is with, he feels the same pain and he cannot escape it. His hurt is so severe that it takes on physical characteristics for him. It comes on quickly, covers him and it's so strong, it's visible.
I believe Layne was a highly intelligent individual who over-analyzed scenarios, friendships, family and relationships. He was very observant in that he watched people/friends and did a bit of self-discovery and soul-searching himself. He was extremely generous and sincere with a heart as big as he was and he expected more from others than he received. Unfortunately, in his eyes, most people just used him or befriended him because they wanted something from him and that was immensely heartbreaking for Layne.
Layne felt there was no substance to the people around him and referred to them as "empty souls". They were just living life and going through the motions. There was no "heart", no "soul" to these people.
He is saying that he used to have this girl at one time and due to a break-up, she's no longer with him so he's currently walking this maze (earth) alone. "And because so, once was mine" (because she was his and she no longer is) "artificial courage used" alcohol and/or drugs are used to self-medicate and alleviate the pain that he is feeling. Artificial courage is similar to the term "liquid courage" which has always referred to alcohol.
It seems he only feels a "sense" of happiness when he's with his significant other, his "better half" (better half of me), Demri. His wording is, "the only thing that makes me 'feel'. He doesn't say, feel happy. I don't think he was ever happy. Taken from "Love, Hate, Love", is the line "I live for you, but I'm not alive." This shows how Layne truly feels, which is extremely poignant and clearly indicative of his heart and state of mind. Manic depression is devastating, not only to the person experiencing it, but to the family, friends, and loved ones of that person.
If Layne only knew what a GIANT he was and would become! But more importantly, the proper help needs to be available to treat the underlying problems, which is the reason people self-medicate.
Layne Staley will forever live on as a LEGEND in my eyes and to every AiC fan and I'm certain he is smiling down on each and every one of us. It was an honor, I'm sure, for anyone who knew him.
Rest in LOVE, my friend.
@BrushAway really well written indepth interpretation, and most of it I am in agreement with (esp. regarding the song's theme of depression and the feeling of being all alone in dealing with it)
@BrushAway really well written indepth interpretation, and most of it I am in agreement with (esp. regarding the song's theme of depression and the feeling of being all alone in dealing with it)
The song is originally from the EP, Sap, It is written and sung by Layne, chorus by Ann Wilson of Heart, Layne, and Jerry Cantrell.
Great song! About loneliness and depression; above all, feeling alienated from those you thought were your friends. No matter where he goes or who he is with, he feels the same pain and he cannot escape it. His hurt is so severe that it takes on physical characteristics for him. It comes on quickly, covers him and it's so strong, it's visible.
I believe Layne was a highly intelligent individual who over-analyzed scenarios, friendships, family and relationships. He was very observant in that he watched people/friends and did a bit of self-discovery and soul-searching himself. He was extremely generous and sincere with a heart as big as he was and he expected more from others than he received. Unfortunately, in his eyes, most people just used him or befriended him because they wanted something from him and that was immensely heartbreaking for Layne. Layne felt there was no substance to the people around him and referred to them as "empty souls". They were just living life and going through the motions. There was no "heart", no "soul" to these people.
He is saying that he used to have this girl at one time and due to a break-up, she's no longer with him so he's currently walking this maze (earth) alone. "And because so, once was mine" (because she was his and she no longer is) "artificial courage used" alcohol and/or drugs are used to self-medicate and alleviate the pain that he is feeling. Artificial courage is similar to the term "liquid courage" which has always referred to alcohol.
It seems he only feels a "sense" of happiness when he's with his significant other, his "better half" (better half of me), Demri. His wording is, "the only thing that makes me 'feel'. He doesn't say, feel happy. I don't think he was ever happy. Taken from "Love, Hate, Love", is the line "I live for you, but I'm not alive." This shows how Layne truly feels, which is extremely poignant and clearly indicative of his heart and state of mind. Manic depression is devastating, not only to the person experiencing it, but to the family, friends, and loved ones of that person.
If Layne only knew what a GIANT he was and would become! But more importantly, the proper help needs to be available to treat the underlying problems, which is the reason people self-medicate.
Layne Staley will forever live on as a LEGEND in my eyes and to every AiC fan and I'm certain he is smiling down on each and every one of us. It was an honor, I'm sure, for anyone who knew him. Rest in LOVE, my friend.
@BrushAway really well written indepth interpretation, and most of it I am in agreement with (esp. regarding the song's theme of depression and the feeling of being all alone in dealing with it)
@BrushAway really well written indepth interpretation, and most of it I am in agreement with (esp. regarding the song's theme of depression and the feeling of being all alone in dealing with it)