What Makes This Song Great? "Man in the Box" Alice in Chains

In this episode of "What Makes This Song Great?" we explore a second Alice In Chains song.
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[@alexanderhikel2350]

For me Alice In Chains was the best in grunge everyone swoons over nirvana but man Alice In Chains just had it all , just amazing

[@nz540im3]

I loathe nirvana to be honest. How AIC seems to get buried by them in the mainstream conversations blows my mind

[@craigdaurizio686]

For me, Nirvana is near the bottom of grunge. Not a bad band, but with groups like AIC, STP, Soundgarden etc , that's such stiff competition for being the best.

[@mitchellforney6109]

@@craigdaurizio686 You're right, there's serious competition there, but seriously don't ignore Bleach. Forget Nevermind, forget In Utero, look at Bleach.

[@trey3835]

soundgarden?

[@hoganp711]

I agree, I never could understand the appeal of Nirvana. Don’t get me wrong I love Dave Grohl.

[@mdmck20]

We need a Rick Beato to just talk about AiC for 40 hours a week.

[@80sMeavyHetal]

Yes!! :D

[@marckirzeder6722]

i would subscribe that

[@nickespina1975]

true!

[@sapporobysunrise3787]

More like 40 hrs a day

[@SHADOWSREALM37]

YES 👍

[@jessehutchings]

Dude, hearing those chorus vocals ISOLATED is enough to make a man cry. God damn that belt is fucking amazing

[@queenredspecial]

So good.

[@CKing0429]

Loving AIC and all things Layne, I’m shocked it took me this long to start going through Rick’s WMTSG series. Flawless. Perfection…and any other like adjective.

[@Ticonderous1]

What Makes This Song Great? ... Easy .. It's Alice in Chains ....

[@jeffirwin7862]

Maybe it's maybelline.

[@elgerardoedwardio2498]

That saved me writing a comment... oops!

[@vickiekelly7479]

Triconderous - exactly.

[@AlexKaufman]

No more analysis. Period.

[@justiny.6925]

R You Don’t Know It the best band out of anywhere ever😁

[@nathangreer8219]

Taking a Sunday drive with the family... Before Rick Beato: "This is a nice song, kids, turn it up!" After Rick Beato: "DOUBLE TRACKED VOCALS!! Did you guys catch that?? DOUBLE TRACKED VOCALS!!"

[@joemisek]

And Beato face air drumming. Definitely need to do the Beato-face air drumming.

[@CorbCorbin]

😂

[@havilinhargraves9122]

Ha! Same!

[@eclecticmuso]

The thing I love about the double tracks here are they aren't completely perfect or pristine, they left in certain fluctuations in pitch etc.

[@colehartel7206]

@@eclecticmuso Layne's double-track takes were definitely not as consistent as Kurt Cobain's. The fluctuations give it a much more eerie, sinister feeling.

[@swedejohanson7739]

Every song off Facelift is a masterpiece. Same thing w Dirt.

[@Dragracer612]

I concur

[@dannap8831]

i really like Nutshell, like, a lot

[@rowanmelton7643]

And their self titled album

[@edwardpetersii6276]

The two best albums! Sap and Jar of Flies are also unbelievable!

[@swedejohanson7739]

@@edwardpetersii6276 yeah they are. I like everything they’ve put out. The three albums w Duvall are damn good too.

[@fedbysound]

Rick’s quote, “I’ve never heard anyone really copy them credibly” says it all.

[@hanzkrupps3315]

No once could hope to. Even selling their soul.

[@stevenkirkpatrick5476]

There was an Atlanta band called Shyann that nailed it. Vic somebody on guitar and Dave somebody on vocals would have been early 2000s

[@lucianoaraujo6604]

There was a band called thread that has nailed it too. At least some songs are very similar to AIC I think..

[@arminius1804]

Godsmack actually sounded like an AnC cover band.

[@bradspitt3896]

Dead Sara comes close. Vox wise, not instruments.

[@AugustThor438]

I think one guitar actually has a talkbox, not a wah. But i am not sure

[@adamrushka8096]

Agreed.

[@darraghtate440]

Yes, you're right. I do think it's double or triple tracked - wah, talkbox, and direct.

[@safenders]

Yup!

[@bigmike8847]

I was always told that it was a bass wah, which to me makes sense but I dont know if thats confirmation bias or not

[@danielseale9636]

Avacaaaadoooo

[@r.m.m.1333]

Rick is so technical, even the artist himself be like, "Oh. I didn't realise I actually did that."

[@THECOSMONAUT100]

If Kurt Cobain was alive that'd he something he'd say lol

[@gabrielvermund]

But he knows it, and now we know it 😏

[@JacobC479]

Most of these guys didn’t realize what they were doing, they just knew it sounded good lol

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

My god I love these videos!!!

[@izzyrabha9880]

Hi Robert.

[@ThatOtherRaccoon]

Robert Baker in the house! I enjoyed your video outlining how this solo was played. Rock on.

[@HosaTechnology]

You aint alone.

[@RickBeato]

Robert Baker Thanks Robert!

[@teddydavis3504]

Haha, this is hilarious. I came to this video after finishing one of your videos. The one about old dude shred.

[@markcurtis4465]

Im dying to hear him break down Rooster.

[@mprior93]

Mark Curtis or angry chair

[@vladionescu8222]

Nutshell?

[@ironmyno]

Would? !!!!!

[@whereisevan]

To make fried chicken?

[@screambluemurder101]

Yes!

[@rnrtruestories]

The album was a flop initially but when mtv picked up the video for man in the box for buzz bin it took off

[@Cordy712]

Layne's solo vocals give me chills. Doesn't matter how many times I've heard it. Such raw power and emotion. Incredible

[@88winsn08]

Caprise Adams they are sorely missing that these days.

[@NolalanD]

So incredibly powerful and soulful; I would say its almost supernatural, just in the amount of soul in it.

[@natavers0]

I second that. I think all the time of how great it would have been to see him live!

[@jilllasala9236]

Every 👏 time 👏

[@lamnuck]

The end of love,hate, love when he wails away !

[@TheOicyu812]

When this record was released, Eddie Van Halen said Jerry Cantrell was his favorite guitarist at that time.

[@renzokukenleneyoyo522]

Damn, two of my fav guitars in the same context!

[@MrSulfor]

Eddie actually joined Jerry on stage and played with him during the facelift tour.

[@LUckybones25]

Great great breakdown Rick!

[@jaxhaxnsnax]

He’s one of Jerrys favorite guitar players. If that all happened it must have been surreal for him.

[@maxvanderhorst4657]

He even gave jerry a garage full of guitar stuff

[@KipCount]

I want to see/hear "Would?", quite possibly the best AiC song ever.

[@JonShade-fy2gm]

And Head Creeps. I would LOVE to hear Frogs done as well.

[@abigaillkruss8823]

Yeah i think so

[@Dragracer612]

Would...baddest song ever written IMO.

[@janeelsner]

@@Dragracer612 why?

[@Dragracer612]

@@janeelsner Hard to say. I’m 48...this song was written at the right time in my life. It was the baddest stuff I had ever heard. Here I am almost 30 years later, and it still speaks to my soul. I guess that’s why.

[@nickolasmafi8832]

Layne Staley had a voice that revolutionized a sound in music. I don't blame other artist for trying to sound like him he set a standard. RIP Layne you are missed.

[@fedbysound]

Nickolas Mafi so true

[@mathewpando6195]

His lows sound like they could spook a biker gang and his highs sound like someone’s driving a stake into his ear. it’s like he had a nuclear reactor in his larynx, insane emotion. Won’t be heard again.

[@slypperyfox]

It's surprising that he didn't want to do vocals when they first put the band together. He wanted to play something percussion. Best business decision ever to put a microphone in his hand and stand him in front of the band and let him discover himself.

[@scottdaunhauer2453]

@Inhouse Atx 👍!! Love the comment...

[@bobdakov3276]

layne's isolated voice gave me goosebumps jesus christ

[@kntryfolk]

Peace and Love me too!

[@mrstachman]

His voice is like no other, and I get the impression he didn't even have to push or overboard... just put a teaspoon of his mojo in... to make the vox perfect.

[@tonym2513]

@@mrstachman there are interesting stories out there about the power that came out of Layne when he sings. How he can push power thru his chest with little effort, allowing him to belt out these songs night after night on the road without losing his vocal power. The more you dig into this band, the more interesting and fun it is. Layne was a once in a lifetime singer.

[@papafoundry5537]

Deny your maker

[@bobdakov3276]

@@Gandalf_Lundgren kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

[@Napalm6b]

Laney Staley had the whole evil blues vibrato in his voice that tweaks all their harmonies a little bit in a way that no one could imitate. Great analysis as always !!!

[@romanwowk4269]

You could do nothing but AIC songs and I’ll be a subscriber for life. Great video.

[@ruris189]

There's at least one comment like this on every band Rick does lol

[@UKSportsFan]

Hey Rick, if you know Jerry Cantrell you should invite him on your show sometime to be a guest.

[@mrkrunch4340]

This should happen.

[@haaarrrggg]

yes

[@radtech21]

OMG, I could die happy after seeing this!

[@roejogan8247]

Just happened!

[@thanevakarian9762]

He just did when’s it getting posted!?!

[@mikeygrizz23]

Every time you isolate Layne’s vocals, the hair on the back of my neck stands up…. He was on another level!!

[@jamesjones8460]

Lanne and Jerry's voices are hauntingly beautiful. I am a guitar player and I think Jerry is one of the most underrated guitarist in the world. He does not wank, his stuff is very melodic.

[@nickolasmafi8832]

I agree!

[@franzcamus29]

He is melodic but he is very poor technically

[@djay6651]

I used to be very guitar wankery oriented. I loved shredding in the mid 80s, but the more guitar I played and learned, the more I began to prefer minimalism in my own style. I started to get more into blues, which pushed me into phrasing and feel. Jerry and AiC can say a lot with a few notes. I still love thrash and hair metal, but I also love playing AiC.

[@joandrumz3176]

I love Jerry's solo on man in the box, he's my fav guitarist

[@svincentr]

He’s definitely one of my hero’s🤘🏽

[@ccubsfan94]

I feel like too much focus of grunge was on Nirvana and Pearl Jam, and alice seemed to play third fiddle, which I would listen to Alice more than the others.

[@RyanWSi]

Sweet water's self titled album was better than anything Nirvana did

[@aces553]

Me too, and Soundgarden. The thing AIC was it was so dark I think not as radio friendly (dirt for example my fav is really dark). Pearl Jam totally radio ready.

[@Aggrofool]

AiC themselves didn't want to be identified as Grunge. They preferred to be Metal (now called Sludge Metal in retrospect)

[@HotStrange]

Agreed. AIC and Soundgarden were the best of the era.

[@micheleparker8123]

Me too! By the way I'm a Chicago White Sox fan. 😎

[@zman0729]

Sean Kinney recorded the drums on this album with a broken hand. That's impressive!

[@christophernoble76]

that's insane, he's beating them like they hurt his dog

[@johngulak5721]

This series is without a doubt my favorite thing to watch on KZbin. Alice in Chains is my favorite band from that era. Rick you said something in the video that I've thought for years. That the song is kinda like a blues riff. I've often thought that AIC was really just a heavy blues band..love it man

[@thecoogs]

It all comes from the blues in my opinion

[@aaronlee2828]

Country to me

[@eclecticmuso]

@Lucas Robinett Wasn't grunge more of a marketing term than a defined musical style though? Used by record execs to lump in all early 90's bands with a penchant for angst inspired songs, regardless of their respective differences in style. Kinda like how record execs would do the same with the term nu metal for bands of the late 90's/early 2000's.

[@eatingsound373]

In the video of them all living together when the band first started Jerry describes them as a blues-based hard rock band.

[@sx-mt-fd]

They are more metal then anything, which is blues played fast and heavy. My opinion anyway

[@pyrotechnick420]

Alice in Chains has around 50 songs that would be worthy of an entire What Makes This Song Great video!

[@AirGuitar]

P Y R O T E C H N I C K so true. The entire Dirt record and the entire Tripod record. So damn good!

[@nicolasriveros943]

I hope he made an episode with any song from Jar Of Flies, there some great harmonies and production vallues (and it was recorded in two weeks!)

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

@@nicolasriveros943 I Stay Away. That is all.

[@eclecticmuso]

@@SimpleManGuitars1973 Fuck yeah dude, one of my fav AIC songs. I'd also love if he did Am I inside (if only to hear the awesome Ann Wilson's backup vocals isolated).

[@Twistedstar0320]

I'm pretty sure hes only doing the songs that have the separate tracks released with the guitar hero games. The only one left is Rooster I'm pretty sure.

[@michaelreis8266]

The fact I will never get to hear what Layne could be doing now is one of my deepest musical sadness's...

[@ljliving27]

God I feel this.

[@Djamieson713]

he probably would've gotten sober and made foo fighter type music, let's be honest.

[@michaelreis8266]

@@Djamieson713 foo fighters are awesome, that wouldn't be the worst outcome. Layne was raw and authentic. Also the studio system he hated died and he has a huge fan base still, I think he would have done great things but we'll never know!

[@BegToDiffah]

Listening to Layne's tracks isolated like that gave me chills. It's like listening to a ghost... or an angel. Miss him!

[@adamyoung2389]

Amen to that. Miss him too.

[@joshstanton267]

chills for sure man!

[@aaronmccutcheon]

I liked his voice so much I named a kid after him, lol.

[@MatthewDurden]

It really is.. it's like hearing a snapshot in time.. it's all timeless.

[@christophertaylor9100]

Man in the Box did launch grunge, I remember hearing it on the radio the first time and it was frankly shocking. NOTHING sounded like that, it was so eerie and amazing and gripping, you wanted to hear it again and again. Alice In Chains was amazing and inventive, so new.

[@patsfan4life]

Christopher Taylor There’s STILL nothing that sounds like it.....

[@BudSchnelker]

"You wanted to hear it again and again." Exactly!

[@Full_Otto_Bismarck]

I STILL want to hear it again and again.

[@doublestrokeroll]

Hand's All Over launched grunges 2 years earlier, but nobody was paying attention.

[@mike04574]

@@doublestrokeroll wouldn’t call that a “launch”

[@jbird4754]

Is it me or is Sean Kinney underrated? I’ve always found him amazing. He creates tension, he sound like he comes from a jazz background… he’s also extremely soulful. Whaaaaa?!?!!!!! ❣️❣️❣️❣️

[@stephenm8725]

well yes, if anything he is underrated. definately a solid drummer

[@rsbreth]

One my influences as a Drummer.

[@ryukan250]

Got that Gavin Harrison snare sound

[@TheMistery97]

Fantastic drummer, smooth and powerful at the same time. He came up with some of the most creative grooves from the grunge era.

[@jeffjefferson8137]

he’s great probably one of my favorite drummers along with bonham and jimmy chamberlain. kinney plays to the songs so well and does such different stuff than others would on the same song. i remember hearing rooster for the first time when he starts playing the marching snare part and thought it was just so cool.

[@desenova9135]

And here I thought Layne just had a multi layered vocal track for the chorus and not a guitar going with it. Every time I watch a video, I learn something new, some nuance to a song that is almost insignificant, but the moment you point it out, I can never un-hear it and I couldn't be happier for it.

[@Tognar]

Geoffrey Williams agreed. That was life changing info. I never heard that guitar part, but now that I know it’s there, I can hear it so clearly in the mix. That’s a testament to Layne being pitch perfect on that!

[@seanmcaleavy2369]

I was just thinking the exact same thing! In every episode, with songs I've loved and listened to for decades, I am made aware of at least one but more often several, bad-ass parts that I previously never even knew existed. For instance, I don't how many times I have heard Roxanne, but I have played that first Police Album hundreds of times, literally. I never knew that the tempo dropped back in the second verse. I need to check that out now.

[@flocore]

Geoffrey Williams Just goes to show how much work, thinking and experimenting went into the songwriting and production of all those great songs.

[@brianhawley3877]

Layne did have multi layered vocal tracks on the debut album. Just Layne on vocals. Jerry started vocals on Sap.

[@amostlyreasonableguy]

Brian Hawley not true, Jerry sings harmonies on the choruses of multiple songs on Facelift, starting with We Die Young chorus, chorus of Sea of Sorrow, chorus of Bleed the Freak and the call and response there in the verses "thii-iigh!".., prechorus harmony on Man in the boxcall and response in the chorus, chorus of It Ain't Like that, chorus of Sunshine, background vocals of I know something, etc.

[@Bernsong]

Staley and Cantrell was pure musical alchemy...

[@jilllasala9236]

Bernsong My only regret about getting into AIC was being exposed too late. I was 14 and Layne had passed a year earlier. 😞

[@lamnuck]

I was blown away the first time I heard the harmony in Rooster = WOW !!!!!!!

[@DIYTechnician]

Gotta say they new stuff is pretty damn good as well.

[@lamnuck]

@@DIYTechnician they new stuff is they good, they bad and they ugly

[@DinsdalePiranha67]

@@DIYTechnician I've heard some of what they've put out with William Duvall, and while it's good, it's not the same as what they did with Staley.

[@Goldsilver]

That ‘sound’ - I call it the ‘scarecrow in the cornfield’.

[@TheIanwright84]

Mike Maloney commenting on a Rick Beato video. That's my day made! Keep stacking mike! :)

[@tedwojtasik8781]

Jerry Cantrell, another very underappreciated guitarists.

[@kevinkendall3122]

@@tedwojtasik8781 dude's a guitar God imo 🤘

[@pauloriley2776]

Didn’t talk about Layne’s absolute unreplicable blood curdling belt of Hell that is the chorus. FEEEEYE YE YE YEED MYYY EYEZZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That’s what really put this song over that top and in turns it into a killing machine.

[@jsschill3386]

Used to scream this at the top of my lungs driving my '67 Camaro in Seattle in the early 90s... Great days! Played in a band then (as did everyone) and rehearsed in a studio where AIC's road equipment was kept... you're dead-on. THAT is the key to the song. Love calling it a killing machine :->

[@deBebbler]

"Feed my eyes" is the line that makes this song. I feel that familiar tingle up my spine every time I hear it. Just as amazing today as it was the first day I heard it on Headbangers Ball.

[@themartinadler]

12:40

[@squirlmy]

@zensunni yeah. some of the motivation for analyzing such songs is to incorporate it into your own music, "steal" from the best. But, you couldn't ask another vocalist to imitate that. "Let's put something like that in our song...." Ahhh, no.

[@cosmicbro1973]

Martin Adler u know Steven? 😂

[@PapaWheelie1]

Me: Ready for bed Rick B: AIC breakdown Me: Pours drink and settles into trance - flat 7, nods head

[@ChadH2023]

In 2023 at 138am I'm in the same situation.

[@Epicdps]

2.44 AM in 2024

[@frmrchristian8488]

The haunting double track harmonies of Staley & Cantrell and Staley harmonizing with himself, make this band sound like no other.

[@juanmanuelcorrea7673]

Rick needs to do Rain When I Die. Somehow that song always goes unnoticed in any Alice in Chains video...

[@malevolentsound]

My favorite aic song

[@timmynator8036]

I WAS ABOUT TO SAY THAT!!

[@tharonlawson1357]

Def my favorite aic song🤘🏽

[@alexcunningham4847]

One of Layne’s most impressive vocal performances. Especially post-Facelift

[@santinoruiz4689]

It has a great groove in drums

[@mccallosone4903]

agreed when you say it launched grunge, they hit big way before Nirvana and Teen Spirit. this song blew me away, i went and shoplifted the cassette immediately

[@spokenbycecilia984]

McCallos One shoplifted lmaooo

[@kanyeeast1340]

Lmao such an underrated comment

[@TheRoadhammer379]

I completely condone this shoplifting.

[@absolutelynonameslef]

Shoplifted Facelift

[@bt7846]

😁

[@holymacro7035]

How this band isnt in the hall of fame is beyond me

[@harrisontownsend910]

The Hall of Fame is nothing but useless bro country and stupid rappers. They're just to good for some half witted hall anyways.

[@eliasandrinopoulos8746]

It’s criminal, they deserve it!

[@HotStrange]

The last time Layne sings “Feed my Eyes” is so goddamn good. Jesus Christ. One of the best vocal parts in music history.

[@timmynator8036]

Yeah it rings the sunshine out of my head!!!! 😍😍

[@jetydosa1]

It never fails to give me the chills. Just like that first note in the solo for comfortably numb. The hair on my arms stands up for both of those

[@PepeSilvia22]

Agreed. And the final chorus in would? always gives me goosebumps

[@alexk1682]

Find a good live version on KZbin it’s even more intense.

[@crescendo5594]

Agreed, and trying to sing that with that kinda power will fuck your voice up. It’s like trying to keep up with a funny car in your Chevy Citation. That high note is so hard to sing without singing falsetto.

[@bobmessina603]

Dirt is a masterpiece.

[@safenders]

Yes!

[@nicolasriveros943]

Of course, but Facelift still a solid album, specially for a Debut

[@TickleFingers]

It truly is!

[@jettsom]

Dirt and Facelift are both greats for me

[@Johnaxandra]

Agreed!

[@John_Notmylastname]

This song goes to show just how incredibly important it is to have a great drummer. An awesome drummer can completely change a band.

[@gregwinter8503]

Agree! Sean is so underrated it’s criminal. He’s a badass drummer.

[@deanarupe73]

Sean Kinney is a fucking monster. He has strong beats mixed with killer cymbal nuances. His drumming is unique along with his movements. The coolest drummer from that era. If he'd lived in LA the LA glam scene would've turned into the LA grunge scene. His drumming really defines the grunge movement.

[@bradsully6620]

Exactly, like when nirvana went from chad to dave.

[@chercher304]

Yes sean and bonham are prime examples of this!! Pearl jam firing dave a. Is also prime example!!!

[@greenderp]

Tool is probably the best example of this LOL

[@ridji3]

U can see at @ 14:00 that he shakes his head in a disbelief way. And he becomes a little sad as we all do when we realise how good Layne and Jerry were together and that it was gone too early

[@alexk1682]

Yea he was having some flashbacks, it’s a shame.

[@barrypeirson3710]

Shame. My brother died from an overdose a little less than 2 years ago. RIP Layne

[@lennyrepongo78]

did you notice how at 14:20 when talking about how "they own that" seems that his eyes watered and he took a second to keep talking about it?.... love this guys videos and his passion for music

[@ridji3]

@@lennyrepongo78 yes bro i seen it. I felt it

[@rowanmelton7643]

That's the tragedy of the early 90s Seattle grunge scene. So much talent packed into such a small group of people in such a short time, combined with huge amounts of heroin on the streets.

[@joeyhayek]

I see Alice in Chains, I click

[@briancase6180]

OMG, thanks for this. I'm an old, old guy, I won't say how old. I live for EDM, pop, and even Chopin (piano is my instrument). But Alice in Chains is something else. I couldn't get enough in the nineties. They were just so *musical.* The harmonies and harmonics in their songs were infectious. I was hooked the minute I heard them on the radio....

[@howardelzey2760]

I saw Jerry Cantrell in an interview say he double tracked a Wah and a Talk Box together.

[@rumblefish9]

Yep. he did.

[@bentertainment6932]

I was starting to wonder if I was the only one who heard a talk box

[@lucasamoriim5126]

YEAAA, i knew i was not crazy hahaha also heard a talking box

[@franciscoojeda11]

Yes, also he use it live

[@samringwald]

I spent years chasing the tone on wahs before someone told me back in the day.

[@pitpride1220]

Never clicked so fast! I'm so glad Rick has an appreciation for 'grunge'!

[@jwprimetime9795]

Bob Black ditto!!

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

he did at least one pearl jam wmtssg....soundgarden, too..

[@THESLOWDEATHHOOKS]

aic in particular has a lot of 70's blues guitar solo/riffage influence, so Rick definitely gets a kick out of that haha

[@vysrom4440]

Lots of sludge too

[@pitpride1220]

@@audio_jake I'd agree with you. That there was a lot of great music in the 90's. I think he appreciates it for some of the same reasons I do. They found a new way to incorporate the blues in fascinating ways. Their compositions were interesting. They were fairly experimental. It had mainstream appeal because of the solid songwriting. But also was able to be respected as musician's bands. Grunge also produced two of the most unorthodox drummers and two of the most powerful vocalists in my opinion.

[@JFTL81]

I love Rick’s little rants about kids and music these days… I feel you, Rick.

[@brivington2011]

Outstanding video Rick. I'm 50 years old so I clearly remember when Alice in Chains hit the scene, I also started playing guitar in 1987 and continue to do so today, so I'm one of those dads that rocks out to this music, and Alice in Chains is one of my all-time favorite bands to this day, and I have to say that you absolutely nailed it with this video. I could watch this video over and over again. What I like about your what makes this song great series is that these videos that you were making could very well be an introduction to people that have never heard these songs before and could actually be used as a historical record to explain the relevance of these songs. I hope these videos actually introduce these songs to people that have never heard them before because these songs are truly great and deserve to be heard by generations to come

[@grabasandwich]

Have you seen Jerry in the Dad Bands video?

[@Spthomas47]

@@grabasandwich it's amazeballs hahaha

[@8varium5]

I'm watching this right now before they take it down....

[@cohenhowes7912]

I don't think they will, they didn't take down the last one.

[@RealMNeutral31]

They're not blockers.

[@martindiluca1573]

AIC Is not that bad with copyright I think

[@omfug7148]

@@martindiluca1573 AIC would be nuts to do it, It is highly flattering, and possibly is introducing a whole new audience to their greatness.

[@eclecticmuso]

@@omfug7148 You could say the same for any band that blocks his videos though, doesn't stop it from happening sadly, greed is a bitch.

[@shawncollins7130]

Rick Beato is an amazing human being. I've never heard music really analyzed like this. I'm hear things in songs I've listened to a thousand times I've never heard before. Is there anything this man doesn't know about music?

[@texasnewt]

Uh ... nope.

[@thetranz13nt52]

@@texasnewt I really aspire to be able to hear music the way he does some day. It's incredible, I love music so much and he can make me like songs I've always loved EVEN MORE

[@RSPDiver]

One of the best and most powerful rock voices of all time. Heroin sucks!

[@grabasandwich]

This. If anyone needs a reason to not try drugs, it's this. Music glorifies drugs, but they've taken so many talented people.

[@markdrum2392]

A lot of times it's the label's reps or some of the hangers-on who start providing the musicians with drugs at the beginning. Once the band has some money the bad habits are firmly rooted.

[@mrburns366]

Suicide sucks too :(

[@sundigest1121]

Not sure if you were serious with that heroin part..

[@kat1york]

My God the echo in Layne's vocals go right through me. The king of stacked vocals. I miss you Layne & Mike. Thank you Rick.

[@jekku4688]

Jerry's high school background featured choral work with Gregorian chants, with lots of sharps & flats. He said he was very intrigued by that, so he brought that forward into the music of AIC, and all of his guitar playing. Interesting how things that may seem to mean very little at the time can create such a huge impact later on. 15th century vocals to 21st century rock & roll. Fascinating.

[@noneyabusiness1302]

Interesting!!! Thank you!

[@Nomellamodiego]

I think for that "wah" sound Jerry actually used a talkbox

[@chrisadams628]

Yeah. It's definitely used on stage.

[@themaggot8]

There are 2 tracks

[@rumblefish9]

Diegou123 He used both on this track. Dave Jerden stacked both the wah and the talkbox.

[@jamesleblanc7437]

mike c especially with his love for Frampton!

[@Markle2k]

The open sounds like a wah, but later there is definitely a talk box.

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

What makes this breakdown so good is Rick's passion, enthusiasm, music knowledge and just plain 'ol down to earth attention to details. I must have listened to this song a thousand times and now when I do (it's going into the car for commute jam time) I will have a much better appreciation for how good AiC really is.

[@themc3311]

Can we all just take a second and appreciate Layne Staley as a singer? Guy had massive talent, great voice (one of my favs) sucks he went down the path that he did...

[@modtodd82]

100%!!!!!

[@el_lowell]

Live 1991 Spokane , Wa. Fox theater " going to play a song of ours for the first time ever in public , called Man ln A Box " then proceeded to peel our faces off with it ... Still have my shirt . They opened for Tora Tora

[@Dale_V]

Robert Casados Clash Of The Titans tour June ‘91 I’ve never looked back .I was there to see the other Big 3 ,but AIC stood out to me.

[@johnlukach4091]

Lucky you! A memory like that lives eternal.

[@percypape]

@@Dale_V I was almost 16 when Clash came to MN in July. FYEAH!! One of the best concerts ever.

[@scootypuffjr.]

@@Dale_V Same here. Never heard of them until I saw them open at that show. They left by far the biggest lasting impression on me from all of the acts at that show. I think it was July of '91 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

[@sarahstelmach6400]

That’s awesome.

[@Donamtrx]

RICK! How bout that scream...."SHUT!" at the end of the chorus w Jerry?!! "now you’ve sewn them SHUT?!!" Layne's a PHENOMENAL SCREAMER! Man I miss that scream so much💔

[@s1d299]

Great songs have those Easter eggs for the earnest listener. Songcrafting is more than sheet music and good equipment, and even more than technical ability. You gotta have that SOUL...

[@berthaschwarze6704]

Donamtrx this is one of my favourite spots in this song

[@Blinknone]

Favorite band of all time. Still fucking pissed that Layne died.

[@-jb89-35]

Best band there will ever be. Criminally underrated.

[@juanandres6081]

Temple Of The Dog would be great! :)

[@aavila1206]

Mad Season too

[@JeffMenendezRealtor]

Your Saviour!

[@NeoGodHand]

@@JeffMenendezRealtor I love Matt Cameron's drum solo with Chris' distant vocals, really cool part!

[@aavila1206]

@@NeoGodHand Matt Cameron is the greatest of Grunge!

[@cassandralyris4918]

Man In The Box, Bleed The Freak, Can't Remember, Facelift is such an excellent album.

[@aleksandrxavianthony262]

....We Die Young, Sea of Sorrow... 😉🤟🏻

[@bradcarter6286]

We die young is one of his greatest riffs!

[@wareaglealum1]

Don't forget Sunshine! Do my love defile?

[@finctank]

I’ll never understand why they didn’t do a single track off Facelift when they did MTV Unplugged

[@Condemned782]

@@finctank bleed the freak acoustic would sound so amazing

[@NickPoeschek]

I’m glad you mentioned how important the vocal harmonies were to AIC. The chorus with Layne Staley’s raw, emotional screaming of “feed my eyes” followed by Jerry Cantrell’s calmer, quieter “can you sew them shut?” feels like a conversation. It made me picture someone with the angel on one shoulder and the demon on the other bickering amongst each other.

[@JohnSmith-fx2mz]

From That with "Jeeeeyyyeessus Christ" - "Deny your maker" there is definitely an illusion to a demonic entity trying to lead someone astray

[@iggypyro78]

Front to back - Dirt is a masterpiece. Back when an album - as a whole - actually meant something. And I know this is not on dirt. I love these videos.

[@AirGuitar]

shaneruegg yes! Dirt will probably stay in my top 3 rock albums of all time.

[@alminstall79]

Same with Facelift in my opinion

[@martymartin2894]

@@AirGuitar and what are the other 2.

[@AirGuitar]

@@martymartin2894 well I only know 1 other one: The Stone Roses - Self Titled album. I just know that those two will be in my top 3.

[@LesAtlas]

I remember seeing Layne Staley hanging out, not looking so good, by the Ave in Seattle, close to the end of his life. I knew it was the same guy who sang so powerfully in this song. So when I hear him sing "Save me..." I get these incredible chills. So sad--the people I lost to dope.

[@Greg1096]

Didn't he basically turn into an agoraphobic for the last few years of his life? Like maybe you saw a random homeless lookalike?

[@JojoFryrocks]

No, he still went out to specific places like the corner shop to get snacks and stuff, he also met up with family a few times in a local coffee place, he wasn’t a total recluse until the very end. It could easily have been Layne you saw. It still makes me sad thinking about him, he never wanted to end his life like that. RIP 💔😢

[@henriquedarlim]

17:03 him staying on the same note is what makes the song for me. So powerful. It makes you feel this chorus more intensely than the previous one.

[@Oborowatabinostk]

@superpamber Layne had a gift, theres no doubt.

[@UnbeltedSundew]

I love that moment in the song. It's powerful as you said and almost haunting or something.

[@Tognar]

Agreed. The Live album version is so intense when he stays up there for the last chorus! I’m glad Rick mentioned that part.

[@Anonymousfromthe305]

Insane how he can hit those notes. He probably blew out his voice.

[@zillavanilla6353]

Do more Alice In Chains!

[@darkswan80]

It's no surprise that Rick is a rock guy. But he looks sooo excited here for Alice In Chains... 😃 It shows how great this band is! Thanks Rick for giving so much credit to heavy music.

[@danejurus69]

The more I watch these, the more I realize how much the songwriting quality has decreased over time for the rock genre.

[@mrfuriouser]

I'd posit popular music/top 40/"hip hop" is more greatly declined than is rock today, but your point is well-taken.

[@jonathanwright8802]

For popular rock. There is still plenty of great great music being written by bands in lesser known sub-genres.

[@markdrum2392]

It's not that the modern musicians can't write. The problem is with the record companies. They want product NOW. They don't give a fat, fuzzy about good it is.

[@christakimbrough615]

Yes and No. Depends on if you want to get into subgenres because deathcore and metalcore although they like every other genre have a formula, many have found a way to make creative music. It's just on the more dissonant side typically.

[@briancooper1412]

Not just the rock genre, every genre. Rock, soul, country, you name it the songwriting sucks--especially lyrics. Good luck inducting anyone who deserves it into the Songwriting Hall of Fame for the next twenty years.

[@FellishBeast]

These guys don’t have a bad song.

[@Johnaxandra]

True!

[@slavesforging5361]

lol. oh yea of little faith. you must not have heard the deeper tracks off of Dirt or their self title. they can be nigh unlistenable when they want to be. and that apparently was about 1/3 of the time! Sickman is pretty tough to get through as an example from my brain.

[@brbosen]

haha I love Sickman! @@slavesforging5361

[@slavesforging5361]

@@brbosen Now that's a hardcore AIC fan! You sir are dedicated.

[@Spthomas47]

I'd be hard pressed to think of one. Probably could? Right? ;)

[@bradsully6620]

When layne finishes off Jerry's verse when he yells "shut" is just awesome.

[@andrashajdu2425]

Always loved about AIC songs the way that guitar solos blend into them organically: they don't stand out like some unnecessary fireworks but are simply parts of the songs, these solos evolve naturally.

[@koleary1798]

That's actually perfect.

[@timothyholmes4588]

man in a box solo is one of the coolest parts ever. it's like a little song

[@toad2117]

Yeah, Pearl Jam does it too, it’s really nice

[@annepatton8727]

Listening to Layne in isolation is wild. I'm addicted to it. He was an amazing singer. RIP.

[@arikuusela6716]

It's funny how you hear the songs differently when you have heard the tracks separately. My brains builds the song back in a different way, don't know if this makes sense to anyone else. First time I heard the lead guitar over chorus I was blown away, cause I never payed attention to it before. We played this song live few times, so the isolated tracks were a big help to master the song.

[@porkrynd6]

It's NOV 2022...I was just thinking the exact same thing when I read your comment 👊🤪

[@TC-mk3zx]

It was Laynes voice that makes that song great . It was like another instrument in the music. Nobody sounds like Layne. Fucking awesome

[@km_studios]

4:29 - 4:43 Ironic that a song about censorship has a censored version

[@HotStrange]

Every explicit song has s censored version. Is that new to you?

[@Torthrodhel]

@@HotStrange New, no. Funny observation, yes.

[@HotStrange]

Jane Ross Yeah his joke totally went over my head at first.

[@donaldsmith3926]

I lived in Cape May, NJ, and a local, coastal station played the original, uncensored versions of songs. Alanis, Creep, we heard the real songs. Haven't found that anywhere else; all these big-city stations think we're too delicate.

[@MundoGamesDo]

That's not a song about censorship. The lyrics doesn't have a clear meaning, the author was stoned when doing it.

[@anthonyjones7609]

Without doubt, the moment I first heard this sing in 1990, it was the heaviest guitar tone I had ever heard. I was blown away then, and still am.

[@lucasnakata7146]

im never listening to this song the same way i did before...love it. These are my favorite videos of this channel

[@wesleyalan9179]

Hahaha, i know what you mean, i feel that way about all the songs he covers on this series

[@jimm8594]

I never appreciated AiC until unplugged came out, it really highlighted the vocal harmonies in their music.

[@olivertoeknuckle4664]

It was the vocals that set this song apart from everything else I had ever heard up to that point. I remember the first time I heard it, LAYNE'S vocals stood so freaking tall! I had never before heard such an arrangement, or such power! AIC is the greatest band that came from from the Seattle sound. Hands down.

[@DefinitelyMada]

Great video as always! I've always considered Sean Kinney a criminally underrated drummer. He's a beast!! definitely one of my fav drum players! Also I was wondering if you could bring up some of Alice in Chains' more recent stuff for some future episode of What Makes This Song Great, that would be awesome. Or maybe some of Jerry Cantrell's solo work too. Peace, and keep up the good work!

[@texmechs4961]

Yeah I agree, Jar of flies really showcases his talents!

[@Player-125]

Madauder Seriously. His parts on Jar of Flies and their later stuff were killer.

[@aavila1206]

Yeah, he was a great drummer! His beats on Jar Of Flies were amazing and his drumming on Tripod reminded me of Eric Kretz drumming on Purple.

[@freeman3061]

I wish you were my dad.

[@AshokSingh-bc1zl]

Plot twist : He is !

[@Johnaxandra]

🤣

[@michaelprice7005]

That pitch won't get you anywhere.

[@davorbrijacak]

I wish I was his kid, Dylan. :D

[@AlexasLeaders]

Then you would have perfect pitch when you grow up a bit.

[@s.peters2140]

I still remember the first time I heard this song. It was when MTV's Headbangers Ball showed the video for the first time. I was absolutely blown away. It's still one of my favorite songs ever.

[@cre9127]

I thought it was 120 minutes, but maybe it was headbangers ball. Went and bought the album the very next day

[@s.peters2140]

@@cre9127 Just to be clear, I didn't mean that the video was shown for the first time ever anywhere on Headbangers Ball. I don't know if it was the world premiere or not. I just know it was the first time Headbangers Ball showed the video on their show.

[@sandyquiroz8688]

Love Alice in Chains they were definitely a favorite over Nirvana or Pearl Jam. Thanks for putting a spotlight one of my all-time faves and probably overlooked bands. Staley and Cantrell's harmonies are eerie and beautiful! Thank you Rick!

[@anthonysclafani3963]

Alice in Chains is one of the most underrated bands ever

[@MusicMotivator]

By who? lol Not anyone here cheers

[@my5head]

Not really, though. They're widely respected in the heavy metal community.

[@lethalbroccoli01]

Today, yea. Not many people talk about them. It's mostly Nirvana people talk about now.

[@lamnuck]

The only people who underrate AIC are the people who don't matter

[@victorrocha2488]

Soundgarden is an underrated band

[@karlhungus545]

One of the greatest songs ever recorded. Just gets better with age.

[@maikk8605]

Just chills when the vocals are separated out. Great stuff. Thank you for sharing your talent and knowledge.

[@hassansabrah3139]

Legendary song. Legendary Band. Layne, one of the greatest vocalists of all time

[@joandrumz3176]

...and still my parents believe it's just screaming

[@kwesibruno]

SMH

[@BBEDrummerAK]

I always thought it was a bit unfair to call AiC "grunge", they were a lot heavier than their peers, and really to me came off as like a modern take of old school Sabbath, mainly because of how BLUES heavy they were. ESPECIALLY on 'Facelift'. 'Dirt' was even heavier at times.

[@scott3158]

Facelift is such a good and underrated album!

[@UKSportsFan]

Agreed. Definitely one of the best debut albums, no doubt.

[@The1920sChannel]

Alice In Chains' music will never get old. Music might've gotten heavier, but nothing matches the heavy music with Layne's super soulful, bluesy vocals. Not to mention Jerry's sick riffs. Heaviness is nothing when there's nothing else to back it up. That's something we haven't seen that much of after the '90s.

[@bradcarter5403]

What makes this song great? Everything. Heavy riff, killer vocals, etc etc. How about Facelift being the greatest album from the grunge scene. Period

[@Hoscitt]

... after 'Dirt' 😁

[@christopherhickman3579]

These videos never fail to make me cripplingly inadequate as a musician and stupid at the same time amazed by how much is going on in tracks I’ve been listening to and playing for years

[@davidnissim589]

Jerry Cantrell is one of the most underrated guitarists. He's Tony Iommi and David Gilmour combined.

[@davecarsley8773]

Utter nonsense. Jerry Cantrell's guitar playing has earned him ELEVEN Grammy nominations, MTV video music awards, millions of dollars, millions of records sold, his songs still being played on the radio 30 years after he wrote them, the ability to still play huge shows around the world 30 years later, people like Rick still dissecting his songs years later, and a spot on EVERY "100 greatest guitar players" list ever written. How exactly is he "underrated"???? He seems pretty damn highly "rated" to me. And why do people use that word (along with 'literally') in such dumb contexts where they don't belong at all?!?

[@gregharrison5479]

He may be understated as Alice is/was very much about the song more so than virtuoso playing but Jerry is not underrated, he is always appreciated for his talent and he is a very cool and smart dude as well.

[@RavenD9510]

I love watching these videos. It's like watching an informative and reaction video as well. So cool to see your passion for music!

[@StarNate2112]

I always thought "Alice in Chains" are what "Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young" would sound like as a 90's Grunge Band... they had those amazing harmonies under all of those effects! Dicuss!

[@s1d299]

(crickets) ...heh, just yanking your chain. Actually you may have something there. And while we're talking music... Steve Stills is a surprisingly good guitarist, for anyone who hasn't noticed.

[@tagacale1733]

MIKE STARR WAS SO UNDERRATED. THE LITTLE THINGS HE ADDED TO MAKE THIS SONG GREAT

[@ardemgourdikian1394]

Rick your air drums give me life, great beatos

[@JeffMenendezRealtor]

Great Avatar

[@Spthomas47]

That's a helluva middle name lol