I have never felt such frustration
Or lack of self control
I want you to kill me
And dig me under, I want to live no more

[Chorus: ]
One who doesn't care, is one who shouldn't be
I've tried to hide myself from what is wrong for me
For me

I want to taste dirty, a stinging pistol
In my mouth, on my tongue
I want you to scrape me from the walls
And go crazy like you've made me

[Chorus: Repeat 2x]

You, you are so special
You have the talent to make me feel like dirt
And you, you use your talent to dig me under
And cover me with dirt

[Chorus: Repeat 2X]



Lyrics submitted by Ice

Track duration: 03:27

"Dirt" as written by James Jr./asheton Osterberg

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Dirt song meanings
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55 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:Really dark groovy exotic sounding song. I think this song is either about Heroin, a relationship or suicidal thoughts.
    Flag godddamon September 28, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The Dirt version of this song was kinda meh for me, but the version on Live is one of my favorite Alice in Chains song, ever.
    Flag Tig45on August 14, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Although it's possible this song has some references drawn from an interpersonal relationship, it's mainly about heroin. Just because it contains lyrics that don't necessarily make literal sense (i.e. "I want you to scrape me from the walls, and go crazy like you've made me") doesn't mean anything. This is a metaphor, which is used in nearly all song/literature writing. Not rocket science. The line "one who doesn't care, is one who shouldn't be" refers to heroin. Heroin doesn't care. It has no emotions. Something with that power but no capacity for remorse or empathy should not exist. He wants it to care and go crazy when he blows his brains all over the wall, but he knows it doesn't and won't.
    "I've tried to hide myself from what is wrong for me; You, you are so special; You have the talent to make me feel like dirt; And you, you use your talent to dig me under; And cover me with dirt." He's tried to hide from his addiction to the drug but it overpowers him and pulls him back down to his state of helplessness. Incredibly powerful lyrics. The rest of the song is pretty self explanatory.
    Whoever says it's simple minded/stupid to "assume" that so many AIC songs are about drugs/addiction might be partially right but guess what: tons of them (and a lot of the best ones) are about that. End of story. Addiction can be the most overpowering experience a person can ever have, and can enslave even the strongest of people. There's a hell of a lot of emotion and angst that comes with it and it makes too much sense for a lot of their music be about it. Lyrics aren't always meant to be literal. Don't be simple minded.
    Flag jakestaon January 30, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I agree that Staley wanted to talk about heroin here, but i totally hate the way people start to argue about the meaning of the song. It could have 1000 different meanings, this is what art means, it depends on what each listener needs to hear. To me, it's about hating someone that made you feel like crap and caused you to lose self-esteem, and the need to get revenge for that. But that's just my humble opinion.
    Flag zmonkon November 16, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:No. its not about suicide. and not solely "suicidal tendancies"
    its a similar technique that kurt cobain used in rape me.
    a challenge for the person to do it again. dare to do it again.
    This time ironically says. i lack self control.
    He is in a way taunting the gf probally, who has "talent" and uses it to cover him with dirt. a charmer, a backstabber,like go ahead bury me alive again. kill me. do it. now. i dare you.
    When hes says i want pistol in mouth, its like look at the point your brought me too. huh! that got you worried 'eh. Im not stupid enough to stain my hands with my own blood, for a murder you should commit, a slow death you have allready caused/causing.
    the lines about one who doesnt care shouldnt be. another taunt like. in conversation mode.
    I dont care for you anymore? Do I deserve to be? in your eyes
    Why dont you just kill me!
    ..
    Flag isimplyfoldon March 17, 2011   Link
  • +1
    My Opinion:one of my favourite AiC songs. laynes vocals were always so fucking perfect!
    Flag dyouknowwhereyouareon December 04, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Personally, it pisses me off when I see that most of the conclusions that people come to (Layne's words) are all drug related. Completely missing the point of not only the song, but the tragedy woven into the words by a suffering and lonely man.

    All throughout his turmoil, he retained his mental stability, although at times I am sure even he would admit to being 'out of it', but to only see "drugs" in his words dishonors the human being within. He was misunderstood in life and it seems inevitably that remains the case in death as well.

    Flag SaintLeeon October 07, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song is about wanting to die....and the singer coaxing someone else to kill them
    Flag jerrylovesrock666on August 08, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:*Thought*
    Flag Grungegirl7on July 15, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The whole album is kind of a 'junkie diary' in a way. Like a trip into addiction, but the pages are all jumbled.
    Dam That River and Rain When I die are about a fight with this girl, then Vietnam (Rooster) and this lack of caring about death anymore (Them Bones). Then the beginning of heroin (Junkhead) and the journey into that. This song is just another chapter of the pain that heroin causes.
    I dunno, just a though.
    Flag Grungegirl7on July 15, 2010   Link

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