Just to start I have to say I think its pointless to argue songwriting credits regarding any Alice in Chains song of the Layne era. Layne and Jerry were both quick to recognize each others gifts and respective talents when it came down to total song production which goes far beyond just the lyrics. Jerry's strength was lyricism. Layne had a gift for creating the slighty dissonant harmonies that gave Alice their distinctive sound. It's a bit ridiculous to argue who was more important to the band.
That aside, it's nice to see that so many people are still passionate about AIC. Bleed the Freak is a song that's lyrics have fascinated me from the first time I discovered it. At face value it may seem like another angry hard rock song with a sinister title. Because of this it seems it's lyrics aren't given the attention they truly warrant. The more I listen, the more I believe this to be one of the great songwriting achievements of any generation. The message is as profound and relevant as any song I've ever heard.
I believe it is written from the perspective of someone that has been berated constantly by all different kinds of people, all of whom see themselves worthy of making such judgement and justify doing so by referencing a particular set of beliefs. I think the writer is using religion as a device to highlight the righteousness and hypocrisy that plagues modern society. Rather than living by the principals of their religion, they preach it's doctrines and degrade those with opposing beliefs, all the while apathetic to the cause of doing good as it is more convenient to point fingers.
I don't think the song is a knock on religion in itself but rather the way in which it has been manipulated to be self-serving and hollow by people that are far from holy. The lines "These stand for me/Name your God and bleed the freak" seems to first make light of how people use a religion's values as a front or representation of themselves and then of how some will judge and ridicule in the "name" of their particular God, choosing to ridicule others with contrary beliefs and point out their wrongs as "infidels" rather than focusing on doing good themselves. In other words they choose the easiest target, which is perhaps the basis for the lines, "When the pig runs slower/Let the arrow fly".
In its entirety the song seems to be highlighting the way in which the world seems to point fingers and create scapegoats for the problems that face us rather than taking initiative and responsibility. The way in which religion has been transformed and used to do this is a perfect illustration of that problem. It is easier for man to blame Satan for the evils of the world then it is to admit our responsibility in creating those evils.
This is just a great all-around piece of music from it's lyrics to it's production and evocative tone. That era of rock seems so recent, and yet, long-lost and so far from what we've been fed through the post-grunge to the present.
@JohnPaul33 Amen to what you said. It doesn't matter who wrote what. Alice in Chains was collectively one of the best collaborative effort of all time in music if you ask me. They had a chemistry have yet to see again since we lost Layne. Others on here maybe don't know that they worked together on many of the lyrics with Layne writing a lot on his own. And, there are tons of unreleased sons he worked on while at his University Apartment that never have been released. At any rate, you are correct in saying who really gives a...
@JohnPaul33 Amen to what you said. It doesn't matter who wrote what. Alice in Chains was collectively one of the best collaborative effort of all time in music if you ask me. They had a chemistry have yet to see again since we lost Layne. Others on here maybe don't know that they worked together on many of the lyrics with Layne writing a lot on his own. And, there are tons of unreleased sons he worked on while at his University Apartment that never have been released. At any rate, you are correct in saying who really gives a #$_# it's just amazing music. I can tell you Alice in Chains and this genre of music is not dead in my house, I have ten year old twins and I am on a mission to show them what real music sounds like. Much different than what we hear on the radio these days. Their songs were raw, passionate, full of feeling that I think anyone can relate to no matter what. I know many think all the songs are about using drugs, but they can be used to relate to any situation. The only songs I know are about drugs are surely labeled that way. It's great that people can relate to this music. I miss Layne so much that I watch videos of him everyday. I am 34 and was younger when they became famous, but I loved them the first time I heard them even that young I related. I love your interpretation of this song. It is spot on. I was going to write my own interpretation but you took the words right out of my mouth. You have a great mind, and thank you for sharing your thoughts. It's nice to hear from people who use their mind and analyze music correctly. To some this song may mean something else, and thats ok. That's the point of music, to keep t loose enough that people can apply to their own lives and interpret as they like. But, I feel you really captured the essence of Jerry and Layne and what they were trying to convey in this song. Great job man
Just to start I have to say I think its pointless to argue songwriting credits regarding any Alice in Chains song of the Layne era. Layne and Jerry were both quick to recognize each others gifts and respective talents when it came down to total song production which goes far beyond just the lyrics. Jerry's strength was lyricism. Layne had a gift for creating the slighty dissonant harmonies that gave Alice their distinctive sound. It's a bit ridiculous to argue who was more important to the band. That aside, it's nice to see that so many people are still passionate about AIC. Bleed the Freak is a song that's lyrics have fascinated me from the first time I discovered it. At face value it may seem like another angry hard rock song with a sinister title. Because of this it seems it's lyrics aren't given the attention they truly warrant. The more I listen, the more I believe this to be one of the great songwriting achievements of any generation. The message is as profound and relevant as any song I've ever heard. I believe it is written from the perspective of someone that has been berated constantly by all different kinds of people, all of whom see themselves worthy of making such judgement and justify doing so by referencing a particular set of beliefs. I think the writer is using religion as a device to highlight the righteousness and hypocrisy that plagues modern society. Rather than living by the principals of their religion, they preach it's doctrines and degrade those with opposing beliefs, all the while apathetic to the cause of doing good as it is more convenient to point fingers. I don't think the song is a knock on religion in itself but rather the way in which it has been manipulated to be self-serving and hollow by people that are far from holy. The lines "These stand for me/Name your God and bleed the freak" seems to first make light of how people use a religion's values as a front or representation of themselves and then of how some will judge and ridicule in the "name" of their particular God, choosing to ridicule others with contrary beliefs and point out their wrongs as "infidels" rather than focusing on doing good themselves. In other words they choose the easiest target, which is perhaps the basis for the lines, "When the pig runs slower/Let the arrow fly". In its entirety the song seems to be highlighting the way in which the world seems to point fingers and create scapegoats for the problems that face us rather than taking initiative and responsibility. The way in which religion has been transformed and used to do this is a perfect illustration of that problem. It is easier for man to blame Satan for the evils of the world then it is to admit our responsibility in creating those evils. This is just a great all-around piece of music from it's lyrics to it's production and evocative tone. That era of rock seems so recent, and yet, long-lost and so far from what we've been fed through the post-grunge to the present.
@JohnPaul33
@JohnPaul33
Jesus Christ himself was killed by religious hypocrites who handed him over to the Romans. He was accused of blasphemy, heresy, and of serving Satan.
Jesus Christ himself was killed by religious hypocrites who handed him over to the Romans. He was accused of blasphemy, heresy, and of serving Satan.
@JohnPaul33
@JohnPaul33
@JohnPaul33 Amen to what you said. It doesn't matter who wrote what. Alice in Chains was collectively one of the best collaborative effort of all time in music if you ask me. They had a chemistry have yet to see again since we lost Layne. Others on here maybe don't know that they worked together on many of the lyrics with Layne writing a lot on his own. And, there are tons of unreleased sons he worked on while at his University Apartment that never have been released. At any rate, you are correct in saying who really gives a...
@JohnPaul33 Amen to what you said. It doesn't matter who wrote what. Alice in Chains was collectively one of the best collaborative effort of all time in music if you ask me. They had a chemistry have yet to see again since we lost Layne. Others on here maybe don't know that they worked together on many of the lyrics with Layne writing a lot on his own. And, there are tons of unreleased sons he worked on while at his University Apartment that never have been released. At any rate, you are correct in saying who really gives a #$_# it's just amazing music. I can tell you Alice in Chains and this genre of music is not dead in my house, I have ten year old twins and I am on a mission to show them what real music sounds like. Much different than what we hear on the radio these days. Their songs were raw, passionate, full of feeling that I think anyone can relate to no matter what. I know many think all the songs are about using drugs, but they can be used to relate to any situation. The only songs I know are about drugs are surely labeled that way. It's great that people can relate to this music. I miss Layne so much that I watch videos of him everyday. I am 34 and was younger when they became famous, but I loved them the first time I heard them even that young I related. I love your interpretation of this song. It is spot on. I was going to write my own interpretation but you took the words right out of my mouth. You have a great mind, and thank you for sharing your thoughts. It's nice to hear from people who use their mind and analyze music correctly. To some this song may mean something else, and thats ok. That's the point of music, to keep t loose enough that people can apply to their own lives and interpret as they like. But, I feel you really captured the essence of Jerry and Layne and what they were trying to convey in this song. Great job man
Well said Sir. This song is my anthem as to avoid repression. I will forever miss Layne..
Well said Sir. This song is my anthem as to avoid repression. I will forever miss Layne..