As close as you can get to a man singing at his own funeral.

This was like his final goodbye. He just let it all out, the pain, the suffering, the depression. I could watch this 100 more times, and each time I will get teary. Hopefully you are resting in peace Layne.

This song is how most of us men feel inside. We suffer with depression alone most of the time. He spoke for most men with this song. May he R.I.P.

Greatest singer of all time. Layne didn’t sing songs, he created feelings. RIP Layne.

This is why so many teenagers and young adults of the time (myself included) loved this band so much. The band spoke to the angst most of us were feeling at the time.

Layne was very sick during this performance, but still nailed it. He was so amazing. Miss him dearly

One of the best songs ever written by any band..the unplugged version is just so much deeper than the original

You were never all alone layne, i was fighting the battle with you. I first heard this song 8 years ago in a prison cell thinking id feel better dead and i played this on a prison i-pad on repeat for endless days. I could feel all his pain and agony and despair. Im clean for 6 years now and will forever go on fighting this battle for us both. So much love and just pure awe for this beautiful soul that was too tired to keep fighting.😢 You were to good for this rotton, evil world my dear friend. Rest easy layne.

The Unplugged show in 1996 is so heartbreaking to watch because he was deep in his heroin addiction (and yes, I know he was doing other drugs on top of Heroin). His liver was damaged from the years of drug use and he knew it. He was just high enough to do the show to deal with the withdrawal symptoms and so he didn't get dope sick. He was such a ghost of himself during Unplugged. (Of course, Jerry had food poisoning) All Jerry saw when he looked over at Layne was his best friend was going to die soon due to the path Layne had chosen for his life. That show was filmed in April 1996, premiered in May 1996. They did four shows with KISS in June-July 1996, after which Layne survived an overdose and became a recluse. After that, it was a 6-year-long slow suicide. On Unplugged, Scott Olson was the second guitarist. He was there to boost the guitar sound on the stage. Layne was better Live than the studio version. LOVE HATE LOVE live at the Moore in December 1990 is UNTOUCHABLE PERFECTION performed live by a rock band. Other rock bands should strive to have a live performance that perfect. Layne Staley's vocal range can run rings around any other grunge singer in my opinion. Layne could sing the phone book and never hit a wrong note. Even at the end of his life, with no teeth and a lisp, his voice, wit and humor were all still there. Layne's voice and vocal range were so powerful he did NOT need auto tune or pro-tools until he lost his teeth and had a lisp around 1998, and even then he still killed the vocals. (He started losing his teeth in 1995 due to grinding) Barrett Martin (who played with Layne in Mad Season) said that when he stood to the side of the stage, he could hear the sound of Layne's vocal resonance come out of Layne's body LOUDER than it did coming out of the speakers, Layne's voice was that powerful. I'm in the camp of No Layne/No Chains, because no matter which singer you put up there to sing those songs, it'll only be a cover. Layne had a unique voice you cannot replicate or replace. A lot of those songs were great because Layne pretty much wrung his entire soul out singing them, others were personal to Layne and to have someone else sing those, the songs lose their meaning because the new guy didn't go through the ordeals those songs are inspired by. William DuVall singing THEM BONES on the 2006 reunion tsunami gig.... William DOES NOT have the power in his voice that Layne had especially for that song. Maynard James Keenan could get remotely close to Layne's vocal range for that song (and many others). And Maynard would have the reverence for Layne's memory, he was friends with Layne, he KNEW Layne, had a history with Layne, and saw what Layne went through from Lollapalooza 93 until Layne became a recluse. Besides, Maynard already had 3 bands going on, why not join a fourth band? He had tried rehab 13 times, but he could never completely give it up. He tried quitting cold turkey on two of the last attempts at rehab, but neither one worked either. Mad Season is made up of Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, Barrett Martin of Screaming Trees, and John Baker Saunders and they all went through rehab. They all got together and dragged Layne out of his condo, got him excited about doing ABOVE album, thinking if he was creative he wouldn't want the drugs, and for the length of time it took to do that, Layne was excited about the project, but it didn't curb his drug habit. Layne wrote the lyrics to the songs he sang on the ABOVE album (minus the John Lennon cover song I Don't Wanna Be a Soldier) and he drew the cover art for the album. NUTSHELL was about how magazines like FOR EXAMPLE Rolling Stone only reported on Layne's addiction as if that were the only thing that defined the band as well as Layne's depression. Rolling Stone magazine has some unknown thing to do with the Hall of Fame, and after what Rolling Stone did to Layne and the band in the 1996 The Needle and the Damage Done article ("Oh no, it will be about the music" "Oh yeah, the band's picture will be on the cover" turns out it was only Layne on the cover and the article focused on Layne's addiction -- which Layne DID NOT want to happen -- and everything going wrong internally with the band.) that pissed off AIC management and the entire band to the point they threatened to kick the writer, Jon Weiderhorn's ass over it. I don't see Rolling Stone chomping at the bit to vote AIC into the Hall of Fame. Although if they do finally get in with William as the singer and NOT Layne. I'm going to be pissed. As far back as late 1992, Rolling Stone has personally had a bone to pick with Layne Staley, even though I can name a dozen bands who wrote about drugs in their lyrics that Rolling Stone never cared to target before or after Layne came along. Layne’s mentioned Rolling Stone hounding him in passing to Riki Rachtman during the New Orleans episode of Headbanger’s Ball in late 1992 when Layne and Mike Starr tour New Orleans and a Voodoo museum with Riki back then. There were other magazines and "reporters" BEFORE 1996 that hounded Layne over his drug addiction. Rolling Stone wasn't the only rag mag to do it. Spin Magazine and many other tabloid music mags only wanted to focus on Layne's addiction. It's why they stopped doing interviews for the longest time, and after the 1996 Rolling Stone interview, they closed ranks and as far as I know, while Layne was alive they never granted another interview. They DID do Rockline in 1998 (Layne called in while Jerry was promoting his Boggy Depot solo album) and 1999 (when the band was promoting Nothing Safe and the Music Bank box set). But for the most part, they closed ranks around each other. MTV (and the music industry) has more or less blackballed Layne (and yet, they laud over Kurt Cobain every April 5th, because Kurt was the "face of grunge", meanwhile Layne gets a "by the way"). The Grammys went so far as to invite Jerry, Mike, and Sean to the Grammy show in 2003 and then refused to put Layne's picture up in the memorial of the musicians who died in 2002. (Or they "forgot" to) which pissed Jerry, Mike, and Sean off and they walked out on the show. Even though the music industry would like to have written him out of history, Layne DID exist. He was on this earth for 34 years. In that time he wrote songs that gave a normal person insight into the mind and journey of an addict. The pain and depression he endured to write the most brutally honest lyrics a musician could write concerning his feelings on his own addiction, his depression, and the tumultuous relationship with his former fiancee Demri. The emotional and physical strength he had to perform those songs live when all he wanted to do was curl away and lose himself in the drug haze I can’t imagine what it was like for him. He was hounded by the press about his addiction. He was ridiculed for his addiction. The music industry blackballed him for his addiction. The Grammys forgot about him when he died. As far as MTV and music rag mags like Rolling Stone were concerned he’s just another addicted singer. They don’t want to acknowledge his contributions to music. Layne Staley WASN'T just some rock star junkie. HE DESERVED BETTER than what he received from the people around him who he thought mattered. He wrote about drugs, his addiction, what he was feeling and what he was going through with maturity and knowledge well beyond his years. He didn’t deserve to be turned into tabloid cannon fodder by the press. I remember a show in London on February 26, 1993 where a reporter who was based in London wrote about a concert they did in another part of Europe and got Mike Inez confused with Mike Starr. Layne got on the microphone between them finishing HATE TO FEEL and beginning ANGRY CHAIR and said, "I want to say um, I want to say hello to the guy who wrote the review on the show a few weeks back. You’re in London - an enemy. I want to introduce our bass player, MIKE INEZ, not Mike Starr, you fucking idiot! Fuck that prick! Fuck the press! We’re not playing for the fucking press, all right?” "Layne was just an incomparable talent. He was like a fucking myna bird. Any accent or sound or voice, he could just immediately repeat it. He just had a gift. And I’d like to think that I have a bit of a gift myself. One of the funniest descriptions I’ve ever heard, and I don’t know that it’s true, but it just sounds fucking great, was we sound like “the satanic Everly Brothers.” Together we were kind of a two-headed monster. It added a lot of depth to the material the way we worked together." -- Jerry Cantrell (Noisey, June 7, 2018) My Top 20 AIC songs... Love Hate Love (Live at the Moore, December 1990...Layne Staley in his prime and is UNTOUCHABLE PERFECTION performed live by a rock band. All other rock bands should strive to have a live performance this perfect), Man in the Box (Live at Weedsport, NY 1991 - the Layne’s Pissed Version...though the original version may be better to react to, because Weedsport was during Clash of the Titans tour where Slayer fans were giving the band crap and Layne got pissed and changed the lyrics), Bleed the Freak (Live at the Moore, December 1990), It Ain’t Like That (if you need a video use Singles Pro Shot video), Queen of the Rodeo (Live in Dallas, TX 1990), Real Thing (Live ANYWHERE), Them Bones, God Smack (Live at Hollywood Rock, 1993), Grind, Again, No Excuses, Brush Away, Frogs, Sludge Factory (During MTV Unplugged 1996, Layne screwed up the 2nd verse like 8 times, though the show only included one of those times), What the Hell Have I, God Am, Got Me Wrong, Swing On This, Social Parasite, We Die Young

Wow , she gets it . I didn’t expect her to understand but she did and was to articulate it so well , with emotion to match that of the song . I know she didn’t know about Layne’s ultimate demise but she had an insight to his struggle from within . Beautiful . She was expireancing Layne singing at his own funeral and I hope she is told with great care and comfort . This review was as powerful as the performance .

He left this world too young. His voice is legendary

Both versions are great emotional versions. I tear up most times listening to it.

Best Unplugged song ever, imo So powerful and emotional! Man, it still brings tears to my eyes, after all these years. RIP Layne.

The guitar strum, the voice, the look just perfection in a live song.

I had the pleasure of seeing AIC in 89' in Frisco, Clash of The Titans with Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax. Being 55, I don't remember much from that night, but the AIC set is what I remember most. Layne live is beyond words.

The BEST Unplugged performance ever done! Viewed the entire performance at least 50 times

Can't listen to this song without being overwhelmed. Crying right now. Interesting watching Sarah as the song starts the smile fades. She tries to bring it back but by the end you hear her sniffling too. Powerful music.

'If I can't be my own, I'd feel better dead'...dang that hits hard. I've been in a dark place and AIC was the one that help me get through.

RIP, Layne. Musical genius. Gone but never forgotten…

R.I.P. Layne and Mike ,you were each both one of the brightest stars in the sky that burned out to quickly. You are missed.

I watched this live - it was just a sad display for Layne all together. He was horribly depressed, and in the depths of his addiction with heroin. He wore the sunglasses because he was so high you could tell visibly in his eyes. They were sunk in, with dark blue and black bags under them. So their manager had him put them on to hide it. Layne was a deeply troubled man, and like you said…you could hear it in his voice.

I love how you react emotionally right away. Because for me, this is some of the most emotionally powerful music ever. Layne left it all out on the stage during this performance. It was his last chance to shine...and he crushed it. And his boys rallied around him. Heavy stuff.

This was the best song from an incredible concert. There was an undertone to the whole thing that they all knew, Layne included, that this was a farewell because his drug addiction was so bad. Amazing to watch them perform and know they all had heavy hearts but made it so beautiful.

Probably the deepest dark emotional heartfelt song ever wrote in history of music… I remember watching this live… even as a kid I remember thinking this is like watching a man sing at his own funeral…. Rest in peace my hero… Layne Staley….

I have never grown tired of this band from the beginning and their in my top 2 ever, if not my #1.

Chills each time. This electro-acoustic version is a pearl. The whole show is a rare gem. Love it !

I can never listen to this song without crying and crying. I’ve been where he’s at I was able to break it so far…. F it hits me right in the gut. Anyone with a heavy dark long term H habit gets this, and even some that haven’t. RIP Layne!!! 🙏♥️

Miss you Layne, thank you Sarah. Your analysis is 100% accurate. Thank you so much x

That was VERY nice what you had to say about Layne! We all loved him so much, but nobody could truy help him but himself, as we all know. It was terrible to watch. AiC was my FAV band in high school in the late 90's! I play bass guitar and the bass is magical in this. LOVE to play along to it all of the time. It's so soothing to warm up with. Thanks for doing this!! It was GREAT!

So much pain, so much emotion. Miss you Layne.

My favorite song of all time. Timeless, poignant, & relevant. ♥️🕊️🙏

One of the saddest songs. Always brings a tear. Sad for someone to feel all alone and feel like there’s no one there for you! 😢 Lane had an amazing voice, one of the best!

Layne was in a deep, dark place in this performance and sadly, this was 6 years before his death. I can't even imagine what the next 6 years were like for him. There is more emotion in this song than 99.9% of all other songs, past and present. Miss you Layne

One of my favorite bands of all time. Layne was singing for years about his depression and his addiction. He was asking for help thru his music. No one helped him. He died alone on his couch. It was many days before he was discovered. Till this day it breaks my heart. RIP Layne. You will be forever remembered. Your music is timeless.

Thank you for watching and sharing Alice In Chains. I will never not cry. Layne was an amazing, damaged and brilliant human and I’m so grateful to have seen him live. Thank you for continuing to share him with the world. His light shines bright with us on the west coast and there will never be a voice like his. 🙏💚

I appreciate your reaction. Unlike a lot of these reaction videos I feel like you get it. This is a man in pain.

Thanks for your reaction, you are a beautiful person very emphatic, world needs more people like you, 😉😘

I was blessed to see them live during the Dirt album tour. Lane's voice is something you never forget. He will always be one of the greats, and no one projects their feelings through their voice like that.

Alice in Chains. Incredible music. No other band I know of can really pull the heart strings of the human soul in pain, anger, sorrow. I cant wallow in it to long but at times nothing else will do. Masterpieces of the human soul. I hope his soul found peace.

They said he was so strung out during this performance that it’s amazing how well it came out.

This was the absolute best unplugged concert and Alice in Chains best performance!! If ur a fan, u know Lane only did one show after this! He had to have given everything he had that night. His heart was laid bare that night. He had such a beautiful, powerful voice and he is still missed today!!

It’s not just a good voice. A very big musician experts said that his voice is unrepeatable! One of a kind 💜

Epic performance by such an incredible band and the legendary Layne Staley. The world will never see another singer like him. This music just moves my soul, makes the little hairs in my body stand up. Makes me tear up every time. So glad I got to see them live.

I just love that another generation is able to experience the music I absolutely loved growing up. Great video.

Your description is so genuine. As his singing so from somewhere deep he is so lost

Just love watching someone discovering and appreciating this for the first time all these years later. Such incredibly artistry, even through such suffering.

Beautiful reaction…thank you for sharing this amazing song

Been listening to Alice In Chains my whole life. Every lyric in every song is absolutely real life

Ahh Layne, thank you from the bottom of my heart. This song has saved my life a few times. The lyrics so simple, yet so pure. Are on my arm, because they mean so much. R.I.P Layne, your a legend 🙏

I remember watching this live and when Layne walked out I gasped. I stood up in my living room and pleaded to the tv for someone to help him. He needs help, He's going to die! My friends that were watching with me nodded solemnly and never said a word. We watched the episode in silence. Each of us staring at a tragedy that was inevitable. Tears welling in my eyes. I never wanted it to end. If they played forever then Layne would not die. But they didn't and he did.... RIP sweet angel.

How something so beautiful can be so sad at the same time was the perfect quote. She gave me a new appreciation for pretty much everything.

I still remember the day is death was anounced. I was driving on Route 40 in Woodstown, NJ when it came over the radio. I had to pull over. I remember vividly the exact spot I sat, ,and I couldn't breathe. Even thought everyone knew it was coing, some day, knowing that glimmer of hope the he'd clean up and the band would get back together, was now gone. This song got me through a lot fo bad times after that day, and I'm still here, partly becuase of Layne and this song.

This was Layne Staleys last performance before his death. Songs like this one was one of MANY cries for help with his terrifying heroine addiction

This song. Brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. Gen X. The abused generation. Boomers beat us into being a drug user or using others. If you younger generations think you have it bad, just listen to this song. It is not just Laynes pain. It's a pain of our generation

RIP, the king of grunge... Layne can not be replaced

Growing up around the Seattle grunge scene in the 80s/90s this hits close to home watching this AIC Unplugged, and short time later, Layne passed away. His voice is so powerful

He still gives me chills. I feel his voice in my soul.

It makes me happy to know people are still discovering the brilliance!

He was so addicted to heroine. He could barely even sit in that chair and sing. Such an amazing performance. When he did "Down in a Hole", Jerry actually winked to the Bassist, because nobody ever thought he would hit the high notes and perform the song.

Last live performance from Layne .this was a dying, broken man on a downward spiral of drugs, sadness hurt and depression He was the greatest writer, poet of my time , such a deep and real human being , and virgo like me . I feel and live every lyric of this song ..RIPLAYNE

She feels this song hard. It hits that hard every single time you hear it.

This was my favorite singer and I miss him dearly. This MTV unplugged concert is my all time best. I totally feel what you are thinking as you watch. Live works in a strange way and I hope and pray that he found his way back to his spirit.

I listen to them every day, and I feel the same way you do!! Finally, someone that feels the same way I do!! Thank you!

Gut wrenching performance, Layne left us with one hell of a special performance. They were without a doubt the best band to ever do the mtv unplugged session. Unbelievable band.

This song was just his catapult into the next spirit world. This is just the beginning. May Christ be with you!

Brings a tear to your eye every time. There are no real musicians left

Even though he was consumed with his own misery he could bring a form of understanding and appreciation out of his listeners who unfortunately felt the exact emotions he did. It's a damn shame that noone could help him because his voice combined with his wicked lyrics definitely has helped many of his fans to deal with their own inadequacies. I know firsthand because I'm one of them. You didnt die in vein Layne because your legacy and music endures as it should. I wish I could have known you brother or in some way been there for you. You were a gift to us and I'll always listen to your music until the day God takes me home!

That was Layne Staley, especially the last years, he was beautiful, sad, meek, and a legend of rock, but he was in a lot of pain, from his loss of Demri, to his addiction, he wasn't well during this show...you can see his arms are covered with long sleeves to hide the tracks, so sad, I lived his pain too, and know the struggles with addiction, only Layne was taken before he could be saved.😢

Layne's voice was incredible but Jerry made them what they were,he worked 16 hour days for every album and carried them. Layne showed up to sing mostly,which is all he really needed to do.

my first, the second and 1000 reactions is the same... goosebumps, tears, cry... best band ever, so much pain in Staley voice. greetings from Poland!

Your comment that he was singing about what he was going through! Nail on the head! Loved you were jamming with it. Some of us never got over his death.

This song resonates with so many of us. It was the soundtrack of my life as a teen who thought I would end the way Layne did. Before he did. I was lucky. So sad to know he was not.

I've always put Alice in Chains MTV Unplugged in the top 5 of my all-time favorite albums. Over the years the other four kept changing so hands down they've won the Number 1 spot.

He's the Greatest Vocalist of ALL TIME!

Great talent and songs he brought to this world. It will touch alot of souls and minds forever.

RIP Lane. So sad you left us so early but I hope you know your music got me through the same struggles you were dealing with. For this I’ll forever be in your gratitude. You live on in your music and continue to reach people like me.

"I don't know how something can be so beautiful and sad at the same time!" Yes! This is precisely what I asked myself a lot of times. Is there beauty in sadness? Or does the perceiving of beauty just express a profund connection and identification with sadness? I don't know... This is poetry. Layne was a poet, indeed. He not just wrote but also sang his deepest feeling in a beautiful way!!

I have watched Layne perform this and poor out his emotions, his complete sadness and hurt for his addiction probably over 200 times. It never gets old to me. During the entire Unplugged you can see Jerry looking over to Layne and it’s almost like he knew what was coming. Pretty certain Layne did also! Everyone that has watched Layne ( that has never really heard of AIC, all say the same thing AMAZING VOICE, INCREDIBLE TALENT! In 1997 I was beaten in the head with a pool ball in a sock. After months I was finally released from the hospital and had staples in my head. My parents had put a mattress in the living room so they could keep a watch on me. My mother went down to ( blockbuster video at the time ) and got this for me on VHS. I laid in the floor for 2 months straight watching this over and over. During that time I developed an addiction to pain medication due to my pain and fight the battle still to this day at 44. Sorry for the long rant! Great reaction video though. I really liked it

This was the very 1st AIC song I heard. My son suggested I listen to unplugged...my mind was blown...loved them ever since. Rest easy Layne.

Always loved this song. Never thought it would one day describe my life. We all go through tough times. Some more than others. I use to just believe in God. It wasn't until I proved to myself a few years ago that everything fell apart in my life. Somehow I feel Blessed in a way. I know life's a test and I'm never truly alone.

This is a hard one knowing what he was going through and what would ultimately happen. I've watched this video a hundred times and I cry every single time.

His voice is one of a kind gets right in there where it hurts 🤕 love Alice in chains John Norway.

Layne was a truly special singer, the greatest voice that ever existed in my opinion. I really wish he could have lived longer to see what he could have created in his later years. I often feel melancholic when I listen to the unplugged album in particular thinking of what could have been. RIP Layne.

Yo amo la voz honesta y sincera de laine nunca habrá nadie como el y lo mas triste es que murió en soledad.

He wrote this song about his own addiction, and what the ultimate end would be. R.I.P. Layne

Everytime I hear this Song I mean this Masterpiece i Cry 😭😭 because you can hear the feelings in this song. Layne just put it all out there because this is how he felt st that time. Its depressing and beautiful at the same time. Oh Layne i hope you're at peace now. All the pain you went through is finally gone. I hope you're at peace 🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🙏🙏🙏 Rip Layne Staley 🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️

I loved your reaction Sarah. This is a heartbreaker...Layne was in the grips of herion addiction and died months later. This song mirrors his life.

RIP Lane

Glad you listened to this timeless gem and that it empacted you in such a way. God love you and God love you all. As oversaid as it is, Peace, Love and Rock n' Roll, my friends. And MetalForever 🤘🏼🤘🏼✌🏼🖖🏼

your reaction is so authentic and beautiful. i am happy you got it. you felt laynes pain. bless u.

This is one of the greatest songs ever written, in my opinion! I have never seen anyone listen to it and not be affected in some way! There is so much passion, pain, love, and insane talent just in this one song! ❤️🔥💯

Layne was taken from us too early. His demons caught up with him. I’m a 30 year card carrying member of the Grunge Era. Layne makes it like so easy. My heart breaks a little every time I see a show with Layne.

Uma das músicas mais tristes do rock

Loved this and Rotten Apple on the EP. Was always huge Alice In Chains fan. I have this DVD of whole performance. He was dope sick and barley made this show from what I understand. Was also their first performance in long time due to his drug addiction.

I cry every time I hear this song. If you’ve been through some shit in your life, he’s playing the strings of your hurt heart.

RIP LAYNE and RIP MIKE 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻..... THE MOST REAL,SAD, PRIVATE,POWERFUL, INTIMATE SONG ABOUT HEROIN,ADDICTION and LONELINESS....I WAS IN THIS DARK PLACE LIKE HIM and this Song always touch my most intimate feelings....This Song is TIMELESS like AIC TOO💯💯‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️

Gives me chills. One of the best unplugged ever..

We were listening to the magic in his voice coming from his soul........Such a great song........Probably my favorite from Alice In Chains............. Thanks for music brothers............ RIP......Lane 😇😇🙏🙏🙏🙏

Lane Staley is one of those I miss a lot. His voice was and is unique, his death a tragedy.

God I miss the 90's. All my hero's are gone. I'll never forget back in 1994 when I was 9yrs old. I got a copy of Soundgarden's Superunknown on CD. I would sit & listen to that album over & over. Fast forward to May 18, 2017 I'm driving to work and on the radio I hear the news about Chris Cornell passing away. I don't think I'll ever get over losing such a great talent. I swear that we are living in a parallel universe. I'm not supposed to be here. None of us are. He's been yanked out of here. He's been taken away. Let us get through when we shouldn't of gotten through. Gotta come back to get us. At least we will be getting one more album yet to be released from Soundgarden with Chris on vocals and that all.