Down in a Hole

"Down in a Hole" is a power ballad[1] by Alice in Chains, and the fifth and last single from their album Dirt (1992). It is the twelfth song on most pressings of the album and fourth or eleventh on others.[2] The song was written by guitarist and vocalist Jerry Cantrell for his then-girlfriend, Courtney Clarke.[3] The single spent 21 weeks on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks and peaked at No. 10.[4] The song was included on the compilation albums Nothing Safe: Best of the Box (1999) and Music Bank (1999). An acoustic version performed on Alice in Chains' MTV Unplugged in 1996 was released in a live album and DVD.

For the Kiefer Sutherland album, see Down in a Hole (album).
Not to be confused with Down in the Hole.
"Down in a Hole"
Single by Alice in Chains
from the album Dirt
ReleasedAugust 30, 1993
RecordedMarch–May 1992
Studio
GenreGrunge
Length5:38
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)Jerry Cantrell
Producer(s)Alice in Chains, Dave Jerden
Alice in Chains singles chronology
"What the Hell Have I"
(1993)		 "Down in a Hole"
(1993)		 "No Excuses"
(1994)
Music video
"Down in a Hole" on YouTube

Origin and recording

Songwriter and guitarist Jerry Cantrell was at first hesitant to present the song to the band, feeling that the song was too soft, but after a positive response from the band, they followed through and recorded it.[5] The composition is written in A♭ minor, utilizing Dorian mode, and is centered mainly around Ab minor - Gb major - Db major chord progression, with Layne Staley's and Jerry Cantrell's vocal parts intricately harmonizing.[5]

Lyrics

Jerry Cantrell wrote the song for his then-girlfriend, Courtney Clarke.[6] In the liner notes of 1999's Music Bank box set collection, Cantrell said of the song:

["Down in a Hole"]'s in my top three, personally. It's to my long-time love. It's the reality of my life, the path I've chosen and in a weird way it kind of foretold where we are right now. It's hard for us to both understand...that this life is not conducive to much success with long-term relationships.[3][7]

Release and reception

"Down in a Hole" was released as a single in 1993.[8] "Down in a Hole" peaked at number ten on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. The UK single was released in October 1993.[9] "Down in a Hole" reached the top 40 in the UK and the top 30 in Ireland.

Ned Raggett of Allmusic said that "Staley's...half-strangled but still amazingly evocative performance...is heartfelt and almost yearning" and that "the end result feels like a ruined man looking for some sort of comfort."[10]

Stereogum said of the song; "Down In A Hole" is an anthem of loss, revulsion, and depression. But it really is an anthem first and foremost. The verses build slowly to a soaring chorus with an irrepressible melody. Staley's pained howl guides the song, but its power derives from Cantrell's terrific harmonies, which give the piece heft and also a sense of unease."[11]

Music video

"Down in a Hole" became one of the five video-singles from the album Dirt. The music video was released in 1993 and was directed by Nigel Dick. The video is available on the home video release Music Bank: The Videos. Bassist Mike Inez appears in the video although the original track was recorded with original member Mike Starr.

Live performances

Alice in Chains performed the song live for the first time on October 5, 1992 at the Coca-Cola Starplex in Dallas, Texas.[12]

Alice in Chains performed an acoustic version of "Down in a Hole" for its appearance on MTV Unplugged in 1996, and the song was included on the Unplugged live album and home video release.[13]

Another acoustic live version of "Down in a Hole" featuring new vocalist William DuVall on lead vocals is included on the Japanese version of Black Gives Way to Blue (2009) as a bonus track.[14]

Cover versions

The song was covered by professional baseball player Bronson Arroyo on his 2005 album, Covering the Bases,[15] which lists the song as "Down in the Hole".[16]

On his low-key 2007 tour—in support of his album Easy Tiger, Ryan Adams covered the song live with his band, The Cardinals.[17] A cover of the song is also featured on Adams' 2007 EP Follow the Lights.[18]

The Vitamin String Quartet recorded an instrumental version of the song for their 2009 album "The String Quartet Tribute to Alice in Chains".[19]

The Christian metal band Demon Hunter perform an acoustic version of the song on the deluxe edition of their 2011 album The World Is a Thorn.[20]

Swedish metal band In Flames covered the song on their covers EP, "Down, Wicked & No Good", released in November 2017.[21]

American hardcore band Code Orange covered the song on their live album Under the Skin in 2020.

"Down in a Hole" was released as a downloadable content for the music video game Rocksmith 2014 on December 12, 2017, as part of the Alice in Chains Song Pack II, which also includes the songs "Rooster", "No Excuses", "Nutshell" and "Heaven Beside You".[22]

The song is also available as a DLC for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 game Rock Band 4.

Track listing

CD single (659751-2)

  1. "Down in a Hole" (radio edit) – 3:53
  2. "Down in a Hole" – 5:40
  3. "What the Hell Have I" – 4:00
  4. "Rooster" – 6:15

12" single (659751-6)

Side 1

  1. "Down in a Hole"
  2. "A Little Bitter"

Side 2

  1. "Rooster"
  2. "Love, Hate, Love"

7" single (659751-7)

Side 1

  1. "Down in a Hole" (radio edit)

Side 2

  1. "Rooster"

Personnel

Chart positions
Chart (1993) Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[23] 29
UK Singles (OCC)[24] 36
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[25] 10

References
  1. Terich, Jeff; Blyweiss, Adam. "10 Essential Alternative Metal Singles". Treble. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  2. Steve Huey (1992-09-29). "Dirt - Alice in Chains | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  3. Liner notes, Music Bank box set. 1999.
  4. "Mainstream Rock - Down in a Hole by Alice in Chains". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  5. "Readers' Poll: Best Rock Headphone Song Ever — "Bohemian Rhapsody" (Queen) Vs. "Down in a Hole" (Alice in Chains)". Guitar World. November 10, 2015. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  6. "Down in a Hole by Alice in Chains". Song Facts. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  7. "Alice In Chains - Down In A Hole". U of Music. February 13, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  8. "Mainstream Rock Songs - The Week of October 2, 1993". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  9. Strong, M. C. (1998). The Great Rock Discography. Giunti. p. 87. ISBN 88-09-21522-2.
  10. Raggett, Ned. "Down in a Hole". Allmusic. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  11. "Dirt Turns 20". Stereogum. September 27, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  12. "Alice in Chains Concert Setlist at Coca-Cola Starplex, Dallas on October 5, 1992". Setlist.fm. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  13. "MTV Unplugged - Alice in Chains". AllMusic. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  14. "Alice In Chains Black Gives Way To Blue Japanese CD album (CDLP)". eil.com. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  15. "Red Sox's Arroyo Pitches for Grunge". Rolling Stone. August 5, 2005. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  16. "Covering the Bases - Bronson Arroyo". AllMusic. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  17. "Down in a Hole". answeringbell.com.
  18. "Follow the Lights - Ryan Adams & the Cardinals". AllMusic. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  19. "Vitamin String Quartet - The Vitamin String Quartet Tribute to Alice in Chains". AllMusic. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  20. "Demon Hunter - The World Is A Thorn (Digital Deluxe Edition)". Solid State Records. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  21. "IN FLAMES Covers DEPECHE MODE, ALICE IN CHAINS, NINE INCH NAILS On 'Down, Wicked & No Good' EP". Blabbermouth. November 17, 2017. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  22. "Rocksmith Remastered DLC 12/12/2017 – Alice in Chains II". The Riff Repeater. December 11, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  23. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Alice in Chains". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
  24. "Alice in Chains: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
  25. "Alice in Chains Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
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