Them Bones

For the novel of the same name, see Them Bones (novel).

"Them Bones" is the first song from the Alice in Chains album Dirt. Singer Layne Staley brought guitarist/songwriter Jerry Cantrell's disturbing lyrics to life with his eerie, alternately droning and howling vocals. This song also features a very dirty, loud guitar riff that shows their influence from the Grunge genre. The song is somewhat unusual in that Cantrell's guitar riff is actually ascending, rather than descending, giving the song a strange positive undertone which contrasts perfectly with the depressing lyrics and frightening vocals. Brutal, dark and bleak, it sets the tone for the album, the album considered by many to be Alice in Chains' magnum opus. The song was also used in the English version of Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie, as well as the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

Jerry Cantrell on the song, from the liner notes of 1999's Music Bank box set collection: "I was just thinking about mortality, that one of these days we'll end up a pile of bones. It's a thought for every human being, whether you believe in an after-life or that when we die, that's it. The thought that all the beautiful things and knowledge and experiences you've been through just end when you end scares me, the thought that when you close your eyes for good, it's gone forever."

Chart positions

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1992	Them Bones	Mainstream Rock tracks (US)	No. 24
1992	Them Bones	Modern Rock tracks	No. 30
1992	Them Bones	Official UK Singles Chart	No. 26

External link

• Lyrics