"Down in a Hole" is a power ballad[2] 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.[3] The song was written by guitarist and vocalist Jerry Cantrell for his then-girlfriend, Courtney Clarke.[4] The single spent 21 weeks on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks and peaked at No. 10.[5] 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.
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.[6] 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.[6]
Lyrics
Jerry Cantrell wrote the song for his then-girlfriend, Courtney Clarke.[7] 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.[4][8]
Release and reception
"Down in a Hole" was released as a single in 1993.[9] "Down in a Hole" peaked at number ten on the BillboardMainstream Rock Tracks chart. The UK single was released in October 1993.[10] "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."[11]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."[12] In 2014, Loudwire ranked the song number eight on their list of the 10 greatest Alice in Chains songs,[13] and in 2021, Kerrang ranked the song number three on their list of the 20 greatest Alice in Chains songs.[14]
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. Starr was fired from the group in early 1993 and replaced by Inez.
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.[15]
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.[16]
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.[17]
