Released: 1992
Alice in Chains’ ‘Them Bones’ is a grunge rock anthem that dives deep into the existential dread of mortality. The song uses bone imagery to convey a sense of loneliness and inevitable death, a common theme in grunge music.
The opening lines ‘Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! I believe them bones are me’ set the tone for the song. The repeated ‘Ah!’ sounds mimic a scream, a common technique in rock to express anguish. ‘Them bones’ is a colloquial way of referring to one’s body, hinting at the theme of mortality.
‘Some say we’re born into the grave’ is a pretty grim outlook on life. It suggests that from the moment we’re born, we’re destined for the grave. It’s a classic grunge sentiment, expressing a sense of hopelessness and despair.
‘I feel so alone, Gonna end up a big ol’ pile of them bones’ is the chorus of the song. The phrase ‘big ol’ pile of them bones’ is a metaphor for death. The repetition of ‘I feel so alone’ emphasizes the isolation and loneliness the singer is experiencing.
‘Dust rise right on over my time, Empty fossil of the new scene’ suggests the passing of time and the inevitability of becoming a relic, or ’empty fossil’. It’s a stark reminder of our mortality and the fleeting nature of life.
‘Toll due, bad dream come true, I lie dead gone under red sky’ is a vivid depiction of death. ‘Toll due’ implies that death is a debt we all must pay. The ‘red sky’ could symbolize a violent or chaotic end.
In conclusion, ‘Them Bones’ is a powerful exploration of loneliness, despair, and the inevitability of death. It’s a raw and unflinching look at life’s harsh realities, a trademark of Alice in Chains’ music and the grunge genre as a whole.
