Nutshell (song)

"Nutshell" is a song by Alice in Chains that originally appeared on the band's 1994 extended play "Jar of Flies". "Nutshell" is also known for having opened the band's performance on "MTV Unplugged" in 1996. This rendition of the song was included on the compilation album "Music Bank" (1999), as well as "The Essential Alice in Chains" (2006). Since 2011, guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell dedicates "Nutshell" to Alice in Chains' late original members Layne Staley and Mike Starr during the band's concerts.
Lyrics and music.
Lyrics.
The lyrics were written by vocalist Layne Staley, and the music was written by bassist Mike Inez, guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell and drummer Sean Kinney.
Bassist Mike Inez said of "Nutshell" when asked what song makes him think of Layne Staley the most:
I think the No. 1 for me is "Nutshell." Layne was very honest with his songwriting. And in "Nutshell," he really put everything in a nutshell for everybody. That song still gets me choked up whenever I play it. I get a little teary-eyed, and sometimes when we're doing the arena runs especially, they'll have some video footage of Layne. And I look and see me and Jerry [Cantrell, vocals and guitar] and Sean [Kinney, drums] looking the wrong way. We're not looking at the audience, we're looking back at Layne, and it's pretty cool that there's still that song for us. Yeah, it's just a sad thing.
Music.
Jon Pareles of "New York Times" commented that the arrangements on "Nutshell" recalled those of Canadian musician Neil Young.
Reception.
Although never released as a single, it is one of Alice in Chains' best-known songs. The song is notable for its emotional acoustic instrumentation and its electric guitar solo, as well as its dark lyrics dealing with loneliness, despair, and death. The lyrics are also thought to be an expression of Staley's frustration with lack of privacy. It is considered a staple of 1990s alternative rock despite not hitting a single U.S. Billboard chart or any charts around the world.
In 2013, "Nutshell" was ranked No. 9 on Rolling Stone's readers' poll "The 10 Saddest Songs of All Time". In 2014, the song was ranked No. 5 on Loudwire's "10 Best Alice In Chains Songs" list.
Live performances.
Alice in Chains performed the song for the first time at the Memorial Hall in Kansas City on September 22, 1993. The band performed an acoustic version of "Nutshell" for its appearance on "MTV Unplugged" on April 10, 1996. It was the opening song of the concert and was included on the "Unplugged" live album and home video release. The "Unplugged" concert marked the last time the band performed the song with Layne Staley.
Since 2011, Jerry Cantrell dedicates "Nutshell" to Layne Staley and Mike Starr during Alice In Chains' concerts with new vocalist William DuVall. During their concert at the Hellfest Open Air Festival in Clisson, France on June 24, 2018, Cantrell dedicated the song to his longtime friend and Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul, who died two days before the concert.
Covers.
The song has been covered by numerous bands including Staind who included a live version of "Nutshell" on . In 2006, Shinedown and Seether covered the song together. Adema covered "Nutshell" on its 2002 EP "Insomniac's Dream". Corey Taylor, vocalist for the bands Slipknot and Stone Sour, also played an acoustic version of the song. HURT performed an acoustic cover, opening their act at the Layne Staley Tribute in 2008. An instrumental version was recorded by Ukrainian pianist Viktoriya Yermolyeva in the 2000s.
Sully Erna of the band Godsmack covered the song on his solo tour in 2013 dedicating it to a number of famous musicians who have left a big legacy after they have died with their names being displayed on the projector screen as he played the song. The names including Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, Dimebag Darrell, Freddie Mercury, Jimi Hendrix, Amy Winehouse, Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Bon Scott, and AIC's own Layne Staley to name a few.
American alternative country artist Ryan Adams released a limited edition cover version in 2011.
City and Colour frontman Dallas Green covered the song in 2013.
In popular culture.
"Nutshell" was released as downloadable content for the music video game "Rocksmith" on December 12, 2017, as part of Alice In Chains Song Pack II, which also includes the hits "Rooster", "No Excuses", "Down in a Hole", and "Heaven Beside You".