Down in a Hole

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.{{Cite web |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/readers-poll-best-rock-headphone-song-ever-bohemian-rhapsody-queen-vs-down-hole |title=Readers' Poll: Best Rock Headphone Song Ever — "Bohemian Rhapsody" (Queen) Vs. "Down in a Hole" (Alice in Chains) |date=November 10, 2015 |website=Guitar World |access-date=June 2, 2018}} The composition is written in A-flat minor, utilizing Dorian mode, and is centered mainly around A♭ minor - G♭ major - D♭ major chord progression, with Layne Staley's and Jerry Cantrell's vocal parts intricately harmonizing.

Jerry Cantrell wrote the song for his then-girlfriend, Courtney Clarke.{{Cite web |url=http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=2332 |title=Down in a Hole by Alice in Chains |website=Song Facts |access-date=June 2, 2018}} 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.Liner notes, Music Bank box set. 1999.{{Cite web |url=http://www.uofmusic.com/alice-in-chains-down-in-a-hole/ |title=Alice In Chains - Down In A Hole |date=February 13, 2016 |website=U of Music |access-date=June 2, 2018}}

"Down in a Hole" was released as a single in October 1993.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks/1993-10-02|title=Mainstream Rock Songs - The Week of October 2, 1993|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 3, 2017}} "Down in a Hole" peaked at number ten on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. The UK single was released in October 1993.{{cite book |last1=Strong |first1=M. C. |title=The Great Rock Discography |year=1998 |publisher=Giunti |isbn=88-09-21522-2 |page=87}} "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."{{cite web| url=http://www.allmusic.com/song/down-in-a-hole-mt0028618365 |title=Down in a Hole |publisher=AllMusic |last=Raggett |first=Ned |access-date=June 2, 2018}} 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."{{Cite web |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1163302/dirt-turns-20/franchises/the-anniversary/ |title=Dirt Turns 20 |date=September 27, 2012 |website=Stereogum |access-date=June 2, 2018}} In 2014, Loudwire ranked the song number eight on their list of the 10 greatest Alice in Chains songs,{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/best-alice-in-chains-songs/|title=10 Best Alice in Chains Songs|first=Chad|last=Childers|website=Loudwire|date=March 18, 2014|accessdate=May 4, 2023}} and in 2021, Kerrang ranked the song number three on their list of the 20 greatest Alice in Chains songs.{{cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-20-greatest-alice-in-chains-songs-ranked|title=The 20 greatest Alice In Chains songs – ranked|first=Sam|last=Law|work=Kerrang|date=March 30, 2021|accessdate=May 4, 2023}}

"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.

Alice in Chains performed the song live for the first time on October 5, 1992, at the Coca-Cola Starplex in Dallas, Texas.{{Cite web |url=https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/alice-in-chains/1992/coca-cola-starplex-dallas-tx-7bd10670.html |title=Alice in Chains Concert Setlist at Coca-Cola Starplex, Dallas on October 5, 1992 |website=Setlist.fm |access-date=June 2, 2018}}

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.{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/mtv-unplugged-mw0000183677 |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |title=MTV Unplugged - Alice in Chains |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=June 2, 2018}}

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.{{cite web |url=https://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=478697 |title=Alice In Chains Black Gives Way To Blue Japanese CD album (CDLP) |website=eil.com |access-date=June 2, 2018}}

The song was covered by professional baseball player Bronson Arroyo on his 2005 album, Covering the Bases,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/red-soxs-arroyo-pitches-for-grunge-20050808|title=Red Sox's Arroyo Pitches for Grunge |magazine=Rolling Stone|date=August 5, 2005|access-date=November 17, 2017}} which lists the song as "Down in the Hole".{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/down-in-the-hole-mt0008335733|title=Covering the Bases - Bronson Arroyo |publisher=AllMusic|access-date=November 17, 2017}}

On his low-key 2007 tour—in support of his album Easy Tiger, Ryan Adams covered the song live with his band, The Cardinals.[https://web.archive.org/web/20130430192325/http://answeringbell.com/Answering%20Bell/Songs/down_in_a_hole.htm "Down in a Hole"]. answeringbell.com. A cover of the song is also featured on Adams' 2007 EP Follow the Lights.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/follow-the-lights-mw0000492292|title=Follow the Lights - Ryan Adams & the Cardinals |publisher=AllMusic|access-date=November 17, 2017}}

The Vitamin String Quartet recorded an instrumental version of the song for their 2009 album "The String Quartet Tribute to Alice in Chains".{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-vitamin-string-quartet-tribute-to-alice-in-chains-mw0000824381

|title=Vitamin String Quartet - The Vitamin String Quartet Tribute to Alice in Chains |publisher=AllMusic|access-date=November 17, 2017}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.solidstaterecords.com/releases/848/The_World_Is_A_Thorn_Digital_Deluxe_Edition/|title=Demon Hunter - The World Is A Thorn (Digital Deluxe Edition) |website=Solid State Records|access-date=November 17, 2017}}

Swedish metal band In Flames covered the song on their covers EP, "Down, Wicked & No Good", released in November 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/in-flames-covers-depeche-mode-alice-in-chains-nine-inch-nails-on-down-wicked-no-good-ep.html|title=IN FLAMES Covers DEPECHE MODE, ALICE IN CHAINS, NINE INCH NAILS On 'Down, Wicked & No Good' EP |publisher=Blabbermouth|date=November 17, 2017|access-date=November 17, 2017}}

In 2020, American metalcore band Code Orange covered the song on their live album, Under the Skin.{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/code-orange-unplugged-cover-alice-in-chains-down-in-a-hole/|title=Code Orange Perform Haunting 'Unplugged' Alice in Chains Cover|last=Hartmann|first=Graham|website=Loudwire|date=July 31, 2020|access-date=April 5, 2025}}

"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".{{cite web| url=http://theriffrepeater.com/rocksmith-remastered-dlc-12-12-2017-alice-in-chains-ii-rooster-heaven-beside-you-nutshell-no-excuses-down-in-a-hole-layne-staley-grunge-1993-guitar-bass/|title=Rocksmith Remastered DLC 12/12/2017 – Alice in Chains II|publisher=The Riff Repeater|date=December 11, 2017|access-date=January 23, 2018}}

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-inch single (659751–6)

Side 1

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

Side 2

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

7-inch single (659751–7)

Side 1

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

Side 2

1. "Rooster"

• Layne Staley – lead vocals
• Jerry Cantrell – vocals, electric and acoustic guitar
• Mike Starr – bass
• Sean Kinney – drums

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Alice in Chains|title=Down in a Hole|award=Platinum|relyear=1993|certyear=2022|access-date=August 15, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/alice-in-chains-53d68b9d.html?song=Down+in+a+Hole "Down in a Hole"] on Setlist.fm

{{Alice in Chains}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1990s ballads

Category:1993 singles

Category:Alice in Chains songs

Category:Songs written by Jerry Cantrell

Category:Songs about heartache

Category:1992 songs

Category:Columbia Records singles