Some songs hit differently. They grab you by the chest and refuse to let go.

Would? by Alice in Chains is one of those tracks. Since 1992, this song has been the soundtrack to countless moments of reflection, pain, and raw honesty.

The opening bass line alone is enough to transport you somewhere darker, somewhere real.

Fans keep searching for the lyrics, the meaning, and the story behind it because this song speaks to something deep.

It’s not just music. It’s a conversation about loss, choices, and what we’d do if we stood in someone else’s shoes.

About the Song

Jerry Cantrell wrote this song as a tribute to Andrew Wood, the late singer of Mother Love Bone. Wood died from a heroin overdose in 1990.

The song explores addiction and the choices people make, even when those choices cause harm. Cantrell wanted to honor his friend without judging his decisions.

The title poses a question: if you were in the same situation, would you make the same choice? It challenges listeners to think before judging others.

The song also reflects the pain of loss and the struggle with substance abuse that affected many musicians in the Seattle grunge scene.

Full Lyrics of Would? by Alice in Chains

Want to sing along or just read through every line? Here are the complete lyrics to Would? Straight from the 1992 album Dirt.

Intro

Would

Verse 1

Know me, broken by my master
Teach thee on child of love hereafter

Chorus

Into the flood again
Same old trip it was back then
So I made a big mistake
Try to see it once my way

Verse 2

Drifting body, its sole desertion
Flying not yet, quite the notion

Chorus

Into the flood again
Same old trip it was back then
So I made a big mistake
Try to see it once my way

Guitar

Chorus

Into the flood again
Same old trip it was back then
So I made a big mistake
Try to see it once my way, yeah

Outro

Am I wrong?
Have I run too far to get home?
Have I gone?
Left you here alone
Am I wrong?
Have I run too far to get home? Yeah
Have I gone?
Left you here alone
If I would, could you?

Songs Similar to Would? by Alice in Chains

If Would? Struck a chord with you, these five tracks share the same heavy sound and emotional weight. Each one captures that raw grunge spirit that defined the early 1990s.

• Down in a Hole – Alice in Chains This track from the same Dirt album carries the same haunting vocal harmonies and explores themes of depression and feeling trapped.
• Rooster – Alice in Chains Another Dirt classic, Rooster tells Jerry Cantrell’s father’s Vietnam War story with heavy guitar riffs and deep emotional resonance.
• Black Hole Sun – Soundgarden Chris Cornell’s vocals shine in this dark, psychedelic grunge anthem that questions reality and features a similarly heavy, doom-laden atmosphere.
• Jeremy – Pearl JamEddie Vedder delivers powerful vocals over a building instrumental that addresses trauma and pain with the same intensity as Would?
• Heart-Shaped Box – Nirvana Kurt Cobain’s raw delivery and cryptic lyrics create an unsettling mood that matches Would?’s exploration of difficult emotions and addiction.

Artists Similar to Alice in Chains

If Alice in Chains is your go-to band, you’ll want to check out these similar artists. They all share that heavy grunge sound with dark lyrics and powerful vocals.

• Soundgarden
  Genre: Grunge, Alternative Rock
  Top Album: Superunknown

• Pearl Jam
  Genre: Grunge, Alternative Rock
  Top Album: Ten

• Nirvana
  Genre: Grunge, Alternative Rock
  Top Album: Nevermind

• Stone Temple Pilots
  Genre: Alternative Rock, Grunge
  Top Album: Core

• Temple of the Dog
  Genre: Grunge
  Top Album: Temple of the Dog

Final Thoughts

Would? by Alice in Chains remains one of the most powerful songs in grunge history.

It’s more than just a tribute to Andrew Wood. It’s a mirror held up to addiction, loss, and the human condition. Jerry Cantrell’s honest approach to a painful topic created something timeless.

Layne Staley’s vocals brought that pain to life in a way few singers ever could. The song asks us to think before we judge. It asks us to consider what we’d do in someone else’s place.

That question still matters today.

What’s your connection to this song? Does it remind you of a specific time in your life? Drop a comment below and share your story. Let’s keep the conversation going.