Alice in Chains is a famous rock band from Seattle, formed in 1987 by guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell and drummer Sean Kinney. Renowned for mixing grunge with heavy metal, their sound is defined by haunting harmonies and dark, soulful lyrics.
Albums like Dirt and Jar of Flies showcase the band’s history, with detailed harmonies and heavy guitar riffs that solidified their place in rock history.
About the Song
Hate to Feel is a track that conveys the feelings of inner turmoil, frustration, and emotional conflict.
With heavy, brooding guitar riffs and Layne Staley’s raw, haunting vocals, the song shows themes of self-destructive behavior and the struggles of confronting personal demons.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Released | September 29, 1992 |
| Album | Music Bank (1999) |
| Writer | Layne Staley |
| Producers | Alice in Chains & Dave Jerden |
Hate to Feel Lyrics by Alice in Chains
Intro
Oh, yeah
Verse 1
What’s gone wrong?
I can’t see straight
Been too long
So full of hate
Post Verse 1
What the fuck will it take?
Drown myself in my wake
Another Shaggy DA
Now a dog, shake my leg
Plastic man, paper face
Candy heart, what a waste
Gotta change, set a date
Eat my cake, lick my plate
Pre-Chorus 1
Stare at me with empty eyes
And point your words at me
Mirror on the wall will show you
What you’re scared to see
Chorus
I can see, yeah (Wish I couldn’t see at all)
I can feel (Wish I couldn’t feel at all)
Hate to see (Wish I couldn’t see at all)
Hate to feel (Wish I couldn’t feel at all)
Verse 2
So climb walls
Thin my blood now
And I crawl
Back to bed now
Post-Verse 2
What the hell? Gotta rest
Aching pain in my chest
Lucky me, now I’m set
Little bug for a pet
New Orleans, gotta get
Pincushion medicine
Used to be curious
Now the shit’s sustenance
Pre-Chorus 2
All this time, I swore I’d never
Be like my old man
What the hay, it’s time to face
Exactly what I am
Chorus
I can see, yeah (Wish I couldn’t see at all)
I can feel (Wish I couldn’t feel at all)
Hate to see (Wish I couldn’t see at all)
Hate to feel (Wish I couldn’t feel at all)
Guitar Solo
Post-Verse 2
What the hell? Gotta rest
Aching pain in my chest
Lucky me, now I’m set
Little bug for a pet
New Orleans, gotta get
Pincushion medicine
Used to be curious
Now the shit’s sustenance
Pre-Chorus 2
All this time, I swore I’d never
Be like my old man
What the hay, it’s time to face
Exactly who I am
Chorus
I can see, yeah (Wish I couldn’t see at all)
I can feel, yeah (Wish I couldn’t feel at all)
Hate to see, yeah (Wish I couldn’t see at all)
Hate to feel, yeah (Wish I couldn’t feel at all)
I can see, yeah (Wish I couldn’t see at all)
I can feel, yeah (Wish I couldn’t feel at all)
Hate to see, yeah (Wish I couldn’t see at all)
Hate to feel, yeah (Wish I couldn’t feel at all)
Similar Songs Like Hate to Feel
If you’re drawn to the raw emotion and heavy themes of Hate to Feel, these songs show, dark feeling of addiction and inner struggle.
- “God Smack“: A Haunting track that confronts addiction’s destructive consequences, guilt, and the struggle to choose a healthier path.
- “Sickman“: This song shows psychological distress and existential crisis; the song conveys overwhelming inner turmoil and a desperate search for meaning.
- “Junkhead“: Raw lyrics depict a portrait of drug addiction, highlighting its pain, hopelessness, and defiant self-awareness.
- “Dirt“: High-spirited track that revolves around the despair of substance abuse, revealing the harsh reality of addiction.
Similar Bands Like Alice in Chains
Fans of Alice in Chains will like these bands that share the same heavy riffs and emotionally charged lyrics rooted in the grunge and alternative rock movement
- Soundgarden
Genre: Grunge, alternative metal
Top albums: Superunknown, Badmotorfinger - Mad Season
Genre: Grunge, alternative rock
Top albums: Above, Live at the Moore - Smashing Pumpkins
Genre: Alternative rock, grunge
Top albums: Siamese Dream, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness - Temple of the Dog
Genre: Grunge, alternative rock
Top albums: Temple of the Dog, Live at the Paramount
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does Hate to Feel Connect to Staley’s Personal Life?
The lyrics show Staley’s own battles with heroin addiction, which he openly discussed in interviews. The song offers an honest look at his personal struggles.
Was This Song Played Often During Live Performances?
The song was performed live during the tours supporting the Dirt album, but wasn’t as frequently included in setlists as some of the band’s other tracks.
Who Played Drums in Hate to Feel?
Sean Kinney performed the drums on this track, providing rhythmic patterns that complemented the song’s shifting time signatures.
