RESEARCH : The Song

 Nutshell

There were a range of songs to choose from and so many ideas to compose a music video for one of them. Being a fan on grunge rock, there were many choices and ideas in my head. After much exploring, I landed on "Nutshell" off the album "Jar of Flies" by Alice in Chains. 

"Jar of Flies" album cover 

This song has been beautifully crafted in a way that it stays with you. The classic acoustic guitar melody and subtle drums and then addition of electric guitar along with other instruments just creates a lovely, yet melancholic atmosphere. It may not be seen as falling into the grunge genre directly as it is more of alternative and acoustic rock, but a grunge band producing a song different from the norm really stood out.

"Alice in Chains Unplugged" where Nutshell was performed live

"Nutshell" released with the album "Jar of Flies" on January 25th, 1994. Written by the lead vocalist himself, Layne Stayley, it became one of Alice in Chains most successful and best known songs, despite not even being released as a single. It has gained platinum certification in the US and even made it to the Rolling Stone's "The 10 Saddest Songs of All Time'. It was a treasure for Alice in Chains fans and acoustic grunge fans in general as Stayley had put his heart in the lyricism, considering he was in the grip of a fatal heroin addiction when he penned the track, and it really touched many deeply. The track muses on loneliness, despair, addiction, death, addiction and grappling with fame.

Nutshell is powerful and interesting choice, and I am excited to explore it visually.