Hey, I ain’t never coming home
Hey, I’ll just wander my own road
Hey, hey, I can’t meet you here tomorrow, no
Say goodbye, don’t follow
Misery so hollow
Hey you, you’re livin’ life full throttle
Hey you, pass me down that bottle, yeah
Hey, hey you, you can’t shake me ’round now
I get so lost and don’t know how, yeah
And it hurts to care, I’m going down
Ooh, forgot my woman, lost my friends
Things I’d done and where I’ve been
Sleep in sweat, the mirror’s cold
See my face, it’s growin’ old
Scared to death, no reason why
Do whatever to get me by
Think about the things I said
Read the page, it’s cold and dead
And take me home
Yeah, take me home, oh oh
Take me home
Take me home, yeah
Take me home
Say goodbye, don’t follow
Wandering Down a Lonely Road
“Don’t Follow” by Alice In Chains is a haunting reflection on isolation and the struggle to break free from destructive cycles. The lyrics paint a stark portrait of someone choosing solitude over returning to a painful past, with lines like “I ain’t never coming home” and “I’ll just wander my own road.” There’s a raw honesty in the admission of misery and the inability to reconnect with loved ones—symbolized in the plea to “Say goodbye, don’t follow.” The song captures both the anguish of letting go and the weary resignation that comes with it.
Descent and Reflection
As the verses unfold, the narrative turns inward, exploring the fallout of addiction and regret. The references to “pass me down that bottle” and “forgot my woman, lost my friends” underscore themes of self-destruction and loss. Yet, amidst the pain, there’s a yearning for redemption, a plea to be taken home, even as the protagonist acknowledges the damage done. This emotional journey is universal, resonating with anyone who has grappled with loneliness and the desire for a fresh start.
Song Credits
- Artist: Alice In Chains
- Songwriters: Jerry Cantrell
- Release Year: 1994
- Label: Columbia Records