Anybody out there
Anyone at all
Can you finally hear this deep in
Scratching through the wall
Came far to find me
Down the rabbit hole
Watch me smiling back while chewing on my skull
I know, won’t forget
Limped away from the wreck
Is the monkey breathing
Looking kinda sick
Got a witty comment for me
Have yourself a kick
Does it make you feel good
Are you full and strong
Gonna end up in this cage and I hope your stay is long
I know, won’t forget
Limped away from the wreck
We’ll never know what this is
’til we take a look inside
I’m sure we’ll find what came before it dies
We’ll never know what this is
’til we take a look inside
I’m sure we’ll find what came before
Had enough, I don’t need you to stick my hide
Had enough, no more tears for me left to cry
Had enough, I don’t need you to blind my eyes
Had enough, no more tears for me left to cry
I know, won’t forget
Limped away from the wreck
We’ll never know what this is
’til we take a look inside
I’m sure we’ll find what came before it dies
We’ll never know what this is
’til we take a look inside
I’m sure we’ll find what came before it dies
Had enough, I don’t need you to stick my hide
Had enough, no more tears for me left to cry
Had enough, I don’t need you to blind my eyes
Had enough, no more tears for me left to cry
Delving Into the Depths: “Lab Monkey” by Alice In Chains
“Lab Monkey” unravels as a gritty exploration of confinement, resilience, and self-reflection. The recurring imagery of being observed and caged hints at feelings of scrutiny and vulnerability, while lines like “Limped away from the wreck” speak to survival after trauma. The song’s tone is both defiant and exhausted, as the narrator asserts boundaries and expresses fatigue from external pressures. The metaphor of the sick monkey in a cage is a powerful symbol for feeling trapped and judged, inviting listeners to consider their own struggles with scrutiny and personal limits. Ultimately, “Lab Monkey” challenges us to look within—suggesting that true understanding and healing can only begin once we confront what lies beneath the surface.
Song Credits
- Artist: Alice In Chains
- Songwriters: Jerry Cantrell, William DuVall
- Release Year: 2009
- Label: Virgin/EMI