Hey ah na na, innocence is over
Hey ah na na, over
Hey ah na na, ignorance is spoken
Hey ah na na, spoken
Hey ah na na, confidence is broken
Hey ah na na, broken
Hey ah na na, sustenance is stolen
Hey ah na na, stolen
Hey ah na na, arrogance is potent
Hey ah na na, potent, yeah
What I see is unreal
I’ve written my own part
Eat of the apple, so young
I’m crawling back to start
Hey ah na na, I repent tomorrow
Hey ah na na, tomorrow
Hey ah na na, I suspend my sorrow
Hey ah na na, sorrow, yeah
What I see is unreal
I’ve written my own part
Eat of the apple, so young
I’m crawling back to start
Hey ah na na, a romance is fallen
Hey ah na na, fallen
Hey ah na na, recommend you borrow
Hey ah na na, borrow, yeah
What I see is unreal
I’ve written my own part
Eat of the apple, so young
I’m crawling back to start
Hey ah na na
Hey ah na na
Hey ah na na
Hey ah na na
Peeling Back the Layers of “Rotten Apple”
“Rotten Apple” by Alice In Chains is a haunting exploration of inner turmoil and the loss of innocence. The repetitive “Hey ah na na” refrain sets a somber, meditative tone, while the lyrics delve into themes of regret, disillusionment, and self-reflection. The song’s metaphorical references to eating the apple evoke the biblical story of the fall from grace, suggesting a journey through temptation, guilt, and the longing for redemption.
Deeper Meanings and Emotional Resonance
Alice In Chains masterfully balances vulnerability and darkness, with lines like “confidence is broken” and “I’m crawling back to start” capturing the cyclical nature of personal struggle. The song’s introspective lyrics invite listeners to confront their own experiences with regret and renewal, making “Rotten Apple” a deeply relatable and enduring track in the band’s catalog.
Song Credits
Songwriters: Jerry Cantrell, Layne Staley
Release Year: 1994
Label: Columbia Records