What the hell am I?
Thousand eyes, a fly
Lucky then I’d be
In one day deceased
Sickman, sickman, sickman
I can feel the wheel, but I can’t steer
When my thoughts become my biggest fear
Ah, what’s the difference, I’ll die
In this sick world of mine
What the hell am I?
Leper from inside
Inside wall of peace
Dirty and diseased
Sickman, sickman, sickman, sickman
I can see the end is getting near
I won’t rest until my head is clear
Ah, what’s the difference, I’ll die
In this sick world of mine
Can you see the end?
Choke on me my friend
Must to drown these thoughts
Purity over rot
“Yeah, though I walk through the valley of rape and despair
With head high and eyes alert
I tread on a plane of many
We who are of good nature and intention,
But cannot touch on the dark
Recesses of memory
And pain learned, so come walk
With me, feel the pain,
And release it…”
What the hell am I?
Worn eroded pride
Saddened 10 miles wide
I’m gonna let it slide
Sickman, sickman, sickman, sickman
I can feel the wheel, but I can’t steer
When my thoughts become my biggest fear
Ah, what’s the difference, I’ll die
In this sick world of mine
Ahh, etc., etc.
The Turmoil Within: Interpreting “Sickman”
“Sickman” by Alice In Chains is a raw exploration of inner chaos and despair. The lyrics plunge listeners into a world of anxiety, confusion, and self-doubt, reflected in the recurring question, “What the hell am I?” The feeling of losing control—”I can feel the wheel, but I can’t steer”—captures the struggle of grappling with overpowering thoughts and fears. The song’s haunting imagery, from “leper from inside” to “dirty and diseased,” gives voice to alienation and internal decay. The spoken word section brings an almost spiritual dimension, inviting others to walk through pain and seek release. Ultimately, “Sickman” embodies the relentless battle with mental anguish, presented through the band’s signature blend of dark lyricism and heavy sound.
Song Credits
- Artist: Alice In Chains
- Songwriters: Jerry Cantrell, Layne Staley
- Release Year: 1992
- Label: Columbia Records