SONG: "Keep The Light On"
ARTIST: Jerry Cantrell
ALBUM: "Boggy Depot"
YEAR: 1998
PLACE OF ORIGIN: Tacoma, Washington
YEARS ACTIVE: 1985 - present
WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:
"Keep The Light On" appears to be a poignant and emotional exploration of a relationship that is struggling to survive. The lyrics suggest that both parties are unwilling to let go, but they are also aware that their situation is not sustainable.
JERRY CANTRELL DISCOGRAPHY (Full length album only):
1998 - Boggy Depot (Columbia Records)
* peaked at #28 on the Billboard 200
2002 - Degradation Trip Volumes 1 & 2 (Roadrunner Records)
* peaked at #33 on the Billboard 200
2021 - Brighten (Double J Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2024 - I Want Blood (self-released)
* peaked at #145 on the Billboard 200
MY THOUGHTS ON JERRY CANTRELL:
Jerry Cantrell was dabbling in music dating back to 1985. Hailing from Tacoma, Washington, it was Cantrell's move to Seattle and his meeting Layne Staley that would change history forever. By 1987, Cantrell, Staley along with drummer Sean Kinney and bassist Mike Starr would form Alice In Chains. Once Nirvana kicked the door in with "Smells Like Teen Spirit", the world was yearning for the "sound of Seattle" and Pearl Jam and Soundgarden and Alice In Chains would oblige. Alice In Chains was known for being perhaps the most "grungy" band out of the four. It was the hauntingly beautiful harmonizing vocals of Cantrell and Staley that really made their sound stand out. So influential. So powerful. And just so damn good! Alice In Chains would become one of the biggest bands in the world by the mid 90's. Unfortunately, drugs and alcohol would hinder their ablility to be a full time band. By 1996, it was becoming more and more evident that Layne Staley could not be depended on to record in the studio or perform live due to his heroin addiction. 1996 would also be the first time Jerry Cantrell would release anything solo, the song "Leave Me Alone" which was on "The Cable Guy" soundtrack. In 1998, Cantrell would drop his debut full length solo album, "Boggy Depot". For his follow up album, 2002's "Degradation Trip", Cantrell would lock himself in his house for like four months and rarely leave. Ultimately, he came up with 25 songs which would comprise "Degradation Trip Volumes 1 & 2". This album dropped just a few months after the tragic passing of Layne Staley and it would be dedicated to his memory. In 2006, Alice In Chains would get back on the road and in the studio with Comes With The Fall singer/guitarist William DuVall. This new, and current, line-up of Alice In Chains have put out three new full length albums since 2009. With AIC on some downtime, Cantrell began working on a new solo project. This would become 2021's "Brighten". Cantrell's most recent release would be the 2024 full length album "I Want Blood". Jerry Cantrell is a beast! As a guitarist, he is one of the most influential players to come out of the grunge/alternative rock scene. So much so that he is often coined the "riff lord"! His work with Alice In Chains speaks for itself and his solo records prove that he was very much as important as Layne Staley was to the sound and music of Alice In Chains. Cantrell's last two solo albums, "Brighten" and "I Want Blood", are fantastic! While I'll always prefer an Alice In Chains release, I'll always take anything that Jerry Cantrell does musically. The dude is a legend!
SIMILAR ARTISTS:
Alice In Chains
Mad Season
Soundgarden
Temple Of The Dog
Stone Temple Pilots
TEN JERRY CANTRELL SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:
1. Atone
2. Brighten
3. Cut You In
4. Villified
5. Anger Rising
6. Afterglow
7. Leave Me Alone
8. My Song
9. Angel Eyes
10. A Job To Do
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