"No Excuses" | ||||||||||||||||
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Single by Alice in Chains | ||||||||||||||||
from the album Jar of Flies | ||||||||||||||||
Released | 1994 | |||||||||||||||
Format | CD | |||||||||||||||
Recorded | September 7–14, 1993 at London Bridge Studio in Seattle, Washington | |||||||||||||||
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Length | 4:15 | |||||||||||||||
Label | Columbia | |||||||||||||||
Writer(s) | Jerry Cantrell | |||||||||||||||
Producer(s) |
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Alice in Chains singles chronology | ||||||||||||||||
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"No Excuses" is the lead single from American rock band Alice in Chains's third EP, Jar of Flies (1994). The song was included on the compilation albums Nothing Safe: Best of the Box (1999), Music Bank (1999), Greatest Hits (2001), and The Essential Alice in Chains (2006). The song was well received by music critics and was a charting success. It has gone on to become one of the band's most popular and well-known songs.
The song's sound (and that of the entire EP) is a departure from some of the band's better-known, heavier work. Guitarist Jerry Cantrell's subtle guitar riffs built around suspended chords (as well as drummer Sean Kinney's soft, syncopated drumming) help lend an unusually airy feel to the song.
The lyrics, penned by Cantrell, are thought to be about his unstable relationship with band vocalist Layne Staley, highlighting both their difficulties as well as their friendship. The final verse seems to come to a resolve in stating that Cantrell will "defend" Staley and that, should they grow further apart, he will "love (Staley) anyway."
"No Excuses" was released as a single in 1994. "No Excuses" found moderate airplay on alternative rock radio and is considered by music fans and critics as a grunge staple. "No Excuses" peaked at number 48 on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart, making it the only Alice in Chains top 50 song. Although Alice in Chains fared well on mainstream rock radio, "No Excuses" was their only song to hit number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart until "Check My Brain" in 2009. "No Excuses" peaked at number three on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.