I fucking hate April 5th. The reason? My childhood rock hero died on this day in 2002. The second I heard of his passing on the radio I left work early and high tailed it to the Seattle Center fountain. 100 people or so engaged in a candle light vigil, and Mike, Sean, and Kim Thayil were there from what I remember. It was really emotional and sad. I remember grabbing a bench and just hanging amongst his friends and family for quite awhile. I listened to stories, Mad Season on a boombox, lit a candle with some folks, and then went home. It will forever be a very memorable experience, one that I am proud to have been apart of while regretfully never having the chance to see him perform live.
I was so bummed for at least a week following the evitable announcement, but I say the thing that made it all better was listening to Layne’s musical legacy over and over again. His lyrics are full of pain and sadness but his voice has a real healing, uplifting quality. This wasn’t the only time his music got me through hard times, and it won’t be the last. His lyrics and music will forever remain a huge part of my life. RIP Layne, you are sorely missed.
Wake Up
Lyrics by Layne Staley
Music by Staley, McCready, Martin, Saunders
Wake up young man, it's time to wake up
Your love affair has got to go
For 10 long years, for 10 long years
The leaves to rake up
Slow suicide's no way to go, oh
Blue, clouded grey
You're not a crack up
Dizzy and weakened by the haze
Moving onward
So an infection not a phase
Yeah, oh
The cracks and lines from where you gave up
They make an easy man to read, oh
For all the times you let them bleed you
For little peace from God you plead, and beg
For little peace from God you plead
Ahhaahh, Yeah, Ahhaahh, Yeah, Ahhaahh, Yeah
Wake up young man, wake up, wake up
Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up
Oh, yeah
Wake up young man, it's time to wake up
Your love affair has got to go, yeah
For 10 long years, for 10 long years,
The leaves to rake up
Slow suicide's no way to go, oh
Slow suicide's no way to go
Wake up, wake up, wake up
Wake up, wake up, wake up
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