I also found out who plays the piano on BGWTB....Elton John.
Seriously, this is their deepest album. Every single song sounds like it's been written specifically for YOU and about YOUR life.
Also, when you get it, do me a favor....and trust me on this: listen to the title track BGWTB before you listen to the rest of the album. It will set you in the mood and you'll connect with it on a much deeper level.
John, just a warning. You're going to seriously cry when you hear that song...I know you're a pretty tough guy but this song is going to break you down really hard if you even BEGIN to identify with the lyrics. Just be ready because it's different when you're hearing it in high quality by yourself. I got all misty-eyed and emo when I heard it. I've been listening to it for the past two hours...just that song.
"I don't wanna feel no more
It's easier to keep falling
imitations appeal
emptiness, all tomorrows haunted by your ghost
lay down, black gives way to blue
lay down, I remember you
fading out by design
consciously avoiding changes
curtains drawn, now its done
silencing all tomorrows, forcing a goodbye
lay down, black gives way to blue
lay down, I remember you"
When they were tracking that song in the studio, Jerry Cantrell had an anxiety attack and couldn't finish it for three weeks. He went to therapy and even had a spinal tap to figure out what was wrong with him...he was getting constant migraines and couldn't figure out why. He said there was some "undigested grief" that he hadn't dealt with and that it all came up when they had to play it in the studio. They kept putting it off even though it was done because they knew they weren't ready for it. When you hear it, you'll see why.
