Brush Away

Alice In Chains' song 'Brush Away' delves into the complexities of inner conflict and the struggle to break free from personal demons. The lyrics reflect a sense of frustration and entrapment, as the narrator grapples with their own aggression and the expectations placed upon them. The opening lines, 'I could use some time to curl away / My aggression is where you stake your claim,' suggest a desire for solitude and introspection, yet the narrator feels judged and misunderstood by others.

The recurring theme of trying to escape but being unable to fully break free is evident in the lines, 'I try to get away / And yet I stick around.' This internal battle is further emphasized by the imagery of 'fall and crawl away / And brush away loose ground,' which conveys a sense of struggle and the effort to clear away the debris of one's past or present troubles. The repetition of this phrase underscores the cyclical nature of the narrator's attempts to find peace and resolution.

The song also touches on themes of self-deception and the pressure to conform, as seen in the lines, 'My intention / I arrive at eight, lie and dream some / Surprise you, guys, I'm late.' Here, the narrator acknowledges their own shortcomings and the facade they present to others. The mention of 'correction, forgetting something wait' hints at the constant need to adjust and correct oneself in the face of external expectations. Overall, 'Brush Away' captures the essence of an ongoing internal struggle, the desire for self-improvement, and the difficulty of overcoming personal obstacles.