Don't Follow

"Don't Follow"
Single by Alice in Chains
from the album Jar of Flies
Released	1994
Recorded	September 7–14, 1993 at London Bridge Studio in Seattle, Washington
Genre	Rock
Length	4:22
Label	Columbia
Writer(s)	Jerry Cantrell
Producer	Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains singles chronology
"I Stay Away" (1994) "Don't Follow" (1994) "Got Me Wrong" (1994)
Jar of Flies track listing "Whale & Wasp" (Track 5) "Don't Follow" (Track 6) "Swing on This" (Track 7)

"Don't Follow" is a song by American rock band Alice in Chains; it is the 3rd single on the studio EP Jar of Flies released on January 25, 1994 through Columbia Records.

Composition

The song is known to be very melancholic and soft; this is largely due to the lack of electrically amplified instruments—replaced by the gentle wail of a harmonica, and especially the lack of a rhythm section during the first half of the song. Lead guitarist Jerry Cantrell sings during most of the song except the bridge, which vocalist Layne Staley sings.

Release and reception

"Don't Follow" was released as a single in 1994 and peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

Ned Raggett of Allmusic called the song "one of the best" by Alice in Chains, referred to Cantrell's vocals on the song as "some of his best work ever," and said that the song "finds the band at its most calm, reflective, and gently warning."^[1]

Personnel

• Layne Staley – vocals, harmonica
• Jerry Cantrell – guitars, vocals
• Mike Inez – bass
• Sean Kinney – drums, percussion

Chart positions

Chart (1994)	Position
US Mainstream Rock Tracks[2]	25

References

1. ^ Raggett, Ned. "Don't Follow". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/song/t857441. Retrieved 2009-02-27. 
2. ^ "Artist Chart History – Alice in Chains". Billboard charts. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.chartFormatGroupName=Singles&model.vnuArtistId=3943&model.vnuAlbumId=454488. Retrieved 2008-02-14. 

External links

• Review of "Don't Follow" at Allmusic