<\/p>\n
An upcoming book featuring journal entries from Alice in Chains<\/a> vocalist Layne Staley<\/a> will\u00a0reportedly include unused lyrics intended for a\u00a0song on\u00a0Jar of Flies<\/em><\/span>.<\/p>\n Book distributor\u00a0 Staley died in 2002 at the age of 34 following a drug overdose.<\/p>\n One of the photos from the\u00a0distributor shows what is noted as being lyrics for “I Stay Away” from the 1994 Alice in Chains album Jar of Flies<\/em>. The lyrics are scrawled on a piece of paper in Staley’s handwriting.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Hear a Darker + Heavier Version of Alice in Chains’ ‘Dirt’ Album<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Fans of the band will immediately notice this version of “I Stay Away” is much different than the studio version.<\/p>\n Both the early version of the lyrics and those heard in the final studio recording contain the same opening lines:<\/p>\n Yeah, hey, I want to travel south this year<\/p>\n Ah, woah, woah, won’t prevent safe passage here.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n But things take a sharp turn after the first verse. The recorded version contains the chorus:<\/p>\n Why you act crazy?<\/p>\n Not an act, maybe<\/p>\n So close, a lady<\/p>\n Shifty eyes, shady<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The early version of the chorus lyrics that will be featured in the upcoming book reads:<\/p>\n Why you always tracking around<\/p>\n Points are in a trail on the ground<\/p>\n Another sick room with your name<\/p>\n The trauma’s just a play in the game<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n There were also apparently additional lyrics that Staley crossed out that had to do with “strength in voice” and “masturbation.”<\/p>\n Other\u00a0images released by Simon & Schuster ahead of the release of\u00a0This Angry Pen of Mine: Recovering the Lost Journals<\/em>\u00a0of Layne Staley<\/em>\u00a0show Staley at different stages in his life, including a baby photo in his mother’s arms and another as a teenager playing the drums.<\/p>\n There’s also a journal entry showing what he planned to use to promote drum lessons as a teen for $5 per half hour of instruction. The advertisement text reminds potential students to “bring own sticks.”<\/p>\n Additional images show never-before-seen unpublished poetry written by Staley.<\/p>\n Many of the photos in the book were provided by Staley’s family. According to a report from Flood<\/em> magazine<\/a>, the singer’s mother, Nancy McCallum, wrote the foreword for This Angry Pen of Mine: Recovering the Lost Journals<\/em> of Layne Staley.<\/em><\/p>\n In the foreword, McCallum says “I hope this book gives you a glimpse of the son I knew, the one beyond the headlines, the one with a beautiful, creative, happy soul.”<\/p>\n READ MORE: What Layne Staley Said to Jerry Cantrell to Convince Him to Sing<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Proceeds from the book’s sale will go toward the Layne Staley Memorial Fund<\/a>, which was started by the former Alice in Chains member’s family to help provide education and treatment for heroin addicts and their loved ones in the Seattle area.<\/p>\n The book is currently available for preorder via several outlets, including Amazon and Simon & Schuster<\/a>.<\/p>\n Here’s our ranking of every Alice In Chains song with Layne Staley, from Facelift <\/em>to their Music Bank <\/em>box set.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Lauryn Schaffner<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nFirst Look At Layne Staley Book Shows Early Lyrics<\/h3>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/del>Simon & Schuster has released the first few pages that will be part\u00a0of\u00a0This<\/em><\/span>\u00a0Angry Pen of Mine: Recovering the Lost Journals<\/em>\u00a0of Layne Staley<\/em>, a collection of Staley’s journal entries and other writings and art due out Nov. 11. The preview is being used to help promote pre-orders for the book.<\/p>\nHow Newly Revealed ‘I Stay Away’ Lyrics Differ From Recorded Version<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n
Alice in Chains, “I Stay Away”<\/h3>\n
The Book Will Include Photos of Staley and His Poetry<\/h3>\n
Staley’s Family Participated in Book’s Creation<\/h3>\n
Every Alice In Chains Song (With Layne Staley) Ranked<\/h2>\n