Over Now
Encyclopedia
"Over Now" is a song by the Seattle grunge
band Alice in Chains
, released on their album Alice in Chains
(1995). It was a single from the band's MTV Unplugged
performance, and was used to close the televised broadcast. The B-Side consists of the original studio version of the song.
", it features mostly vocal work of guitarist Jerry Cantrell
, with lead vocalist Layne Staley
only harmonizing in the chorus. While the song was written by Jerry Cantrell about a failed relationship, many fans see this song—which features a traditional bugle quote of "Taps
"—as an eerie foreshadowing of the band's ultimate demise because it is the closing track of their final studio album with Staley. In the liner notes
of 1999's Music Bank
box set collection, Jerry Cantrell said of the song: "A lot of deep shit in there, a big epic number. Plus you can get away with a hugely long tune near the end of a record." The song is written in open d tuning
, which is the first time the band experimented with it.
rock charts, despite the fact that it was not released as a single and no video was filmed for it. The version that charted was the acoustic version from the band's MTV Unplugged performance. "Over Now" peaked at number four on the Billboard
Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and at number 24 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.
Allmusic's Steve Huey regarded the song "among the band's best work."
is considered a music video
, much like the live video of "Bleed the Freak
", used in support of their Live
album. The video is available on the home video release Music Bank: The Videos
.
in 1996 and the song was included on the Unplugged
live album and home video release. The performance from MTV Unplugged can also be found on the box set Music Bank
, the home video release Music Bank: The Videos
, and the compilation album The Essential Alice in Chains
. On the CD version of the MTV Unplugged concert, booing can be heard as Staley said, "Ok, that's it" at the end of the song (presumably due to the performance concluding). Staley then responded to the heckler by shouting "Hey fuck you man!". This was greeted with laughter by the audience.
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
band Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The initial lineup was rounded out by drummer Sean Kinney, and bassist Mike Starr...
, released on their album Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains (album)
Alice in Chains is the eponymous third studio album by the American rock band Alice in Chains. Released on November 7, 1995, it was the follow-up to the highly successful Dirt...
(1995). It was a single from the band's MTV Unplugged
MTV Unplugged
MTV Unplugged is a TV series showcasing many popular musical artists usually playing acoustic instruments. The show has received the George Foster Peabody Award and 3 Primetime Emmy nominations among many accolades.-Unplugged:...
performance, and was used to close the televised broadcast. The B-Side consists of the original studio version of the song.
Composition
Similar to "Heaven Beside YouHeaven Beside You
"Heaven Beside You" is a song by Alice in Chains, from their album Alice in Chains . The song was included on the compilation albums Music Bank , Greatest Hits , and The Essential Alice in Chains .-Composition:...
", it features mostly vocal work of guitarist Jerry Cantrell
Jerry Cantrell
Jerry Fulton Cantrell Jr. is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter best known for his work with the grunge/metal band Alice in Chains, as lead guitarist, backing and co-lead vocalist, and co-lyricist. He performs lead vocals on his solo projects, and is part of Alice in Chains' harmonizing...
, with lead vocalist Layne Staley
Layne Staley
Layne Thomas Staley was an American musician who served as the lead singer and co-lyricist of the rock group Alice in Chains, which was formed in Seattle, Washington in 1987 by Staley and guitarist Jerry Cantrell. Alice in Chains rose to international fame as part of the grunge movement of the...
only harmonizing in the chorus. While the song was written by Jerry Cantrell about a failed relationship, many fans see this song—which features a traditional bugle quote of "Taps
Taps
"Taps" is a musical piece sounded by the U.S. military nightly to indicate that it is "lights out". The tune is also sometimes known as "Butterfields Lullaby", or by the lyrics of its second verse, "Day is Done". It is also played during flag ceremonies and funerals, generally on bugle or trumpet...
"—as an eerie foreshadowing of the band's ultimate demise because it is the closing track of their final studio album with Staley. In the liner notes
Liner notes
Liner notes are the writings found in booklets which come inserted into the compact disc jewel case or the equivalent packaging for vinyl records and cassettes.-Origin:...
of 1999's Music Bank
Music Bank
- Disc two :-Disc three :-Personnel:*Mark Arm - Assistant vocals on "Right Turn"*Jeff Beck - Graphic Design*Jerry Cantrell - guitar, vocals*Chris Cornell - Assistant guitar, lyrics, vocals on "Right Turn"*Peter Cronin - Photography...
box set collection, Jerry Cantrell said of the song: "A lot of deep shit in there, a big epic number. Plus you can get away with a hugely long tune near the end of a record." The song is written in open d tuning
Open D tuning
Open D tuning is an open tuning for the acoustic or electric guitar. The open string notes in this tuning are: D A D F♯ A D. It uses the three notes that form the triad of a D major chord: D, the root note; A, the perfect fifth; and F♯, the major third...
, which is the first time the band experimented with it.
Release and reception
The song charted on both BillboardBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
rock charts, despite the fact that it was not released as a single and no video was filmed for it. The version that charted was the acoustic version from the band's MTV Unplugged performance. "Over Now" peaked at number four on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and at number 24 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.
Allmusic's Steve Huey regarded the song "among the band's best work."
Music video
The video of the song from the performance on MTV UnpluggedMTV Unplugged
MTV Unplugged is a TV series showcasing many popular musical artists usually playing acoustic instruments. The show has received the George Foster Peabody Award and 3 Primetime Emmy nominations among many accolades.-Unplugged:...
is considered a music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
, much like the live video of "Bleed the Freak
Bleed the Freak
"Bleed the Freak" is a song by the grunge group Alice in Chains and the third single from their first album Facelift . A demo version of the song was included on the box set Music Bank .-Lyrics:...
", used in support of their Live
Live (Alice in Chains album)
-Personnel:Alice in Chains*Layne Staley – lead vocals, rhythm guitar*Sean Kinney – drums*Jerry Cantrell – lead guitar, vocals*Mike Inez – bass *Mike Starr – bass Production*Compilation producer – Peter Fletcher...
album. The video is available on the home video release Music Bank: The Videos
Music Bank: The Videos
Music Bank: The Videos is a video release by grunge band Alice in Chains containing all of the band's music videos. It was originally released on VHS in 1999 and was re-released in 2001 on DVD...
.
Live performances
It was played heavily in the acoustic sets of Alice in Chains' 2006 reunion tour. Alice in Chains performed an acoustic version of "Over Now" for its appearance on MTV UnpluggedMTV Unplugged
MTV Unplugged is a TV series showcasing many popular musical artists usually playing acoustic instruments. The show has received the George Foster Peabody Award and 3 Primetime Emmy nominations among many accolades.-Unplugged:...
in 1996 and the song was included on the Unplugged
Unplugged (Alice in Chains album)
*The DVD release shows another take of "Sludge Factory", in which Layne Staley mixes up the lyrics at the beginning of the song which is ended shortly after...
live album and home video release. The performance from MTV Unplugged can also be found on the box set Music Bank
Music Bank
- Disc two :-Disc three :-Personnel:*Mark Arm - Assistant vocals on "Right Turn"*Jeff Beck - Graphic Design*Jerry Cantrell - guitar, vocals*Chris Cornell - Assistant guitar, lyrics, vocals on "Right Turn"*Peter Cronin - Photography...
, the home video release Music Bank: The Videos
Music Bank: The Videos
Music Bank: The Videos is a video release by grunge band Alice in Chains containing all of the band's music videos. It was originally released on VHS in 1999 and was re-released in 2001 on DVD...
, and the compilation album The Essential Alice in Chains
The Essential Alice in Chains
The Essential Alice in Chains is a two-disc compilation album by the grunge band Alice in Chains, and part of Sony BMG's The Essential series...
. On the CD version of the MTV Unplugged concert, booing can be heard as Staley said, "Ok, that's it" at the end of the song (presumably due to the performance concluding). Staley then responded to the heckler by shouting "Hey fuck you man!". This was greeted with laughter by the audience.
Personnel
- Layne StaleyLayne StaleyLayne Thomas Staley was an American musician who served as the lead singer and co-lyricist of the rock group Alice in Chains, which was formed in Seattle, Washington in 1987 by Staley and guitarist Jerry Cantrell. Alice in Chains rose to international fame as part of the grunge movement of the...
– vocals - Jerry CantrellJerry CantrellJerry Fulton Cantrell Jr. is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter best known for his work with the grunge/metal band Alice in Chains, as lead guitarist, backing and co-lead vocalist, and co-lyricist. He performs lead vocals on his solo projects, and is part of Alice in Chains' harmonizing...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s, lead vocals - Mike InezMike InezMike Inez is a rock musician best known for his role as the bassist of Alice in Chains. Inez has also worked with other popular musical acts such as Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society, and Heart. Inez is of Filipino ancestry.-Career:...
– bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Sean KinneySean KinneySean Howard Kinney is an American musician best known for being the drummer of the influential grunge band Alice in Chains....
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
Chart positions
| Chart (1996) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Mainstream Rock Tracks | 4 |
| US Modern Rock Tracks | 24 |