shaggyDA: Someone who hasn't grappled with addiction can never relate to Layne's lyrics in the same way as someone who has.
Hey Shaggy, I enjoy reading your posts. I respectfully have a difference of opinion on this particular theory which I hear from time to time, I know it is taken out of context which is unfair and may not be indicative of exactly where you stand. I think part of Laynes gift was to reach and connect with people. His impact should not be minimized for any select group of people. Despair comes from many different sources. One of his gifts was the ability to reach and touch a wide variety of people with a diverse range of problems, this is documented all over the board. Layne(and the band) had the keen ability to reach people on a very personal level, whether they were past/present addicts or not. Layne sometimes referred to his "big mistake". I would opine that he was on somewhat of a mission to make sure that others do not make the same "big mistake" in the first place. He was often times very direct:
"Why do people keep taking drugs? Don't they hear my music? Don't they understand the words?"
Layne was like a switch man at a railroad yard. His own train might have been derailing but he was busily trying to shift other peoples trains to make sure they stayed on the right track.
As you mentioned, the music can be therapeutic and spiritual. Keep on the right track brother.
Alright, back to the thread about one of the best albums made in the 1990's.
RIP Layne. The music lives on..........