Chip Away

Chip Away is a Jane’s Addiction song written in 1986.  It was one of the few songs that had not received a proper studio-based recording release.  That changed in 2009 when the original lineup of Jane’s Addiction recorded a studio version of this song, produced and recorded by Trent Reznor in his home studio located in Beverly Hills, CA.  The song was released for free as part of the 2009 NIN|JA tour sampler.

The first confirmed known recording of this song is taken from the January 26, 1987 concert at the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, CA, the same show where the original official recording came from.

Lyrics

I chip away
Cause I’m not okay
So I
I chip away
Poked a hole right into myself
And inside I found someone
Who said I was okay
Still I don’t feel easy

On this tree
Among the blossoms
Caustically
I am the thorn
Close my eyes to take up spare time
I wish I just
Could be where the crowd goes
Cause with the crowd
They must be going somewhere

Up from the catacombs
I ran into the angel again
He took the high road
And I took the low road
We both wore dirty faces
We both wore dirty faces

I don’t
I don’t
I don’t
Don’t feel easy
I don’t
I don’t
I don’t
Don’t feel easy
I don’t know
I don’t know
I don’t….

3 thoughts on “Chip Away

  1. Hi,

    I do not get what you mean by: `The first confirmed known recording of this song is taken from the January 26, 1987 concert at the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, CA, the same show where the original official recording came from.’

    There is a video (for example on YT) of Chip Away being played on August 28, 1986 – The Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, CA.
    Perhaps I am not interpreting `first confirmed known recording ‘ properly. Could you clarify this for me please?

    Thanks!

      • Thank you for the reply.
        I see what you mean. However, I agree with what is stated on the bottom of the tour date page of the August 28, 1986 show – this is `possibly a misdate of 8/20/86′.

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