That time Zakk Wylde told me that he wrote “Throwin’ It All Away” through the eyes of Shannon Hoon’s daughter

By Steve Newton

Back in August of 1996 Zakk Wylde called me up from a payphone in Toronto to promote his debut solo album, Book of Shadows.

One of the more touching tunes on that release was “Throwin’ It All Away”, a song inspired by his friendship with Blind Melon vocalist Shannon Hoon, who had overdosed in New Orleans the year before at the age of 28.

At one point in the conversation I mentioned the song, and Wylde explained that he had written it, more or less, through the eyes Hoon’s daughter, Nico Blue.

You couldn’t feel the sunlight upon your face
Your little world, a little out of place
You couldn’t hear the ocean, you couldn’t hear the waves
I know you meant to come back, I know you meant to stay

Have a listen:

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