"black gives way to blue" is a song by american rock band alice in chains, and the last track on their 2009 studio album of the same name. written and sung by guitarist/vocalist jerry cantrell, it features elton john on piano. the song is a tribute to the band's late lead singer, layne staley, who died in 2002. the first concert that staley attended was elton john's, and cantrell's first album was "elton john greatest hits" (1974). a piano mix of the song is a bonus track on itunes. the lyrics to "black gives way to blue" are printed on the base plate of jerry cantrell's signature cry baby wah-wah pedal.