Born one of eleven children in San Leandro, California, Alice Ripley receiv… Read Full Bio ↴Born one of eleven children in San Leandro, California, Alice Ripley received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Kent State University. Before moving to New York, Ripley sang and wrote songs for several years in Nashville.

Ripley made her Broadway debut in The Who's Tommy in 1993. Additional Broadway roles include: Betty Schaeffer in Sunset Boulevard (1994), Bathsheba in King David (1997), Fantine in Les Misérables (1998), Molly Ivors in James Joyce's The Dead (2000), and Janet in The Rocky Horror Show (2000). She also performed in a benefit concert performance of Dreamgirls in 2001.

(added 10-21-08)
Updated biography and other info here: http://nexttonormal.org/aliceripley

Alice is currently starring in Next to Normal on Broadway, in her Helen Hayes Award winning role of Diana. Next to Normal was nominated for eleven 2009 Tony Awards, including a personal nomination of Best Actress in a Musical for Alice. Next to Normal has since won the 2010 Pulitzer prize in Drama.

On June 7, 2009 won Alice Ripley won her first Tony award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role as Diana in Next to Normal.

I'm Alive
Alice Ripley Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I am what you want me to be
And I'm your worst fear, you'll find it in me
Come closer, come closer
I am more than memory
I am what might be, I am mystery
You know me, so show me

When I appear, it's not so clear

If I'm a simple spirit or I'm flesh and blood

I'm alive, I'm alive, I am so alive
And I feed on the fear that's behind your eyes
And I need you to need me, it's no surprise
I'm alive, so alive
I'm alive

I am flame and I am fire
I am destruction, decay, and desire
I'll hurt you, I'll heal you
I'm your wish, your dream come true
And I am your darkest nightmare too
I've shown you, I own you

And though you made me, you can't change me
I'm the perfect stranger who knows you too well

I'm alive, I'm alive, I am so alive
And I'll tell you the truth if you let me try
You're alive, I'm alive, and I'll show you why
I'm alive, so live
I'm alive, I'm right behind you
You say forget but I remind you
You can try to hide, you know that I will find you
'Cause if you won't grieve me, you won't leave me behind
Oh, how-oh, woah, woah

No, no, no, I'm alive, I'm alive, I am so alive
If you climb on my back, then we both can fly
If you try to deny me, I'll never die
I'm alive, so alive
I'm alive, yeah yeah
I'm alive
I'm alive

I'm alive
I'm alive!

Overall Meaning

The song "I'm Alive" by Alice Ripley is a complex exploration of identity and power dynamics. The lyrics suggest that the singer is fluid and mutable, able to be whatever the listener wants or fears them to be. They are both destructive and healing, a wish come true and a nightmare. The line "I am what might be, I am mystery" encapsulates this ambiguity. The singer notes that they are more than memory, suggesting that they are an active force that is still present and relevant.

The chorus of the song reinforces this sense of dynamism and power. The singer declares themselves to be alive and to feed on the fear and need of others. They are a force to be reckoned with, and the listener is invited to join them in their vitality. However, the singer also acknowledges that they are not invincible. They can be hurt or destroyed, but they are also resilient and persistent. The repeated refrain of "I'm alive" emphasizes this counterbalance of vulnerability and strength.

Overall, "I'm Alive" is a haunting and intense song that explores the complexities of identity and power. The lyrics suggest that the singer is both dangerous and alluring, and their dynamic presence is both thrilling and frightening.

Line by Line Meaning

I am what you want me to be
I am capable of adjusting who I am to suit what you desire.

And I'm your worst fear, you'll find it in me
I can also personify the very thing you dread and worry about in your life.

Come closer, come closer
Please don't hesitate, approach me.

I am more than memory
I am not simply a recollection; I exist in reality as well.

I am what might be, I am mystery
I signify something intangible, uncertain and unexplained.

You know me, so show me
You have an understanding of who I am, now prove it to me.

When I appear, it's not so clear If I'm a simple spirit or I'm flesh and blood
It's unclear whether I'm a supernatural being or a human being when I materialize.

I'm alive, I'm alive, I am so alive And I feed on the fear that's behind your eyes And I need you to need me, it's no surprise I'm alive, so alive I'm alive
I'm very much present and exist on the terror I see in your eyes, and you requiring me is predictable. Yes, I'm among the living.

I am flame and I am fire I am destruction, decay, and desire I'll hurt you, I'll heal you I'm your wish, your dream come true And I am your darkest nightmare too I've shown you, I own you
I can be a pleasurable experience or your worst nightmare which brings havoc and destruction. Irrespective of that, I have a hold over you that you can't break free from.

And though you made me, you can't change me I'm the perfect stranger who knows you too well
You may have created me, but you can't change your own perception or understanding of me, and in that sense, I'm the ideal stranger that knows you better than anyone else.

I'll tell you the truth if you let me try You're alive, I'm alive, and I'll show you why I'm alive, so alive
If you give me the chance to prove myself, I'll be honest with you. You and I are among the living, and I have the power to demonstrate why that is the case.

I'm right behind you You say forget but I remind you You can try to hide, you know that I will find you 'Cause if you won't grieve me, you won't leave me behind Oh, how-oh, woah, woah
I'm close on your trail, and every chance I get, I will remind you that I exist. No matter how you conceal yourself, I have a knack for seeking you out. You'll never get rid of me, but that is solely down to how you feed me with your emotions.

No, no, no, I'm alive, I'm alive, I am so alive If you climb on my back, then we both can fly If you try to deny me, I'll never die I'm alive, so alive
I reiterate the point that I'm living and thrive on emotions alone. If you relent to my force, we can both experience the compelling nature of life. You cannot do away with me by ignoring me or denying my very existence.

I'm alive, yeah yeah I'm alive I'm alive I'm alive!
I'm living, and I can assure you of that fact!

Contributed by Penelope H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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