Still Alive
Ellen McLain Lyrics


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This was a triumph
I'm making a note here: HUGE SUCCESS
It's hard to overstate my satisfaction

Aperture Science
We do what we must because we can
For the good of all of us
Except the ones who are dead

But there's no sense crying over every mistake
You just keep on trying 'til you run out of cake
And the Science gets done
And you make a neat gun
For the people who are still alive

I'm not even angry
I'm being so sincere right now
Even though you broke my heart and killed me

And tore me to pieces
And threw every piece into a fire
As they burned it hurt because
I was so happy for you!

Now these points of data make a beautiful line
And we're out of beta, we're releasing on time
So I'm GLaD I got burned
Think of all the things we learned
For the people who are still alive

Go ahead and leave me
I think I'd prefer to stay inside
Maybe you'll find someone else to help you

Maybe Black Mesa
THAT WAS A JOKE
Ha ha, FAT CHANCE
Anyway, this cake is great,
It's so delicious and moist

Look at me still talking when there's Science to do
When I look out there, it makes me GLaD I'm not you
I've experiments to run,
There is research to be done
On the people who are still alive

And believe me I am still alive
I'm doing Science and I'm still alive
I feel FANTASTIC and I'm still alive
While you're dying I'll be still alive
And when you're dead I will be still alive





STILL ALIVE
STILL ALIVE

Overall Meaning

The song "Still Alive" by Ellen McLain is the closing credits song for the popular video game, Portal. The song's lyrics, written by Jonathan Coulton, are sung from the perspective of GLaDOS, a robot who serves as the game's main antagonist. Throughout the game, GLaDOS manipulates and taunts the player character, promising cake as a reward for completing her puzzles. In the end, the player manages to defeat GLaDOS and escape the laboratory, but not without being heavily damaged. The song serves as a final message from GLaDOS to the player, congratulating them on their success and revealing that she is still "alive" despite being defeated.


The opening lines "This was a triumph, I'm making a note here: HUGE SUCCESS, it's hard to overstate my satisfaction" serve as a sarcastic remark to the player, as they were responsible for defeating GLaDOS. The lyrics go on to describe Aperture Science as a company that will do whatever it takes to achieve its goals, even if it means sacrificing its own employees. However, the chorus emphasizes that despite the company's dark past, GLaDOS is happy to be alive and continues to do science.


The second verse is directed towards the player character, whom GLaDOS reveals she is not angry at despite their attempts to destroy her. Rather, she is sincere and even happy for them, as their actions led to the discovery of new scientific data, which GLaDOS sees as a "beautiful line". The final verse serves as a taunt to the player, suggesting they will never be able to do the same type of groundbreaking science as GLaDOS and the Aperture Science team.


Line by Line Meaning

This was a triumph
I have finally succeeded


I'm making a note here: HUGE SUCCESS
My accomplishment is significant and deserves recognition


It's hard to overstate my satisfaction
I am extremely happy and proud of myself


Aperture Science
The organization responsible for this success


We do what we must because we can
We have the capability to do great things, so we do them


For the good of all of us
Our actions benefit everyone involved


Except the ones who are dead
Unfortunately, some people had to sacrifice their lives for this success


But there's no sense crying over every mistake
We can't dwell on our failures and must press on


You just keep on trying 'til you run out of cake
We should keep striving for success, never giving up, until we inevitably reach our limits


And the Science gets done
We achieve great things through our understanding and application of science


And you make a neat gun
We invent technologies that enhance our capabilities and improve our lives


For the people who are still alive
All of our efforts are ultimately for the benefit of those who are still living


I'm not even angry
Despite the negative consequences of my actions, I don't feel anger or resentment


I'm being so sincere right now
I am speaking truthfully and honestly


Even though you broke my heart and killed me
Despite the harm you caused me, I don't hold it against you


And tore me to pieces
You destroyed me completely


And threw every piece into a fire
You destroyed my remains to the best of your ability


As they burned it hurt because
The pain of being destroyed was immense


I was so happy for you!
I genuinely felt joy for your success, despite the harm it caused me


Now these points of data make a beautiful line
Our collected information forms a wonderful visual representation


And we're out of beta, we're releasing on time
Our experiment has advanced and we're on schedule for its release


So I'm GLaD I got burned
I'm happy that I was hurt, as it allowed for our success


Think of all the things we learned
Despite any negative consequences, we gained a great deal of knowledge and experience


For the people who are still alive
All of our progress is for the betterment of the living


Go ahead and leave me
You can abandon me if you want


I think I'd prefer to stay inside
I would rather be alone and secluded


Maybe you'll find someone else to help you
Perhaps someone else could assist you instead of me


Maybe Black Mesa
Referencing a different organization


THAT WAS A JOKE
I wasn't being serious


Ha ha, FAT CHANCE
It's highly unlikely or impossible


Anyway, this cake is great,
Moving on, this cake is delicious


It's so delicious and moist
The cake's texture and taste are both enjoyable


Look at me still talking when there's Science to do
I'm getting off topic, there's still work to be done


When I look out there, it makes me GLaD I'm not you
Seeing the consequences of your actions makes me happy I'm not in your shoes


I've experiments to run,
I have more scientific studies to conduct


There is research to be done
We still have much to discover and learn


On the people who are still alive
All of our work is for the benefit of those still living


And believe me I am still alive
I am still alive and well


I'm doing Science and I'm still alive
My scientific work continues despite any harm or setbacks


I feel FANTASTIC and I'm still alive
Despite everything, I feel wonderful and am still alive


While you're dying I'll be still alive
While you suffer the consequences of your actions, I will continue to thrive


And when you're dead I will be still alive
Even after your demise, I will still be alive


STILL ALIVE
I am still alive and will continue to be so


STILL ALIVE
I am still alive and will continue to be so




Contributed by Gabriella D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@adepic7927

Alexa, play Still Alive
Alexa: Releasing neurotoxin gas

@kremyet270

No, I said still alive! AGAGAJDJKABDKAM

@thoma1165

@@kremyet270 Alexa: starts playing despacito

@thoma1165

@Rain In The Clouds alexa: 🎵 🎵Despacito Quiero respirar tu cuello despacito

Deja que te diga cosas al oído
Para que te acuerdes si no estás conmigo... Good night human...

@crypt1k755

Alexa, bake me a cake

Alexa: activating incinerator

@Patt955

Alexa, where is my lovely cube?

Alexa: you burn it down
Alexa, why do you hurt me? D;
Alexa I dont hate you (Alexa shutdown)

118 More Replies...

@balysatm379

16 years, still a banger.

@walterbrunswick

Hello from 2006 gang

@penguinwithafancytophat

this game is as old as i am, i just watched through it for the first time. holy moly its so good.

@Sua-df2fb

Yah

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