Come Alive
Janelle Monбe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tommy says the children are clouding my head
When everything is wrong I dance inside my mind
That's when I come alive like a schizo running wild
That's when I come alive now let's go wild
We're kicking at your window and keeping you up
We're dancing in the dungeon every Monday night
That's when we come alive like a schizo running wild
That's when I come alive now let's go wild
You want to see me crazy taking my meds
And wipe away the noises you think I'm a mess
Take me six feet under, but while your roses died, I came alive
You better leave the town I'm coming for you
Call the Tommy up and tell him come help you out
I'm getting wild on you you better go and call the law
When Tommy thinks the crazies are back your mind
When Tommy says the children are clouding your head
When everything is wrong, just dance inside your mind
And you'll come alive
The song "Come Alive" by Janelle Monáe is a tribute to mental health and the power of music to heal the mind. The first few lyrics describe Tommy, who represents society, trying to label the singer as "crazy" and "clouded," but the singer finds solace and freedom by dancing inside their own mind. This is when they "come alive" and break free from the confines society tries to place on them.
The chorus "That's when I come alive like a schizo running wild, That's when I come alive now let's go wild," is a powerful declaration of self-confidence and liberation. The term "schizo," which is often used as a derogatory term for people with schizophrenia, is being re-appropriated in this song to represent the wild, untamed side of the human psyche that society often tries to suppress. Through dancing and embracing this side of themselves, the singer is able to find joy and freedom.
The final verse is a challenge to anyone who doubts the singer's strength and sanity. They dare their doubters to see them at their craziest and still come out victorious. The line "Take me six feet under, but while your roses died, I came alive" is a powerful metaphor for the idea that even in the darkest of moments, there is always the possibility of renewal and growth.
Overall, "Come Alive" is a song that celebrates the power of music and self-expression in the face of social stigma and mental health challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Tommy thinks the crazies are back in my mind
Tommy believes I am going crazy
Tommy says the children are clouding my head
Tommy believes that the things that are making me feel like I am going crazy are childish and unworthy of attention
When everything is wrong I dance inside my mind
When everything around me is wrong, I retreat inside my mind and dance as a form of escape
That's when I come alive like a schizo running wild
Dancing inside my mind makes me feel like I am breaking free from the constraints of reality
That's when I come alive now let's go wild
I feel alive and energized when I let loose and break free from reality
We're kicking at your window and keeping you up
I am causing chaos and disturbance to those around me
And if you come to find me I'll color you red
If you try to confront me about my behavior, I will retaliate with aggression and violence
We're dancing in the dungeon every Monday night
I find freedom and release by engaging in chaotic behavior in a dark and oppressive environment
You want to see me crazy taking my meds
You believe that my behavior is due to my refusal to take medication for my mental illness
And wipe away the noises you think I'm a mess
You believe that my chaotic behavior is a symptom of my messy and disorganized mind
Take me six feet under, but while your roses died, I came alive
Even if you were to bury me, I would still feel more alive than I did before because chaos and violence are what make me feel alive
You better leave the town I'm coming for you
You better run because I am about to come looking for you with violent intentions
Call the Tommy up and tell him come help you out
You better call for backup because you will not be able to handle me on your own
I'm getting wild on you you better go and call the law
I am about to completely lose control and you need to call the authorities to stop me from causing harm to myself or others
When Tommy thinks the crazies are back your mind
When someone else judges you as mentally unstable
When Tommy says the children are clouding your head
When someone else views your inner world as childish or irrational
When everything is wrong, just dance inside your mind
When things are difficult and you cannot change the world around you, find temporary respite in your own thoughts and imagination
And you'll come alive
Through dance or other forms of escape, you can find brief moments of liberation and vitality amidst a cruel and indifferent world
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHARLES JOSEPH, JANELLE MONAE, KELLIS EARL PARKER JR., NATHANIEL IRVIN III
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind