I'm Alive
Next to Normal - Original Broadway Cast Lyrics

I am what you want me to be,
I can shape myself into whatever you desire, fulfilling your expectations.

And I’m your worst fear—
I embody your deepest, most terrifying fears.

You’ll find it in me.
I possess the very essence of what you fear.

Come closer...
Approach me with curiosity and intrigue.

I am more than memory—
I transcend mere recollection.

I am what might be,
I embody the potential future that awaits.

I am mystery.
I am an enigma, full of unanswered questions.

You know me—
You possess familiarity with my existence.

So show me.
Reveal yourself to me, expose your true self.

When I appear it’s
My presence brings uncertainty and confusion.

Not so clear if
It's not evident whether

I’m a simple spirit
I'm merely a disembodied entity

Or I’m flesh and blood...
Or if I exist in physical form as a living being.

But I’m alive,
Nevertheless, I am living and active in the world.

And I feed on the fear
I thrive on the terror

That’s behind your eyes.
That lurks deep within your gaze.

And I need you
I require your presence and reliance on me

To need me
To depend on my existence

It’s no surprise—
It comes as no shock or revelation

I’m alive...
That I am alive and existing

So alive...
Thriving with vitality and energy

I’m alive.
I am living and active.

I am flame and I am fire,
I embody both the passion and destructive power of fire.

I am destruction,
I am capable of causing ruin and devastation.

Decay and desire—
I represent the deterioration and longing that exists within humanity.

I’ll hurt you...
I have the capacity to inflict pain upon you.

I’ll heal you...
Yet I also possess the ability to bring you solace and restoration.

I’m your wish,
I fulfill your deepest desires and hopes.

Your dream come true,
I am the realization of your most cherished aspirations.

And I am your darkest
Moreover, I represent the depths of your

Nightmare too—
most horrifying and haunting dreams.

I’ve shown you...
I have exposed and revealed myself to you.

I own you.
I exert control and dominance over you.

And though you made me,
Although you are responsible for my creation,

You can’t change me—
You lack the ability to transform or alter my nature.

I’m the perfect stranger
I am the ultimate unfamiliar presence

Who knows you too well.
who possesses intimate knowledge of your inner self.

And I’ll tell you the truth
I will reveal the unvarnished truth to you

If you let me try.
Provided that you grant me the opportunity to do so.

You’re alive,
You are existing and living

I’m alive,
I, too, am living and active

And I’ll show why
And I will demonstrate the reasons

I’m alive...
For why my existence is valid and significant.

So alive...
Thriving with vitality and energy.

I’m alive...
I am living and active.

I’m alive—
I am living and present

I’m right behind you.
I am constantly following closely behind you.

You say forget,
Even if you attempt to erase me from your mind

But I remind you.
I persistently bring myself back to your attention.

You can try to hide,
You can make efforts to conceal yourself

You know that I will find you.
But rest assured, I will inevitably discover you.

’Cause if you won’t grieve me
Because if you refuse to mourn my absence

You won’t leave me behind...
You will remain bound to me, unwilling to let go.

Ah, ah, ah,
Exclamatory sounds expressing a combination of mystery and anticipation.

Whoa, oh, oh,
Vocalization expressing surprise and wonder.

Whoa, oh, oh...
Continuation of the vocalization expressing awe and intrigue.

No, no, no—
Repetitive denial, rejecting and opposing a notion.

I’m alive...
I am living and existing

I’m alive...
Thriving with vitality and energy.

I am so alive...
I possess a heightened sense of liveliness and presence.

If you climb on my back,
If you take the opportunity to rely on and trust in me

Then we both can fly.
We can both soar above and beyond our limitations together.

If you try to deny me
If you attempt to reject or disavow my existence

I’ll never die—
I will continue to persist and endure indefinitely.

I’m alive...
I am living and active.

So alive...
Thriving with vitality and energy.

I’m alive...
I am living and present.

Yeah, yeah...
Expressing affirmation and agreement.

I’m alive...
I am living and existing.

I’m alive...
Thriving with vitality and energy.

I’m alive...
I am living and active.

I’m alive!
I am living and present!