Still Alive
Roomie Lyrics

This was a triumph.
Roomie sets the tone by announcing that this is a moment of great success.

I'm making a note here:
Roomie establishes that he is memorializing the event for future reference.

HUGE SUCCESS.
This all-caps line emphasizes the magnitude of the triumph he has achieved.

It's hard to overstate my satisfaction.
Roomie reflects on the difficulty of adequately expressing his sense of happiness.

Aperture Science.
The name of the company that brought about the success Roomie is celebrating.

We do what we must because we can.
This motto highlights the necessity of the sacrifices made to arrive at the point of triumph.

For the good of all of us
The payoff that comes from doing what must be done, which is presumably the betterment of everyone involved.

Except the ones who are dead.
The exception to this picture of communal success, which is the ones who have already died along the way.

But there's no sense crying over every mistake.
Roomie acknowledges that mistakes happen and cannot be dwelt upon excessively.

You just keep on trying till you run out of cake.
Perseverance is crucial, even when the resources that seemed infinite begin to run out.

And the science gets done and you make a neat gun.
The fruits of the labor, which is the creation of something innovative and impressive (in this case, a 'neat gun').

For the people who are still alive.
All this work means nothing if it does not contribute to the survival of the people who benefited from it.

I'm not even angry.
A repeated refrain that emphasizes his lack of resentment, despite the pain he is referencing.

I'm being so sincere right now.
Roomie wants the listener to know that he is truthful in his claim to not be angry.

Even though you broke my heart and killed me.
A betrayal of some sort has occurred, causing emotional pain in Roomie.

And tore me to pieces.
The reference to bodily harm illustrates the extreme emotional pain Roomie is experiencing.

And threw every piece into a fire.
An extension of the violent imagery to signify the finality of the situation.

As they burned it hurt because
The pain continues even as the object of the pain is destroyed.

I was so happy for you!
The juxtaposition of pain and happiness is a crucial aspect of this refrain, and Roomie wants the other person to know that he would have been happy for them if not for the betrayal.

Now these points of data make a beautiful line.
In a turn toward more abstract thinking, Roomie finds beauty in the precision and orderliness of data sequencing.

And we're out of beta, we're releasing on time.
The data sequencing is complete, and the next phase in releasing the findings/ product can begin.

So I'm GLaD I got burned.
In fact, the earlier setbacks can now be seen as opportunities because of how they helped to complete the sequencing.

Think of all the things we learned
Reflecting on setbacks and mistakes helps to understand how to improve in the future.

For the people who are still alive.
The success ultimately affects the people who will benefit from its discovery.

Go ahead and leave me.
Roomie realizes that he can and will accomplish so much with or without the presence or help of others.

I think I prefer to stay inside.
Instead of being dragged down by other people, Roomie would rather be alone to keep working, even if he remains indoors in isolation

Maybe you'll find someone else to help you.
Roomie ironically wishes the person who betrayed him good luck finding someone else to help them.

Maybe Black Mesa... THAT WAS A JOKE. Haha. FAT CHANCE.
The messager injecting a sardonic note here with a sarcastic remark, regarding the idea of the other person receiving any help at all from any source.

Anyway, this cake is great.
In a moment of levity, Roomie shifts his attention to something more light-hearted, such as enjoying a delicious cake.

It's so delicious and moist.
He emphasizes the pleasure he takes from the cake, which serves to highlight the contrast with the earlier somber messages.

Look at me still talking when there's science to do.
After that pause, Roomie gets back to work, jokingly chastising himself for the time spent on levity instead of work.

When I look out there it makes me GLaD I'm not you.
Implying a sort of superiority complex, Roomie expounds how the act of continuing to do difficult and fulfilling work is what sets him apart from others who may not have the same level of commitment or satisfaction.

I've experiments to run there is research to be done
Roomie is committed to carrying on with his work and taking on new challenges.

On the people who are still alive
The discovery, experiments, and research ultimately serve the singular purpose of helping people live their lives in one way or the other.

And believe me I am still alive.
Reflecting on the earlier chorus, Roomie reiterates that more than anything else, he is still alive.

I'm doing science and I'm still alive.
Roomie is proud to be doing science and to be alive while doing it. Science is his priority above everything else.

I feel FANTASTIC and I'm still alive.
Roomie feels amazing and reasserts that he is still alive due to the tremendous satisfaction from his work.

While you're dying I'll be still alive.
The juxtaposition of himself staying alive while another person is dying highlights the sense of pride he has in his ability to carry on doing important work.

And when you're dead I will be still alive.
The sentiment remains unchanged when the other person has died - Roomie will continue to be alive thanks to his continuing work in science.

Still alive
Repetition of the song's refrain with a slightly different vibe, differentiating the start and the completion of the song.