So this has been.my favorite song of OTEP's since it came out in 2004, and I always thought it was a song about a child's narrative of suffering in an abusive Christian home. But now that I am revisiting the lyrics, I am seeing something totally new.
This song could be gospel of John but from the perspective of Jesus.
Jesus was NOT having a good time up to and during the crucifixion. Everyone in the known world at the time looked to him with fear, admiration or disgust and he was constantly being asked questions. He spoke in "verses, prophesies and curses". He had made an enemy of the state, and believed the world was increasingly wicked and fallen from grace, or that he was in the "mouth of madness".
The spine of atlas is the structure that allows the titan to hold the world up. Jesus challenged the state and in doing so became a celebrated resistance figure. It also made him public enemy #1.
All of this happened simply because he was doing his thing, not because of any agenda he had or strategy.
And then he gets scourged (storm of thorns)
There are some plot holes here but I think it's an interesting interpretation.
I'm, alive, tonight
Call it the chance of a lifetime
Call it the deepest blue
Season two, a change in the storyline
Well I'm not afraid of what lies ahead
I remember something that someone said
"If you never think, you never change your mind"
So I'll be looking my best tonight if I lose the fight
Or fall asleep for the final time
You can come with me but you'll be cutting in line
So listen to me yeah
I can make you feel alive (alive)
And if the world is racing by tonight
We'll watch it run
And even if the end's begun, its fine
We can walk across our line
With our hopes and spirits high
Who knows what we'll find together on the other side
Oh my love, you think that its over
But I think it's just begun
And season one was a tap on your shoulder
Well I'm not afraid of what lies ahead
I remember something that someone said
"If you never blink, you never feel your eyes"
But you'll be trying your best tonight not to lose the fight
Don't fall asleep, even close your eyes
But to your surprise love, the whole whole tunnel is light
With walls of the purest white
I'm, alive, tonight
I can make you feel alive (alive)
And if the world is racing by tonight
We'll watch it run
And even if the end's begun, its fine
We can walk across our line
With our hopes and spirits high
Who knows what we'll find together on the other side
When narrow walls can seem so wide
I guess its not for us to decide
I've been running all around this empty town
Where the brightest blues and greens just turn to brown
But it feels new, because I'm so in love with you
Call it the chance of a lifetime
Call it the deepest blue
Season two, a change in the storyline
Well I'm not afraid of what lies ahead
I remember something that someone said
"If you never think, you never change your mind"
So I'll be looking my best tonight if I lose the fight
Or fall asleep for the final time
You can come with me but you'll be cutting in line
So listen to me yeah
I can make you feel alive (alive)
And if the world is racing by tonight
We'll watch it run
And even if the end's begun, its fine
We can walk across our line
With our hopes and spirits high
Who knows what we'll find together on the other side
Oh my love, you think that its over
But I think it's just begun
And season one was a tap on your shoulder
Well I'm not afraid of what lies ahead
I remember something that someone said
"If you never blink, you never feel your eyes"
But you'll be trying your best tonight not to lose the fight
Don't fall asleep, even close your eyes
But to your surprise love, the whole whole tunnel is light
With walls of the purest white
I'm, alive, tonight
I can make you feel alive (alive)
And if the world is racing by tonight
We'll watch it run
And even if the end's begun, its fine
We can walk across our line
With our hopes and spirits high
Who knows what we'll find together on the other side
When narrow walls can seem so wide
I guess its not for us to decide
I've been running all around this empty town
Where the brightest blues and greens just turn to brown
But it feels new, because I'm so in love with you
Lyrics submitted by fedorov1fan
Alive Lyrics as written by Robert Koch
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Ave Grave
Thee More Shallows
Thee More Shallows
Spirit Within
Bertoldi Brothers
Bertoldi Brothers
Warren wanted a Beach Boys thing for this one, and Carl Wilson and Billy Hinsche came in, with Carl arranging the vocal parts. The other harmony vocalists (credited as the "Gentlemen Boys") were Jackson Browne, J.D. Souther, Zevon's longtime backers Waddy Wachtel and Jorge Calderon, and Linda Rondstadt/Stone Poneys guitarist Kenny Edwards.
Show Me a Little Shame
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
He certainly did earn that reputation.
Grand Theft Auto
Insane Ian
Insane Ian
The way this song speaks to me🥺🥺when I sing it I feel like I relate
Battle Royale
Word Alive, The
Word Alive, The
This song is def a twin to "Unfair" (a song she has been quoted as saying is about falling in love with someone who is already in a relationship) so it is presumably about the same person. Given the references to buying an apartment and not being able to see her love interest "after tonight," it's most likely that she's moving away and she'll "wait a day to break the bad news" (i.e. notifying him that she's leaving once she's already gone).
And, of course, the fact that she sees in him a fellow "idealist" and "dreamer" (terms commonly given to people with the INFP personality on the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)) portends that she'll always be left wondering if they would've been perfect together.
I think it's about a first dat. When the guy really loves the girl and just got the courage to ask her out and he is so excited to finally be spending time with her. He wants everything to go so well, because he loves her so much and doesn't want to waste a single second with her.
This guy is kind of acting that way towards me right now, so I can somewhat relate to this song.
I think this song is about a guy and a girl who were together for a while, but for some reason they think that their relationship will have to end (the girl more-so than the guy). So both of them decide to go out for one more night of good times together. The guy wants to prove to the girl that they've only just gotten done season one, and season two is just around the corner. The guy wants to prove to the girl that a life together for the future would be amazing.
"Who knows what they'll find on the other side" ;)
This an amazing song about hope and love.
I believe nate is writing this song about love. (but it might not be exactly a gf bf love. Season Two a change in the story line. makes me think somethung has come up that wasn't planned on. (like a sickness) he then talks about "losing the fight" falling asleep for the final time. etc. "But you'll be trying your best tonight not to lose the fight Don't fall asleep, even close your eyes But to your surprise love, the whole whole tunnel is light With walls of the purest white"
I feel this points toward that white light at the end of the tunnel many peopel talk about as leading toward heaven.
think on it.
great song!
i agree with carefreedude he got it good. but i like the song because sherwood is amazing. my favorite part is the second verse when the orchestra starts playing. im in band so i pay attention to that stuff
I've never really liked how it starts with the "I'm... alive... tonight..." but I love Sherwood's songs, so I knew if I kept listening, I would love it. And I do. Especially at the end when I thought the song was over, and the beautiful little verse-dealy comes on right as I parked my car and grabbed the key to turn it off. Let me tell you, it gave me chills. Sherwood is amazing, and I love how honest and wonderful the lyrics are. :) I think I've been OD'ing on Sherwood for the last couple of days- I can't get the songs out of my head.
I think this song is about a couple but the guy (the singer) is terminally ill. the first verse is him tyalking about death, and the life after (season two). and how he's not afraid.
So I'll be looking my best tonight if I lose the fight Or fall asleep for the final time You can come with me but you'll be cutting in line So listen to me yeah
"lose the fight" means die as does fall asleep for he final time, and he's saying she could die and go to heavna with him, but it's not her itme so she'd be "cutting in line" the rest is basically the same, hes embracing death and he ios ready for the adventure, and he knows he will see her again on the "other side" thats how i see it
I think this song is about a couple but the guy (the singer) is terminally ill. the first verse is him tyalking about death, and the life after (season two). and how he's not afraid.
So I'll be looking my best tonight if I lose the fight Or fall asleep for the final time You can come with me but you'll be cutting in line So listen to me yeah
"lose the fight" means die as does fall asleep for he final time, and he's saying she could die and go to heavna with him, but it's not her itme so she'd be "cutting in line" the rest is basically the same, hes embracing death and he ios ready for the adventure, and he knows he will see her again on the "other side" thats how i see it
this song just gives me a high..
It's about a second chance at LOVE-- it's the brink of reconciliation for him and her.
and he's just so full of life and energy and reading and willing to take on winning her back..
ALIVE! he's just happy to be in the moment.. he's going for it and nothing's going to stop in getting back his girl!
Adore it. While it could be about a second chance, it also makes me think that the season one was life, making season two death... being together in death.