Being Alive

About Being Alive

"Being Alive" is a song from the musical Company by George Furth with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The song appears at the end of Act II and is sung by the main character, Robert, a 35-year-old bachelor who at the show's end “. . . realizes being a lone wolf isn't all it's cracked up to be . . . he declares that he wants to take the chance, be afraid, get his heart broken - or whatever happens when you decide to love and be loved." "Being Alive" was first recorded by Dean Jones, who originated the role of Robert on Broadway in 1970. "Being Alive" has become popular outside its original musical setting, and although written for a male part is frequently performed by women. The song has been performed in concert, on the stage, or in the studio by Bernadette Peters, Patti LuPone, Barbra Streisand, Margaret Whiting, Lea Salonga, John Owen-Jones, Ute Lemper, Lauren Samuels, Raul Esparza, Chris Colfer, Neil Patrick Harris, Adam Driver among others. “Being Alive” replaced the song “Happily Ever After”, which was cut from Company because it was considered too dark to serve as a closing number. According to cultural critic Jeremy McCarter, Sondheim has never been happy with “Being Alive” as the finale for Company, calling it “a cop-out”. more »

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Someone to hold you too close
Someone to hurt you too deep
Someone to sit in your chair
To ruin your sleep

"That's true, but there's more than that"
"Is that all you think there is to it?"
"You've got so many reasons for not being with someone, but Robert
You haven't got one good reason for being alone"
"Come on, you're on to something, Bobby
You're on to something"

Someone to need you too much
Someone to know you too well
Someone to pull you up short
To put you through hell

"You're not a kid anymore, Robert
I don't think you'll ever be a kid again, kiddo"
"Hey, buddy, don't be afraid it won't be perfect
The only thing to be afraid of really is that it won't be"
"Don't stop now
Keep going"

Someone you have to let in
Someone whose feelings you spare
Someone who, like it or not
Will want you to share
A little, a lot

"And what does all that mean?"
"Robert, how do you know so much about it when you've never been there?"
"It's much better living it than looking at it, Robert"
"Add 'em up, Bobby
Add 'em up"

Someone to crowd you with love
Someone to force you to care
Someone to make you come through
Who'll always be there
As frightened as you
Of being alive
Being alive
Being alive
Being alive

"Blow out the candles Robert
And make a wish"
"Want is something
Want is something"

Somebody hold me too close
Somebody hurt me too deep
Somebody sit in my chair
And ruin my sleep
And make me aware
Of being alive
Being alive

Somebody need me too much
Somebody know me too well
Somebody pull me up short
And put me through hell
And give me support
For being alive
Make me alive
Make me alive

Make me confused
Mock me with praise
Let me be used
Vary my days

But alone
Is alone
Not alive

Somebody crowd me with love
Somebody force me to care
Somebody let come through
I'll always be there
As frightened as you
To help us survive
Being alive
Being alive
Being alive

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Stephen Sondheim

Stephen Joshua Sondheim ( /ˈsɒnd.haɪm/) (born March 22, 1930) is an American composer and lyricist known for his contributions to musical theatre. He is the winner of an Academy Award, eight Tony Awards including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, multiple Grammy Awards, a Pulitzer Prize and the Laurence Olivier Award. Described by Frank Rich of the New York Times as "now the greatest and perhaps best-known artist in the American musical theater", his most famous works include (as composer and lyricist) A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George and Into the Woods. He also wrote the lyrics for West Side Story and Gypsy. more »

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