STAY ALIVE Lyrics – Nessa Barrett

STAY ALIVE Lyrics Meaning

[Verse 1]
In this verse, the singer reflects on a tough moment of feeling alone and down, even though they have material success. They’re disconnected from the world, turning off their phone to block out everything. They question their identity and purpose when they’re not in the spotlight, even feeling cold in a hotel room. Despite having money, they feel empty inside, wondering if they’d compromise their integrity for fame, but ultimately rejecting that idea.

[Pre-Chorus]
The pre-chorus highlights the inner struggle the singer faces repeatedly. Standing on the edge of a breakdown, they’re overwhelmed by their inner voice urging them toward despair. They can see the end of this emotional journey coming, but they push forward, taking one more step, not allowing themselves to fall or give in.

[Chorus]
The chorus deals with the push and pull between breaking down and finding something worth living for. The singer feels close to giving up but realizes that the things they once thought were worth dying for are actually the things keeping them alive. Despite the pain, there’s beauty in the struggle, and it’s this paradox that gives them the strength to keep going, holding on to what matters most.

[Verse 2]
In this verse, the singer reflects on a contrasting experience of feeling high and carefree, almost euphoric on a Friday night. With their “angels” by their side, they experience a fleeting moment of joy while driving with the top down. However, they acknowledge that these moments, though intense and worth giving everything for, are often forgotten the next day, showing how fleeting happiness can be.

[Pre-Chorus]
This pre-chorus echoes the earlier one, with the singer standing on the edge once again. The voice in their head pulls them towards the end, but they take one more step forward, choosing not to look down and stay focused on continuing through the moment, even if it’s a struggle.

[Chorus]
The chorus repeats the same theme of struggling with the urge to break but realizing that the things they thought they’d die for are what they stay alive for. There’s a sense of finding purpose in the pain, acknowledging the beauty in hardship. The cycle of feeling on the edge, but finding meaning, is what keeps them going.

[Post-Chorus]
The post-chorus briefly reiterates the core message of the song – that despite everything, the singer has found a reason to stay alive, focusing on the things that truly matter and make life worth living.

[Outro]
In the outro, the singer emphasizes once more that beauty exists within the pain. The same things they would have given up their life for are the reasons they fight to stay alive, bringing the song full circle, with a sense of acceptance of both pain and the things that give life meaning.