Being Alive Lyrics > Sondheim on Sondheim

[ROBERT]
Someone to hold you too close
Someone to hurt you too deep
Someone to sit in your chair
To ruin your sleep...

[MAN, spoken]
That's true, but there's more than that.

[MAN, spoken]
Is that all you think there is to it?

[MAN, spoken]
You've got so many reasons for not being with someone, but Robert, you don't have one good reason for being alone.

[MAN, spoken]
Come on. You're on to something, Bobby. You're on to something.

[ROBERT]
Someone to need you too much
Someone to know you too well
Someone to pull you up short
And put you through hell

[MAN, spoken]
You see what you look for, y'know?

[MAN, spoken]
You're not a kid anymore, Robert. I don't think you'll be a kid again, kiddo.

[WOMAN, spoken]
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.

[WOMAN, spoken]
Don't stop now. Keep going.

[ROBERT]
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...

[WOMAN, spoken]
And what does all that mean?

[MAN, spoken]
How do you know so much about it when you've never been there?

[MAN, spoken]
It's much better living it than looking at it, Robert.

[MAN, spoken]
Add 'em up, Bobby. Add 'em up.
[MAN, spoken]
Blow out the candles, Robert. Make a wish.

[WOMAN, spoken]
Want something.

[MEN and WOMEN, spoken]
Want something!

[ROBERT]
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 me come through
I'll always be there
As frightened as you
To help us survive
Being alive, being alive
Being alive!
Last Update: October, 24th 2023