Learn To Live

Alice Merton's song 'Learn To Live' delves into the internal and external battles one faces when striving to live authentically. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person who feels constantly under siege by external forces ('They've got fire, Well I've got lightning bolts') that aim to extinguish their hope and spirit. This imagery of fire and lightning bolts symbolizes the intense and often destructive nature of these pressures, whether they come from societal expectations, personal fears, or other external judgments.

The recurring question, 'Can somebody tell me how to win a fight? Can somebody tell me, is the fear inside?' highlights the protagonist's struggle to understand whether the battle is against external adversaries or internal fears. This duality suggests that the fight for authenticity is not just about resisting external pressures but also about overcoming internal doubts and fears. The repeated desire to 'learn how to live without the consequences' reflects a yearning for freedom from the repercussions of living one's truth, which can often be daunting and fraught with challenges.

The song's chorus and the haunting 'ooh-ooh' refrains emphasize the emotional weight of this struggle. The protagonist's anxiety is palpable, with 'shakin' fingers' and a 'chest gets tighter now,' indicating the physical manifestations of their internal turmoil. Despite these challenges, there is a persistent desire to break free from these constraints, as seen in the lines 'I can see them waitin' outside the window, tryna tell me how to live, oh, they won't go.' This imagery of relentless external pressures underscores the difficulty of achieving true freedom and authenticity but also highlights the protagonist's resilience and determination to keep fighting for it.