Invisible (Reprise) / On the Roof

The song "Invisible (Reprise) / On the Roof" from the musical Beetlejuice delves into the themes of invisibility and isolation experienced by both Betelgeuse and Lydia. Betelgeuse, a mischievous demon, laments his existence as someone who is unseen and unacknowledged. His opening lines, "You're invisible when you’re me / There's no one to see my truth," highlight his frustration with being overlooked and misunderstood. The metaphor of being "on the roof" suggests a desire to be noticed and acknowledged, yet he remains out of sight, much like a hidden figure on a rooftop.

Betelgeuse's feelings of entrapment and despair are further emphasized with lines like "I'm trapped with no escape / Banished, disavowed." He compares his existence to a "cloud of dirty hipster vape," indicating a sense of being ephemeral and insignificant. This imagery paints a picture of a character who feels discarded and irrelevant, struggling to find meaning in a world that ignores him. The song captures the essence of his existential crisis, where the lack of visibility equates to a lack of purpose.

Lydia, on the other hand, expresses her own sense of invisibility and abandonment. Her note, "By the time you read this / I, Lydia Deetz, will be gone," reveals her deep sense of loneliness and despair. She feels forsaken and invisible, mirroring Betelgeuse's sentiments. The moment of connection between them, when Lydia realizes she can see Betelgeuse, marks a turning point. Betelgeuse's excitement at being seen, "You can see me! / I'm gonna have a new best friend!" signifies a glimmer of hope and companionship for both characters. This interaction underscores the human need for recognition and connection, even for a demon and a troubled teenager.