Fully Alive

Flyleaf's song 'Fully Alive' tells a poignant and inspiring story about a character named Layla, who has endured significant physical and emotional suffering. The opening lines, 'Telling Layla's story spoken / 'bout how all her bones are broken,' set a somber tone, indicating that Layla has faced severe hardships. The imagery of 'hammers fall on all the pieces' suggests a relentless and painful struggle, yet the song quickly shifts to a message of resilience and hope.

The chorus, 'Fully alive / More than most / Ready to smile and love life,' serves as a powerful declaration of Layla's triumph over her adversities. Despite her suffering, she has found a way to embrace life with a renewed sense of joy and purpose. This transformation is further emphasized with the line, 'Now she knows how to believe in futures,' indicating that Layla has moved beyond her past pain and is now looking forward to a brighter future.

The song also reflects on the narrator's own perspective, as they express shame over their own complaints in light of Layla's strength. 'All my complaints shrink to nothing / I'm ashamed of all my somethings,' they admit, highlighting how Layla's resilience has inspired them to reevaluate their own struggles. Layla's ability to find comfort and happiness, even if just for a day, underscores the theme of finding strength and positivity in the face of suffering. 'Fully Alive' is a testament to the human spirit's capacity for resilience and the transformative power of hope and belief in the future.