Everything Else

In 'Everything Else,' a song from the musical 'Next to Normal,' Natalie, a character in the show, uses music as an escape from the chaos and pressures of her life. The song opens with Natalie reflecting on the genius of Mozart, who, despite his personal struggles, created music that is 'balanced,' 'nimble,' and 'crystalline clear.' This contrast between Mozart's turbulent life and his harmonious compositions serves as a metaphor for Natalie's own life. She finds solace in the structure and beauty of music, which offers her a temporary reprieve from her own doubts, debts, and diseases.

Natalie's dedication to playing the piano is not just about mastering the instrument but also about achieving perfection and control in at least one aspect of her life. She plays until her fingers ache and her fingernails break, driven by the desire to excel in her recital and secure her future at Yale. This relentless pursuit of perfection is a way for her to cope with the overwhelming expectations from her 'paranoid parents' and the pressures of her academic and personal life. The act of playing becomes a form of therapy, a way to make 'everything else go away,' if only for a moment.

The song also touches on themes of ambition and escape. Natalie dreams of graduating early and leaving behind the suffocating environment of her school and home. The piano becomes her ticket to freedom, a 'sonata away' from a new beginning. Through her music, she envisions a future where she is no longer burdened by the expectations and pressures that currently weigh her down. 'Everything Else' beautifully captures the transformative power of music and its ability to provide a temporary sanctuary from life's challenges.