Good To Be Alive

PVRIS's song 'Good To Be Alive' delves into the complex and often contradictory emotions that come with living. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone grappling with the duality of existence—feeling grateful to be alive while simultaneously struggling with deep dissatisfaction and inner turmoil. The opening lines, 'Learning how to swim, but the land's all dry / Feeling like a shark; if I stop, I’ll die,' set the stage for this internal conflict. The imagery of swimming on dry land and the relentless drive to keep moving forward despite feeling out of place underscores the sense of disconnection and urgency that permeates the song.

The chorus, 'Feels good to be alive, but I hate my life,' encapsulates the central paradox. The protagonist acknowledges the inherent value of life but is weighed down by personal struggles and a sense of not belonging. This sentiment is further explored through lines like 'All my friends are doing fine / While I'm looking for a sign / Is this body even mine?' Here, the singer contrasts their own feelings of inadequacy and confusion with the apparent stability of those around them, highlighting a common human experience of feeling out of sync with the world.

Throughout the song, there is a recurring theme of self-inflicted battles and the search for relief. The lines 'So tied up and tired of this self-inflicted fight / In spite of, I light up to lift my demons' suggest a cycle of self-destructive behavior as a coping mechanism. Despite these struggles, there is a persistent quest for meaning and signs of hope, even if they are hard to find. The song's repetitive, almost mantra-like structure, with its 'Woah-oh' refrains, adds to the sense of being trapped in a loop of conflicting emotions. Ultimately, 'Good To Be Alive' is a raw and honest exploration of the complexities of mental health, the search for identity, and the bittersweet nature of existence.