Alice

The song 'Alice' by The Sisters Of Mercy delves into the fragile psyche of a character named Alice, who is depicted as being in a state of constant anxiety and uncertainty. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of Alice pressed against the wall, a metaphor for her feeling cornered and vulnerable. She watches the door, anticipating the arrival of 'laughing strangers' who could disrupt her fragile sense of peace, symbolized by the 'petals on the floor.' This imagery suggests a world that is both beautiful and perilous, where Alice's serenity is always at risk of being shattered.

Alice's reliance on tranquilizers and pills is a recurring theme in the song, highlighting her dependence on external substances to maintain a semblance of normalcy. The lyrics 'She needs you like she needs her tranqs' and 'She needs you like she needs her pills' underscore her desperate need for reassurance and stability. This dependency is further emphasized by her need for clear definitions and promises about the world, such as knowing 'where the rain will fall' and 'where the sun shines bright.' These lines suggest that Alice craves certainty in an unpredictable world, seeking comfort in the illusion of control.

The song also touches on the theme of illusion as a form of comfort. The lines 'Pass the crystal spread the tarot / In illusion comfort lies' suggest that Alice finds solace in mystical practices and the idea of a predetermined fate. This reliance on illusion is portrayed as a 'safest way,' free from confusion and surprise. However, the repeated refrain 'Tell her she can have it all / Today' hints at the fleeting nature of these reassurances, as they must be constantly renewed to keep Alice's fears at bay. The song concludes with a poignant plea, 'Alice / Don't give it away,' urging her to hold on to whatever fragile sense of security she has managed to grasp.