Sondheim

Below are the lyrics to "Being Alive," the closing number of the Sondheim musical "Company." It's about a bachelor (Robert) turning 35 whose friends throw him a surprise birthday party. All ten of the friends in attendance are in couples in various stages of life and marriage. The show itself is a collection of scenes offered in no particular chronological order. They show the nature of Robert's love life, as well as his past loves and feelings on commitment. Through the scenes, each of the couples also shows the qualities of their marriage and their own feelings on love.

The bottom line of the show is that Robert is the consummate best friend to all of those in attendance, but has never pursued serious love. There's always something in his way- usually, his own feelings. The song below is his confession/realization of what he's never had. I've only included Robert's lyrics, not the side lyrics from the other characters. Also, notice the change in phrasing immediately following the first refrain.

It's pretty damn moving.

Robert: Stop!...What do you get?

Someone to hold you too close,
Someone to hurt you too deep,
Someone to sit in your chair,
To ruin your sleep.

Someone to need you too much,
Someone to know you too well,
Someone to pull you up short
And put you through hell.

Someone you have to let in,
Someone whose feelings you spare,
Someone who, like it or not,
Will want you to share
A little, a lot.

Someone to crowd you with love,
Someone to force you to care,
Someone to make you come through,
Who'll always be there,
As frightened as you
Of being alive,
Being alive,
Being alive,
Being alive.

Somebody, hold me too close,
Somebody, hurt me too deep,
Somebody, sit in my chair
And ruin my sleep
And make me aware
Of being alive,
Being alive.

Somebody, need me too much,
Somebody, know me too well,
Somebody, pull me up short
And put me through hell
And give me support
For being alive,
Make me alive.

Make me confused,
Mock me with praise,
Let me be used,
Vary my days.
But alone is alone, not alive.

Somebody, crowd me with love,
Somebody, force me to care,
Somebody, make me come through,
I'll always be there,
As frightened as you,
To help us survive
Being alive,
Being alive,
Being alive!