Alive by Korn Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Anthemic Cry for Resilience


You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Korn's Alive at Lyrics.org.
Article Contents:
  1. Music Video
  2. Lyrics
  3. Song Meaning

Lyrics

I cannot ever find a way
To throw these darkened thoughts away
Need a place to hide
It’s thrown in my face every day
Guess that’s the price I have to pay
For what’s inside my mind

Alive, alive
Alive, alive
Alive, alive
Alive, alive

I am alive
I will never run away
Places inside
My heart screams inside with pride
Once I cried
Now I wipe away the tears
Once I died
Now I’m alive

Alive, alive
Alive, alive
Alive, alive
Alive, alive

Little things tick me every day
Constant pain is how I like to play
Better not cross that line
Voices in my head happened to say
It’s something I can’t throw away
What’s inside my mind

I am alive
I will never run away
Places inside
My heart screams inside with pride
Once I cried
Now I wipe away the tears
Once I died
Now I’m alive

I bide my time, I’m intertwined
I’m falling in this place I thought I left behind
I bide my time, I’m intertwined
I’m falling in this place I thought I left behind

(Feeling) I bide my time, I’m intertwined
(So alone) I’m falling in this place I thought I left behind
(Feeling) I bide my time, I’m intertwined
(So alone) I’m falling in this place I thought I left behind

Alive, alive
Alive, alive

I am alive
I will never run away
Places inside
My heart screams inside with pride
Once I cried
Now I wipe away the tears
Once I died
Now I’m alive

Full Lyrics

Korn, a band that has mastered the art of channeling the raw energy of life’s darkest emotions into hard-hitting anthems, delivers a poignant message of survival in their track ‘Alive.’ The song, buried deep within the nuances of angst and the echoes of a tumultuous inner world, stands as a testament to overcoming despair. It is a sonic exploration of the tumult that often plagues the human psyche, yet the chorus reverberates with a powerful assertion of life and perseverance.

‘Alive’ is more than just a song. It is a journey through the shadows that aims to reach the light at the end of the tunnel. With its relentless riffs and Jonathan Davis’s unmistakable vocals, the song manages to encapsulate the soul’s battle against its demons. But what does ‘Alive’ really say about the human condition, and how does its message resonate with the silent screams that so many carry within? Let’s dive into the heart of Korn’s haunting introspective hymn and decipher its profound significance.

Echoes of Inner Turmoil – Behind the Agonizing Lyrics

The opening lines of ‘Alive’ immediately plunge the listener into the depths of an internal struggle. ‘I cannot ever find a way / To throw these darkened thoughts away’ reveal a person who wrestles with the relentless shadows that cloud their mind. Korn doesn’t sugarcoat the reality of mental anguish; instead, they paint an unapologetically raw picture of the battle one faces within.

This struggle is accentuated by the need for a ‘place to hide’ and the incessant reminder of an internal price to pay. Through these powerful lines, the lyrics reflect a universal theme of seeking refuge from one’s thoughts and the constant confrontation with inner demons. It’s a potent expression of the human quest to escape the imprisonment of our darker natures.

The Cathartic Chorus – An Anthem of Survival

The chant-like chorus of ‘Alive’ serves as a formidable counterpoint to the verses’ darkness. Repeating the phrase ‘Alive, alive’ like a mantra, Korn transforms the song into an anthem of resilience. It’s not just about surviving but about loudly proclaiming one’s presence in the face of adversity.

The simplicity of the chorus is deliberate, cutting through the complexity of the verses to deliver a message that resonates on a visceral level. It embodies the definitive battle cry for anyone who has felt at the brink of giving up, a beacon of hope that insists on life and the refusal to ‘run away’ from the trials that test our spirit.

Transformation Through Tears – The Metamorphosis of the Spirit

A poignant transition is marked by the lyrics ‘Once I cried / Now I wipe away the tears.’ It represents a significant emotional evolution from vulnerability to strength. It isn’t just about suppressing the pain but about overcoming it, acknowledging the tears before pushing them aside and moving forward.

The song subtly suggests that the process of healing is not without its relapses, as evidenced by the admittance of once having ‘died.’ Yet, there’s a rebirth, a coming back to life that underscores the song’s core message. Driven by a powerful determination, it’s a declaration that even in our lowest points, we possess the capacity to rise again, as potent and alive as ever.

‘I’m Intertwined’ – Deciphering the Song’s Hidden Depths

In the bridge, the repetition of ‘I bide my time, I’m intertwined’ suggests a complex relationship between the speaker and their tribulations. The feeling of being ‘intertwined’ with one’s struggles implies a sense of inevitability, as if the challenges faced are an intrinsic part of existence that cannot be entirely escaped.

One might interpret this as a commentary on the human condition—the notion that life’s trials are not temporary obstacles but permanent fixtures. ‘Falling in this place I thought I left behind’ speaks to the cyclic nature of personal battles, in which old ghosts frequently return, forcing a confrontation with parts of ourselves we believed were in the past.

Memorable Lines that Etch into the Soul

The visceral impact of ‘Alive’ resonates through its memorable lines that strike a chord within the listener’s core. Phrases like ‘My heart screams inside with pride,’ ‘Constant pain is how I like to play,’ and ‘What’s inside my mind’ are etched with the fingerprints of authenticity. They are raw, genuine, and unfiltered glimpses into the psyche of a being determined to face the bleakness head-on.

Through their stark honesty, these lines etch themselves into the memory of those who hear them, resonating with anyone who has ever felt the sting of internal conflict. Korn has always had the ability to create a connection with fans by putting into words and music the intricacies of the soul’s darkest corridors, and with ‘Alive,’ they have indeed carved out another unforgettable piece of lyrical artistry.

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