The song "How It Feels To Be Alive" by James Blunt tells a melancholic story about heartbreak, loss, and the struggle to move on. The lyrics portray a person reflecting on their own mortality, imagining their own death and funeral. They anticipate the pain they will feel when their former lover arrives dressed in black, symbolizing mourning. The mention of bells tolling further emphasizes the somber atmosphere and finality. The narrator addresses their ex-lover directly, expressing the hurt they feel from being used and manipulated. They thought the wounds caused by the relationship would eventually heal, but the ex-lover keeps coming back, renewing the pain. This person admits to still loving their ex-lover, despite the damage inflicted. The song also conveys the conflicting emotions of seeing the ex-lover with someone else. The narrator struggles to look forward and not dwell on the past, but they still feel resentment towards the person their former partner is now with. Each day that passes brings them closer to the end, possibly referring to the end of the relationship or their own life. The lyrics express the difficulty in holding back tears, waiting for the last breath, and how it feels to be alive in the midst of heartache and longing. The repetition of the phrase "that's how it feels to be alive" reinforces the overwhelming emotions and pain experienced by the narrator. Overall, "How It Feels To Be Alive" captures the raw emotions of heartbreak, loss, and the struggle to move on, offering a poignant portrayal of the complexities of human emotions.
