still alive

Words and music by Jonathan Coulton; performed by Ellen McLain


Portal - Credits Song 'Still Alive'

I've written about Jonathan Coulton's music before, and was a big fan of his ode to suburban confusion and angst, "Shop Vac." His best work explores dissonant emotional states, in this case simultaneous feelings of despair and resignation, expressed in a sad-humorous, understated, and intelligent way.

We hear "Still Alive" as the end credits for the video game "Portal" roll past, sung by a computer-enhanced Ellen McLain who also plays GLaDOS, the game-player's artificial intelligence opponent and arch-enemy. Coulton describes her as a "hilarious passive aggressive personality, which is obviously a perfect subject for me."

Because it's theme music for a video game, the lyrics repeatedly refer to specific details of Portal's plot and content, and listeners who want to delve further into the lyrical details should consult Wikipedia's thorough profile of the song.

Valve Software, the innovative Bellevue, Washington company who developed and markets "Portal" is also worth knowing about. Even in the depths of a Second Great Depression, Valve boasts that "we're always hiring for all positions. Seriously," and stresses how well it treats its well-compensated employees. Even in the worst times nowadays, there are always opportunities and big rewards for the most creative among us, especially when that creativity combines with the rarified skills of the most cutting-edge technocratic elite.

(H/t Jonathan Schwarz @ http://tinyrevolution.com.)