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Alice (song) is a featured article, which means it has been identified as one of the best articles produced by the Disney Wiki community. If you see a way this page can be updated or improved without compromising previous work, please feel free to contribute.

"Alice" is a song written and performed by Franco-Canadian singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne for Almost Alice, the soundtrack to the 2010 film Alice in Wonderland. An extended version was released as a hidden track on Lavigne's fourth studio album, Goodbye Lullaby.

The song is a mid-tempo ballad sung from the perspective of the film's lead character, Alice. Lavigne wrote the song after asking Disney executives and film director Tim Burton if she could write a song for the film. The song was produced by Butch Walker and mixed by Lavigne's ex-husband Deryck Whibley.

Lyrics

Trippin' out, spinnin' around
I'm underground
I fell down
Yeah, I fell down

I'm freaking out, where am I now?
Upside down
And I can't stop it now
It can't stop me now, oh, oh

I, I, I'll get by
I, I, I'll survive
When the world's crashing down
When I fall and hit the ground
I will turn myself around
Don't you try to stop me
I, I, I won't cry

I found myself in Wonderland
Get back on my feet, again
Is this real? Is this pretend?
I'll take a stand until the end

I, I, I'll get by
I, I'll survive
When the world's crashing down
When I fall and hit the ground
I will turn myself around
Don't you try to stop me
I, I, I won't cry

I, I, I'll get by
I, I, I'll survive
When the world's crashing down
When I fall and hit the ground
I will turn myself around
Don't you try to stop me
I, I, and I won't cry

Tripping out
Spinning around
I'm underground
I fell down
Yeah I fell down
I'm freaking out
Where am I now?
Upside down
And I can't stop it now
It can't stop me now

ooh
I, I, I'll get by
I, I, I'll survive
When the worlds crashing down
When I fall and hit the ground
I will turn myself around
Don't you try to stop me
I, I, I won't cry

I'll play the game
but I can't stay
I've Got my head on straight
And I'm not gonna change
I'm not gonna change
I'll win the race
Keep up with the pace
today is the day
that I start to pray
You can't get it my way no

I, I, I'll get by
I, I, I'll survive
When the worlds crashing down
When I fall and hit the ground
I will turn myself around
Don't you try to stop me
I, I, I won't cry

I found myself in wonderland
Get back on my feet again
Is this real? Is this pretend?
I'll take a stand until the end

I, I, I'll get by
I, I, I'll survive
When the worlds crashing down
When I fall and hit the ground
I will turn myself around
Don't you try to stop me
I, I, I won't cry

I, I, I'll get by
I, I, I'll survive
When the worlds crashing down
When I fall and hit the ground
I will turn myself around
Don't you try to stop me
I, I, and I won't cry

Background

In January 2010, Lavigne was in a board meeting at the Disney offices going over clothing designs inspired by Alice in Wonderland for her Abbey Dawn line, when she mentioned to the executives that she was writing music for her upcoming album and would love to write a song for the film's soundtrack. Discussions between Lavigne's manager and film executives took place, and director Tim Burton agreed to let Lavigne write the song. Lavigne stated, "I got off the phone, sat down at my piano at home, wrote the song immediately; I was so inspired because I'd been designing for the movie [...] so I had all the images in my head." She played the song for Burton, who later called Lavigne to give his approval and confirm the song would be used for the film.

On his radio show, On Air with Ryan Seacrest, Seacrest called the story a "great lesson," telling his listeners "you ask for what you want. You gotta go for it, because if you didn't ask for it, then you wouldn't have gotten [the opportunity]." "Alice" was premiered on Seacrest's radio show on 27 January, when Lavigne made a surprise visit to the studio. Lavigne described the song as different from her previous work, calling it "a little darker."

The song was played over the film's end credits, and went on to sell 45,000 copies within the first four weeks of its release. Lavigne performed "Alice" on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on 3 March 2010.

Composition

"Alice" is both a rock, and pop song with a moderately fast ballad at 120 beats per minute, performed in the key of G major. Lavigne's vocal range spans from G3 to D5. Guitar and piano accompany Lavigne's vocals.

Critical reception

In his review for the soundtrack Almost Alice, William Ruhlmann of Allmusic described "Alice" as "a typical piece of self-assertive adolescent pop/rock", noting that it was "ideally suited for heavy rotation on Radio Disney". Todd Martens, writing for the Los Angeles Times, approved of the song's "darker, more angsty vision", adding that it was a return to Lavigne's sound in Under My Skin. He described the beginning of the song as, "promising, with wavy synths caught somewhere between a nightmare and a dream".

Bill Lamb of About.com gave the song 4 stars out of 5, appreciating Lavigne's interpretation of Alice's dilemma. He found her vocals emotional, "expressing the confusion of Alice falling through that rabbit hole".

"Alice" works both as an emotional, dramatic evocation of struggles with confusing times in life, and setting the scene for the movie making listeners eager to see the story that generates this heart-pounding, raw statement of the survival instinct. [...] There is a raw immediacy to the sound which grabs listeners instantly. It's hard to know if it will be a major pop hit, but the song does provide a suitably dramatic intro to publicity for the upcoming film.
―{{{2}}}


The Calgary Herald wrapped its opinion of "Alice" in succinct praise, calling it "one of the best songs of Avril's career", adding that Avril's repertoire does not otherwise live up to its hype. Digital Spy's Nick Levine called the song "a big angsty rock ballad", finding the track "cinematic" and at times "ghostly", before mentioning that the song took several listens to appreciate.

Several critics focused on the lyrics of the song, with mixed reaction. Lamb expounded, "Lyrically, with words of 'trippin' out', Avril Lavigne brings Alice directly into a contemporary context. This will allow young fans to see more clearly the metaphorical application of Alice In Wonderland to contemporary issues and dilemmas." Becky Bain of Idolator began her review commending Lavigne's lyrics for "carry[ing] genuine sentiment," believing that her "words of encouragement" would "resonate" with her teenage fans. Mark Ingoldsby, of 411mania.com, had little to praise in Lavigne's lyrics, stating that Lavigne is "[a]pparently incapable of crafting witty lyrics that paint an interesting picture through creative metaphors." Martens had similar feelings, writing, "[The] listener never really gets a picture of [the] trippy world Lavigne has found herself in."

There was general consensus among critics regarding the chorus of the song, in which Lavigne repeatedly holds a high note for an extended period. Lamb simply called it "shouty", while others elaborated. Ingoldsby sub-titled his review "Wail of a Fail", but although he could appreciate the beginning of the song, calling it "eerie and captivating" and describing Lavigne's voice as "unremarkable, yet pleasant", he found the rest of the song — from "the second part of the first verse" onwards — to be a "recreation of an Alanis Morissette-style spaz-out session". Bain was also unimpressed with the chorus. "[The] biggest problem with the song is that Lavigne, trying to come off like Amy Lee, is constantly screeching while attempting to hit those high notes. It’s difficult to enjoy a song while you’re wincing during the chorus." Story Gilmore of Neonlimelight.com reviewed Lavigne's live performance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He described the performance as "toned down" and stated that Lavigne showed vocal growth during the performance, "easily shifting from full voice to high notes".

As of October 2011, Alice had sold 373,000 digital copies in the US.

Music video

Concept

The music video opens with Lavigne following a white rabbit into a forest. As the piano in the soundtrack begins playing, the video briefly cuts to Lavigne's hands playing the notes on a piano. The video returns to Lavigne's character, who trips and falls into a hole near a large tree. Her fall is intercut with shots of Alice (from Burton's film) colliding with objects, including a piano. When Lavigne opens her eyes, she is lying at the bottom of a deep hole, dressed in a black gothic corset dress, and stockings imprinted with playing card suits.

Avril lavigne alice tea party

Avril Lavigne sings while sitting at the Mad Hatter's tea party, her "echo" appearing in the corner.

When Lavigne climbs out of the hole, she finds herself in Wonderland. The song enters the chorus, and the video cuts and dissolves between Lavigne's character running through the forest and Lavigne singing and performing the song on the piano. The only Wonderland character to make an appearance at this point is a fleeting glimpse of the Cheshire Cat.

She arrives at a tea party, and the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp) stands, welcoming her with open arms. The scene is edited with footage of the Mad Hatter from Burton's film. As Lavigne sinks into a chair singing, her lyrical "echo" is visually emphasized with her face quickly dissolving in and out. As the verse ends, Lavigne stands and runs away from the scene. The chorus of the song returns to shots of Lavigne running through the forest, arriving at a piano surrounded by giant mushrooms. The video cuts between shots of Lavigne playing the instrument and singing, eventually showing Lavigne running through a misty copse of bamboo trees. Various scenes from the film are shown in succession, before Lavigne is reintroduced running toward an opening in the forest. As she exits the forest, she is dressed in her normal clothing.

Production and release

Lavigne shot the music video for "Alice" on 26–27 January 2010. The video was directed by Dave Meyers, which was partly filmed at the Los Angeles Arboretum. Meyers worked closely with Lavigne to create the video. His intention was to capture "the haunting quality of the song" on video and present it with a gothic feel. Lavigne wanted to include piano sequences to stress the instrument's contribution to the song. Footage from Burton's Alice in Wonderland was edited prominently into the video.

The video premiered online on 17 February 2010.

Awards

Year Awards ceremony Award Results
2010 TRL Awards Best Video Nominated
MuchMusic Video Awards International Video of the Year by a Canadian Nominated
Ur Fave Video (Peoples choice) Nominated
Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards Mexico Favorite Song Nominated
Satellite Award Best Original Song Nominated
Chart Attack's 16th Annual Year-End Readers' Poll Best Song Won
2011 MTV Video Music Awards Japan Best Karaokee! Song Nominated
Best Video from a Film Won
MTV Fan Music Awards Best Movie Song Won

External links

Wikipedia
This page uses content from the English Wikipedia page Alice (Avril Lavigne song). The list of authors can be seen in the page history. Text from Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.


v - e - d
Alice in Wonderland logo 2011
Media
Films: Alice in Wonderland (video/soundtrack)

TV Series: Adventures in Wonderland (Episode List) • A Poem Is...Alice's Wonderland Bakery (Episode List)
Shorts and Specials: A Lesson in Appreciating DifferencesDonald in Mathmagic LandWriting Magic with Figment and Alice in WonderlandOne Hour in WonderlandOperation Wonderland
Books: Wonderland
Video Games: Kingdom HeartsKingdom Hearts: Chain of MemoriesKingdom Hearts 358/2 DaysKingdom Hearts coded Kingdom Hearts χ Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ/Union χ2000 gameAlice no Paint AdventureKinect: Disneyland AdventuresHidden WorldsDisney Magical WorldDisney UniverseDisney's Villains' RevengeDisney Emoji BlitzDisney Sorcerer's ArenaDisney Heroes: Battle ModeDisney All-Star RacersDisney All-Star Party
Music: Alice and the Mad Tea PartyAlice and the TrialAlice and the White RabbitLittle Nipper Giant Storybook Record Album
Cancelled projects: 1933 film1939 film

Disney Parks
Alice's Curious LabyrinthAlice in WonderlandClub VillainDisney Animation BuildingIt's a Small WorldMad Tea PartyMickey Mouse RevueStorybook Land Canal Boats

Entertainment: Alice and the Queen of Hearts: Back to WonderlandCinderellabration: Lights of RomanceMickey's Gift of DreamsMickey's Magical Music WorldMickey presents: “Happy Anniversary Disneyland Paris”Once Upon a MouseOne Man's DreamSoryo Kobu
Restaurants: March Hare RefreshmentsCheshire Cafe
Parades: Celebrate A Dream Come True ParadeDisney's Dreams On Parade: Moving OnDisney's Magical Moments ParadeDisney's Party ExpressDisney Carnivale ParadeDisney Magic on ParadeDisney on ParadeDisney Stars on ParadeDreaming Up!Dreams.... And Shine Brighter!Festival of Fantasy ParadeHappiness is Here ParadeMain Street Electrical ParadeMickey's New Year's Eve ParadeMickey's Rainy Day ExpressMove It! Shake It! Dance and Play It! Street PartySpectroMagicWalt Disney's Parade of Dreams
Fireworks: Believe... There's Magic in the StarsCelebrate the MagicDisney in the StarsDisney EnchantmentOnce Upon a TimeRemember... Dreams Come TrueWonderful World of AnimationWorld of ColorWondrous Journeys
Spring: Disney's Easter WonderlandDisney's Spring PromenadeMinnie's Little Spring TrainHippity Hoppity SpringtimeUsatama on the Run!
Summer: Mickey's WaterWorks
Halloween: Disney's Maleficious Halloween PartyDisney's Not So Spooky SpectacularDisney Villains Wicked GatheringFrightfully Fun ParadeHappy HallowishesHouse of De Vil-lainsInferno Dance PartyIt's Good to be Bad with the Disney VillainsJack Skellington’s Villainous GatheringRe-Villains! Halloween ParadeVillains GroveVillains Mix and MingleVillains Night Out!
Christmas: A Christmas Fantasy ParadeDisney's White Holiday ParadeMickey's Most Merriest Celebration

Characters
Alice in Wonderland: AliceDinahAlice's SisterMad HatterMarch HareDormouseWhite RabbitCheshire CatThe DoorknobDodoToucanHawkCaucus Race AnimalsTweedle Dee and Tweedle DumThe Walrus and the CarpenterCurious OystersBill the LizardFlowers of WonderlandCaterpillarHammer and Pencil BirdsMome RathsCard SoldiersQueen of HeartsKing of HeartsFlamingosHedgehogsBread-and-ButterfliesRocking HorseflyGlasses BirdMirror BirdHorn DucksUmbrella VulturesShovel BirdCage BirdAccordion Owl

Alice's Wonderland Bakery: AliceHattie HatterFergie the White RabbitRosa CorazónQueen of HeartsTweedle Do and Tweedle Don'tMilly
Other: Mary AnnHumpty Dumpty

Objects
Drink Me BottleEat Me CookiesWhite Rabbit's Watch
Locations
WonderlandThe ExteriorFish DinnersWhite Rabbit's HouseShorelineThe Meadow of Living FlowersThe MushroomThe Mad Hatter's HouseThe Queen of Hearts' CastleWonderland MazeTulgey WoodEnglandLondon
Songs
Alice in Wonderland: Alice in WonderlandIn a World of My OwnI'm LateSailor's HornpipeThe Caucus RaceHow Do You Do and Shake HandsThe Walrus and the CarpenterOld Father WilliamSmoke the Blighter OutAll in the Golden AfternoonAEIOU‘Twas BrillingThe Unbirthday SongVery Good AdvicePainting the Roses RedDodgsonlandOcean of TearsSimon SaysWhooooo Are Youuuuu?

Alice's Wonderland Bakery: Theme SongThe Baking Song
Deleted: Beyond the Laughing SkyBeautiful SoupBeware the JabberwockI'm OddThe Lobster QuadrilleGavotte of the CardsEntrance of the ExecutionerWhen the Wind is in the EastSo They SayEverything Has a UsenessDream CaravanSpeak Roughly to Your Little BoyIf You'll Believe in Me

Deleted Concepts and Characters
JabberwockyAnthropomorphic "Drink Me" BottleThe Gryphon and the Mock TurtleThe Lion and the UnicornThe Executioner1933 film1939 film
See Also
Tim Burton Alice in Wonderland
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