The song “Purpose” is one of my favorite tracks on the “Avenue Q” cast album. (And I have lots of favorites on that album.) It’s something about the combination of the upbeat lyrics, the energetic, peppy band, the mental image of the happy, dancing cardboard boxes, and, most of all, the youthful, innocent, and optimistic spirit with which John Tartaglia sings. The way he sings that song is just infectious — the whole thing really gets to me. It makes me happy and sad at the same time, which is weird, but it’s because I’m both hopeful and pessimistic about my own life right now. In fact, I listened to the song just now and tears started dripping from my eyes. The song creates a complicated emotional reaction in me.

If you haven’t seen the show (and I’m sure most of you haven’t), it might be hard to figure out what I mean, but you can listen to a short clip of the song here.

“Purpose”

(as transcribed by me, since I don’t have the CD booklet in front of me)

Bah-bah-bah-bahhhhh

Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo

I don’t know how I know

But I’m gonna find my purpose

I don’t know where I’m gonna look

But I’m gonna find my purpose

Gotta find out

Don’t wanna wait

Got to make sure that my life will be great!

Gotta find my purpose…

Before it’s too late.

He’s gonna find his purpose

Whoa, whoaaaaaaa, I’m gonna find my purpose

He’s gonna find his purpose

Yeaaaaaah, yeah, yeaaaaah, I’m gonna find my purpose

Could be far

Could be near

Could take a week, a month, a year

At a job

Or smokin’ grass

Maybe at a pottery class

Could it be

Yes it could

Somethin’s comin’, somethin’ gooooooooooood…

I’m gonna find my purpose

You’re gonna find your purpose

I’m gonna find it…

What will it be

Where will it be

My purpose in life is a mystery

Gotta find my purpose

Gotta find me!

You’re gonna find your purpose

Whoa, whoaaaaaaa, I’m gonna find my purpose

You’re gonna find your purpose

Purpose, purpose, purpose, yeaaaaaah, yeah!

I gotta find me.