Next To Buffy

 

(The original song)

 

This came to me in a dream last night. I was talking about Buffy, as I am wont to do, with my fiance, and then I decided to sing the opening number of one of my favourite musicals, Next To Normal, in the shower. My brain mixed the two in my sleep. The shocking bit is how well the two fit together, in terms of people feeling lost, possessed by forces beyond their control, and filled with existential despair. Here are the original lyrics to the opening of Next To Normal, "Just Another Day."

-->

Giles:

We’re the perfect group of Scoobies, so adoring

And we research every day of every week

So the boy’s sometimes a shit, they think I’m boring,

And the redhead, though a genius, is a freak

Still I help them and I pander

Anya, Buffy, Willow, Xander

Slayer clique

(Spike sneaks in)

Giles:

Spike, it’s four in the morning. What are you doing here?

Spike:

I’m a vampire, you git. It’s my afternoon.

Giles:

Fair enough. Ask a stupid question. It’s just for exposition’s sake.

Spike:

And why are you awake, old man? You need to slow down. I’m off to have sex with your slayer.

Giles: (cleans glasses)

Wonderful, thanks, I’m so glad I know that.

Spike:

So at times like these I wonder when he’ll stake it

How a creature wants a slayer like I do

Do we love each other or do we just fake it

And do other vampires feel like I feel too

I’m undead but feel like dying

And I’m trying not to be insane as Dru

Buffy:

For just another day, for another stolen hour

When the world will feel my power and I’ll slay

It’s just another day

Spike:

Feeling like I’ll live forever

Buffy:

Will this lack of feeling ever go away?

Both:

For just another day

Willow:

When it's up to you to hold your friends together
Relationships take patience and take care
But you're at the end of magic’s tempting tether
And you're living with a spell and Gaia’s prayer

Willow and Xander:

Can you keep the world from tipping

While you slip in supernatural despair?

For just another day

Anya Cameo!:

When the hoppy bunnies scurry

And you want to clear the furry things away

All:

For just another day

Giles:

I will keep the world from burning

Xander:

I’m a demon magnet and my best friend’s gay

Buffy:

Cause what kills me might not really kill me,

So raise me up for just another day

Spike:

It hurts because I can’t breathe

Willow:

It only hurts when I lie

Giles:

It only hurts when I think

Buffy:

It only hurts when I die

Xander

It only hurts when I work

Willow

It only hurts when I flay

Angel (popping in for one second):

It only hurts when I lurk

All:

It only hurts when I say

It’s just another day

Giles

An apocalyptic day

All:

When the morning sun is showing

Willow:

I will hold myself together

Spike

And you turn to dust if you don’t run away

Giles:
I will watch another day

All:
It's just another day

Buffy:
I will survive another day

Xander:
We’re all singing, vamps are falling

Giles:
And I hope I’m not standing in the way

All:
And you wish you would be gone
But you'll stay
You'll stay

Buffy:
For the Scoobies’ sake

All:
For you know it's now or never

Buffy:
I'll stake what I can stake

All
And so many gone forever

Spike (to Buffy):
Stay

Buffy:
I'm only just awake
Every day is just another and another and another
I will hold it all together
We're the perfect chosen family
If they say we're not then fuck 'em
The perfect chosen family
I will keep the world from burning
‘Cause the world must keep on turning

(spoken)
Buffy
I think Sunnydale’s burning.