“For Forever” – Evan Hansen [Dear Evan Hansen]

And there he goes

Racing toward the tallest tree

From far across the yellow field I hear him calling, "follow me" there we go

Wondering how the world might look from up so high

One foot after the other

One branch then to another

I climb higher and higher

I climb 'til the entire

Sun shines on my face

And I suddenly feel the branch give way

I'm on the ground

My arm goes numb

I look around

And I see him come to get me

He's come to get me

And everything's okay

---

(this is the third part of my review for Dear Evan Hansen – for full context, plot and reference read the first part here.)

This next song on my Dear Evan Hansen review is entitled ‘For Forever’. When Evan goes to Connor's house for dinner, Jared (Evan’s sarcastic friend) had instructed him to just "nod and confirm" to whatever the Murphys’ will tell him to avoid making things worse. This is the time when Connor’s family wants to further discuss his connection with Evan. In this scenario, Evan is awkward and uncomfortable, so he lies, pretending he and Connor had been best friends, emailing each other from a secret account. Evan starts recounting a fictional version of the day he broke his arm at an abandoned apple orchard the Murphys’ had visited.

Cynthia (Connor’s Mother) gave Evan a hug, thanking him for the story. Because of this, she believes that despite her son being aloof towards the family, she learned that at least Connor had a life outside and had a wonderful friend through Evan. For me, this begins the family’s healing and acceptance.

What I appreciate about the lyrics of the song is how detailed and happy it is. It looks real and for a second there, it somehow convinces me that Evan and Connor really are friends. But looking closely, we found out the sadness behind it. Personally, I think that the happy moments and adventures that Evan is describing are the moments he wished he could do. From grabbing a scoop of ice cream, sharing inside jokes or biking the Appalachian trail, etc. It just shows how Evan yearns to have a best friend. A person whom he can share stories with and just be there for him.

The next part I want to point out would be the lyrics I have written above. It has been established at the beginning that this song is just made-up but as the story went on, we learned that it is no longer part of Evan’s lies and he is already telling a truth. Confused? Well, in the latter part of the story, we will realize that the person who races toward the tallest tree, who wonders how the world might look from up above is Evan himself. And his fall from the tree was a suicide attempt.

And when Evan fell from the tree, he dreamed of having someone to get him and would tell him that everything is ok. Which did not happen.

It clearly represents that this song shows both the truth and the lies. The truth that the descriptions of Connor which Evan describes are the descriptions that he wants to have in a friend. And he wished that when he finally finds this friendship, he wanted that it could be “For Forever”.

See other "Dear Evan Hansen" Reviews:

Part 1: "Dear Evan Hansen" - Musical Review

Part 2: "Waving Through A Window"

Part 4: "Words Fail"

Part 5: "You Will Be Found"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIel3yYKm9Q