The band started the writing process for the album on June 2009. The release of the album was changed several times. First, on February 22, 2010 the band entered in the studio with the producer Steve Lillywhite but later they stopped recording the album with him because "it wasn't coming out nicely". During that time the album was scheduled for an August or September 2010 release, but Lee later announced that Evanescence had left the studio. On April 11, 2011, the band went back into the studio with a new producer, Nick Raskulinecz, and tracking was completed on July 8, 2011.
The first single from the album, "What You Want", was released on August 9, 2011.
In a news posting to the Evanescence website during June 2009, Amy Lee wrote that the band was in the process of writing new material for a new album proposed for release in 2010. She stated that the music would be an evolution of previous works and be "better, stronger, and more interesting". Evanescence entered the studio on February 22 to begin recording. Will Hunt returned as drummer while a second drummer and programmer, Will "Science" Hunt, was brought in to assist in writing but ultimately did not join the band. David Campbell, who previously worked on The Open Door, was brought back to handle string arrangements, and the album was scheduled for release by the producer Steve Lillywhite. Lee later said that "Steve wasn't the right fit".
In an interview with Billboard Lee said, "After finishing touring , I just sort of took off and didn't know what I was going to do next and wasn't sure if the Evanescence thing would happen again or when it would." She took a break from music for 18 months and in the end she decided she "wanted to work with the guys, and it became more of a group project". Lee also admitted that she had an identity crisis saying, " 'Fallen' happened really fast, and it was just go, go, go for a couple years, and we went right into writing and wrote the next record. By the time we finished touring with 'The Open Door,' I just needed to go, 'Who am I as an adult?'" She added that in the new album everyone had some part, "Usually it's me and one main co-writer. This time everybody had something to do with it from the ground up."
At the time the band began recording, the album was intended for an August or September 2010 release. However, on June 21, 2010, Lee announced on EvThreads.com that Evanescence had temporarily left the studio to work further on the album and "get our heads into the right creative space". Lee also indicated that record label Wind-up was going through "uncertain times", which will further delay the release of the album. Wind-up Records president Ed Vetri supported Lee's decision to start recording all over again. "One thing we do at Wind-up is, we're patient. I it's not right, it's not coming out. If it takes a year or four years, going to take the time it needs to write the right record." Having visited the studio several times to witness the album progressing, he states that "I think her core fans will be really happy."
The band reentered the studio in early April with 19 songs and new producer Nick Raskulinecz, who has produced music for Alice in Chains and Foo Fighters, to continue work on their third album, which was recorded in Blackbird Studio in Nashville. After an initial denial by band management, on June 12 Lee confirmed that Troy McLawhorn had rejoined the band as a guitarist. At the same time, Lee announced that the album would be released on October 4, 2011, which was later pushed back to October 11 by Wind-up Records.
What You Want
Evanescence Lyrics
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If you have a dream for better
Do what you, what you want
'Til you don't want it anymore (remember who you really are)
Do what you, what you want
Your world's closing in on you now (it isn't over)
Stand and face the unknown (got to remember who you really are)
Every heart in my hands like a pale reflection
Hello, hello remember me?
I'm everything you can't control
Somewhere beyond the pain
There must be a way to believe we can break through
Do what you, what you want
You don't have to lay your life down (is it over?)
Do what you, what you want
'Til you find what you're looking for (got to remember who you really are)
But every hour slipping by screams that I have failed you
Hello, hello remember me?
I'm everything you can't control
Somewhere beyond the pain there must be a way to believe
Hello, hello remember me?
I'm everything you can't control
Somewhere beyond the pain there must be a way to believe
There's still time, close your eyes
Only love will guide you home
Tear down the walls and free your soul
'Til we crash we're forever spiraling down, down, down, down
Hello, hello, it's only me
Infecting everything you love
Somewhere beyond the pain
There must be a way to believe
Hello, hello remember me?
I'm everything you can't control
Somewhere beyond the pain
There must be a way to learn forgiveness
Hello, hello remember me?
I'm everything you can't control
Somewhere beyond the pain
There must be a way to believe we can break through
Remember who you really are
Do what you want, you want
The lyrics of Evanescence's song What You Want are about discovering oneself, self-realization, and the struggles that come with it. The song emphasizes the importance of following one's dreams and passions, even if it means facing unknown challenges and obstacles along the way. The singer encourages the listener to remember their true identity and not to let external forces define who they are.
The chorus "Do what you, what you want" is repeated several times, signifying the importance of taking control of one's own life and not letting others dictate their choices. The lyrics "but every hour slipping by screams that I have failed you" highlight the fear of failure and not being able to achieve one's goals, but also the realization that it's never too late to start again and keep trying.
The line "somewhere beyond the pain, there must be a way to believe we can break through" is a reminder that even during difficult times, there is always hope and the possibility of overcoming struggles. The song ends with the repeated message to remember who you really are and to do what you want.
Overall, the lyrics of What You Want are a powerful and empowering reminder to stay true to oneself and follow one's dreams, no matter what challenges may come.
Line by Line Meaning
Do what you, what you want
Follow your heart’s desire and pursue what you truly want
If you have a dream for better
If you have a vision or aspiration for something better in your life
'Til you don't want it anymore (remember who you really are)
Pursue your dreams until you no longer want them and don't forget your true identity
Your world's closing in on you now (it isn't over)
You may feel suffocated by your circumstances, but don't give up hope
Stand and face the unknown (got to remember who you really are)
Confront the uncertainty of the future while staying true to yourself
Every heart in my hands like a pale reflection
Metaphorically holding onto the fragile hearts of others
Hello, hello remember me?
A reminder to the listener to remember the singer
I'm everything you can't control
The unyielding and unpredictable elements of life
Somewhere beyond the pain
Beyond the difficulties and hardships of life
There must be a way to believe we can break through
Believing that it’s possible to overcome obstacles
You don't have to lay your life down (is it over?)
You don't have to give up on your dreams or your life, despite feeling defeated
'Til you find what you're looking for (got to remember who you really are)
Keep searching until you find what you're looking for, without losing sight of yourself
But every hour slipping by screams that I have failed you
The agonizing realization of feeling like a failure and letting someone down
There's still time, close your eyes
There's still hope and time to pursue your dreams, even if it's difficult
Only love will guide you home
Love has the power to lead you to where you're meant to be
Tear down the walls and free your soul
Break down the barriers and allow yourself to be free
'Til we crash we're forever spiraling down, down, down, down
Persistently falling without end
Infecting everything you love
Negative thoughts and emotions influencing every aspect of life
There must be a way to learn forgiveness
There's a possibility to learn how to forgive, even in difficult situations
There must be a way to believe we can break through
Believing that it’s possible to overcome obstacles and break through difficulties in life
Remember who you really are
Don't forget your true identity and values
Do what you want, you want
Follow your heart's desire and pursue what you truly want
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Amy Lee, Terry Balsamo, Timothy Todd Mccord
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marie McLellan-Hasty
on My Immortal
These wounds won't seem to heal, this pain is just too real. There's too much that time cannot erase...But you still have all of me
Marie McLellan-Hasty
on Bring Me to Life
Frozen inside without your touch, Without your love...All this time, I can't believe I couldn't see..you were there in front of me. Bring me to life, I've been living a lie, there's nothing left inside...Save me from the nothing I've become.