After recording private albums, the band signed to Wind-up Records and released their first full-length album, Fallen, in 2003, which sold more than 15 million copies worldwide and helped the band win two Grammy Awards. A year later, they released their first live album, Anywhere But Home, which sold more than one million copies worldwide. In 2006, they then released their second studio album, The Open Door, which sold more than five million copies. They released their third and latest studio album, Evanescence in 2011.
The band currently consists of Amy Lee (lead vocals, piano, keyboards), Terry Balsamo (guitars), and Tim McCord (bass). Former members include David Hodges (piano, keyboards, backing vocals; left in 2002), Ben Moody (guitars; left in 2003), William Boyd (bass; left in 2006), John LeCompt (guitars, backing vocals; fired in 2007), and Rocky Gray (drums; left in 2007). Session members include Troy McLawhorn (guitars) and Will Hunt (drums), both are from Dark New Day, they were "borrowed" to replace LeCompt and Gray during 2007 tours.
Amy Lee and Ben Moody met in 1994 at a youth camp in Little Rock, where Moody heard Lee playing I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That) by Meat Loaf on the piano. Their first songs were Solitude and Give Unto Me, written by Lee, and Understanding and My Immortal, written by Moody.
Two of Lee and Moody's songs found playtime on local radio stations, raising local awareness of the group and demand for a show. The band eventually appeared live, and became one of the most popular acts in the area. After experimenting with band names, such as Childish Intentions and Stricken, they decided on Evanescence, which means "disappearance" or "fading away" (from the word evanesce, which means "to disappear"). Lee has stated she loves the name because "it is mysterious and dark, and places a picture in the listeners' mind.".
Their first full-length demo CD, Origin (released in 2000), is relatively unknown. The band also released two EPs. First, the self-titled Evanescence EP (1998) of which about 100 copies were made, and second the Sound Asleep EP, also known as the Whisper EP (1999), limited to 50 copies. Origin and the EPs contain demo versions of some of the songs on their debut album, Fallen. For example, the recording of My Immortal found on Fallen can also be found on Origin, minus a handful of additional string accompaniments. Only 2,500 copies of this record were produced; in response, Lee and Moody encouraged fans to download the band's older songs from the Internet.
In several interviews Amy has said that 'Origin' was not an album, it was merely meant to be a demo. While appearing to be an official CD, it was never meant to be officially released. According to Amy Lee "Origin is not an album. Should I say that clearer? 'Origin' is not an album. We recorded its demos, we recorded it a long time ago, in Ben's apartment or in my parent's attic with an 8-track recorder that cost $300. It sounds like crap. Don't feel bad that you don't have it, just download it. It looks kind of like an album because we had an artist make us this cool album cover because we were shopping it to record labels. We put everything we had on there, and some songs that are on there are on 'Fallen', just done right". The video of this interview can be seen here.
The band sent 'Origin' to several record labels, and eventually Wind-Up Records signed them. The band then recorded a large collection of demos throughout 2001 and 2002. Afterwards, the band began work on their second full-length album. However, after the album had been finished, Hodges left the band in December of 2002.
The album, entitled 'Fallen', was then released in March 2003. It brought the band international fame, selling 14 millions of copies worldwide. 'Fallen' has since gone 6 times platinum in the United States and has sold more than 15 million copies altogether worldwide.
However, shortly after, Moody left the band on October 22 of 2003 due to internal struggles with the band members. He was then replaced by guitarist Terry Balsamo from the band Cold. Before Moody's departure, Gray, LeCompt, and Boyd had been session members, but afterwards they became full-time members.
At the 2004 Grammy Awards, Evanescence won Best New Artist and Best Hard Rock Performance for their single Bring Me to Life, known worldwide from the Daredevil soundtrack. That same year, the band released a live CD/DVD entitled 'Anywhere But Home', which also sold 1 million of copies worldwide and has since gone platinum in the United States.
Afterwards, the band began work on their next release. Many things set the release back, including the health problems of Terry. He was unfortunately affected by a stroke, but is recovering successfully. Amy also fired their old manager which they had relations with during 'Fallen', and brought him to court. In 2006, they finished recording their second album, titled 'The Open Door', as well as shooting a video for the single Call Me When You're Sober. On July 13th, 2006, Lee announced through Evanescence's online message board that bassist Boyd has decided to leave the band in order to make time for his personal life and family. Tim McCord was announced as Will Boyd's replacement in August 2006.
'The Open Door' debuted at number 1 in Australia, United States, Greece, Germany, and Switzerland. It sold over 1 million copies worldwide within the first week of its release.
The second single of 'The Open Door' was Lithium. A video was shot for the single - directed by Paul Fedor (who has worked with Marilyn Manson, Seether, and Deftones). It took 2 days to film, October 31 and November 1, 2006.
The third single off 'The Open Door' was Sweet Sacrifice. The label, Wind-Up, had originally chosen All That I'm Living For to be the third single, but was met with opposition from the fans. The video was shot on March 9th and 10th, 2007. Directed by Paul Brown.
On May 4, 2007, John LeCompt announced that he had been fired from Evanescence, and also stated that drummer Rocky Gray had decided to quit as well. Both musicians posted on their personal MySpace pages to confirm the news report, however, neither elaborated about the circumstances surrounding their departures, and no official statement has yet been released by the band or label.
On his MySpace blog, LeCompt stated that Lee called his cellphone to fire him, and that no warning had previously been given nor were any negotiations made available. No replacements have been named as of yet, but Evanescence says they will continue touring and producing music.
Lee revealed during the taping of MuchMusic's January 9, 2007 episode of Live @ Much that she had become engaged the previous evening. She later confirmed on EvThreads.com that she was proposed to by Josh Hartzler, a 29-year-old therapist and long time friend. She noted in an interview that the songs Good Enough and Bring Me To Life were inspired by him. The couple were married on May 6, 2007, and honeymooned near The Bahamas. She has posted on EvThreads that she is "now officially Mrs. Amy Hartzler."
Recently Lee and Evanescence (with temporary members) headlined a one off show in Sao Paulo, Brazil for a music festival. A couple of weeks before, Lee posted on her Twitter that the band need to practice and was going to play a secret show in NYC's The Palace.
Lee confirmed that a third album was on the way and was set to release late 2010. A short video surfaced on one members Twitter account showing the band practicing and recording.
On 22 January, 2010, Amy posted on her Twitter that the b-side Together Again would be a gift to all who donate just the minimum amount to the Relief Effort over in Haiti.
In a MTV interview Amy Lee announced that the new album would be named 'Evanescence'. This was released October 11th, 2011. It is the first of their albums to have a deluxe version with 4 extra songs and an accompanying DVD.
Lost Whispers is a compilation album and was released on December 9, 2016, by The Bicycle Music Company. The album is a career-spanning collection of B-sides and two new recordings: "Lost Whispers", the intro from the band's 2009 tour and a new version of "Even in Death", originally on their 2000 demo album, Origin.
Their fourth Studio album, Synthesis, was released in November 2017. The album debuted at number 8 on the Billboard 200, and has reached number 23 in the UK, 5 in Germany, and 6 in Australia.
Discography
1998: Evanescence EP
1999: Sound Asleep EP
2000: Origin
2003: Mystary EP and Fallen (first official studio album)
2004: Anywhere But Home
2006: The Open Door
2011: Evanescence
2016: Lost Whispers
2017: Synthesis
2021: The Bitter Truth
Official site: www.evanescence.com
Wash It All Away
Evanescence Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Consciously, you've forgotten it.
That's the way the human mind works:
whenever something is too unpleasant, to shameful for us
to entertain, we reject it.
We erase it from our memories.
But the imprint is always there."
(Can't Wish it all away)
(Can't hope it all away)
(Can't cry it all away)
The pain that grips you
The fear that binds you
Releases life in me
In our mutual
Shame we hide our eyes
To blind them from the truth
That finds a way from who we are
Please don't be afraid
When the darkness fades away
The dawn will break the silence
Screaming in our hearts
My love for you still grows
This I do for you
Before I try to fight the truth my final time
"We're supposed to try and be real.
And I feel alone, and we're not together. And that is real."
Can't wash it all away
Can't wish it all away
Can't cry it all away
Can't scratch it all away
Lying beside you
Listening to you breathe
The life that flows inside of you
Burns inside of me
Hold and speak to me
Of love without a sound
Tell me you will live through this
And I will die for you
Cast me not away
Say you'll be with me
For I know I cannot
Bear it all alone
"You're not alone, honey.
Never... Never."
Can't fight it all away
Can't hope it all away
Can't scream it all away
It just won't fade away, no
Can't wash it all away
Can't wish it all away
Can't cry it all away
Can't scratch it all away
(Can't fight it all away)
(Can't hope it all away)
Can't scream it all away
Ooh, it all away
Ooh, it all away
"But the imprint is always there. Nothing is ever really forgotten."
"God, please don't hate me.
Because I'll die if you do.
Because I'll die if you do.
Because I'll die if you do.
Because I'll die if you do."
The lyrics to Evanescence's song Understanding dive deep into the workings of the human mind when it comes to dealing with painful or traumatic experiences. The first verse speaks to the idea that we all have the answers we need within ourselves, but we often reject the memories that hold those answers because they are too difficult to face. The chorus then emphasizes that these painful memories cannot simply be washed, wished, or cried away.
The second verse explores the mutual shame that can come with holding onto painful memories and how it can cause us to hide from the truth about ourselves. The singer pleads with their partner not to be afraid as they face their demons because the dawn will come and they will be there for each other. The third verse brings the focus back to the singer and their partner, as they share an intimate moment together. The singer begs their partner not to cast them away as they both struggle with their pain.
The final lines of the song bring a powerful sense of desperation and fear as the singer pleads to God not to hate them because they would die if they did. The entire song is a passionate plea for understanding and acceptance, both from others and from oneself, when dealing with the pain and trauma that life can bring.
Line by Line Meaning
You hold the answers deep within your own mind.
We all possess the solutions to our problems within, but sometimes we ignore them.
Consciously, you've forgotten it.
There are times when we consciously choose to forget something that's unpleasant.
That's the way the human mind works:
whenever something is too unpleasant, to shameful for us
to entertain, we reject it.
Our mind tends to exclude traumatic events from our memories to protect us from pain or shame.
We erase it from our memories.
But the imprint is always there.
Although we try to forget it, the memory of the traumatic experience stays in our brain and affects us later in life.
The pain that grips you
The fear that binds you
Releases life in me
When you're in pain or suffering, it affects me too because we're connected.
In our mutual
Shame we hide our eyes
To blind them from the truth
That finds a way from who we are
We both feel ashamed of something, so we try to ignore the truth and hide from it.
Please don't be afraid
When the darkness fades away
The dawn will break the silence
Screaming in our hearts
Even though it may be painful, we need to face our problems and move forward because things will get better.
My love for you still grows
This I do for you
Before I try to fight the truth my final time
I love you, and I'll do anything for you before I give up and pretend that everything is okay.
We're supposed to try and be real.
And I feel alone, and we're not together. And that is real.
We should be honest with ourselves and others about our feelings even if we feel lonely and isolated.
Lying beside you
Listening to you breathe
The life that flows inside of you
Burns inside of me
When I'm with you, I feel alive and connected to you because we share the same life.
Hold and speak to me
Of love without a sound
Tell me you will live through this
And I will die for you
Even if you don't say anything, just hold me and tell me that we'll make it through this, and I'll do anything for you.
Cast me not away
Say you'll be with me
For I know I cannot
Bear it all alone
Please don't abandon me because I can't handle this situation by myself.
Can't fight it all away
Can't hope it all away
Can't scream it all away
It just won't fade away, no
We can't ignore our problems or hope that they'll go away because they won't disappear on their own.
But the imprint is always there.
Nothing is ever really forgotten.
Even if we forget something consciously, our mind retains a memory of it that may impact us later in life.
God, please don't hate me.
Because I'll die if you do.
Because I'll die if you do.
Because I'll die if you do.
Because I'll die if you do.
I'm afraid of being rejected or unloved because it feels like a matter of life and death.
Contributed by Jack V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
forp2
This is the most beautiful song ever! If anyone has it on mp3, please contact me! The lyrics of the song are amazing <3
Ellie Simms
I love this song. The lyrics are so beautiful.
Elejota
when i hear this song, some strange feeling appears...it's weird but beautiful. this song makes me want to cry. Love it.
Convoluted & Exiled
Wow...That song is awesome, thanks so much for adding it here. Amy Lee is such an awesome singer, and the rest of Evanescence really knows how to create haunting music. Truly amazing :) This song is definetly one of my favorites now ^^
PestimisticAngel
Yup it was recording then in 1998 it's on two albums evanescence and origin I think it might be on sound asleep / whisper but I'm not sure. It's amazing how Amy still sounds so good even back then and you know with less technology and stuff. She's really talented and has a good voice though.
Miguel Gouveia
amazing song and artists!
nasucbt
i find myself in each and one of evanescence`s song....it`s just amazing!
Beautiful Brat
i love this song it has true meaning
peppyers
I miss the old evanescence =(((( this song rocks!!!!!!! I love her sooo much! =D
Rock982736
Sometimes i feel like crying on this song:( It's heartbreaking love it!