Lithium
From The Evanescence Reference
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Contents |
General Information
Written by: A. Lee
This song is described as a track "which embraces feeling over numbness," Amy confirmed, at the world premier of The Open Door in London, England, her soured relationship with ex-boyfriend Shaun Morgan of Seether was the inspiration for this track.
Before the release of The Open Door, some fans mistakenly believed Lithium to be a cover of the Nirvana song which bears the same name. However, the two songs are unrelated.
Upon release, fan reaction to Lithium has been generally positive. It has been likened to My Immortal as well as tracks from Origin. Some fans view Lithium as The Open Door's first real highlight.
At The Open Door premiere in Milan, Amy Lee said that Lithium would be that album's second single.
Amy's description of the song From VH1.com:
| I wrote the chorus on the guitar when I was about 16. I always thought it was a cool chorus, but I never used it for anything. I started playing it on the piano and the verses came out. I have a pile of pieces stowed away in my mind that maybe I'll use some day. In a way it's an old song, but not really. It grew up. [1] | 
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From MTV Italy
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| Amy: "It's not literal, it's not literal about the drug for me, I've never taken lithium before. It's sort of a metaphor about numbness and happiness and sort of like, it's me looking at happiness in a negative way because I've always been, you know, kind of afraid to be happy. Like with the band and the art and everything else, it's always like I'm never letting myself break through into the happiness it seems like, because it's not cool or something. And describing happiness is lithium, it's like saying 'that's numbness, I won't be able to be an artist anymore if I'm happy,' which is hilarious because that's just not true, I'm happy. So it's like this fight within the song of like 'do I do this and get out of here and get happy or do i wallow in it like I always do?' and it's cool because at the end of the song I say 'I'm going to let it go,' like I am going to be happy. [1] |
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Drug
Lithium is a psychiatric drug used as a mood stabilizer, often prescribed to people with bipolar disorder and/or mood swings, along with other mood disorders. [1]
In the music video, Amy is seen playing a grand piano (not just a baby grand) for the first time.
Versions
Studio versions:
Lithium
- Recording date: September 2005 - March 2006
- Status: Released
- Released on:
- The Open Door (track #4) - the second single off the album
- All Lithium singles
- Length: 3:44
Live versions:
Lithium [live]
- Performing period: October 5, 2006 - December 8, 2007
- Status: Unreleased
- Example: Live @ KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas 2006
Lithium [acoustic] [1]
- Performing period: August-September 2006
- Status: Released
- Released on: Lithium Maxi CD single
- Recording date: August 13, 2006
- Recording place: Sony Studios
- Length: 3:52
Lyrics
Lithium - don't wanna lock me up inside
Lithium - don't wanna forget how it feels without
Lithium - I wanna stay in love with my sorrow
Oh, but God, I wanna let it go
Come to bed, don't make me sleep alone
Couldn't hide the emptiness you let it show
Never wanted it to be so cold
Just didn't drink enough to say you love me
I can't hold on to me
Wonder what's wrong with me
Lithium - don't wanna lock me up inside
Lithium - don't wanna forget how it feels without
Lithium - I wanna stay in love with my sorrow
Oh! Don't wanna let it lay me down this time
Drown my will to fly
Here in the darkness I know myself
Can't break free until I let it go
Let me go
Darling, I forgive you after all
Anything is better than to be alone
And in the end I guess I had to fall
Always find my place among the ashes
I can't hold on to me
Wonder what's wrong with me
Lithium - don't wanna lock me up inside
Lithium - don't wanna forget how it feels without
Lithium - I wanna stay in love with you
Oh, I'm gonna let it go
Video
Directed by Paul Fedor, the video features two Amys, one in the water (assuming the "sadness" role) in a black dress singing to her alter ego in white (assuming the "happiness" role) who, through a process of internal torment, conquers her sadness. The video also features prominent shots of the rest of the band, including new member Tim McCord, all dressed in black.
Shot in L.A. in late October of 2006, and released some time late in November. The video leaked on Thursday, November 23 (Thanksgiving). Due to unknown issues—apparently caused by the label—the video was released internationally late in November, however the US had to wait almost 2 weeks for stations to start playing it.
The video bears a striking similarity to AFI's 'Love Like Winter', released early in november, because of their snowy forest sets and underwater moments. AFI's video was directed by Marc Webb and features lead singer, Davey Havok, falling through ice to a woman who is "The beautiful embodiment of hopelessness".
Watch the video on Evanescence.com
Video screen cap gallery.
Commercial Release
- Main Article: Lithium Single
The Lithium single was commercially released on January 9, 2007.
Songs released with this single include:
- Lithium [Album Versiom]
- The Last Song I'm Wasting On You
- All That I'm Living For [acoustic version] (with David Eggar on cello)
- Lithium (enhanced acoustic video)
Guitar Tabs & Sheet Music
Guitar tab at GuitarWorld
Guitar Tab by Norin at e-chords.com
Piano sheet music - arranged by Kelly Thomas
Notes and References
| Amy Lee | Terry Balsamo | Tim McCord |
| Guest Members: Will Hunt | Troy McLawhorn |
| Former Members: David Hodges | Ben Moody | William Boyd | John LeCompt | Rocky Gray |
| EPs: Evanescence EP | Sound Asleep EP | Mystary EP |
| Albums: Origin | Fallen | The Open Door |
| Live albums: Anywhere But Home |
| Singles: Bring Me To Life | Going Under | My Immortal | Everybody's Fool Call Me When You're Sober | Lithium | Sweet Sacrifice | Good Enough |
| Other Singles: Imaginary | Missing | Weight of the World | Together Again |
| Evanescence Stuff |
| Everything from A-Z | Songs | Merchandise | Concerts | Fonts and Logos | Related stuff |
