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== General Information ==
== General information ==
''Written by: [[A. Lee]], [[B. Moody]], and [[D. Hodges]]''
''Written by: [[A. Lee]], [[B. Moody]], and [[D. Hodges]]''


Amy Lee became inspired to write the song after an incident that occurred while she was sitting in a restaurant. "I was inspired to write it when someone said something to me — I didn’t know him, and I thought he might be clairvoyant," says Lee from a tour stop in Tulsa. "I was in a relationship and I was completely unhappy. But I was hiding it. I was being completely abused and I was trying to cover it up; I wouldn’t even admit it to myself. So then I had spoken maybe 10 or 15 words to this guy, who was a friend of a friend. We were waiting for everyone else to show up, and we went into a restaurant and got a table. And he looked at me and said, ‘Are you happy?’ And I felt my heart leap, and I was like, he totally knows what I’m thinking. And I lied, I said I was fine. Anyway, he’s not really clairvoyant. But he ''is'' a sociology major."  <ref name=phoenix>Carioli, Carly. [http://72.166.46.24//boston/events/state/documents/03148215.asp Ediotr's Pick | The awakening] - The Boston Phoenix</ref>
'''''Bring Me to Life''''' is the second track and first single from [[Evanescence]]'s debut album, ''[[Fallen]]''. [[Amy Lee]] was inspired to write the song after an incident that occurred while she was sitting in a restaurant.


Amy Lee’s quote about the song from MTV.com:
{{quote|''I was inspired to write it when someone said something to me — I didn't know him, and I thought he might be clairvoyant. I was in a relationship and I was completely unhappy. But I was hiding it. I was being completely abused and I was trying to cover it up; I wouldn’t even admit it to myself. So then I had spoken maybe 10 or 15 words to this guy, who was a friend of a friend. We were waiting for everyone else to show up, and we went into a restaurant and got a table. And he looked at me and said, 'Are you happy?' And I felt my heart leap, and I was like, he totally knows what I'm thinking. And I lied, I said I was fine. Anyway, he’s not really clairvoyant. But he ''is'' a sociology major.''<ref name=bostonphoenix />}}


{{quote|Basically, we go through life every day, kind of doing the same thing, going through the motions, and nothing phases us for the most part, then one day something happens that wakes you up and makes you realize that there's more to life than just feeling nothing, feeling numb. It's as if you've never felt before and just realized there's this whole world of emotion or meaning that you've never seen before. It's just like, 'Wow, I've been asleep all this time.}}
Amy said in a VH1 interview what the song is about: "Open-mindedness. It's about waking up to all the things you've been missing for so long. One day someone said something that made my heart race for a second and I realized that for months I'd been numb, just going through the motions of life."<ref name=vh12003 />


In an interview titled "Amy Lee: Back In Black", she said she wrote "Bring Me To Life" about her long time friend (now husband), Josh. <ref name=blender>Eells, Josh. [http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=2076 Amy Lee:Back in Black] - Blender</ref>
In the same interview, she explained how the band chose Paul McCoy for the rap part:


It was the second single off of the [[Daredevil Soundtrack]] (Fuel’s Wont Back Down was first) and the first single off of [[Fallen]]. Bring Me to Life became the #1 pop song in the country the week of June 13th, 2003, only to be replaced a week later by Kelly Clarkson’s Miss Independent. The song features [[Paul McCoy]], the lead singer of 12 Stones.
{{quote|''Fox was looking for a female voice for the Elektra character in Daredevil and they heard a version of the song we did with a rap in it, though it wasn't Paul. They liked it because it fit the scene, which cut back and forth between Elektra and Daredevil. We've been friends with Paul for a while, but we also talked to a lot of other well known vocalists who wanted to do it. Either their label or manager would shut it down at the last minute and say, "This is going nowhere." I'm laughing at that now. Paul got off the plane, sang the part, got back on a plane and flew back to tour and played that night.''<ref name=vh12003 />}}


The song was originally intended to be without the male vocals when Wind-up felt that it was best to put a male vocalist into the song for the Daredevil soundtrack. The version that featured Paul McCoy stuck.
Amy Lee's quote about the song from MTV News:


The beginning of the orchestra intro for the song (Live In Cologne) is the part where Paul starts singing: "All of this time I can't believe..." and Amy sings: "I've been sleeping..." in an instrumental version. After this part follows by Amy singing: "Bring Me To Life". This intro can also be heard in the background of the Fallen version of the song.
{{quote|''Basically, we go through life every day, kind of doing the same thing, going through the motions, and nothing phases us for the most part, then one day something happens that wakes you up and makes you realize that there's more to life than just feeling nothing, feeling numb. It's as if you've never felt before and just realized there's this whole world of emotion or meaning that you've never seen before. It's just like, 'Wow, I've been asleep all this time.'''<ref name=mtv2003 />}}


In a magazine interview, Chester Bennington of [[Linkin Park]] said that Mike Shinoda was originally asked to be featured on the song. Linkin Park was recording Meteora in the same studio that Evanescence was recording Fallen.
Ben Moody on the song:


{{quote|''"Bring Me To Life" is about discovering something or someone that awakens a feeling inside them that they've never had before. You discover there is a world that is bigger than just your safe bubble.''<ref name=netmusicount />}}


* [http://evanescencereference.info/music/downloads/DemoCD/Evanescence%20-%20Demo%20CD%20-%2016%20-%20Bring%20Me%20To%20Life%20%28original%29.mp3 Bring Me To Life (Demo #1) - Listen]
In an October 2006 interview with ''Blender'', Amy said the person she had spoken to at the restaurant that inspired her to write "Bring Me to Life" was her future friend and now husband, [[Josh Hartzler]].<ref name=backinblack />


* [http://evanescencereference.info/music/downloads/DemoCD/Evanescence%20-%20Demo%20CD%20Alt%20Takes%20-%20Bring%20Me%20To%20Life%20%28Demo%20V.2%29.mp3 Bring Me To Life (Demo #2) - Listen]
It was the second single off of the [[Daredevil Soundtrack|''Daredevil'' soundtrack]] (Fuel's "Won't Back Down" was first) and the first single off of ''Fallen''. "Bring Me to Life" became the #1 pop song in the country the week of June 13, 2003, only to be replaced a week later by Kelly Clarkson's "Miss Independent". The song features [[Paul McCoy]], the lead singer of [[12 Stones]].


== Versions ==
The song was originally intended to be without the male vocals when [[Wind-up Records|Wind-up]] felt that it was best to put a male vocalist into the song for the ''Daredevil'' soundtrack and to make it marketable.<ref name=vh12003 /><ref name="metaledge" /><ref name="guardian2007" /> Amy had to write additional lyrics especially for the rap part.<ref name="raplyrics" /><ref name="dazed22" /> The record label refused to release ''Fallen'' unless the band agreed to add the rap on the song.<ref name="metaledge" /><ref name="raplyrics" /> Amy told in a 2006 interview:<ref name="metaledge" />


'''Studio versions:'''
{{Quote|It wasn't our choice. I didn't want to do it. It was the only thing on the last record where I felt I sacrificed something, and it wasn't my original vision. I hated myself for it for a while, but then I said, 'Whatever, we're doing really good, so okay.' I'll never do it again. We had to do [only] one thing that we didn't want to do to get ''Fallen'' out.}}


'''Bring Me To Life [Fallen version]'''
Wind-up president Ed Vetri revealed that when the label first introduced the song to radio, radio programmers rejected it, saying, "A chick and a piano? Are you kidding? On rock radio?"<ref name=fallenclassic /> Some program directors would hear the female voice and piano at the start of the song and turn it off without listening to the rest of the song.<ref name="metaledge2003" /><ref name="theage" /> A female voice on rock radio was a rarity, and the song was considered for airplay only after there was a male vocal on it.<ref name="wp" /> After the song was released on the ''Daredevil'' soundtrack, listeners began requesting air play for it, compelling radio stations to reconsider the band.<ref name="theage" />
 
Amy said there was pressure from the label to refine the song's production, which made the band record around 10 demos, replacing the synths for the opening piano part, and the addition of real strings by [[David Campbell]], an "expense" she "fought hard for over a less expensive synthetic alternative".<ref name="dazed22" /> A very early demo is known to exist, comprised of only the verses and the chorus which didn't contain "Wake me up inside", but Amy stated she doesn't "even know where that is."<ref name=FallenStory /> Most of the song was recorded at Ocean Studios in Burbank, prior to full album production.<ref name="mixmag" />
 
The beginning of the orchestra intro for the song (Live In Cologne) is the part where Paul starts singing: "All of this time I can't believe..." and Amy sings: "I've been sleeping..." in an instrumental version. After this part follows by Amy singing: "Bring Me to Life". This intro can also be heard in the background of the ''Fallen'' version of the song.
 
The sample used throughout the demo versions and some live versions of the song is "Riff 01" from Sony's Futurist Drum 'n' Bass loop series. The sample was replaced with a piano playing a variation of the same note sequence in the ''Fallen'' version.
 
"Bring Me to Life" was played on the band's [[Fallen Tour|Fallen]] and [[The Open Door Tour|The Open Door Tours]].<ref name="pegasuslose" /><ref name="dailyutah" /> It was performed at the [[Legends & Lyrics]] concert in Nashville on February 23, 2009,<ref name="upvenue" /> followed by the performance at the band's [[New York Secret Show 2009|secret New York gig]] on November 4 in the same year.<ref name="blabbersecret" /><ref name="stonesecret" /> It was later played as part of Evanescence's [[Evanescence Tour]] in 2011-12.<ref name="hollywoodsoph" /><ref name="take40" />
 
The band performed the song with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra at the [[Nobel Peace Prize Concert 2011|18th Nobel Peace Prize concert]] on December 11, 2011.<ref name="nobel" />
 
On August 14, 2017, Evanescence posted on their official website the [[Synthesis Live Tour|Synthesis Live fall tour]] pre-sale announcement, and announced that all ticket buyers would be getting a download of their new rework of ''Bring Me to Life''. Evanescence also would be making it available to all fans for digital purchase/download and streaming on August 18, 2017.
 
Amy was interviewed by TheresaRockface on iHeart Radio about ''Bring Me to Life (Synthesis)''. She explained that ''Bring Me to Life'' was an "instant grab".<ref name="iheart2017" /> In the same interview, Amy states that {{quote|it's really cool for me to hear Bring Me to Life and feel excited about it again. It's a new song to me now.}}
 
In an interview with an Australian newspaper, Amy stated that she was happy to release the ''Synthesis'' reworking of the song without the rap:
 
{{quote|''God bless the rap, it’s part of what got us on the radio I guess. At least according to all the rules of radio that I don’t agree with or understand. The rap wasn’t part of our original idea or sound, it was a compromise in many ways. So to be able to go back to the original vision for the song was great.''
 
''I forget the rap’s there now to be honest. At the time it was a big issue, it was our first single. I wanted people to understand who we were. That’s a struggle you always fight as an artist. If we only had the one hit, if no one ever heard from us again then nobody would understand who we were. We’ve made it past that point so the rap doesn’t make me angry any more. I’m so glad to put a new version out there without the rap though.''<ref name=newsau />}}
 
This version was performed live for the first time on October 14, 2017 at the Pearl Concert Theater in Las Vegas, Nevada for the Synthesis Live tour. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37-NGcrklYw Here] is a performance of the song.
 
Amy on the ''Synthesis'' reworking on a Facebook track-by-track post in December 2017:
 
{{quote|We’ve been playing this song for the past 15 years, and it’s grown past the original recording. When we first recorded it, I was 20 and still getting used to the words, the style and the notes. Everything about it was new. There’s something wonderful about doing a song for the first time, when it’s fresh. After playing it so often, I know what it means… It was our introduction to the public, but with all that history and experience, things just change. The way that I’m able to sing it has changed. I never did love the rap [by 12 Stones’ Paul McCoy]. That’s just not the way I heard the song. It’s still jarring to me. We fought the label on it. I felt it was a dramatic contrast to what we really were as a band. We’ve played that song for years now without that male vocal. To not have it there isn’t weird to me at all, but I realize it will be unusual for a lot of people. This is just a great opportunity to do the song in a more classic, Evanescence way. To hear it the way the song was born. It’s about hope, being in a place that’s too hard and not wanting to be alone. I’m calling out for something more, for change. I’m stuck in the dark and I need to see the light. But it’s also a love song. I’m writing about my now-husband when I was in a bad relationship with somebody else and wanting to reach out to him. And what’s cool about it is, now we’re married. It was something worth fighting for. And now, 10 years later, it’s come full circle.}}
 
On September 28, 2023, the band released the remastered 2002 demo of the song in the light of ''Fallen'''s 20th anniversary edition.<ref name="fallen20" />
 
In November 2023, Amy discussed the song in a ''Kerrang!'' cover story about the 20th anniversary of ''Fallen'':
{{quote|“Do I still like the song? I truly do. It’s beautiful. The progression in the beginning, the way the chord goes back and forth with just the middle note moving, that is so me. I always find myself coming back to that vibe. So, yes, I still love that song, the lyrics, all of it. The energy that the post-bridge rap brings is really special. I don’t so much love the ''‘Wake me up!’'' part on the chorus, but it doesn’t bug me anymore. I guess it did once because it was like, ‘That’s not who we are!’ but I don’t feel, 20 years later, that I have to say that anymore. If there had actually been eight rap songs on ''Fallen'', I don’t think I would have survived. I would have had to run away and rebrand!”<ref name=kerrang2023 />}}
 
The [[Fallen Voice Notes|voice notes]] included on ''Fallen'''s 20th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition Box Set contain audio of Amy Lee working on the vocal melody of the song over an instrumental demo.
 
==Versions ==
==='''Studio versions:'''===
 
'''Bring Me to Life [''Fallen'' version]'''
*''Recording date:'' August - November 2002
*''Recording date:'' August - November 2002
*''Status:'' Released
*''Status:'' [[The Evanescence Reference:Release Status|Released, Available]]
*''Released on:''
*''Released on:''
:[[Fallen]] (track #2) – the first single off the album
: [[Fallen]] (track #2) – the first single off the album
:Daredevil: The Album (track #9) – the second single off the album
:''Daredevil: The Album'' (track #9) – the second single off the album
:All Bring Me To Life singles and numerous compilation CDs
: All [[Bring Me to Life Single|"Bring Me to Life" singles]] and numerous compilation CDs
*''Length:'' 3:57
*''Length:'' 3:57


'''Bring Me To Life [bliss mix]''' <ref name=bliss>This version is like on Fallen, but without male vocals</ref>
'''Bring Me to Life [Bliss mix]'''<ref name="bliss" group="note" />
*''Recording date:'' August - November 2002
*''Recording date:'' August - November 2002
*''Status:'' Released
* ''Status:'' Released, Unavailable (appears to be no longer available on iTunes)
*''Released on:'' most of Bring Me To Life singles
*''Released on:'' most of the "Bring Me to Life" singles
*''Length:'' 3:57
*''Length:'' 3:57


'''Bring Me To Life [demo version #1]'''
'''Bring Me to Life [Demo version #1]'''
*''Recording date:'' 2001-2002
*''Recording date:'' 2001–2002
*''Status:'' Unreleased
*''Status:'' Unreleased, Available
*''Length:'' 3:58
*''Length:'' 3:58


'''Bring Me To Life [demo version #2]''' <ref name=demo>This version has a scintillating solo by [[Ben Moody]].</ref> <ref name=fminterview>In the Capital FM interview Amy mentioned there were a few more demo versions with different choruses, one of them included lyrics "wake me from dreaming, save me from nothing, bring me to life"</ref>
'''Bring Me to Life [Demo version #2]'''
*''Recording date:'' 2001–2002
*''Status:'' Unreleased, Available
*''Length:'' 4:06
 
'''Bring Me to Life [2002 Demo / Remastered]'''<ref name="2002demo" />
*''Recording date:'' 2002
*''Recording date:'' 2002
*''Status:'' Unreleased
*''Status:'' Released, Available
*''Length:'' 4:06
*''Released on:'' ''[[Fallen|Fallen (Deluxe Edition / Remastered)]]'' (track #17)
*''Length:'' 3:52
 
'''Bring Me to Life [Demo 3.18.02]'''<ref name="demo032002" group=note />
*''Recording date:'' March 18, 2002
*''Status:'' Released
*''Released on:'' ''Fallen 20th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition Box Set'' cassette tape (track #B4)
*''Length:'' 3:54
 
'''Bring Me to Life [''Synthesis'' version]'''
*''Recording date:'' May - August 2017
*''Status:'' [[The Evanescence Reference:Release Status|Released, Available]]
* ''Released on:'' August 18, 2017 <small>as a Promo single</small>
:''[[Synthesis]]'' (track #7)
*''Length:'' 4:18
 
'''Bring Me to Life [''Synthesis'' Instrumental version]'''
*''Recording date:'' May - August 2017
*''Status:'' [[The Evanescence Reference:Release Status|Released, Available]]
*''Released on:'' November 10, 2017
:[[Synthesis]] <small>Disc 2</small>
*''Length:'' 4:18




'''Live versions:'''
==='''Live versions:'''===


'''Bring Me To Life [Anywhere But Home DVD live]''' <ref name=abh>This live version has a breathtaking intro by Amy Lee.</ref>
'''Bring Me to Life [Extended piano intro]'''
*''Performing period:'' 2004
*''Performing period:'' 2004
*''Status:'' Released
*''Status:'' Released, Available
*''Recording date:'' May 25, 2004
*''Recording date:'' May 25, 2004
*''Released on:'' [[Anywhere But Home]] (track #10)
* ''Released on:'' ''[[Anywhere but Home]]'' (track #10)
*''Length:'' 4:43
*''Length:'' 4:43


'''Bring Me To Life [acoustic]'''
'''Bring Me to Life [2003 acoustic]'''
*''Performing period:'' 2003
*''Performing period:'' 2003
*''Status:'' Released, Available
*''Released on:'' "Bring Me to Life" DVD single
*''Length:'' 3:42
'''Bring Me to Life [AOL Session / April 15, 2003 / Remastered]'''
*''Performing period:'' April 15, 2003
*''Status:'' Released
*''Released on:'' ''Fallen (Deluxe Edition / Remastered)'' (track #18)
*''Length:'' 3:37
'''Bring Me to Life [Guitar intro]'''
*''Performing period:'' December 31, 2002; 2003
*''Example:'' NYE NiteLife Rocks (December 31, 2002); Rock am Ring festival in Nürburg, Germany (June 7, 2003)
'''Bring Me to Life [Orchestra intro]'''
*''Performing period:'' Fall 2003
* ''Example:'' Cologne, Germany (October 17, 2003)
'''Bring Me to Life [Acoustic with piano & cello]'''
* ''Performing periods:'' February 23, 2009; December 7, 2011
*''Performed at:'' [[Legends & Lyrics]] (February 23, 2009); Octane Artist Confidential, SiriusXM Radio (December 7, 2011)
'''Bring Me to Life [Original piano intro]'''<ref name="original" group="note" />
*''Performing period:'' October 5, 2006 - early 2007
*''Example:'' KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas (December 10, 2006)
'''Bring Me to Life [No male vocals]'''<ref name="nomale" group="note" />
* ''Performing period:'' May 2007 - December 8, 2007; November 4 and November 8, 2009; August 17, 2011 - November 9, 2012; November 2015; April - November 2016
*''Example:'' Download Festival (June 10, 2007); War Memorial Auditorium, Nashville, Tennessee (August 17, 2011)
'''Bring Me to Life [With Norwegian Radio Orchestra]'''
*''Performing date:'' December 11, 2011
* ''Performed at:'' 18th [[Nobel Peace Prize Concert 2011|Nobel Peace Prize]] at Oslo Spektrum, Oslo, Norway
'''Bring Me to Life [Acoustic 2012]'''
* ''Performing dates:'' April 15 and May 30, 2012
*''Performed at:'' Top30 Countdown, Australia (April 15); BigFM, Wiesbaden, Germany (May 30)
'''Bring Me to Life [Acoustic 2013]'''
*''Performing date:'' November 7, 2013
*''Performed at:'' Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport, Massachusetts
'''Bring Me to Life [feat. Paul McCoy]'''
*''Performing date:'' November 12, 2016; and a few times in 2003
*''Performed at:'' Kink Music Festival, Orlando, FL
'''Bring Me to Life [2017 Live]'''<ref name="2017live" group="note" />
*''Performing date:'' June 2017
*''Performed at:'' Arenele Romane, Bucharest, Romania (June 29, 2017)
'''Bring Me To Life [Synthesis Live]'''
*''Performing period:'' October 14, 2017 - September 8, 2018
*''Status:'' Released
*''Recording date:'' November 3, 2017
*''Released on:'' ''[[Synthesis Live]]'' (track #7)
*''Length:'' 4:23
'''Bring Me to Life [feat. [[Wagakki Band]]]'''<ref name="Japan" group=note />
*''Performing date:'' February 16, 2020
*''Performed at:'' Osaka-jō Hall, Osaka, Japan
*''Status:'' Released
*''Released On:'' ''TOKYO SINGING'' (Deluxe Edition)
*''Length'' 4:16
'''Bring Me to Life ([[A Live Session From Rock Falcon Studio]])'''
*''Status:'' Released
*''Recording date:'' October 2020
*''Released On:'' ''[[The Bitter Truth]]'' CD2: [[A Live Session From Rock Falcon Studio]] (Track #7)
*''Length:'' 3:30
'''Bring Me to Life [Live on Triple M's Garage Session / June 2020 / Remastered]'''
*''Status:'' Released
*''Status:'' Released
*''Released on:'' Bring Me To Life DVD
*''Recording date:'' June 2020
*''Length:'' 3:42
*''Released On:'' ''Fallen (Deluxe Edition / Remastered)'' (track #20)
*''Length:'' 3:41


'''Bring Me To Life [guitar intro]'''
'''Bring Me to Life [feat. [[P.O.D.|Sonny Sandoval]]]'''
*''Performing period:'' 2003
* ''Performing date:'' September 13th & 15th, 2022
*''Status:'' Unreleased
*''Performed at:'' Spokane Arena, Spokane, WA, USA
*''Example:'' Rock am Ring festival


'''Bring Me To Life [orchestra intro]'''
'''Bring Me to Life [''Synthesis'' version live with Will Hunt on drums and a live orchestra at [[Concerto di Natale]]]'''
*''Performing period:'' Autumn 2003
*''Recording date:'' December 17, 2022
*''Status:'' Unreleased
*''Status:'' Broadcasted on New Year's Day 2023 in Italy on Canale 5 and livestreamed on February 1, 2023
*''Example:'' Live in Cologne
*''Performed at:'' Auditorium della Conciliazione, Rome, Italy


'''Bring Me To Life [original piano intro]''' <ref name=original>No male vocals during the choruses, only during the bridge</ref>
'''Bring Me to Life [feat. Jacoby Shaddix]'''
*''Performing period:'' October 5, 2006 - ?
*''Performing date:'' June 3, 2023
*''Status:'' Unreleased
*''Performed at:'' Rock am Ring, Nürburg, Germany
*''Example:'' Live @ KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas 2006


'''Bring Me To Life [no male vocals]''' <ref name=nomale>This version doesn't have the 2nd part of the bridge, after "Only you are the life among the dead", it goes straight to the final chorus.</ref>
==Download==
*'' Performing period:'' May 2007 - December 8, 2007
*[http://www.evanescencereference.info/music/index.html#Misc Bring Me to Life (Demos)]
*'' Status:'' Unreleased
*'' Example:'' Download Festival 2007


== Lyrics ==
==Lyrics ==
=== Fallen Version ===
===''Fallen'' version===
How can you see into my eyes like open doors?<br>
How can you see into my eyes like open doors?<br>
Leading you down into my core<br>
Leading you down into my core<br>
Line 141: Line 274:
Bring me to life<br>
Bring me to life<br>
''I've been living a lie, there's nothing inside [bring me to life]''<br>
''I've been living a lie, there's nothing inside [bring me to life]''<br>
Bring me to life<br>
Bring me to life


=== Demo Versions ===
=== Demo versions===
How can you see into my eyes like open doors?<br>
How can you see into my eyes like open doors?<br>
Leading you down into my core<br>
Leading you down into my core<br>
Line 186: Line 319:
Bring me to life<br>
Bring me to life<br>
Bring me to life<br>
Bring me to life<br>
Bring me to life<br>
Bring me to life
=== Bliss Mix ===
 
===Bliss mix and ''Synthesis'' version===
How can you see into my eyes like open doors?<br>
How can you see into my eyes like open doors?<br>
Leading you down into my core<br>
Leading you down into my core<br>
Line 234: Line 368:
Bring me to life<br>
Bring me to life<br>
''Bring me to life''<br>
''Bring me to life''<br>
Bring me to life<br>
Bring me to life


=== Acoustic Version ===
=== Acoustic version===
How can you see into my eyes like open doors?<br>
How can you see into my eyes like open doors?<br>
Leading you down into my core<br>
Leading you down into my core<br>
Line 277: Line 411:
Save me from the nothing I've become<br>
Save me from the nothing I've become<br>
Bring me to life<br>
Bring me to life<br>
Bring me to life<br>
Bring me to life
<br>
 
==Music video==
[[Image:Bmtlvideo.jpg|thumb|right|180px|Video Directed by Philip Stölzl]]


==Video==
The video is a live performance/action video and was directed by [[Philip Stolzl|Philip Stölzl]]. The video was filmed in Romania in January 2003.<ref name="romania" /> It features Amy in a nightgown and barefoot, in her room, inside a tall building in the city at night. The rest of the band, and Paul McCoy, are playing on a higher floor of the building. She climbs out of the window of her room and begins to climb the building, passing many windows while venturing to the window that featured the room with the band and McCoy. Right before the bridge of the song featuring a duet with both McCoy and Lee, Lee ends up falling off the building but managing to hang on to the ledge that she was standing on. McCoy pulls open the window and tries to save her, but can't, and Amy falls off the building. At the very end of the video, we see Lee back in bed again: it was all a nightmare. This is symbolic because it features someone trying to find someone that will 'wake her and save her'.[[Image:Bring Me to Life.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Amy Lee and Paul McCoy]]
[[Image:Bmtlvideo.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Video Directed by Philip Stolzl]]
The video is a live performance/action video and was directed by Philip Stolzl. The video was filmed in Romania in January 2003. It features Amy in a night gown and barefoot, in her room, inside a tall building in the city at night. The rest of the band, and Paul McCoy, are playing on a higher floor of the building. She climbs out of the window of her room and begins to climb the building, passing many windows while venturing to the window that featured the room with the band and McCoy. Right before the bridge of the song featuring a duet with both McCoy and Lee, Lee ends up falling off the building but managing to hang on to the ledge that she was standing on. McCoy pulls open the window and tries to save her, but can't, and amy falls off the building. At the very end of the video, we see Lee back in bed again: it was all a nightmare. This is symbolic because it features someone trying to find someone that will 'wake her and save her'.


[[Image:Bring Me to Life.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Amy Lee and Paul McCoy]]
The video gained huge popularity in 2003 and clips of it were featured everywhere, including MTV's '''Big Urban Myth Show''' where clips of Amy waking up and walking around outside on the ledge were prominently featured on any and all sleep-related myths.


The video gained huge popularity in 2003 and clips of it were featured everywhere, including MTV's '''Big Urban Myth Show''' where clips of amy waking up and walking around outside on the ledge were prominently featured on any and all sleep related myths.
*Watch the video on [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YxaaGgTQYM YouTube.com]


*Watch the video on [http://evanescence.com/video.asp Evanescence.com]
On February 2, 2022, the music video reached 1 billion views on YouTube.<ref>[https://loudwire.com/evanescence-bring-me-to-life-video-surpasses-1-billion-youtube-views/ "Evanescence's 'Bring Me to Life' Surpasses 1 Billion YouTube Views"]. ''Loudwire''. February 2, 2022.</ref> On the next day, it was made available in HD.<ref>[https://twitter.com/evanescence/status/1489327760967290881 "We are incredibly grateful to all of you for getting Bring Me to Life to one billion views on YouTube!"]. ''YouTube''. February 3, 2022.</ref> Watch it [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YxaaGgTQYM here].


== Commercial Release ==
==Commercial release==
:''Main Article: [[Bring Me To Life Single]]''
{{Main|Bring Me to Life Single}}
The Bring Me To Life single was commercially released worldwide on April 22, 2003.  
The "Bring Me To Life" single was commercially released worldwide on April 22, 2003.


Tracks released with this single include:
Tracks released with this single include:
# Bring Me To Life [Album Version]
# "Bring Me to Life" [Album version]
# Bring Me To Life [Bliss Mix]
# "Bring Me to Life" [Bliss mix]
# [[Farther Away]] [Album Version]
# "[[Farther Away]]" [Album version]
# Bring Me To Life [Video]
#"Bring Me to Life" [Video]
# Bring Me To Life [Live Acoustic Version]
#"Bring Me to Life" [Live acoustic version]
# [[My Immortal]] [Live Acoustic Version]
#"[[My Immortal]]" [Live acoustic version]
# Interview footage
#Interview footage
# [[Missing]]
#"[[Missing]]"
 
{{Main|Bring Me to Life (Synthesis) Single}}
 
#"Bring Me to Life (Synthesis)" [Album Version]
#"Bring Me to Life (Synthesis)" [Instrumental Version]


== Guitar Tabs & Sheet Music ==
==Guitar tabs & sheet music==
*[http://evanescencereference.info/music/sheet/Bring%20Me%20To%20Life%20(Live%20Intro).pdf Piano sheet music - arranged by Kyle Marcolini]
*[http://evanescencereference.info/music/sheet/Bring%20Me%20To%20Life%20(Live%20Intro).pdf Piano sheet music - arranged by Kyle Marcolini]
*[http://evanescencereference.info/music/sheet/Bring%20Me%20To%20Life.pdf Piano sheet music with guitar tabs]
*[http://evanescencereference.info/music/sheet/Bring%20Me%20To%20Life.pdf Piano sheet music with guitar tabs]
*[http://evanescencereference.info/music/sheet/Bring%20Me%20to%20Life%20Live%20Intro%20-%20Evanescence%20-%20arr%20Michael%20McWilliams.pdf Live intro piano sheet music - arranged by Michael McWilliams]
== Notes==
{{reflist|group=note|refs=
<ref name="bliss" group=note>This version is like on ''Fallen'', but without male vocals.</ref>
<ref name="original" group=note>No male vocals during the chorus, only during the middle eight.</ref>
<ref name="nomale" group=note>This version doesn't have the 2nd part of the middle eight, after "Only you are the life among the dead", it goes straight to the final chorus.</ref>
<ref name="2017live" group=note>This version has a larger bridge.</ref>
<ref name="demo032002" group=note>This is demo #1.</ref>
<ref name="Japan" group=note>This version is performed with traditional Japanese instruments.</ref>
<!-- Add notes above this line -->
}}
==References==
{{reflist|2|refs=
<ref name=bostonphoenix>{{cite news|last=Carioli|first=Carly|title=Amy Lee on bringing Evanescence's 'Bring Me to Life' to life|url=http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/events/state/documents/03148215.asp|accessdate=December 3, 2006|newspaper=The Boston Phoenix|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060831155753/http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/events/state/documents/03148215.asp|archivedate=August 31, 2006|month=September|year=2003}}</ref>
<ref name=vh12003>{{cite news|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|title=Evanescence: Fallen To the Top|url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/interview/1472058/20030523/evanescence.jhtml|accessdate=June 5, 2013|work=VH1|date=May 29, 2003|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071001030537/http://www.vh1.com/artists/interview/1472058/20030523/evanescence.jhtml|archivedate=October 1, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name=mtv2003>{{cite news|last=D'Angelo|first=Joe|title=Evanescence's Frontwoman Leads Rock Into Fem-Friendly New Frontier|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1471139/evanescence-headline-tour.jhtml|accessdate=June 5, 2013|work=MTV News|date=April 9, 2003|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113002044/https://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1471139/evanescence-headline-tour.jhtml|archivedate=November 13, 2012}}</ref>
<ref name=netmusicount>{{cite web|title=Evanescence|url=http://www.netmusiccountdown.com/inc/artist.php?artist=Evanescence|work=Net Music Countdown|accessdate=May 17, 2013|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071014213909/http://netmusiccountdown.com/inc/artist.php?artist=Evanescence|archivedate=October 14, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name=backinblack>{{cite news|last=Eells|first=Josh|title=Amy Lee: Back in Black|url=http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=2076|accessdate=December 3, 2006|newspaper=Blender|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5RdgnH67h|archivedate=September 6, 2007|month=October|year=2006}}</ref>
<ref name=pegasuslose>{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Kenneth|title=Concert review: Evanescence at Nokia Theater|url=http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2007/oct/31/evanescence-nokia-theater/|accessdate=October 13, 2013|work=Pegasus News|date=October 31, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name=dailyutah>{{cite news|first=Doug|last=Fox|url=http://www.heraldextra.com/lifestyles/evanescence-steps-through-open-door-at-uvsc/article_84ee1660-7e30-5796-956a-c10ecd888170.html|title=Evanescence steps through 'Open Door' at UVSC|newspaper=Daily Herald|date=November 20, 2007|accessdate=October 13, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=upvenue>{{cite web|title=Amy Lee Plays Legends And Lyrics|url=http://www.upvenue.com/music-news/blog-headline/1032/amy-lee-legends-and-lyrics.html|work=UpVenue.com|accessdate=October 13, 2013|date=2009}}</ref>
<ref name=blabbersecret>{{cite news|date=November 5, 2009|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/evanescence-returns-to-live-stage-taps-finger-eleven-guitarist|title=Evanescence Returns To Live Stage, Taps Finger Eleven Guitarist|work=Blabbermouth.net|accessdate=October 13, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=stonesecret>{{cite news|last=Harris|first=Chris|date=November 5, 2009|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/evanescence-return-to-the-stage-at-secret-new-york-gig-20091105|title=Evanescence Return to the Stage at 'Secret' New York Gig|newspaper=Rolling Stone|accessdate=October 13, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=hollywoodsoph>{{cite news|last=Schillaci|first=Sophie|date=October 12, 2011|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/evanescence-taylor-momsen-concert-review-247487|title=Evanescence at the Palladium: Concert Review|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|accessdate=October 13, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=take40>{{cite web|url=http://www.take40.com/news/30103/review:-evanescence-melbourne-concert,-rod-laver-arena---24th-march-2012|title=Review: Evanescence Melbourne Concert, Rod Laver Arena - 24th March 2012|work=Take 40 Australia|date=March 25, 2012|accessdate=October 13, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=raplyrics>{{cite web|url=https://youtu.be/hyVRKffsvws?t=364|title=Loudwire: Evanescence's Amy Lee - Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction?|work=YouTube|date=October 26, 2016}}</ref>
<ref name=guardian2007>{{cite news|last=Baker|first=Trevor|date=November 22, 2007|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2007/nov/22/captionherethepop|title=Female rock stars not wanted in the UK. Apparently|newspaper=The Guardian|accessdate=}}</ref>
<ref name=iheart2017>{{cite web|url=https://www.iheart.com/podcast/139-theresarockface-27068077/episode/amy-lee-of-evanescence-28396927/|title=Amy Lee of Evanescence Talks Career, Child and New Synthesis Album|work=iHeart|date=August 18, 2017}}</ref>
<ref name=newsau>{{cite news|last=Adams|first=Cameron|date=October 4, 2017|url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/evanescence-have-removed-the-compromise-rap-from-biggest-hit/news-story/28af28890025b883b06cfad6675259c8|title=Evanescence with strings attached: Evanescence have removed the “compromise” rap from biggest hit|newspaper=news.com.au|accessdate=}}</ref>
<ref name=romania>{{cite web|first=Amy|last=Lee|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B2cw3m6HPFX/|title=Opening the curtains to find myself on this balcony overlooking a busy square in Bucharest|work=Instagram|date=September 15, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name=nobel>{{cite web|title=EVANESCENCE Rocks 18th Annual Nobel Peace Prize Concert In Oslo (Video)|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/evanescence-rocks-18th-annual-nobel-peace-prize-concert-in-oslo-video/|date=December 12, 2011|work=Blabbermouth.net}}</ref>
<ref name=dazed22>{{cite web|last=Waite|first=Thom|title=Amy Lee tells the real story behind Evanescence’s ‘Bring Me to Life’|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927023618/https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/56815/1/amy-lee-tells-the-real-story-behind-evanescences-bring-me-to-life|date=September 1, 2022|work=Dazed}}</ref>
<ref name=metaledge>{{cite journal|last=Reesman|first=Bryan|date=November 2006|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206144629/http://lnx.evanescencewebsite.com/PressArchive/news.php?id=130|title=The Essence of Evanescence|journal=Metal Edge|pages=6–8|issn=1068-2872}}</ref>
<ref name=fallenclassic>{{cite web|last=Titus|first=Christa|title=Evanescence, ‘Fallen’: Classic Track-By-Track|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101134203/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/evanescence-fallen-classic-track-by-track-1550567/|date=March 4, 2013|work=Billboard}}</ref>
<ref name="metaledge2003">{{cite journal|last=Gargano|first=Paul|title=Evanescence: Brought to Life|journal=Metal Edge|year=2003|month=|volume=|issue=|pages=17–18|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10155259823590739&set=a.10155259759920739}}</ref>
<ref name="wp">{{cite web|last=Harrington|first=Richard|title=Evanescence: Rock's New Dynamic Duo|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2003/09/12/evanescence-rocks-new-dynamic-duo/e4a4887e-c89c-48b9-8fc4-061e1d44657b/|work=The Washington Post|date=September 12, 2003}}</ref>
<ref name="theage">{{cite web|title=Evanescence looks to future|url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/music/evanescence-looks-to-future-20040730-gdycsr.html|work=The Age|date=July 30, 2004}}</ref>
<ref name="fallen20">{{cite web|title=Time to start throwing it WAY back. Check out the previously unreleased demo of Bring Me To Life now up on our YouTube page!|url=https://twitter.com/evanescence/status/1707244059029618801|work=Twitter|date=September 28, 2023}}</ref>
<ref name="2002demo">This is demo #2.</ref>
<ref name=kerrang2023>{{cite news|last=Garner|first=George|date=November 15, 2023|url=https://www.kerrang.com/evanescence-fallen-amy-lee-bring-me-to-life-going-under-my-immortal-interview-anniversary-cover-story|title=Evanescence: “I’m so grateful for Fallen. It is something bigger than me”|newspaper=Kerrang!}}</ref>
<ref name=mixmag>{{cite news|last=Reeseman|first=Bryan|title=In The Recording Studio With Evanescence: Recording Fallen|url=http://mixonline.com/recording/interviews/audio_evanescence_enduring_sound/|newspaper=Mix|date=August 1, 2003|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080709040742/http://mixonline.com/recording/interviews/audio_evanescence_enduring_sound/|archivedate=July 9, 2008}}</ref>
<ref name=FallenStory>{{cite news|last=Wilson-Taylor|first=James|date=December 8, 2023|url=https://rocksound.tv/features/evanescence-fallen-the-album-story|title=Evanescence, ‘Fallen’ <nowiki>|</nowiki> The Album Story|newspaper=Rock Sound}}</ref>


== Notes and References ==
{{ref}}


<!-- Add references above this line -->
}}


{{Evanescence}}
{{Evanescence}}
[[Category:Songs]]
[[Category:Fallen songs]]
[[Category:Fallen songs]]
[[Category:Anywhere but Home songs]]
[[Category:Anywhere but Home songs]]
[[Category:Synthesis songs]]
[[Category:Collaborations]]

Latest revision as of 14:05, 15 March 2024

Across the Universe*
All That I'm Living For
Anything for You
Anywhere
Artifact/The Turn
Ascension of the Spirit
Away from Me
Before the Dawn
Better Without You
Bleed
Blind Belief
Breathe No More
Bring Me to Life
Broken Pieces Shine
Call Me When You're Sober
Catherine
Cloud Nine
Demise
Disappear
End of the Dream
Erase This
Eternal
Even in Death
Everybody's Fool
Exodus
Far From Heaven
Farther Away
Feeding the Dark
Field of Innocence
Forever You
Forgive Me
Give Unto Me
Going Under
Good Enough
Haunted
Hello
Hi-Lo
If You Don't Mind
Imaginary
Imperfection
Instrumental 1
Instrumental 2
Instrumental 3
Instrumental 4
Lacrymosa
Lies
Like You
Listen to the Rain
Lithium
Lose Control
Lost in Paradise
Made of Stone
Me & You
Missing
My Heart Is Broken
My Immortal
My Last Breath
Never Go Back
New Way to Bleed
Oceans
October
Origin
Overture
Part of Me
Perfect Dream
Say You Will
Secret Door
Sick
Snow White Queen
So Close
Solitude
Spanish
Surrender
Sweet Sacrifice
Swimming Home
Take Cover
Taking Over Me
The Chain*
The Change
The End
The Game is Over
The In-Between
The Last Song I'm Wasting on You
The Only One
The Other Side
Together Again
Tourniquet
Understanding
Unknown Title
Unraveling
Use My Voice
Wasted on You
Weight of the World
What You Want
Where Will You Go?
Whisper
Yeah Right
You Got a Lot to Learn
Your Love
Your Star
* Cover songs


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General information

Written by: A. Lee, B. Moody, and D. Hodges

Bring Me to Life is the second track and first single from Evanescence's debut album, Fallen. Amy Lee was inspired to write the song after an incident that occurred while she was sitting in a restaurant.

Vin1.jpg I was inspired to write it when someone said something to me — I didn't know him, and I thought he might be clairvoyant. I was in a relationship and I was completely unhappy. But I was hiding it. I was being completely abused and I was trying to cover it up; I wouldn’t even admit it to myself. So then I had spoken maybe 10 or 15 words to this guy, who was a friend of a friend. We were waiting for everyone else to show up, and we went into a restaurant and got a table. And he looked at me and said, 'Are you happy?' And I felt my heart leap, and I was like, he totally knows what I'm thinking. And I lied, I said I was fine. Anyway, he’s not really clairvoyant. But he is a sociology major.[1] Vin2.jpg


Amy said in a VH1 interview what the song is about: "Open-mindedness. It's about waking up to all the things you've been missing for so long. One day someone said something that made my heart race for a second and I realized that for months I'd been numb, just going through the motions of life."[2]

In the same interview, she explained how the band chose Paul McCoy for the rap part:

Vin1.jpg Fox was looking for a female voice for the Elektra character in Daredevil and they heard a version of the song we did with a rap in it, though it wasn't Paul. They liked it because it fit the scene, which cut back and forth between Elektra and Daredevil. We've been friends with Paul for a while, but we also talked to a lot of other well known vocalists who wanted to do it. Either their label or manager would shut it down at the last minute and say, "This is going nowhere." I'm laughing at that now. Paul got off the plane, sang the part, got back on a plane and flew back to tour and played that night.[2] Vin2.jpg


Amy Lee's quote about the song from MTV News:

Vin1.jpg Basically, we go through life every day, kind of doing the same thing, going through the motions, and nothing phases us for the most part, then one day something happens that wakes you up and makes you realize that there's more to life than just feeling nothing, feeling numb. It's as if you've never felt before and just realized there's this whole world of emotion or meaning that you've never seen before. It's just like, 'Wow, I've been asleep all this time.'[3] Vin2.jpg


Ben Moody on the song:

Vin1.jpg "Bring Me To Life" is about discovering something or someone that awakens a feeling inside them that they've never had before. You discover there is a world that is bigger than just your safe bubble.[4] Vin2.jpg


In an October 2006 interview with Blender, Amy said the person she had spoken to at the restaurant that inspired her to write "Bring Me to Life" was her future friend and now husband, Josh Hartzler.[5]

It was the second single off of the Daredevil soundtrack (Fuel's "Won't Back Down" was first) and the first single off of Fallen. "Bring Me to Life" became the #1 pop song in the country the week of June 13, 2003, only to be replaced a week later by Kelly Clarkson's "Miss Independent". The song features Paul McCoy, the lead singer of 12 Stones.

The song was originally intended to be without the male vocals when Wind-up felt that it was best to put a male vocalist into the song for the Daredevil soundtrack and to make it marketable.[2][6][7] Amy had to write additional lyrics especially for the rap part.[8][9] The record label refused to release Fallen unless the band agreed to add the rap on the song.[6][8] Amy told in a 2006 interview:[6]

Vin1.jpg It wasn't our choice. I didn't want to do it. It was the only thing on the last record where I felt I sacrificed something, and it wasn't my original vision. I hated myself for it for a while, but then I said, 'Whatever, we're doing really good, so okay.' I'll never do it again. We had to do [only] one thing that we didn't want to do to get Fallen out. Vin2.jpg


Wind-up president Ed Vetri revealed that when the label first introduced the song to radio, radio programmers rejected it, saying, "A chick and a piano? Are you kidding? On rock radio?"[10] Some program directors would hear the female voice and piano at the start of the song and turn it off without listening to the rest of the song.[11][12] A female voice on rock radio was a rarity, and the song was considered for airplay only after there was a male vocal on it.[13] After the song was released on the Daredevil soundtrack, listeners began requesting air play for it, compelling radio stations to reconsider the band.[12]

Amy said there was pressure from the label to refine the song's production, which made the band record around 10 demos, replacing the synths for the opening piano part, and the addition of real strings by David Campbell, an "expense" she "fought hard for over a less expensive synthetic alternative".[9] A very early demo is known to exist, comprised of only the verses and the chorus which didn't contain "Wake me up inside", but Amy stated she doesn't "even know where that is."[14] Most of the song was recorded at Ocean Studios in Burbank, prior to full album production.[15]

The beginning of the orchestra intro for the song (Live In Cologne) is the part where Paul starts singing: "All of this time I can't believe..." and Amy sings: "I've been sleeping..." in an instrumental version. After this part follows by Amy singing: "Bring Me to Life". This intro can also be heard in the background of the Fallen version of the song.

The sample used throughout the demo versions and some live versions of the song is "Riff 01" from Sony's Futurist Drum 'n' Bass loop series. The sample was replaced with a piano playing a variation of the same note sequence in the Fallen version.

"Bring Me to Life" was played on the band's Fallen and The Open Door Tours.[16][17] It was performed at the Legends & Lyrics concert in Nashville on February 23, 2009,[18] followed by the performance at the band's secret New York gig on November 4 in the same year.[19][20] It was later played as part of Evanescence's Evanescence Tour in 2011-12.[21][22]

The band performed the song with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra at the 18th Nobel Peace Prize concert on December 11, 2011.[23]

On August 14, 2017, Evanescence posted on their official website the Synthesis Live fall tour pre-sale announcement, and announced that all ticket buyers would be getting a download of their new rework of Bring Me to Life. Evanescence also would be making it available to all fans for digital purchase/download and streaming on August 18, 2017.

Amy was interviewed by TheresaRockface on iHeart Radio about Bring Me to Life (Synthesis). She explained that Bring Me to Life was an "instant grab".[24] In the same interview, Amy states that

Vin1.jpg it's really cool for me to hear Bring Me to Life and feel excited about it again. It's a new song to me now. Vin2.jpg


In an interview with an Australian newspaper, Amy stated that she was happy to release the Synthesis reworking of the song without the rap:

Vin1.jpg God bless the rap, it’s part of what got us on the radio I guess. At least according to all the rules of radio that I don’t agree with or understand. The rap wasn’t part of our original idea or sound, it was a compromise in many ways. So to be able to go back to the original vision for the song was great.

I forget the rap’s there now to be honest. At the time it was a big issue, it was our first single. I wanted people to understand who we were. That’s a struggle you always fight as an artist. If we only had the one hit, if no one ever heard from us again then nobody would understand who we were. We’ve made it past that point so the rap doesn’t make me angry any more. I’m so glad to put a new version out there without the rap though.[25]

Vin2.jpg


This version was performed live for the first time on October 14, 2017 at the Pearl Concert Theater in Las Vegas, Nevada for the Synthesis Live tour. Here is a performance of the song.

Amy on the Synthesis reworking on a Facebook track-by-track post in December 2017:

Vin1.jpg We’ve been playing this song for the past 15 years, and it’s grown past the original recording. When we first recorded it, I was 20 and still getting used to the words, the style and the notes. Everything about it was new. There’s something wonderful about doing a song for the first time, when it’s fresh. After playing it so often, I know what it means… It was our introduction to the public, but with all that history and experience, things just change. The way that I’m able to sing it has changed. I never did love the rap [by 12 Stones’ Paul McCoy]. That’s just not the way I heard the song. It’s still jarring to me. We fought the label on it. I felt it was a dramatic contrast to what we really were as a band. We’ve played that song for years now without that male vocal. To not have it there isn’t weird to me at all, but I realize it will be unusual for a lot of people. This is just a great opportunity to do the song in a more classic, Evanescence way. To hear it the way the song was born. It’s about hope, being in a place that’s too hard and not wanting to be alone. I’m calling out for something more, for change. I’m stuck in the dark and I need to see the light. But it’s also a love song. I’m writing about my now-husband when I was in a bad relationship with somebody else and wanting to reach out to him. And what’s cool about it is, now we’re married. It was something worth fighting for. And now, 10 years later, it’s come full circle. Vin2.jpg


On September 28, 2023, the band released the remastered 2002 demo of the song in the light of Fallen's 20th anniversary edition.[26]

In November 2023, Amy discussed the song in a Kerrang! cover story about the 20th anniversary of Fallen:

Vin1.jpg “Do I still like the song? I truly do. It’s beautiful. The progression in the beginning, the way the chord goes back and forth with just the middle note moving, that is so me. I always find myself coming back to that vibe. So, yes, I still love that song, the lyrics, all of it. The energy that the post-bridge rap brings is really special. I don’t so much love the ‘Wake me up!’ part on the chorus, but it doesn’t bug me anymore. I guess it did once because it was like, ‘That’s not who we are!’ but I don’t feel, 20 years later, that I have to say that anymore. If there had actually been eight rap songs on Fallen, I don’t think I would have survived. I would have had to run away and rebrand!”[27] Vin2.jpg


The voice notes included on Fallen's 20th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition Box Set contain audio of Amy Lee working on the vocal melody of the song over an instrumental demo.

Versions

Studio versions:

Bring Me to Life [Fallen version]

Fallen (track #2) – the first single off the album
Daredevil: The Album (track #9) – the second single off the album
All "Bring Me to Life" singles and numerous compilation CDs
  • Length: 3:57

Bring Me to Life [Bliss mix][note 1]

  • Recording date: August - November 2002
  • Status: Released, Unavailable (appears to be no longer available on iTunes)
  • Released on: most of the "Bring Me to Life" singles
  • Length: 3:57

Bring Me to Life [Demo version #1]

  • Recording date: 2001–2002
  • Status: Unreleased, Available
  • Length: 3:58

Bring Me to Life [Demo version #2]

  • Recording date: 2001–2002
  • Status: Unreleased, Available
  • Length: 4:06

Bring Me to Life [2002 Demo / Remastered][28]

Bring Me to Life [Demo 3.18.02][note 2]

  • Recording date: March 18, 2002
  • Status: Released
  • Released on: Fallen 20th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition Box Set cassette tape (track #B4)
  • Length: 3:54

Bring Me to Life [Synthesis version]

  • Recording date: May - August 2017
  • Status: Released, Available
  • Released on: August 18, 2017 as a Promo single
Synthesis (track #7)
  • Length: 4:18

Bring Me to Life [Synthesis Instrumental version]

Synthesis Disc 2
  • Length: 4:18


Live versions:

Bring Me to Life [Extended piano intro]

  • Performing period: 2004
  • Status: Released, Available
  • Recording date: May 25, 2004
  • Released on: Anywhere but Home (track #10)
  • Length: 4:43

Bring Me to Life [2003 acoustic]

  • Performing period: 2003
  • Status: Released, Available
  • Released on: "Bring Me to Life" DVD single
  • Length: 3:42

Bring Me to Life [AOL Session / April 15, 2003 / Remastered]

  • Performing period: April 15, 2003
  • Status: Released
  • Released on: Fallen (Deluxe Edition / Remastered) (track #18)
  • Length: 3:37

Bring Me to Life [Guitar intro]

  • Performing period: December 31, 2002; 2003
  • Example: NYE NiteLife Rocks (December 31, 2002); Rock am Ring festival in Nürburg, Germany (June 7, 2003)

Bring Me to Life [Orchestra intro]

  • Performing period: Fall 2003
  • Example: Cologne, Germany (October 17, 2003)

Bring Me to Life [Acoustic with piano & cello]

  • Performing periods: February 23, 2009; December 7, 2011
  • Performed at: Legends & Lyrics (February 23, 2009); Octane Artist Confidential, SiriusXM Radio (December 7, 2011)

Bring Me to Life [Original piano intro][note 3]

  • Performing period: October 5, 2006 - early 2007
  • Example: KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas (December 10, 2006)

Bring Me to Life [No male vocals][note 4]

  • Performing period: May 2007 - December 8, 2007; November 4 and November 8, 2009; August 17, 2011 - November 9, 2012; November 2015; April - November 2016
  • Example: Download Festival (June 10, 2007); War Memorial Auditorium, Nashville, Tennessee (August 17, 2011)

Bring Me to Life [With Norwegian Radio Orchestra]

  • Performing date: December 11, 2011
  • Performed at: 18th Nobel Peace Prize at Oslo Spektrum, Oslo, Norway

Bring Me to Life [Acoustic 2012]

  • Performing dates: April 15 and May 30, 2012
  • Performed at: Top30 Countdown, Australia (April 15); BigFM, Wiesbaden, Germany (May 30)

Bring Me to Life [Acoustic 2013]

  • Performing date: November 7, 2013
  • Performed at: Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport, Massachusetts

Bring Me to Life [feat. Paul McCoy]

  • Performing date: November 12, 2016; and a few times in 2003
  • Performed at: Kink Music Festival, Orlando, FL

Bring Me to Life [2017 Live][note 5]

  • Performing date: June 2017
  • Performed at: Arenele Romane, Bucharest, Romania (June 29, 2017)

Bring Me To Life [Synthesis Live]

  • Performing period: October 14, 2017 - September 8, 2018
  • Status: Released
  • Recording date: November 3, 2017
  • Released on: Synthesis Live (track #7)
  • Length: 4:23

Bring Me to Life [feat. Wagakki Band][note 6]

  • Performing date: February 16, 2020
  • Performed at: Osaka-jō Hall, Osaka, Japan
  • Status: Released
  • Released On: TOKYO SINGING (Deluxe Edition)
  • Length 4:16

Bring Me to Life (A Live Session From Rock Falcon Studio)

Bring Me to Life [Live on Triple M's Garage Session / June 2020 / Remastered]

  • Status: Released
  • Recording date: June 2020
  • Released On: Fallen (Deluxe Edition / Remastered) (track #20)
  • Length: 3:41

Bring Me to Life [feat. Sonny Sandoval]

  • Performing date: September 13th & 15th, 2022
  • Performed at: Spokane Arena, Spokane, WA, USA

Bring Me to Life [Synthesis version live with Will Hunt on drums and a live orchestra at Concerto di Natale]

  • Recording date: December 17, 2022
  • Status: Broadcasted on New Year's Day 2023 in Italy on Canale 5 and livestreamed on February 1, 2023
  • Performed at: Auditorium della Conciliazione, Rome, Italy

Bring Me to Life [feat. Jacoby Shaddix]

  • Performing date: June 3, 2023
  • Performed at: Rock am Ring, Nürburg, Germany

Download

Lyrics

Fallen version

How can you see into my eyes like open doors?
Leading you down into my core
Where I've become so numb
Without a soul
My spirit sleeping somewhere cold
Until you find it there and lead it back home

[Wake me up] Wake me up inside
[I can't wake up] Wake me up inside
[Save me] Call my name and save me from the dark
[Wake me up] Bid my blood to run
[I can't wake up] Before I come undone
[Save me] Save me from the nothing I've become

Now that I know what I'm without
You can't just leave me
Breathe into me and make me real
Bring me to life

[Wake me up] Wake me up inside
[I can't wake up] Wake me up inside
[Save me] Call my name and save me from the dark
[Wake me up] Bid my blood to run
[I can't wake up] Before I come undone
[Save me] Save me from the nothing I've become
Bring me to life
I've been living a lie, there's nothing inside
Bring me to life

Frozen inside without your touch
Without your love, darling
Only you are the life among the dead

All of this time I can't believe I couldn't see
Kept in the dark but you were there in front of me
I've been sleeping a thousand years it seems
Got to open my eyes to everything
Without a thought, without a voice, without a soul
Don't let me die here
There must be something more
Bring me to life

[Wake me up] Wake me up inside
[I can't wake up] Wake me up inside
[Save me] Call my name and save me from the dark
[Wake me up] Bid my blood to run
[I can't wake up] Before I come undone
[Save me] Save me from the nothing I've become
Bring me to life
I've been living a lie, there's nothing inside [bring me to life]
Bring me to life

Demo versions

How can you see into my eyes like open doors?
Leading you down into my core
Where I've become so numb
Without a soul
My spirit's sleeping somewhere cold
Until you find it there and lead it back home

Wake me up inside
Wake me up inside
Call my name and save me from the dark
Bid my blood to run
Before I come undone
Save me from the nothing I've become
Bring me to life

Now that I know what I'm without
You can't just leave me
Breathe into me and make me real
Bring me to life

Wake me up inside
Wake me up inside
Call my name and save me from the dark
Bid my blood to run
Before I come undone
Save me from the nothing I've become
Bring me to life

Frozen inside without your touch
Without your love - darling
Only you are the life among the dead

Bring me to life

Wake me up inside
Wake me up inside
Call my name and save me from the dark
Bid my blood to run
Before I come undone
Save me from the nothing I've become
Bring me to life
Bring me to life
Bring me to life

Bliss mix and Synthesis version

How can you see into my eyes like open doors?
Leading you down into my core
Where I've become so numb
Without a soul
My spirit's sleeping somewhere cold
Until you find it there and lead it back home

Wake me up inside
Wake me up inside
Call my name and save me from the dark
Bid my blood to run
Before I come undone
Save me from the nothing I've become

Now that I know what I'm without
You can't just leave me
Breathe into me and make me real
Bring me to life

Wake me up inside
Wake me up inside
Call my name and save me from the dark
Bid my blood to run
Before I come undone
Save me from the nothing I've become
Bring me to life

Bring me to life

Frozen inside without your touch
Without your love, darling
Only you are the life among the dead

I've been sleeping a thousand years it seems
Got to open my eyes to everything
Don't let me die here
Bring me to life

Wake me up inside
Wake me up inside
Call my name and save me from the dark
Bid my blood to run
Before I come undone
Save me from the nothing I've become
Bring me to life
Bring me to life
Bring me to life

Acoustic version

How can you see into my eyes like open doors?
Leading you down into my core
Where I've become so numb
Without a soul
My spirit's sleeping somewhere cold
Until you find it there and lead it back home

Wake me up inside
Wake me up inside
Call my name and save me from the dark
Bid my blood to run
Before I come undone
Save me from the nothing I've become

Now that I know what I'm without
You can't just leave me
Breathe into me and make me real
Bring me to life

Wake me up inside
Wake me up inside
Call my name and save me from the dark
Bid my blood to run
Before I come undone
Save me from the nothing I've become

Bring me to life
Bring me to life

Frozen inside without your touch
Without your love, darling
Only you are the life among the dead

Wake me up inside
Wake me up inside
Call my name and save me from the dark
Bid my blood to run
Before I come undone
Save me from the nothing I've become
Bring me to life
Bring me to life

Music video

Video Directed by Philip Stölzl

The video is a live performance/action video and was directed by Philip Stölzl. The video was filmed in Romania in January 2003.[29] It features Amy in a nightgown and barefoot, in her room, inside a tall building in the city at night. The rest of the band, and Paul McCoy, are playing on a higher floor of the building. She climbs out of the window of her room and begins to climb the building, passing many windows while venturing to the window that featured the room with the band and McCoy. Right before the bridge of the song featuring a duet with both McCoy and Lee, Lee ends up falling off the building but managing to hang on to the ledge that she was standing on. McCoy pulls open the window and tries to save her, but can't, and Amy falls off the building. At the very end of the video, we see Lee back in bed again: it was all a nightmare. This is symbolic because it features someone trying to find someone that will 'wake her and save her'.

Amy Lee and Paul McCoy

The video gained huge popularity in 2003 and clips of it were featured everywhere, including MTV's Big Urban Myth Show where clips of Amy waking up and walking around outside on the ledge were prominently featured on any and all sleep-related myths.

On February 2, 2022, the music video reached 1 billion views on YouTube.[30] On the next day, it was made available in HD.[31] Watch it here.

Commercial release

Exquisite-kfind.png Main article: Bring Me to Life Single

The "Bring Me To Life" single was commercially released worldwide on April 22, 2003.

Tracks released with this single include:

  1. "Bring Me to Life" [Album version]
  2. "Bring Me to Life" [Bliss mix]
  3. "Farther Away" [Album version]
  4. "Bring Me to Life" [Video]
  5. "Bring Me to Life" [Live acoustic version]
  6. "My Immortal" [Live acoustic version]
  7. Interview footage
  8. "Missing"
Exquisite-kfind.png Main article: Bring Me to Life (Synthesis) Single
  1. "Bring Me to Life (Synthesis)" [Album Version]
  2. "Bring Me to Life (Synthesis)" [Instrumental Version]

Guitar tabs & sheet music

Notes

  1. ↑ This version is like on Fallen, but without male vocals.
  2. ↑ This is demo #1.
  3. ↑ No male vocals during the chorus, only during the middle eight.
  4. ↑ This version doesn't have the 2nd part of the middle eight, after "Only you are the life among the dead", it goes straight to the final chorus.
  5. ↑ This version has a larger bridge.
  6. ↑ This version is performed with traditional Japanese instruments.

References

  1. ↑ Carioli, Carly (September 2003). "Amy Lee on bringing Evanescence's 'Bring Me to Life' to life". The Boston Phoenix. Archived from the original on August 31, 2006. http://web.archive.org/web/20060831155753/http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/events/state/documents/03148215.asp. Retrieved December 3, 2006.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Kaufman, Gil (May 29, 2003). "Evanescence: Fallen To the Top". VH1. Archived from the original on October 1, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20071001030537/http://www.vh1.com/artists/interview/1472058/20030523/evanescence.jhtml. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  3. ↑ D'Angelo, Joe (April 9, 2003). "Evanescence's Frontwoman Leads Rock Into Fem-Friendly New Frontier". MTV News. Archived from the original on November 13, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121113002044/https://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1471139/evanescence-headline-tour.jhtml. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Evanescence". Net Music Countdown. Archived from the original on October 14, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20071014213909/http://netmusiccountdown.com/inc/artist.php?artist=Evanescence. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
  5. ↑ Eells, Josh (October 2006). "Amy Lee: Back in Black". Blender. Archived from the original on September 6, 2007. http://www.webcitation.org/5RdgnH67h. Retrieved December 3, 2006.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Reesman, Bryan (November 2006). "The Essence of Evanescence". Metal Edge: 6–8. ISSN 1068-2872. https://web.archive.org/web/20070206144629/http://lnx.evanescencewebsite.com/PressArchive/news.php?id=130.
  7. ↑ Baker, Trevor (November 22, 2007). "Female rock stars not wanted in the UK. Apparently". The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2007/nov/22/captionherethepop.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Loudwire: Evanescence's Amy Lee - Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction?". YouTube. October 26, 2016. https://youtu.be/hyVRKffsvws?t=364.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Waite, Thom (September 1, 2022). "Amy Lee tells the real story behind Evanescence’s ‘Bring Me to Life’". Dazed. https://web.archive.org/web/20220927023618/https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/56815/1/amy-lee-tells-the-real-story-behind-evanescences-bring-me-to-life.
  10. ↑ Titus, Christa (March 4, 2013). "Evanescence, ‘Fallen’: Classic Track-By-Track". Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20221101134203/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/evanescence-fallen-classic-track-by-track-1550567/.
  11. ↑ Gargano, Paul (2003). "Evanescence: Brought to Life". Metal Edge: 17–18. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10155259823590739&set=a.10155259759920739.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Evanescence looks to future". The Age. July 30, 2004. https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/music/evanescence-looks-to-future-20040730-gdycsr.html.
  13. ↑ Harrington, Richard (September 12, 2003). "Evanescence: Rock's New Dynamic Duo". The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2003/09/12/evanescence-rocks-new-dynamic-duo/e4a4887e-c89c-48b9-8fc4-061e1d44657b/.
  14. ↑ Wilson-Taylor, James (December 8, 2023). "Evanescence, ‘Fallen’ | The Album Story". Rock Sound. https://rocksound.tv/features/evanescence-fallen-the-album-story.
  15. ↑ Reeseman, Bryan (August 1, 2003). "In The Recording Studio With Evanescence: Recording Fallen". Mix. Archived from the original on July 9, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080709040742/http://mixonline.com/recording/interviews/audio_evanescence_enduring_sound/.
  16. ↑ Smith, Kenneth (October 31, 2007). "Concert review: Evanescence at Nokia Theater". Pegasus News. http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2007/oct/31/evanescence-nokia-theater/. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  17. ↑ Fox, Doug (November 20, 2007). "Evanescence steps through 'Open Door' at UVSC". Daily Herald. http://www.heraldextra.com/lifestyles/evanescence-steps-through-open-door-at-uvsc/article_84ee1660-7e30-5796-956a-c10ecd888170.html. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Amy Lee Plays Legends And Lyrics". UpVenue.com. 2009. http://www.upvenue.com/music-news/blog-headline/1032/amy-lee-legends-and-lyrics.html. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  19. ↑ "Evanescence Returns To Live Stage, Taps Finger Eleven Guitarist". Blabbermouth.net. November 5, 2009. http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/evanescence-returns-to-live-stage-taps-finger-eleven-guitarist. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  20. ↑ Harris, Chris (November 5, 2009). "Evanescence Return to the Stage at 'Secret' New York Gig". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/evanescence-return-to-the-stage-at-secret-new-york-gig-20091105. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  21. ↑ Schillaci, Sophie (October 12, 2011). "Evanescence at the Palladium: Concert Review". The Hollywood Reporter. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/evanescence-taylor-momsen-concert-review-247487. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  22. ↑ "Review: Evanescence Melbourne Concert, Rod Laver Arena - 24th March 2012". Take 40 Australia. March 25, 2012. http://www.take40.com/news/30103/review:-evanescence-melbourne-concert,-rod-laver-arena---24th-march-2012. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  23. ↑ "EVANESCENCE Rocks 18th Annual Nobel Peace Prize Concert In Oslo (Video)". Blabbermouth.net. December 12, 2011. https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/evanescence-rocks-18th-annual-nobel-peace-prize-concert-in-oslo-video/.
  24. ↑ "Amy Lee of Evanescence Talks Career, Child and New Synthesis Album". iHeart. August 18, 2017. https://www.iheart.com/podcast/139-theresarockface-27068077/episode/amy-lee-of-evanescence-28396927/.
  25. ↑ Adams, Cameron (October 4, 2017). "Evanescence with strings attached: Evanescence have removed the “compromise” rap from biggest hit". news.com.au. https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/evanescence-have-removed-the-compromise-rap-from-biggest-hit/news-story/28af28890025b883b06cfad6675259c8.
  26. ↑ "Time to start throwing it WAY back. Check out the previously unreleased demo of Bring Me To Life now up on our YouTube page!". Twitter. September 28, 2023. https://twitter.com/evanescence/status/1707244059029618801.
  27. ↑ Garner, George (November 15, 2023). "Evanescence: “I’m so grateful for Fallen. It is something bigger than me”". Kerrang!. https://www.kerrang.com/evanescence-fallen-amy-lee-bring-me-to-life-going-under-my-immortal-interview-anniversary-cover-story.
  28. ↑ This is demo #2.
  29. ↑ Lee, Amy (September 15, 2019). "Opening the curtains to find myself on this balcony overlooking a busy square in Bucharest". Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/B2cw3m6HPFX/.
  30. ↑ "Evanescence's 'Bring Me to Life' Surpasses 1 Billion YouTube Views". Loudwire. February 2, 2022.
  31. ↑ "We are incredibly grateful to all of you for getting Bring Me to Life to one billion views on YouTube!". YouTube. February 3, 2022.
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