Imaginary: Difference between revisions

From The Evanescence Reference
No edit summary
No edit summary
 
(9 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Songs}}{{lang}}
{{Songs}}{{lang}}
== General information ==
== General information ==
''Written by: [[A. Lee]], [[B. Moody]] and [[D. Hodges]]''
''Written by: [[A. Lee]] and [[B. Moody]]''<ref name="writing" />


'''''Imaginary''''' lasts about the entire span of Evanescence's recording history. Originally released on the original ''[[Evanescence EP]]'' in 1998, ''Imaginary'' has evolved through eight different versions. Amy Lee wrote the song and it apparently refers to her old room. The song is interpreted as finding a place to escape personal troubles and the outside world.
'''''Imaginary''''' was originally released on the ''[[Evanescence EP]]'' in 1998, and has had several versions since. Amy Lee wrote the song about finding a place to escape personal troubles and the outside world. This is one of the first songs written as Evanescence.<ref name=metaledge2 />


Amy has stated during an MTV interview in December 2003 that she would like ''Imaginary'' to be the fourth single from ''[[Fallen]]''.<ref name=soldieron /> However, ''[[Everybody's Fool]]'' was released. ''Imaginary'' had actually been released as an airplay single in Spain in 2003. The song debuted and peaked at #17 on the charts{{Citation needed}}. The video was a clip from [[Live in Cologne]]{{Citation needed}}.
Amy stated during an MTV interview in December 2003 that she would like ''Imaginary'' to be the fourth single from ''[[Fallen]]''.<ref name="soldieron" /> However, ''[[Everybody's Fool]]'' was released. ''Imaginary'' had actually been released as an airplay single in Spain in 2003. The song debuted and peaked at #17 on the charts{{Citation needed}}. The video was a clip from [[Live in Cologne]]{{Citation needed}}.


''Imaginary'' was played during Evanescence's ''Fallen''<ref name=noslowing /> and ''[[The Open Door]]'' tours.<ref name=pegasuslose /><ref name=dailyutah /> It was played at Evanescence's secret New York gig on November 4, 2009,<ref name=blabbersecret /> and was later added to the setlist of the Evanescence Tour in 2011 and 2012. Interestingly, the band changed the 2 first verses from the post-bridge chorus in a few shows from the end of this tour, where ''"If you need to leave the world you live in / Lay your head down and stay a while"'' can be heard instead of the usual lyrics.<ref name=hollywoodoct /><ref name=whiplash />
In an interview, producer [[Dave Fortman]] discussed the production of the song in the ''Fallen'' sessions:


''Imaginary'' was confirmed to be on ''[[Synthesis]]'' when the tracklist was revealed through the album's pre-order on September 15, 2017. This version was performed live for the first time at the Pearl Concert Theater in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 14, 2017 for the [[Synthesis Live]] tour.
{{quote|During the bridge of ‘Imaginary,’ there are probably 70-plus people performing on the song at that moment. There's a choir that's been doubled, there is a string orchestra with 22 players doubled, then you add all of the band members, and it's huge. That section has so much depth to it. There's no purpose to look at it as a live band at that point.<ref name=fortman />}}


The excerpt in the tour program/songbook available at the merch table as well as given to those who purchased the VIP experience explains: ''This song is special for a lot of reasons. One of our oldest compositions, it's part of the exploration that shaped the core sound of Evanescence. It has never once left the live setlist.''
''Imaginary'' was played during Evanescence's ''Fallen''<ref name="noslowing" /> and ''[[The Open Door]]'' tours.<ref name="pegasuslose" /><ref name="dailyutah" /> It was played at Evanescence's [[New York Secret Show 2009|secret New York gig]] on November 4, 2009,<ref name="blabbersecret" /> and was later added to the setlist of the [[Evanescence Tour]] in 2011 and 2012. Interestingly, the band changed the 2 first verses from the post-bridge chorus in a few shows from the end of this tour, where ''"If you need to leave the world you live in / Lay your head down and stay a while"'' can be heard instead of the usual lyrics.<ref name="hollywoodoct" /><ref name="whiplash" />


== Versions ==
The [[Fallen_Journal#Fallen_scrapbook|''Fallen'' scrapbook]] released in celebration of the album's 10th anniversary includes handwritten lyrics of ''Imaginary'' with outtake lyrics: ''Every today is yesterday again. Stuck in a cycle with no end. If there's anything I've learned in all the years I've lived ... Reality is killing me, my life's not what it seems to be and ... I know I must be free. Someone help me fall asleep for I live to dream.''
 
''Imaginary'' was confirmed to be reworked and included on the orchestral album, ''[[Synthesis]]'', when the track list was revealed through the album's pre-order on September 15, 2017. 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|Synthesis Live tour]]. Watch a performance of the song [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkMjIe1GPj8 here].
 
The excerpt in the tour program/songbook available at the merch table as well as given to those who purchased the VIP experience explains: "This song is special for a lot of reasons. One of our oldest compositions, it's part of the exploration that shaped the core sound of Evanescence. It has never once left the live setlist."
 
Amy's song description from a ''Kerrang!'' cover story about the 20th anniversary of ''Fallen'':
 
{{quote|“Imaginary is one of my favourite songs. To me that was the core of our sound. I was writing poems as a seventh or eighth grader, and the part that’s like, ''‘Swallowed up in the sound of my screaming’'' was something I submitted to English class. It’s totally innocent, sweet, young, and dumb. I just felt like that song was a centre for the band in that it combined the orchestral and classical choir element so well with hard rock. It wasn’t classical in a cheesy way. It wasn’t melodramatic the way that ''[[Whisper]]'' is – when you get to that song, oh my God, it’s so over-the-top, it’s hard to keep a straight face! I still love it, but it’s just really super-dramatic. Imaginary is more straightforward.”<ref name=kerrang2023 />}}
 
==Versions==
'''Studio versions:'''
'''Studio versions:'''


Line 20: Line 30:
*''Status:'' [[The Evanescence Reference:Release Status|Released, Available]]
*''Status:'' [[The Evanescence Reference:Release Status|Released, Available]]
*''Released on:''
*''Released on:''
**''[[Fallen]]'' (track #7)
:''[[Fallen]]'' (track #7)
**"Imaginary" promotional single
:"Imaginary" promotional single
***''Status:'' [[The Evanescence Reference:Release Status|Released, Unavailable]]
*''Status:'' [[The Evanescence Reference:Release Status|Released, Unavailable]]
*''Length:'' 4:17
*''Length:'' 4:17


'''Imaginary [''Mystary'' version]'''<ref name="mystary" group=note />
'''Imaginary [''Mystary'' version]'''<ref name="mystary" group="note" />
*''Recording date:'' August - November 2002
*''Recording date:'' August - November 2002
*''Status:'' [[The Evanescence Reference:Release Status|Released, Unavailable]]
*''Status:'' [[The Evanescence Reference:Release Status|Released, Unavailable]]
Line 31: Line 41:
*''Length:'' 4:18
*''Length:'' 4:18


'''Imaginary [Fallen pre-master]'''<ref name="premaster" group=note />
'''Imaginary [''Fallen'' pre-master]'''<ref name="premaster" group="note" />
*''Recording date:'' August - November 2002
*''Recording date:'' August - November 2002
*''Status:'' [[The Evanescence Reference:Release Status|Unreleased, Available]]
*''Status:'' [[The Evanescence Reference:Release Status|Unreleased, Available]]
Line 57: Line 67:
*''Status:'' [[The Evanescence Reference:Release Status|Unreleased, Available]]
*''Status:'' [[The Evanescence Reference:Release Status|Unreleased, Available]]
*''Length:'' 3:27
*''Length:'' 3:27
'''Imaginary [Demo 10.10.01]'''
*''Recording date:'' October 10, 2001
*''Status:'' Released
*''Released on:'' ''Fallen 20th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition'' cassette tape (track #A1)
*''Length:'' 3:48


'''Imaginary [''Synthesis'' version]'''
'''Imaginary [''Synthesis'' version]'''
Line 75: Line 91:


'''Imaginary [Live ''Evanescence EP'' version]'''
'''Imaginary [Live ''Evanescence EP'' version]'''
*''Performing period:'' May 7, 1999
*''Performing period:'' [[Live at Vino's January 1999|January 1999]]; [[Live at Vino's 1999|May 7, 1999]]
*''Status:'' Unreleased
*''Status:'' Unreleased
*''Example:'' Concert at Vino's Bar in Little Rock, Arkansas
*''Example:'' Concert at Vino's Bar in Little Rock, Arkansas


'''Imaginary [Live 2006–2017]'''<ref name="liveadditions" group=note />
'''Imaginary [Live 2006–2022]'''<ref name="liveadditions" group="note" />
*''Performing period:'' October 5, 2006 – December 8, 2007; November 4 and November 8, 2009; August 17, 2011 – November 9, 2012; November 2015; April - November 2016; April 2017
*''Performing period:'' October 5, 2006 – December 8, 2007; November 4 and November 8, 2009; August 17, 2011 – November 9, 2012; November 2015; April - November 2016; April 2017; May - September 26, 2019; November - December 2021; January 2022
*''Status'': Unreleased
*''Status'': Unreleased
*''Examples'': Izod Center, New Jersey (December 4, 2007); Pepsi On Stage, Porto Alegre, Brazil (October 4, 2012)
*''Examples'': Izod Center, New Jersey (December 4, 2007); Pepsi On Stage, Porto Alegre, Brazil (October 4, 2012)


'''Imaginary [''Origin'' lyrics 2012]'''<ref name="earlierlyrics" group=note />
'''Imaginary [''Origin'' lyrics 2012]'''<ref name="earlierlyrics" group="note" />
*''Performing period:'' October 7 and October 11, 2012
*''Performing period:'' October 7 and October 11, 2012
*''Status:'' Unreleased
*''Status:'' Unreleased
*''Example:'' Chevrolet Hall, Recife, Brazil (October 11, 2012)
*''Example:'' Chevrolet Hall, Recife, Brazil (October 11, 2012)
'''Imaginary [ [[Synthesis Live]] ]'''
*''Performing period:'' October 14, 2017 - TBC
*''Example:'' Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas, NV (October 14, 2017)


'''Imaginary [Acoustic]'''
'''Imaginary [Acoustic]'''
Line 98: Line 110:
*''Length'': approximately 3:55
*''Length'': approximately 3:55


== Download ==
'''Imaginary [2019 Acoustic]'''
*''Performing date:'' September 23, 2019
*''Status:'' Unreleased
*''Example:'' Grad Event Hall, Voronezh, Russia
 
'''Imaginary [Synthesis Live]'''
*''Performing period:'' October 14, 2017 - September 8, 2018
*''Status:'' Released on October 12, 2018
*''Recording date:'' November 3, 2017
*''Released on:'' ''[[Synthesis Live]]'' (track #9)
*''Length:'' 5:47
 
==Download==
*[http://www.evanescencereference.info/music/#Evanescence_EP Imaginary (Evanescence EP)]
*[http://www.evanescencereference.info/music/#Evanescence_EP Imaginary (Evanescence EP)]
*[http://www.evanescencereference.info/music/#Origin_CD Imaginary (Origin)]
*[http://www.evanescencereference.info/music/#Origin_CD Imaginary (Origin)]
Line 105: Line 129:


== Lyrics ==
== Lyrics ==
=== ''Fallen'', ''Mystary'' and ''Fallen'' pre-master versions ===
===''Fallen'', ''Mystary'' and ''Fallen'' pre-master versions===
Aaah... Paper flowers<br>
Aaah... Paper flowers<br>
''Aaah... Paper flowers''<br>
''Aaah... Paper flowers''<br>
Line 143: Line 167:
''Aaah... Paper flowers''<br>
''Aaah... Paper flowers''<br>


=== ''Origin'' version ===
===''Origin'' version===
Swallowed up in the sound of my screaming<br>
Swallowed up in the sound of my screaming<br>
Cannot cease for the fear of silent nights<br>
Cannot cease for the fear of silent nights<br>
Line 170: Line 194:
And watch my purple sky fly over me ''[paper flowers]''<br>
And watch my purple sky fly over me ''[paper flowers]''<br>


=== EP version ===
===EP version===
Swallowed up in the sound of my screaming<br>
Swallowed up in the sound of my screaming<br>
Cannot cease for the fear of silent nights<br>
Cannot cease for the fear of silent nights<br>
Line 177: Line 201:
<br>
<br>
In my field of paper flowers<br>
In my field of paper flowers<br>
And candy cloulds of lullabies ''[flowers]''<br>
And candy clouds of lullabies ''[flowers]''<br>
I lie inside myself for hours<br>
I lie inside myself for hours<br>
And watch my purple sky fly over me ''[flowers]''<br>
And watch my purple sky fly over me ''[flowers]''<br>
Line 192: Line 216:
Something waits for you to breathe again ''[flowers]'' <br>
Something waits for you to breathe again ''[flowers]'' <br>


=== Demo version #1 ===
===Demo version #1===
''Aaah... Paper flowers''<br>
''Aaah... Paper flowers''<br>
''Aaah... Paper flowers''<br>
''Aaah... Paper flowers''<br>
Line 226: Line 250:
And watch my purple sky fly over me ''[paper flowers]''<br>
And watch my purple sky fly over me ''[paper flowers]''<br>


=== Demo version #2 ===
===Demo version #2===
I linger in the doorway<br>
I linger in the doorway<br>
Of alarm clock screaming monsters calling my name<br>
Of alarm clock screaming monsters calling my name<br>
Line 253: Line 277:
And watch my purple sky fly over me ''[paper flowers]''<br>
And watch my purple sky fly over me ''[paper flowers]''<br>


=== Acoustic version ===
===Demo 10.10.01===
 
Swallowed up in the sound of my screaming<br>
Cannot cease for the fear of silent nights<br>
Oh, how I long for the deep sleep dreaming<br>
The goddess of imaginary light<br>
<br>
In my field of paper flowers<br>
And candy clouds of lullaby ''[paper flowers]''<br>
I lie inside myself for hours<br>
And watch my purple sky fly over me ''[paper flowers]''<br>
<br>
I linger in the doorway<br>
Of alarm clock screaming monsters calling my name<br>
Let me stay<br>
Where the wind will whisper to me<br>
Where the raindrops as they’re falling tell a story<br>
<br>
If you need to leave the world you live in<br>
Lay your head down and stay a while ''[paper flowers]''<br>
Though you may not remember dreaming<br>
Something waits for you to breathe again ''[paper flowers]''<br>
<br>
Don't say I'm out of touch<br>
With this rampant chaos, your reality<br>
I know well what lies beyond my sleeping refuge<br>
The nightmare I built my own world to escape<br>
<br>
In my field of paper flowers<br>
And candy clouds of lullaby ''[paper flowers]''<br>
I lie inside myself for hours<br>
And watch my purple sky fly over me ''[paper flowers]''<br>
 
===Acoustic version===
Aaah... Paper flowers<br>
Aaah... Paper flowers<br>
<br>
<br>
Line 292: Line 349:
And watch my purple sky fly over me<br>
And watch my purple sky fly over me<br>
<br>
<br>
=== ''Synthesis'' version ===
===''Synthesis'' version===
<br>
I linger in the doorway<br>
I linger in the doorway<br>
of alarm clock screaming monsters calling my name<br>
Of alarm clock screaming monsters calling my name<br>
Let me stay where the wind will whisper to me<br>
Let me stay where the wind will whisper to me<br>
Where the raindrops as they’re falling tell a story<br>
Where the raindrops as they’re falling tell a story<br>
Line 302: Line 358:
And candy clouds of lullaby <br>
And candy clouds of lullaby <br>
I lie inside myself for hours <br>
I lie inside myself for hours <br>
and watch my purple sky fly over me<br>  
And watch my purple sky fly over me<br>  
<br>
<br>
Don’t say I’m out of touch<br>  
Don’t say I’m out of touch<br>  
with this rampant chaos, you’re reality<br>
With this rampant chaos, your reality<br>
I know well what lies beyond my sleeping refuge<br>
I know well what lies beyond my sleeping refuge<br>
The nightmare I built my own world to escape<br>
The nightmare I built my own world to escape<br>
Line 312: Line 368:
And candy clouds of lullaby <br>
And candy clouds of lullaby <br>
I lie inside myself for hours <br>
I lie inside myself for hours <br>
and watch my purple sky fly over me<br>
And watch my purple sky fly over me<br>
<br>
<br>
Swallowed up in the sound of my screaming<br>
Swallowed up in the sound of my screaming<br>
Cannot cease for the fear of silent nights<br>
Cannot cease for the fear of silent nights<br>
Oh how I long for the deep sleep dreaming <br>
Oh how I long for the deep sleep dreaming<br>
The goddess of imaginary light<br>
The goddess of imaginary light<br>
<br>
<br>
Line 322: Line 378:
And candy clouds of lullaby <br>
And candy clouds of lullaby <br>
I lie inside myself for hours <br>
I lie inside myself for hours <br>
and watch my purple sky fly over me
And watch my purple sky fly over me<br>
<br>
In my field of paper flowers <br>
And candy clouds of lullaby <br>
I lie inside myself for hours <br>
And watch my purple sky fly over me<br>
<br>
Aaah... Paper flowers<br>
Aaah... Paper flowers


== Spain Radio Promo ==
==Spain Radio Promo==
{{Infobox single
{{Infobox single
| Name        = Imaginary
| Name        = Imaginary
Line 339: Line 403:
"Imaginary" was released in Spain as a very limited edition radio promo single, under the Sony label, in October 2003.  
"Imaginary" was released in Spain as a very limited edition radio promo single, under the Sony label, in October 2003.  


It features an one-track CD inserted in a black cardsleeve with a cover image that belongs to the same photoshoot of [[Everybody's Fool Single|"Everybody's Fool" single]]. It is the rarest non-WUJC single ever released by the band and, for sure, the most valuable one. Online auctions usually reach more than $250 and very few copies have been seen in the past years. Most of them are still in near-mint condition due to the fact they have been stocked all along within Spanish radio stations warehouses.
It features an one-track CD inserted in a black cardsleeve with a cover image that belongs to the same photoshoot of [[Everybody's Fool Single|"Everybody's Fool" single]]. It is the rarest non-WUJC single ever released by the band and, for sure, the most valuable one. Online auctions usually reach more than $250 and very few copies have been seen in the past years. Most of them are still in near-mint condition due to the fact they have been stocked all along within Spanish radio stations' warehouses.


Imaginary [Live in Cologne (in 2003)] was shown on Spanish Music TV at the same time as "Imaginary" had airplay in Spain.
Imaginary [Live in Cologne (in 2003)] was shown on Spanish Music TV at the same time as "Imaginary" had airplay in Spain.


=== Promo single ===
===Promo single===
'''Status: Out of Print'''<br>
'''Status: Out of Print'''<br>
'''Label: Sony BMG'''<br>
'''Label: Sony BMG'''<br>
Line 358: Line 422:
</gallery>
</gallery>


== Guitar tabs & sheet music ==
== Guitar tabs & sheet music==
*[http://evanescencereference.info/music/sheet/Imaginary%20(Origin).pdf Piano sheet music (Origin version) - arranged by Kyle Marcolini]
*[http://evanescencereference.info/music/sheet/Imaginary%20(Origin).pdf Piano sheet music (Origin version) - arranged by Kyle Marcolini]
*[http://evanescencereference.info/music/sheet/Imaginary.pdf Piano sheet music with guitar tabs]
*[http://evanescencereference.info/music/sheet/Imaginary.pdf Piano sheet music with guitar tabs]
Line 364: Line 428:
*[http://evanescencereference.info/music/sheet/Imaginary%20Demo%20Intro%20-%20Evanescence%20-%20arr%20Michael%20McWilliams.pdf Demo intro piano sheet music - arranged by Michael McWilliams]
*[http://evanescencereference.info/music/sheet/Imaginary%20Demo%20Intro%20-%20Evanescence%20-%20arr%20Michael%20McWilliams.pdf Demo intro piano sheet music - arranged by Michael McWilliams]


== Notes ==
==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note|refs=
{{reflist|group=note|refs=


Line 378: Line 442:
}}
}}


== References ==
==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
{{Reflist|2|refs=


<ref name=soldieron>{{cite news|last=Wiederhorn|first=Jon|title=Evanescence Soldier On Without Ben Moody, Look Forward To Recording|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1483876/evanescence-soldier-on-without-ben-moody.jhtml|accessdate=June 5, 2013|work=MTV News|date=December 23, 2003}}</ref>
<ref name="writing">According to ''Fallen''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s liner notes, Ben and Amy are the only writers. However, the song's registration on BMI lists [[David Hodges]] as a writer.</ref>


<ref name=noslowing>{{cite news|last=D'Angelo|first=Joe|title=Evanescence Show No Signs Of Slowing Down At New York Show|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1489662/evanescence-energetic-live.jhtml|accessdate=October 22, 2013|work=MTV News|date=July 23, 2004}}</ref>
<ref name=soldieron>{{cite news|last=Wiederhorn|first=Jon|title=Evanescence Soldier On Without Ben Moody, Look Forward To Recording|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1483876/evanescence-soldier-on-without-ben-moody.jhtml|accessdate=June 5, 2013|work=MTV News|date=December 23, 2003|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712101206/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1483876/evanescence-soldier-on-without-ben-moody.jhtml|archivedate=July 12, 2012}}</ref>
 
<ref name=noslowing>{{cite news|last=D'Angelo|first=Joe|title=Evanescence Show No Signs Of Slowing Down At New York Show|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1489662/evanescence-energetic-live.jhtml|accessdate=October 22, 2013|work=MTV News|date=July 23, 2004|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205021500/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1489662/evanescence-energetic-live.jhtml|archivedate=February 5, 2012}}</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 22, 2013|work=Pegasus News|date=October 31, 2007}}</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 22, 2013|work=Pegasus News|date=October 31, 2007}}</ref>
Line 394: Line 460:


<ref name=whiplash>{{cite web|last=Finatto|first=Paulo, Jr.|title=Resenha - Evanescence (Pepsi on Stage, Porto Alegre, 04/10/12)|url=http://whiplash.net/materias/shows/165121-evanescence.html|work=Whiplash.net|accessdate=October 22, 2013|language=Spanish|date=October 10, 2012}}</ref>
<ref name=whiplash>{{cite web|last=Finatto|first=Paulo, Jr.|title=Resenha - Evanescence (Pepsi on Stage, Porto Alegre, 04/10/12)|url=http://whiplash.net/materias/shows/165121-evanescence.html|work=Whiplash.net|accessdate=October 22, 2013|language=Spanish|date=October 10, 2012}}</ref>
<ref name=fortman>{{cite news|last=Reeseman|first=Bryan|date=August 1, 2003|url=https://www.mixonline.com/recording/evanescence-365108|title=In The Recording Studio With Evanescence: Recording Fallen|work=Mixonline|accessdate=October 23, 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080709040742/http://mixonline.com/recording/interviews/audio_evanescence_enduring_sound/|archivedate=July 9, 2008}}</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=metaledge2>{{cite journal|last=Gargano|first=Paul|date=August 2003|title=Evanescence Brought to Life|journal=Metal Edge|page=18|issue=4|volume=49}}</ref>


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

Latest revision as of 08:41, 11 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


Article.png Imaginary está disponible en español. Ver el artículo

Το άρθρο Imaginary είναι διαθέσιμο στα ελληνικά. Δείτε το άρθρο

Imaginary è disponibile in italiano. Vedi l'articolo

Imaginary está disponível em português. Ver o artigo

General information

Written by: A. Lee and B. Moody[1]

Imaginary was originally released on the Evanescence EP in 1998, and has had several versions since. Amy Lee wrote the song about finding a place to escape personal troubles and the outside world. This is one of the first songs written as Evanescence.[2]

Amy stated during an MTV interview in December 2003 that she would like Imaginary to be the fourth single from Fallen.[3] However, Everybody's Fool was released. Imaginary had actually been released as an airplay single in Spain in 2003. The song debuted and peaked at #17 on the charts[citation needed]. The video was a clip from Live in Cologne[citation needed].

In an interview, producer Dave Fortman discussed the production of the song in the Fallen sessions:

Vin1.jpg During the bridge of ‘Imaginary,’ there are probably 70-plus people performing on the song at that moment. There's a choir that's been doubled, there is a string orchestra with 22 players doubled, then you add all of the band members, and it's huge. That section has so much depth to it. There's no purpose to look at it as a live band at that point.[4] Vin2.jpg


Imaginary was played during Evanescence's Fallen[5] and The Open Door tours.[6][7] It was played at Evanescence's secret New York gig on November 4, 2009,[8] and was later added to the setlist of the Evanescence Tour in 2011 and 2012. Interestingly, the band changed the 2 first verses from the post-bridge chorus in a few shows from the end of this tour, where "If you need to leave the world you live in / Lay your head down and stay a while" can be heard instead of the usual lyrics.[9][10]

The Fallen scrapbook released in celebration of the album's 10th anniversary includes handwritten lyrics of Imaginary with outtake lyrics: Every today is yesterday again. Stuck in a cycle with no end. If there's anything I've learned in all the years I've lived ... Reality is killing me, my life's not what it seems to be and ... I know I must be free. Someone help me fall asleep for I live to dream.

Imaginary was confirmed to be reworked and included on the orchestral album, Synthesis, when the track list was revealed through the album's pre-order on September 15, 2017. 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. Watch a performance of the song here.

The excerpt in the tour program/songbook available at the merch table as well as given to those who purchased the VIP experience explains: "This song is special for a lot of reasons. One of our oldest compositions, it's part of the exploration that shaped the core sound of Evanescence. It has never once left the live setlist."

Amy's song description from a Kerrang! cover story about the 20th anniversary of Fallen:

Vin1.jpg “Imaginary is one of my favourite songs. To me that was the core of our sound. I was writing poems as a seventh or eighth grader, and the part that’s like, ‘Swallowed up in the sound of my screaming’ was something I submitted to English class. It’s totally innocent, sweet, young, and dumb. I just felt like that song was a centre for the band in that it combined the orchestral and classical choir element so well with hard rock. It wasn’t classical in a cheesy way. It wasn’t melodramatic the way that Whisper is – when you get to that song, oh my God, it’s so over-the-top, it’s hard to keep a straight face! I still love it, but it’s just really super-dramatic. Imaginary is more straightforward.”[11] Vin2.jpg


Versions

Studio versions:

Imaginary [Fallen version]

Fallen (track #7)
"Imaginary" promotional single

Imaginary [Mystary version][note 1]

Imaginary [Fallen pre-master][note 2]

Imaginary [Origin version]

Imaginary [Evanescence EP version]

Imaginary [Demo version #1]

Imaginary [Demo version #2]

Imaginary [Demo 10.10.01]

  • Recording date: October 10, 2001
  • Status: Released
  • Released on: Fallen 20th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition cassette tape (track #A1)
  • Length: 3:48

Imaginary [Synthesis version]


Live versions:

Imaginary [Live]

  • Performing period: 2000 – August 14, 2004
  • Status: Released
  • Recording date: May 25, 2004
  • Released on: Anywhere but Home (track #12)
  • Length: 5:25

Imaginary [Live Evanescence EP version]

  • Performing period: January 1999; May 7, 1999
  • Status: Unreleased
  • Example: Concert at Vino's Bar in Little Rock, Arkansas

Imaginary [Live 2006–2022][note 3]

  • Performing period: October 5, 2006 – December 8, 2007; November 4 and November 8, 2009; August 17, 2011 – November 9, 2012; November 2015; April - November 2016; April 2017; May - September 26, 2019; November - December 2021; January 2022
  • Status: Unreleased
  • Examples: Izod Center, New Jersey (December 4, 2007); Pepsi On Stage, Porto Alegre, Brazil (October 4, 2012)

Imaginary [Origin lyrics 2012][note 4]

  • Performing period: October 7 and October 11, 2012
  • Status: Unreleased
  • Example: Chevrolet Hall, Recife, Brazil (October 11, 2012)

Imaginary [Acoustic]

  • Performing date: January 13, 2003
  • Status: Unreleased
  • Length: approximately 3:55

Imaginary [2019 Acoustic]

  • Performing date: September 23, 2019
  • Status: Unreleased
  • Example: Grad Event Hall, Voronezh, Russia

Imaginary [Synthesis Live]

  • Performing period: October 14, 2017 - September 8, 2018
  • Status: Released on October 12, 2018
  • Recording date: November 3, 2017
  • Released on: Synthesis Live (track #9)
  • Length: 5:47

Download

Lyrics

Fallen, Mystary and Fallen pre-master versions

Aaah... Paper flowers
Aaah... Paper flowers

I linger in the doorway
Of alarm clock screaming monsters calling my name
Let me stay
Where the wind will whisper to me
Where the raindrops as they're falling tell a story

In my field of paper flowers
And candy clouds of lullaby [paper flowers]
I lie inside myself for hours
And watch my purple sky fly over me [paper flowers]

Don't say I'm out of touch
With this rampant chaos, your reality
I know well what lies beyond my sleeping refuge
The nightmare I built my own world to escape

In my field of paper flowers
And candy clouds of lullaby [paper flowers]
I lie inside myself for hours
And watch my purple sky fly over me [paper flowers]

Swallowed up in the sound of my screaming
Cannot cease for the fear of silent nights
Oh, how I long for the deep sleep dreaming
The goddess of imaginary light

In my field of paper flowers
And candy clouds of lullaby [paper flowers]
I lie inside myself for hours
And watch my purple sky fly over me [paper flowers]

Aaah... Paper flowers
Aaah... Paper flowers

Origin version

Swallowed up in the sound of my screaming
Cannot cease for the fear of silent nights
Oh, how I long for the deep sleep dreaming
The goddess of imaginary light

In my field of paper flowers
And candy clouds of lullaby [paper flowers]
I lie inside myself for hours
And watch my purple sky fly over me [paper flowers]

I linger in the doorway
Of alarm clock screaming monsters calling my name
Let me stay
Where the wind will whisper to me
Where the raindrops as they're falling tell a story

If you need to leave the world you live in
Lay your head down and stay a while [paper flowers]
Though you may not remember dreaming
Something waits for you to breathe again [paper flowers]

In my field of paper flowers
And candy clouds of lullaby [paper flowers]
I lie inside myself for hours
And watch my purple sky fly over me [paper flowers]

EP version

Swallowed up in the sound of my screaming
Cannot cease for the fear of silent nights
Oh, how I long for the deep sleep dreaming
The goddess of imaginary light

In my field of paper flowers
And candy clouds of lullabies [flowers]
I lie inside myself for hours
And watch my purple sky fly over me [flowers]

I linger in the doorway
Of alarm clocks screaming monsters calling my name
Let me stay
Where the wind will whisper to me
Where the raindrops as they're falling tell a story

If you need to leave the world you live in
Lay your head down and stay a while [flowers]
Though you may not remember dreaming
Something waits for you to breathe again [flowers]

Demo version #1

Aaah... Paper flowers
Aaah... Paper flowers

I linger in the doorway
Of alarm clock screaming monsters calling my name
Let me stay
Where the wind will whisper to me
Where the raindrops as they're falling tell a story

In my field of paper flowers
And candy clouds of lullaby [paper flowers]
I lie inside myself for hours
And watch my purple sky fly over me [paper flowers]

Don't say I'm out of touch
With this rampant chaos, your reality
I know well what lies beyond my sleeping refuge
The nightmare I built my own world to escape

In my field of paper flowers
And candy clouds of lullaby [paper flowers]
I lie inside myself for hours
And watch my purple sky fly over me [paper flowers]

You can lead the world you live in 'cause inside
You may not remember
But something waits for you to breathe again

In my field of paper flowers
And candy clouds of lullaby [paper flowers]
I lie inside myself for hours
And watch my purple sky fly over me [paper flowers]

Demo version #2

I linger in the doorway
Of alarm clock screaming monsters calling my name
Let me stay
Where the wind will whisper to me
Where the raindrops as they’re falling tell a story

In my field of paper flowers
And candy clouds of lullaby [paper flowers]
I lie inside myself for hours
And watch my purple sky fly over me [paper flowers]

Don't say I'm out of touch
With this rampant chaos, your reality
I know well what lies beyond my sleeping refuge
The nightmare I built my own world to escape

If you need to leave the world you live in
Lay your head down and stay a while [paper flowers]
Though you may not remember dreaming
Something waits for you to breathe again [paper flowers]

In my field of paper flowers
And candy clouds of lullaby [paper flowers]
I lie inside myself for hours
And watch my purple sky fly over me [paper flowers]

Demo 10.10.01

Swallowed up in the sound of my screaming
Cannot cease for the fear of silent nights
Oh, how I long for the deep sleep dreaming
The goddess of imaginary light

In my field of paper flowers
And candy clouds of lullaby [paper flowers]
I lie inside myself for hours
And watch my purple sky fly over me [paper flowers]

I linger in the doorway
Of alarm clock screaming monsters calling my name
Let me stay
Where the wind will whisper to me
Where the raindrops as they’re falling tell a story

If you need to leave the world you live in
Lay your head down and stay a while [paper flowers]
Though you may not remember dreaming
Something waits for you to breathe again [paper flowers]

Don't say I'm out of touch
With this rampant chaos, your reality
I know well what lies beyond my sleeping refuge
The nightmare I built my own world to escape

In my field of paper flowers
And candy clouds of lullaby [paper flowers]
I lie inside myself for hours
And watch my purple sky fly over me [paper flowers]

Acoustic version

Aaah... Paper flowers

I linger in the doorway
Of alarm clock screaming monsters calling my name
Let me stay
Where the wind will whisper to me
Where the raindrops as they're falling tell a story

In my field of paper flowers
And candy clouds of lullaby
I lie inside myself for hours
And watch my purple sky fly over me

Don't say I'm out of touch
With this rampant chaos, your reality
I know well what lies beyond my sleeping refuge
The nightmare I built my own world to escape

In my field of paper flowers
And candy clouds of lullaby
I lie inside myself for hours
And watch my purple sky fly over me

Swallowed up in the sound of my screaming
Cannot cease for the fear of silent nights
Oh, how I long for the deep sleep dreaming
The goddess of imaginary light

If you need to leave the world you live in
Lay your head down and stay a while
Though you may not remember dreaming
Something waits for you to breathe again

In my field of paper flowers
And candy clouds of lullaby
I lie inside myself for hours
And watch my purple sky fly over me

Synthesis version

I linger in the doorway
Of alarm clock screaming monsters calling my name
Let me stay where the wind will whisper to me
Where the raindrops as they’re falling tell a story

In my field of paper flowers
And candy clouds of lullaby
I lie inside myself for hours
And watch my purple sky fly over me

Don’t say I’m out of touch
With this rampant chaos, your reality
I know well what lies beyond my sleeping refuge
The nightmare I built my own world to escape

In my field of paper flowers
And candy clouds of lullaby
I lie inside myself for hours
And watch my purple sky fly over me

Swallowed up in the sound of my screaming
Cannot cease for the fear of silent nights
Oh how I long for the deep sleep dreaming
The goddess of imaginary light

In my field of paper flowers
And candy clouds of lullaby
I lie inside myself for hours
And watch my purple sky fly over me

In my field of paper flowers
And candy clouds of lullaby
I lie inside myself for hours
And watch my purple sky fly over me

Aaah... Paper flowers
Aaah... Paper flowers

Spain Radio Promo

"Imaginary"
Single by Evanescence
from the album Fallen
Released 2003
Format CD single
Evanescence singles chronology
"My Immortal"
(2003) 		"Imaginary"
(2003) 		"Everybody's Fool"
(2004)

"Imaginary" was released in Spain as a very limited edition radio promo single, under the Sony label, in October 2003.

It features an one-track CD inserted in a black cardsleeve with a cover image that belongs to the same photoshoot of "Everybody's Fool" single. It is the rarest non-WUJC single ever released by the band and, for sure, the most valuable one. Online auctions usually reach more than $250 and very few copies have been seen in the past years. Most of them are still in near-mint condition due to the fact they have been stocked all along within Spanish radio stations' warehouses.

Imaginary [Live in Cologne (in 2003)] was shown on Spanish Music TV at the same time as "Imaginary" had airplay in Spain.

Promo single

Status: Out of Print
Label: Sony BMG
Cat.no: 281003

Around 50-100 of these discs exist. Sightings are very rare. Catalog No. 281003.

  1. Imaginary [Album version] (4:16)
  • Front cover

    Front cover

  • Back cover

    Back cover

  • Disc

    Disc

Guitar tabs & sheet music

Notes

  1. ↑ This is the same as the Fallen version.
  2. ↑ This track is the same as the Fallen version with the string outro from "Tourniquet" in the beginning.
  3. ↑ This live version has some minor additions, like the guitars and the drums playing during the bridge, where normally there is only the piano playing. Also, Amy plays on a keyboard the piano part of the bridge, while the earlier live versions had this part pre-recorded and playbacked. Also, the guitars often faded out to the piano intro of "Bring Me to Life".
  4. ↑ This live version has lyrics from earlier versions of "Imaginary": "If you need to leave the world you live in/Lay your head down and stay a while/Though you may not remember dreaming/Something waits for you to breathe again".

References

  1. ↑ According to Fallen's liner notes, Ben and Amy are the only writers. However, the song's registration on BMI lists David Hodges as a writer.
  2. ↑ Gargano, Paul (August 2003). "Evanescence Brought to Life". Metal Edge 49 (4): 18.
  3. ↑ Wiederhorn, Jon (December 23, 2003). "Evanescence Soldier On Without Ben Moody, Look Forward To Recording". MTV News. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120712101206/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1483876/evanescence-soldier-on-without-ben-moody.jhtml. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  4. ↑ Reeseman, Bryan (August 1, 2003). "In The Recording Studio With Evanescence: Recording Fallen". Mixonline. Archived from the original on July 9, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080709040742/http://mixonline.com/recording/interviews/audio_evanescence_enduring_sound/. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  5. ↑ D'Angelo, Joe (July 23, 2004). "Evanescence Show No Signs Of Slowing Down At New York Show". MTV News. Archived from the original on February 5, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120205021500/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1489662/evanescence-energetic-live.jhtml. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
  6. ↑ 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 22, 2013.
  7. ↑ 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 22, 2013.
  8. ↑ "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 August 3, 2013.
  9. ↑ 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 22, 2013.
  10. ↑ Finatto, Paulo, Jr. (October 10, 2012). "Resenha - Evanescence (Pepsi on Stage, Porto Alegre, 04/10/12)" (in Spanish). Whiplash.net. http://whiplash.net/materias/shows/165121-evanescence.html. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
  11. ↑ 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.
Albums
EPs
Studio
Demo
Live
Compilation
Singles
Promotional singles
Evanescence stuff
Retrieved from "https://evanescencereference.info/wiki/index.php?title=Imaginary&oldid=40335"