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==General Information==
==General Information==
''Written by: [[A. Lee]], [[Jen Majura|J. Majura]], [[Tim McCord|T. McCord]], [[Troy McLawhorn|T. McLawhorn]], [[Will Hunt|W. Hunt]] and [[Veridia|D. Jakoub]]''


'''''Use My Voice''''' is a song by [[Evanescence]] rumored to be used for [[Eric D. Howell]]'s graphic novel project, [[The Revolution of Cassandra]]. [[Amy Lee]] worked with Eric before on his movie, [[Voice from the Stone]], where she wrote a song for the closing credits called ''[[Speak to Me]]''.
'''''Use My Voice''''' is the eighth track and third single from [[Evanescence]]'s fifth studio album, ''[[The Bitter Truth]]'', that was released on August 14, 2020.<ref>{{cite news|title=COVID has made everything more challenging this year|url=https://www.facebook.com/Evanescence/videos/381111059522780/|work=Facebook|date=August 5, 2020}}</ref> The title was originally published on the music repertoire website, ASCAP, before the band confirmed its release.<ref>{{cite news|title=Use My Voice (Title)|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#ace/search/workID/908010731|work=ASCAP}}</ref> It's one of the four songs the band worked on with [[Nick Raskulinecz]] in early 2020. The song features backing vocals from [[Halestorm|Lzzy Hale]], [[Veridia|Deena Jakoub]], [[Lindsey Stirling]], [[The Pretty Reckless|Taylor Momsen]], [[Within Temptation|Sharon den Adel]], Amy McLawhorn (Troy's wife), Jen Majura, and Amy's sisters, [[Lori Lee|Lori]] and [[Carrie Lee|Carrie]].<ref name=girlpowerwave /> They lent their voices to create the tidal wave of girl power on the track.


The title was published on the music repertoire website, ASCAP, though no official confirmation has been published by the band about this.<ref>https://www.ascap.com/repertory#ace/search/workID/908010731</ref>
The band teamed up with [[HeadCount]] on the release of the song to promote voter registration for the 2020 US presidential election.<ref name=americansongwriter />
 
The song was originally intended to be the first single from ''The Bitter Truth'', but ''[[Wasted on You]]'' was released instead due to the coronavirus pandemic because its lyrics somehow mirrored the world's situation.<ref name=marieclaire />
 
Amy explained the song:
 
{{Quote|This is an era of awakening and full of powerful beauty. I hope to inspire others to seek truth, find their own voices and use them as I step up to use mine. Don’t let anybody speak for you. Only you can do that.<ref name="kerrang" />}}
 
Amy told ''MTV News'' that the song was inspired by how she’s been “feeling about the state of our country”:
 
{{Quote|“As we were recording it, I was listening back to my own words and started asking myself, ‘What can I do to use my voice? How can we use our platform for good and empower people?’ I believe that this is a very important, revolutionary time,” she shares. “Things are messed up. I’ve never been political publicly — I’ve kept that part of myself private because I see music as a place to get away from our differences and find unity. We need to be unified now more than ever, but I finally feel in my heart that if I’m going to be true to my word. It’s time to use my voice to help promote our future.”<ref name=mtvnews />}}
 
She told ''Rolling Stone'':
 
{{Quote|That song has been bubbling in the background for me for a couple of years. As life went on and as the state of our country and world went on, over that course of time, just every once in a while I’d have another line and something else that I needed to say, and it just kept being a place where I would pour that into. And then finally, when we got it all wrapped up and we got to come together as a band, right before everything shut down [due to COVID-19], it just became this beautifully empowering and seemingly important moment for me personally and for all of us a band.
 
I’ve never really at all, in any small form, really, spoken politically or made any real statement about what I believe and what’s going on there because I don’t like to divide the fans. I want the music to be our free place where we can all have something in common. But sometimes things are just right and wrong, and you have feelings that can’t be held back, and if I’m gonna be true to myself and my music like I always have been, then I have to say what’s heavy on my heart.
 
We need to empower people to use their voices literally and vote. That’s the amazing privilege that we have living here, the fact that our voices matter, and that can guide and should guide and will guide what comes next. And this year more than ever, I think we’re all just asking, over and over, the question just, “What is next?” And we can be a part of that, and we need to be a part of that. So I feel very grateful. The people at HeadCount are awesome. They are totally non-partisan and all about empowering the voice of the people.<ref name=rollingstone />}}
 
She discussed the recording process of the guest female voices on the song:
 
{{Quote|“We all live all over the place, so mostly the girls just recorded themselves, sent the audio to me and we piled it all up together. Just to feel their support in a song that is different thematically for me and for us as a band. It’s stepping out and up in a new way – just feeling that support in that music feels so great. I’m so grateful to them.”<ref name=RadioDotCom />}}
 
Amy was inspired by a statement written by Chanel Miller, the survivor of a 2015 sexual assault in Stanford University, to write ''Use My Voice'':<ref name=DoneBeingSilent />
 
{{Quote|“Some of the things they said in the case against her to let him off lit a ''huge'' fire in me. But what lit the biggest fire wasn’t the negative, it was the positive. After he was let off with a very light sentence, she stood up and read her truth, her story, to her attacker. It was the most inspiring, powerful thing. It sparked something in me. I was so hit by the fact that the clear, simple, uncomplicated truth of her experience was stronger than any weapon they could have used against her. She used her voice. After all that time, struggle, money and fighting, the most powerful thing were the words she said. I literally took that statement, read it like three times, and then put pen to paper.”
 
“This is, in my heart, a battle of truth and love vs. lies and hate,” says Amy of how the song evolved to take on a broader personal meaning for her. “In my life, band, career and personal life, I’ve had to fight for my voice to be heard and not be ignored, or taken out of my mouth and put out of context. It’s very close to my heart that our voices matter and need to be heard.}}
 
Amy began working on the song a couple years ago,<ref name="songwriteruniverse" /><ref name="powerplay" /> but was holding onto it because she had not built a chorus part for it. When all the events of 2020 popped off, she knew she needed to finish the song more than ever, and Deena Jakoub helped her realize the missing piece of the song.<ref name="americansongwriter" />
 
Fans who [https://evanescence.lnk.to/UseMyVoiceTW pre-saved the song] on Apple, Spotify and Deezer were entered for a chance to attend a Zoom call with Evanescence and hear the song a day before its release.<ref name="presave" />
 
It was rumored that the song would be used for [[Eric D. Howell]]'s graphic novel project, ''[[The Revolution of Cassandra]]'', but was actually inspired by it.<ref name="cassandra" /><ref name="filmdaily" /> [[Amy Lee]] worked with Eric before on his movie ''[[Voice from the Stone]]'', where she wrote a song for the closing credits called ''[[Speak to Me]]''. [[Veridia]] frontwoman, Deena Jakoub, also has songwriting credits on this track. The second issue of [[Echoes from the Void|''Echoes from the Void'']] is named after Howell's graphic novel and connects both its story and ''Use My Voice''.
 
In a show at Assago, Italy of the [[Worlds Collide Tour 2022|Worlds Collide tour]] on November 10, 2022, Deena Jakoub and Sharon den Adel duetted with Amy Lee during the bridge.<ref>[https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/evanescence/2022/mediolanum-forum-di-assago-assago-italy-33be7c61.html Evanescence Concert Setlist at Mediolanum Forum di Assago, Assago, Italy on November 10, 2022]</ref>


==Versions==
==Versions==
===Studio Version ===
'''Use My Voice'''
*''Recording date:'' January - February 2020
*''Status:'' [[The Evanescence Reference:Release Status|Released, Available]]
*''Released On:'' August 14, 2020 as the third single from ''The Bitter Truth''
:''[[The Bitter Truth]]'' (Track #8)
*''Length:'' 4:02
'''Use My Voice [Radio Edit]'''<ref name="radioedit" group="note" />
*''Recording date:'' January - February 2020
*''Status:'' [[The Evanescence Reference:Release Status|Unreleased, Unavailable]]
*''Length:'' 3:15
'''Use My Voice [Instrumental]'''
*''Recording date:'' January - February 2020
*''Status:'' [[The Evanescence Reference:Release Status|Released, Available]]
*''Released On:'' [[The Bitter Truth#Deluxe Box Set|''The Bitter Truth Evolution'']] cassette (B3)
*''Length:'' 4:08
'''UMV [''The Bitter Truth Evolution'' demo]'''<ref>An audio of an early version of ''Use My Voice'' and later it is merged with a studio session of the final version. The latter audio is titled ''Will Cant Catch'' on the cassette.</ref>
*''Recording date:'' 2015 - 2020
*''Status:'' Released
*''Released On:'' [[The Bitter Truth#Deluxe Box Set|''The Bitter Truth Evolution'']] cassette (A3)
*''Length:'' 0:33
'''Will Cant Catch [''The Bitter Truth Evolution'']'''<ref>Audio of the band working on the song in the studio.</ref>
*''Recording date:'' 2020
*''Status:'' Released
*''Released On:'' [[The Bitter Truth#Deluxe Box Set|''The Bitter Truth Evolution'']] cassette (A4)
*''Length:'' 0:37
===Live Versions===
'''Use My Voice ([[A Live Session From Rock Falcon Studio]])'''<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcHxeXN9uBc "Evanescence - Use My Voice (Live Session From Rock Falcon Studio)"]. ''YouTube''.</ref>
*''Performing dates:'' Aired October 30, 2020 and December 5, 2020
*''Status:'' Limited release
*''Released On:'' Bonus CD ''[[A Live Session From Rock Falcon Studio]]'' from ''The Bitter Truth'' (Track #6)
*''Length:'' 4:01
'''Use My Voice (Piano and Vocal)'''<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=1444&v=vxyAIxIadbo "We're Live at the 2021 She Rocks Awards"]. ''YouTube''.</ref>
*''Performing dates:'' January 22, 2021
*''Status:'' Released on YouTube
*''Example:'' 2021 She Rocks Awards
'''Use My Voice <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[Cooper Tires Driven To Perform Livestream Concert|Driven to Perform Livestream Concert by Cooper Tire]]]'''
*''Performing period:'' May 13, 2021
*''Example:'' Driven to Perform Livestream Concert by Cooper Tire, Nashville, TN, USA
'''Use My Voice [Live]'''
*''Performing period:'' November 5 - December 11, 2021; January 14 - November 2022; February 25 - October 28, 2023; May 9 - June 15, 2024
*''Example:'' Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Portland, OR, USA (November 5, 2021)


==Lyrics==
==Lyrics==
Cover my ears and close my eyes<br>
Just long enough to stop the noise<br>
Go on take everything and throw it away<br>
But I will use my voice<br>
Drown every truth in an ocean of lies<br>
Label me a bitch because I dare to draw my own line<br>
Burn every bridge and build a wall in my way<br>
But I will use my voice<br>
Whether you like it or not, you're gonna take what I got<br>
If we can't talk about it, we'll just keep drowning in it<br>
Give me credit or not<br>
I give a lot, give a lot<br>
But don't you speak for me<br>
No, don't you speak for me<br>
Never mind me, I'm a waste of your time<br>
I'm never gonna fit in the box that you need<br>
And I can read between the lines, yeah<br>
Gather your friends and wave your gun in my face<br>
But I will use my voice<br>
Whether you like it or not, you're gonna take what I got<br>
If we can't talk about it, we'll just keep drowning in it<br>
Give me credit or not<br>
I give a lot, give a lot<br>
But don't you speak for me<br>
But don't you speak for me<br>
Whether you like it or not<br>
Whether you like it or not<br>
Whether you like it or not<br>
Whether you like it or not<br>
One day soon, it's gonna fall back on you<br>
No more lies, we're gonna break right through<br>
Like it or not<br>
If we can't talk about it, we'll just keep drowning in it<br>
Give me credit or not<br>
I give a lot, give a lot<br>
But don't you speak for me<br>
No, don't you speak for me<br>
Don't you speak for me!


==Video==
==Video==
[[File:UseMyVoiceVideo.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Still from the ''Use My Voice'' video]]
A music video was filmed for the song on the weekend of the 25th and 26th of July, as Eric D. Howell posted that he was in Nashville filming and used the song title as a hashtag.<ref>{{cite news|last=Howell|first=Eric D|url=https://twitter.com/EricDHowell/status/1287073714845212673|title=#prep #ComingSoon|date=July 26, 2020|work=Twitter}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CDJPAClnwVs/|title=I get to work with very smart and talented people|work=Instagram|date=July 27, 2020}}</ref><ref>https://twitter.com/EricDHowell/status/1287840094611746817</ref> The music video was previewed during Amy's ''CBS This Morning'' interview on August 26, 2020.<ref name="cbs" /> The next day, it was announced the video will premiere on August 28, 2020 at 9am PT/12pm ET, with Amy taking part of a live Q&A.<ref name="UMVvideo" /> The video follows Amy Lee, her bandmates and a variety of other activists armed with flags, flares and signs in protest.
{{quote|This video was shot in 3 separate shoots. One in Nashville with the guys and me, one in Germany with Jen, and one in Minneapolis where Eric (our director) is from. — Amy on the live Q&A}}
Eric posted the following on his Instagram:
{{Quote|This project started over a year ago when Amy shared it with me. Since then we have been trying to come up with the best way to express her words with visuals. By surrounding myself with phenomenal collaborators like @jillian.nodland @bohakala @west0fthesun we managed to make something very special. Thank you you our crews in #Nashville #Germany and #Minneapolis<ref>{{cite web|first=Eric D|last=Howell|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CEcO4c0HBhl/|title=This project started over a year ago...|date=August 28, 2020|work=Instagram}}</ref>}}
Amy had discussed with Eric about him directing the video when the band starting laying down the track in early 2020, because the song was originally intended to be the first single. She said the video originally had a different concept: "like pushing, going upstream in a crammed in-crowd, like all pushing one direction and I'm squeezing through going in the other direction - totally impossible things to do now that we have to social distance."<ref name="ultimateguitar" /> She discussed the scene where she's looking out the window while fireworks set off over the White House:
{{Quote|"So that moment where you see the White House - for me, it's standing up and looking out at a world that feels broken and feels like something's coming, like a revolution, like the people's voices just stepping out and looking out at the world and going, 'OK, it's time for me to open my eyes and do whatever I can.'
I'm trying to remember what day the video came out, but then the very next day, there was literally fireworks on the White House lawn, and I was looking at it going like, 'There is no way that I could have planned that! That would actually happen!'"<ref name=ultimateguitar />}}
The video has been nominated for Best Rock Video at the 2021 MTV VMA's and the winner was revealed on September 12, 2021. However, ''Use My Voice'' didn't win, and Amy tweeted a thank you message to the fans.<ref name="thankutt" />
Directed By Eric D. Howell<br>
Produced By Jillian Nodland<br>
Director of Photography: Bo Hakala<br>
Production Design: David Weiberg<br>
Editor: Nate Maydole<br>
Production Company: Picture Factory, Inc.<br>
*Watch the music video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KAa5woluuM here].
A behind the scenes video was uploaded to the band's YouTube account on September 9, 2020. Watch it [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KV_SuMlpgis here].
<gallery>File:UYVbts.jpg|Tim McCord, Amy Lee, Will Hunt and Troy McLawhorn with director Eric D. Howell during the shooting of the music video.
File:UMVbts.jpg
File:Amy UMV bts.jpg
File:Amy_UMV_torch.jpg
File:Amy UMV US flag.jpg</gallery>
== Commercial Release==
{{Main|Use My Voice Single}}
The digital single was released on August 14, 2020.
Tracks released with the single include:
*"Use My Voice"
==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note|refs=
<ref name=radioedit group=note>This version was streamed on Loudwire Night live stream and begins with the guest female voices. Listen it [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDpWbnC4opQ here].</ref>
<!-- Add notes above this line -->
}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|2|refs=
 
<ref name=presave>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/evanescence/status/1291769401151115264|title=Our new single “Use My Voice” is coming Aug 14th|date=August 7, 2020|work=Twitter}}</ref>
 
<ref name=girlpowerwave>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/evanescence/status/1293230242346070016|title=One of the most exciting parts of making our new song was getting a little help from our friends.|date=August 11, 2020|work=Twitter}}</ref>
 
<ref name="kerrang">{{cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/evanescence-release-new-single-use-my-voice-featuring-lzzy-hale-taylor-momsen-and-more/|title=Evanescence Release New Single, Use My Voice, Featuring Lzzy Hale, Taylor Momsen And More|date=August 14, 2020|work=Kerrang!}}</ref>
 
<ref name=mtvnews>{{cite web|last=Russell|first=Erica|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/3168757/evanescence-amy-lee-interview-use-your-voice/|title=How Evanescence's Amy Lee Became A Voice For The Unheard|date=August 14, 2020|work=MTV News}}</ref>
 
<ref name=rollingstone>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bnDWSihcPg|title=Evanescence's Amy Lee Urges Fans to Vote on New Single "Use My Voice"|date=August 14, 2020|work=YouTube}}</ref>
 
<ref name=RadioDotCom>{{cite web|last=Cingrana|first=Joe|url=https://www.radio.com/music/rock/watch-evanescence-in-an-exclusive-radio-com-live-fandemic|title=Amy Lee of Evanesence on Performing and Parenting: 'Not Easy Being a Mom in Quarantine'|date=August 14, 2020|work=RADIO.COM}}</ref>
 
<ref name=marieclaire>{{cite web|last=Kaplan|first=Ilana|url=https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/a33590771/evanescence-amy-lee-new-album-the-bitter-truth/|title=Evanescence's Amy Lee on the Band's New Album, 'The Bitter Truth'|date=August 19, 2020|work=Marie Claire}}</ref>
 
<ref name=cbs>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/CBSThisMorning/status/1298606769690816513|title=Lead singer @AmyLeeEV of Grammy-winning rock band @Evanescence is getting political for the first time with her band's new single "Use My Voice."|work=Twitter|date=August 26, 2020}}</ref>
 
<ref name=UMVvideo>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/evanescence/status/1299018208473575424|title=Our new video for #UseMyVoice drops TOMORROW...|work=Twitter|date=August 27, 2020}}</ref>
 
<ref name=DoneBeingSilent>{{cite web|last=Garner|first=George|url=https://www.kerrang.com/features/evanescence-why-amy-lee-is-done-being-silent/|title=Evanescence: Why Amy Lee Is Done Being Silent|work=Kerrang!|date=September 9, 2020}}</ref>
 
<ref name=americansongwriter>{{cite news|last=Bennett|first=Macie|url=https://americansongwriter.com/evanescence-use-my-voice-song-by-amy-lee/|title=Evanescence Urges Everyone to Vote and Offers Unity In “Use My Voice”|newspaper=American Songwriter|date=August 28, 2020}}</ref>
 
<ref name=cassandra>{{cite news|last=Howell|first=Eric D|title=My award-winning screenplay has been turned into a graphic novel...|url=https://twitter.com/EricDHowell/status/1318538326144581633|work=Twitter|date=October 20, 2020}}</ref>
 
<ref name=filmdaily>{{cite news|last=Stein|first=Frankie|title=‘The Revolution of Cassandra’ created by filmmaker Eric D. Howell|url=https://filmdaily.co/craft/revolution-cassandra-eric-howell/|date=November 11, 2020|work=Film Daily}}</ref>
 
<ref name=ultimateguitar>{{cite news|title=Amy Lee Speaks on Pushback From Mixing Music & Politics, Talks 'Incredibly Brave & Strong Woman' Who Inspired Recent Evanescence Single|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/amy_lee_speaks_on_pushback_from_mixing_music__politics_talks_incredibly_brave__strong_woman_who_inspired_recent_evanescence_single.html|date=October 24, 2020|work=Ultimate-guitar.com}}</ref>
 
<ref name=thankutt>{{cite news|last=Lee|first=Amy|title=Just wanted to say, no matter what, thank you guys so much for voting for us for the @vmas tonight.|url=https://twitter.com/AmyLeeEV/status/1437208052365762564|work=Twitter|date=September 12, 2021}}</ref>
 
<ref name=songwriteruniverse>{{cite news|last=Kawashima|first=Dale|title=Amy Lee Of Grammy-Winning Band Evanescence Talks About Their Excellent New Single “Use My Voice,” And Their Upcoming Album
|url=https://www.songwriteruniverse.com/amy-lee-evanescence-interview-2020.htm|work=Songwriter Universe|date=September 8, 2020}}</ref>
 
<ref name=powerplay>{{cite journal|last=Day|first=Elinor|date=May 2021|url=https://www.yourcelebritymagazines.com/products/powerplay-magazine-240-may-2021-amy-lee-evanescence|title=Amy Lee chats to Elinor Day|journal=Power Play|issue=240|page=4}}</ref>
 
 
}}
 
{{Evanescence}}


[[Category:Songs]]
[[Category:Songs]]
[[Category:Unreleased songs]]
[[Category:The Bitter Truth songs]]
[[Category:Collaborations]]

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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


General Information

Written by: A. Lee, J. Majura, T. McCord, T. McLawhorn, W. Hunt and D. Jakoub

Use My Voice is the eighth track and third single from Evanescence's fifth studio album, The Bitter Truth, that was released on August 14, 2020.[1] The title was originally published on the music repertoire website, ASCAP, before the band confirmed its release.[2] It's one of the four songs the band worked on with Nick Raskulinecz in early 2020. The song features backing vocals from Lzzy Hale, Deena Jakoub, Lindsey Stirling, Taylor Momsen, Sharon den Adel, Amy McLawhorn (Troy's wife), Jen Majura, and Amy's sisters, Lori and Carrie.[3] They lent their voices to create the tidal wave of girl power on the track.

The band teamed up with HeadCount on the release of the song to promote voter registration for the 2020 US presidential election.[4]

The song was originally intended to be the first single from The Bitter Truth, but Wasted on You was released instead due to the coronavirus pandemic because its lyrics somehow mirrored the world's situation.[5]

Amy explained the song:

Vin1.jpg This is an era of awakening and full of powerful beauty. I hope to inspire others to seek truth, find their own voices and use them as I step up to use mine. Don’t let anybody speak for you. Only you can do that.[6] Vin2.jpg


Amy told MTV News that the song was inspired by how she’s been “feeling about the state of our country”:

Vin1.jpg “As we were recording it, I was listening back to my own words and started asking myself, ‘What can I do to use my voice? How can we use our platform for good and empower people?’ I believe that this is a very important, revolutionary time,” she shares. “Things are messed up. I’ve never been political publicly — I’ve kept that part of myself private because I see music as a place to get away from our differences and find unity. We need to be unified now more than ever, but I finally feel in my heart that if I’m going to be true to my word. It’s time to use my voice to help promote our future.”[7] Vin2.jpg


She told Rolling Stone:

Vin1.jpg That song has been bubbling in the background for me for a couple of years. As life went on and as the state of our country and world went on, over that course of time, just every once in a while I’d have another line and something else that I needed to say, and it just kept being a place where I would pour that into. And then finally, when we got it all wrapped up and we got to come together as a band, right before everything shut down [due to COVID-19], it just became this beautifully empowering and seemingly important moment for me personally and for all of us a band.

I’ve never really at all, in any small form, really, spoken politically or made any real statement about what I believe and what’s going on there because I don’t like to divide the fans. I want the music to be our free place where we can all have something in common. But sometimes things are just right and wrong, and you have feelings that can’t be held back, and if I’m gonna be true to myself and my music like I always have been, then I have to say what’s heavy on my heart.

We need to empower people to use their voices literally and vote. That’s the amazing privilege that we have living here, the fact that our voices matter, and that can guide and should guide and will guide what comes next. And this year more than ever, I think we’re all just asking, over and over, the question just, “What is next?” And we can be a part of that, and we need to be a part of that. So I feel very grateful. The people at HeadCount are awesome. They are totally non-partisan and all about empowering the voice of the people.[8]

Vin2.jpg


She discussed the recording process of the guest female voices on the song:

Vin1.jpg “We all live all over the place, so mostly the girls just recorded themselves, sent the audio to me and we piled it all up together. Just to feel their support in a song that is different thematically for me and for us as a band. It’s stepping out and up in a new way – just feeling that support in that music feels so great. I’m so grateful to them.”[9] Vin2.jpg


Amy was inspired by a statement written by Chanel Miller, the survivor of a 2015 sexual assault in Stanford University, to write Use My Voice:[10]

Vin1.jpg “Some of the things they said in the case against her to let him off lit a huge fire in me. But what lit the biggest fire wasn’t the negative, it was the positive. After he was let off with a very light sentence, she stood up and read her truth, her story, to her attacker. It was the most inspiring, powerful thing. It sparked something in me. I was so hit by the fact that the clear, simple, uncomplicated truth of her experience was stronger than any weapon they could have used against her. She used her voice. After all that time, struggle, money and fighting, the most powerful thing were the words she said. I literally took that statement, read it like three times, and then put pen to paper.”

“This is, in my heart, a battle of truth and love vs. lies and hate,” says Amy of how the song evolved to take on a broader personal meaning for her. “In my life, band, career and personal life, I’ve had to fight for my voice to be heard and not be ignored, or taken out of my mouth and put out of context. It’s very close to my heart that our voices matter and need to be heard.

Vin2.jpg


Amy began working on the song a couple years ago,[11][12] but was holding onto it because she had not built a chorus part for it. When all the events of 2020 popped off, she knew she needed to finish the song more than ever, and Deena Jakoub helped her realize the missing piece of the song.[4]

Fans who pre-saved the song on Apple, Spotify and Deezer were entered for a chance to attend a Zoom call with Evanescence and hear the song a day before its release.[13]

It was rumored that the song would be used for Eric D. Howell's graphic novel project, The Revolution of Cassandra, but was actually inspired by it.[14][15] Amy Lee worked with Eric before on his movie Voice from the Stone, where she wrote a song for the closing credits called Speak to Me. Veridia frontwoman, Deena Jakoub, also has songwriting credits on this track. The second issue of Echoes from the Void is named after Howell's graphic novel and connects both its story and Use My Voice.

In a show at Assago, Italy of the Worlds Collide tour on November 10, 2022, Deena Jakoub and Sharon den Adel duetted with Amy Lee during the bridge.[16]

Versions

Studio Version

Use My Voice

  • Recording date: January - February 2020
  • Status: Released, Available
  • Released On: August 14, 2020 as the third single from The Bitter Truth
The Bitter Truth (Track #8)
  • Length: 4:02

Use My Voice [Radio Edit][note 1]

Use My Voice [Instrumental]

UMV [The Bitter Truth Evolution demo][17]

Will Cant Catch [The Bitter Truth Evolution][18]

Live Versions

Use My Voice (A Live Session From Rock Falcon Studio)[19]

  • Performing dates: Aired October 30, 2020 and December 5, 2020
  • Status: Limited release
  • Released On: Bonus CD A Live Session From Rock Falcon Studio from The Bitter Truth (Track #6)
  • Length: 4:01

Use My Voice (Piano and Vocal)[20]

  • Performing dates: January 22, 2021
  • Status: Released on YouTube
  • Example: 2021 She Rocks Awards

Use My Voice [Driven to Perform Livestream Concert by Cooper Tire]

  • Performing period: May 13, 2021
  • Example: Driven to Perform Livestream Concert by Cooper Tire, Nashville, TN, USA

Use My Voice [Live]

  • Performing period: November 5 - December 11, 2021; January 14 - November 2022; February 25 - October 28, 2023; May 9 - June 15, 2024
  • Example: Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Portland, OR, USA (November 5, 2021)

Lyrics

Cover my ears and close my eyes
Just long enough to stop the noise
Go on take everything and throw it away
But I will use my voice

Drown every truth in an ocean of lies
Label me a bitch because I dare to draw my own line
Burn every bridge and build a wall in my way
But I will use my voice

Whether you like it or not, you're gonna take what I got
If we can't talk about it, we'll just keep drowning in it
Give me credit or not
I give a lot, give a lot
But don't you speak for me

No, don't you speak for me

Never mind me, I'm a waste of your time
I'm never gonna fit in the box that you need
And I can read between the lines, yeah
Gather your friends and wave your gun in my face
But I will use my voice

Whether you like it or not, you're gonna take what I got
If we can't talk about it, we'll just keep drowning in it
Give me credit or not
I give a lot, give a lot
But don't you speak for me

But don't you speak for me

Whether you like it or not
Whether you like it or not
Whether you like it or not
Whether you like it or not

One day soon, it's gonna fall back on you
No more lies, we're gonna break right through
Like it or not

If we can't talk about it, we'll just keep drowning in it
Give me credit or not
I give a lot, give a lot
But don't you speak for me

No, don't you speak for me

Don't you speak for me!

Video

Still from the Use My Voice video

A music video was filmed for the song on the weekend of the 25th and 26th of July, as Eric D. Howell posted that he was in Nashville filming and used the song title as a hashtag.[21][22][23] The music video was previewed during Amy's CBS This Morning interview on August 26, 2020.[24] The next day, it was announced the video will premiere on August 28, 2020 at 9am PT/12pm ET, with Amy taking part of a live Q&A.[25] The video follows Amy Lee, her bandmates and a variety of other activists armed with flags, flares and signs in protest.

Vin1.jpg This video was shot in 3 separate shoots. One in Nashville with the guys and me, one in Germany with Jen, and one in Minneapolis where Eric (our director) is from. — Amy on the live Q&A Vin2.jpg


Eric posted the following on his Instagram:

Vin1.jpg This project started over a year ago when Amy shared it with me. Since then we have been trying to come up with the best way to express her words with visuals. By surrounding myself with phenomenal collaborators like @jillian.nodland @bohakala @west0fthesun we managed to make something very special. Thank you you our crews in #Nashville #Germany and #Minneapolis[26] Vin2.jpg


Amy had discussed with Eric about him directing the video when the band starting laying down the track in early 2020, because the song was originally intended to be the first single. She said the video originally had a different concept: "like pushing, going upstream in a crammed in-crowd, like all pushing one direction and I'm squeezing through going in the other direction - totally impossible things to do now that we have to social distance."[27] She discussed the scene where she's looking out the window while fireworks set off over the White House:

Vin1.jpg "So that moment where you see the White House - for me, it's standing up and looking out at a world that feels broken and feels like something's coming, like a revolution, like the people's voices just stepping out and looking out at the world and going, 'OK, it's time for me to open my eyes and do whatever I can.'

I'm trying to remember what day the video came out, but then the very next day, there was literally fireworks on the White House lawn, and I was looking at it going like, 'There is no way that I could have planned that! That would actually happen!'"[27]

Vin2.jpg


The video has been nominated for Best Rock Video at the 2021 MTV VMA's and the winner was revealed on September 12, 2021. However, Use My Voice didn't win, and Amy tweeted a thank you message to the fans.[28]

Directed By Eric D. Howell
Produced By Jillian Nodland
Director of Photography: Bo Hakala
Production Design: David Weiberg
Editor: Nate Maydole
Production Company: Picture Factory, Inc.

  • Watch the music video here.

A behind the scenes video was uploaded to the band's YouTube account on September 9, 2020. Watch it here.

  • Tim McCord, Amy Lee, Will Hunt and Troy McLawhorn with director Eric D. Howell during the shooting of the music video.

    Tim McCord, Amy Lee, Will Hunt and Troy McLawhorn with director Eric D. Howell during the shooting of the music video.

  • UMVbts.jpg
  • Amy UMV bts.jpg
  • Amy UMV torch.jpg
  • Amy UMV US flag.jpg

Commercial Release

Exquisite-kfind.png Main article: Use My Voice Single

The digital single was released on August 14, 2020.

Tracks released with the single include:

  • "Use My Voice"

Notes

  1. ↑ This version was streamed on Loudwire Night live stream and begins with the guest female voices. Listen it here.

References

  1. ↑ "COVID has made everything more challenging this year". Facebook. August 5, 2020. https://www.facebook.com/Evanescence/videos/381111059522780/.
  2. ↑ "Use My Voice (Title)". ASCAP. https://www.ascap.com/repertory#ace/search/workID/908010731.
  3. ↑ "One of the most exciting parts of making our new song was getting a little help from our friends.". Twitter. August 11, 2020. https://twitter.com/evanescence/status/1293230242346070016.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Bennett, Macie (August 28, 2020). "Evanescence Urges Everyone to Vote and Offers Unity In “Use My Voice”". American Songwriter. https://americansongwriter.com/evanescence-use-my-voice-song-by-amy-lee/.
  5. ↑ Kaplan, Ilana (August 19, 2020). "Evanescence's Amy Lee on the Band's New Album, 'The Bitter Truth'". Marie Claire. https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/a33590771/evanescence-amy-lee-new-album-the-bitter-truth/.
  6. ↑ "Evanescence Release New Single, Use My Voice, Featuring Lzzy Hale, Taylor Momsen And More". Kerrang!. August 14, 2020. https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/evanescence-release-new-single-use-my-voice-featuring-lzzy-hale-taylor-momsen-and-more/.
  7. ↑ Russell, Erica (August 14, 2020). "How Evanescence's Amy Lee Became A Voice For The Unheard". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/3168757/evanescence-amy-lee-interview-use-your-voice/.
  8. ↑ "Evanescence's Amy Lee Urges Fans to Vote on New Single "Use My Voice"". YouTube. August 14, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bnDWSihcPg.
  9. ↑ Cingrana, Joe (August 14, 2020). "Amy Lee of Evanesence on Performing and Parenting: 'Not Easy Being a Mom in Quarantine'". RADIO.COM. https://www.radio.com/music/rock/watch-evanescence-in-an-exclusive-radio-com-live-fandemic.
  10. ↑ Garner, George (September 9, 2020). "Evanescence: Why Amy Lee Is Done Being Silent". Kerrang!. https://www.kerrang.com/features/evanescence-why-amy-lee-is-done-being-silent/.
  11. ↑ Kawashima, Dale (September 8, 2020). "Amy Lee Of Grammy-Winning Band Evanescence Talks About Their Excellent New Single “Use My Voice,” And Their Upcoming Album". Songwriter Universe. https://www.songwriteruniverse.com/amy-lee-evanescence-interview-2020.htm.
  12. ↑ Day, Elinor (May 2021). "Amy Lee chats to Elinor Day". Power Play (240): 4. https://www.yourcelebritymagazines.com/products/powerplay-magazine-240-may-2021-amy-lee-evanescence.
  13. ↑ "Our new single “Use My Voice” is coming Aug 14th". Twitter. August 7, 2020. https://twitter.com/evanescence/status/1291769401151115264.
  14. ↑ Howell, Eric D (October 20, 2020). "My award-winning screenplay has been turned into a graphic novel...". Twitter. https://twitter.com/EricDHowell/status/1318538326144581633.
  15. ↑ Stein, Frankie (November 11, 2020). "‘The Revolution of Cassandra’ created by filmmaker Eric D. Howell". Film Daily. https://filmdaily.co/craft/revolution-cassandra-eric-howell/.
  16. ↑ Evanescence Concert Setlist at Mediolanum Forum di Assago, Assago, Italy on November 10, 2022
  17. ↑ An audio of an early version of Use My Voice and later it is merged with a studio session of the final version. The latter audio is titled Will Cant Catch on the cassette.
  18. ↑ Audio of the band working on the song in the studio.
  19. ↑ "Evanescence - Use My Voice (Live Session From Rock Falcon Studio)". YouTube.
  20. ↑ "We're Live at the 2021 She Rocks Awards". YouTube.
  21. ↑ Howell, Eric D (July 26, 2020). "#prep #ComingSoon". Twitter. https://twitter.com/EricDHowell/status/1287073714845212673.
  22. ↑ "I get to work with very smart and talented people". Instagram. July 27, 2020. https://www.instagram.com/p/CDJPAClnwVs/.
  23. ↑ https://twitter.com/EricDHowell/status/1287840094611746817
  24. ↑ "Lead singer @AmyLeeEV of Grammy-winning rock band @Evanescence is getting political for the first time with her band's new single "Use My Voice."". Twitter. August 26, 2020. https://twitter.com/CBSThisMorning/status/1298606769690816513.
  25. ↑ "Our new video for #UseMyVoice drops TOMORROW...". Twitter. August 27, 2020. https://twitter.com/evanescence/status/1299018208473575424.
  26. ↑ Howell, Eric D (August 28, 2020). "This project started over a year ago...". Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/CEcO4c0HBhl/.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "Amy Lee Speaks on Pushback From Mixing Music & Politics, Talks 'Incredibly Brave & Strong Woman' Who Inspired Recent Evanescence Single". Ultimate-guitar.com. October 24, 2020. https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/amy_lee_speaks_on_pushback_from_mixing_music__politics_talks_incredibly_brave__strong_woman_who_inspired_recent_evanescence_single.html.
  28. ↑ Lee, Amy (September 12, 2021). "Just wanted to say, no matter what, thank you guys so much for voting for us for the @vmas tonight.". Twitter. https://twitter.com/AmyLeeEV/status/1437208052365762564.
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