Sally's Song

Album cover to "Nightmare Revisited"

Written by Danny Elfman

General Information

Sally's Song is a song featured in the Tim Burton film The Nightmare Before Christmas sung by Catherine O'Hara and already covered by Fiona Apple in a special edition of The Nightmare Before Christmas Soundtrack.

The song is the 14th track off the movies soundtrack released in 1993.

Amy Lee covers the song on the new collaboration CD, "Nightmare Revisited", featuring Korn, Plain White T's, Flyleaf, All American Rejects and more.

The US release date of the album was on September 30 2008.

The UK release date of the album is on 27th October 2008.

Amy Lee stated in EvClub that she will be performing this song live on The Jay Leno show on October 13. It should be noted during the previews that Amy Lee used both her harp and the piano to remake this song. Her good friend, Will Hunt (not the Evanescence drummer) played the drums.

Amy's description of the song from EvClub:

Hey guys! I just wanted to say a few things about Sally's song. I first saw the Nightmare Before Christmas when I was about 13 years old. I loved it so much- the art, the music, the story- that I have watched it at least 40 times since then. It has been an inspiration to me since my artistic identity was just beginning to form, and it never gets old- it still puts me in the mood to create. I was the girl in high school who was blasting TNBC soundtrack in my car instead of whatever was cool back then. In all honesty, Sally's Song has always been "my song" on that CD, and I used to play it over and over, making up harmonies to sing with it. I just want to gush out loud that I am SO lucky that I got to do this. Please believe me when I say they couldn't have gotten a bigger fan to do it. The coolest part about it was that I had complete creative control. It was just like, "go for it!" and I got to recreate the song however I wanted. So I went to my good friend Will Hunt's studio in Ft. Worth (not the evanescence drummer, weird coincidence but its a totally different guy), who is a very creative producer and drummer, and we just had fun with it. I decided to whip out my new budding skill and play harp on the track, which I LOVE and intend to use much more in the future. Even though my version is different than the original, I wanted to pay homage to Danny Elfman and to Sally in every way I could, from the creepy background vocals to the droning harmonium (which reminds me of the accordian in the song). I can't wait for it to come out, I love it so much! Thanks Will! I'm not sure if you guys know this yet, but I'm going to play it on the Tonight Show on October 13. Tim will be up there with me. I hope you enjoy the song, I cant wait to hear what you think! love, Amy

This is the first time Amy has ever sang a song with a male gender reference.

The song leaked on the internet on Saturday 27th September 2008.

Amy's description of the song from Spin.com

The Nightmare Before Christmas is my number one biggest influence artistically in every way. [When I was young] I literally would sit in my bedroom and sing 'Sally's Song,' or in the car driving to school. The best part about it [recording the song] was that I had no restrictions or direction or anything. I picked the producer, who's a friend, and we just made the song however we wanted together. [We recorded the song] three months ago, in Fort Worth, TX.

Versions

Studio versions:

Sally's Song

• Recording date: June-August 2008???
• Status: Released
• Released on: Nightmare Revisited
• Length: 3:03

Live versions:

Sally's Song [live]

• Performing period: October 2008
• Status: Unreleased
• Example: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

Sally's Song [live]

• Performing period: October 2008
• Status: Unreleased
• Example: Live on El Capitan Theatre, Los Angeles

Lyrics

I sense there's something in the wind
That feels like tragedy's at hand
And though I'd like to stand by him
Can't shake this feeling that I have
The worst is just around the bend

And does he notice my feelings for him?
And will he see how much he means to me?
I think it's not to be

What will become of my dear friend?
Where will his actions lead us then?
Although I'd like to join the crowd
In their enthusiastic cloud
Try as I may, it doesn't last

And will we ever end up together?
Ooh...

And will we ever end up together?
No, I think not, it's never to become
For I am not the one

Previews

Listen to the first preview here
Listen to the second preview here

Links

Elfman, Korn, Plain White T's Revisit 'Nightmare' -Billboard.biz

Amy Lee's announcement on EvThreads.com

Play.com

Spin.com