Understanding
General Information
Written by: A. Lee and B. Moody
The first song ever written by Ben Moody and credited as the second song ever written by Evanescence. The audio clips in the song come from the movies My World Dies Screaming, also known as "Terror in the Haunted House" (1958), except the line "We're supposed to try... that is real" and "God, just don't hate me.. because I'll die if you do" which are from When a Man Loves A Woman (1994). Ben Moody has referred to the song as a "Cheesy 7-minute Goth anthem".
Versions
Studio versions:
Understanding [Evanescence EP version]
- Recording date: 1998
- Status: Released
- Released on:
- Evanescence EP (track #6)
- Whisper/Sound Asleep EP (track #5)
- Length: 7:21
Understanding [Whisper/Sound Asleep EP version]
- Recording date: 1999
- Status: Released
- Released on: Sound Asleep EP (track #3)
- Length: 4:55
Live versions
Understanding [Live Acoustic]
- Recording date: 1997 - 1998
- Status: Unreleased
- An acoustic version performed live on radio
- Length: 3:14
Understanding [Live]
- Performing period: October 23, 2007 - Present
- Status: Unreleased
- Sounds most like the Evanescence EP version.
- Length: 5:26
Lyrics
Evanescence EP Version
You hold the answer deep within your own mind
Consciously you've forgotten it
That's the way the human mind works
Whenever something is too unpleasant
Too shameful for us to entertain we reject it [We wash it all away]
We erase it from our memory
But the imprint is always there [we wish it all away]
[We hope it all away]
[Can't cry it all away]
The pain that grips you
The fear that binds you
Releases life in me
In our mutual shame we hide our eyes
To blind them from the truth that finds a way for who we are
Please don't be afraid
When the darkness fades away
The dawn will break the silence
Screaming in our hearts
My love for you still grows
This I do for you
Before I try to fight the truth
My final time
We're supposed to try and be real
And when you feel alone, you are not together
And that is real
Can't wash it all away
Can't wish it all away
Can't cry it all away
Can't scratch it all away
Lying beside you
Listening to you breathe
The light that flows inside of you
Burns inside of me
Hold and speak to me
Of love without a sound
Tell me you will live through this
And I will die for you
Cast me not away
Say you'll be with me
For I know
I cannot bear it all alone
You're not alone, honey
Never, never
Can't fight it all away
Can't hope it all away
Can't scream it all away
It just won't fade away, no
Ooh, can't wash it all away
Can't wish it all away
Can't cry it all away
Can't scratch it all away
Can't fight it all away
Can't hope it all away
Can't scream it all away
Oh! It all away
Oh! It all away
But the imprint is always there
Nothing is ever really forgotten
God, just don't hate me
Because I'll die if you do
'Cause I'll die if you do
'Cause I'll die if you do
'Cause I'll die if you do
Because I'll die if you do
Sound Asleep EP Version
You hold the answer
The pain that grips you
The fear that binds you
Releases life in me
In our mutual shame we hide our eyes
To blind them from the truth that finds a way for who we are
Please don't be afraid
When the darkness fades away
The dawn will break the silence
Screaming in our hearts
My love for you still grows
This I do for you
Before I try to fight the truth
My final time
Can't wash it all away
Can't wish it all away
Can't cry it all away
Can't scratch it all away
Lying beside you
Listening to you breathe
The light that flows inside of you
Burns inside of me
Hold and speak to me
Of love without a sound
Tell me you will live through this
And I will die for you [I'll die for you]
Cast me not away
Say you'll be with me
For I know
I cannot bear it all alone
Can't fight it all away
Can't hope it all away
Can't scream it all away
It just won't fade away
I've tried so hard [I have tried super hard]
Tried to be without you for so many years
No, no, no
And I have cried [So many words I have saved for someone, for sometime]
I love you, I love you, and I want you to stay
Acoustic Version
The pain that grips you
The fear that binds you
Releases life in me
In our mutual shame we hide our eyes
To blind them from the truth that finds a way for who we are
Can't wash it all away
Can't wish it all away
Can't cry it all away
Can't scratch it all away
Lying beside you
Listening to you breathe
The light that flows inside of you
Burns inside of me
Cast me not away
Say you'll be with me
For I know
I cannot bear it all alone
Can't fight it all away
Can't hope it all away
Can't scream it all away
It just won't fade away
Can't wash it all away
Can't wish it all away
Can't cry it all away
Can't hope it all away
Live Version
Can’t wash it all away
Can’t wish it all away
Can’t hope it all away
Can’t cry it all away
The pain that grips you
The fear that binds you
Ooh, releases life in me
In our mutual shame we hide our eyes
To blind them from the truth that finds a way for who we are
Please don't be afraid
When the darkness fades away
The dawn will break the silence
Screaming in our hearts
My love for you still grows
This I do for you
Before I try to fight the truth
My final time
Can’t wash it all away
Can’t wish it all away
Can’t hope it all away
Can’t cry it all away
Lying beside you
Listening to you breathe
The light that flows inside of you
Burns inside of me
Hold and speak to me
Of love without a sound
Tell me you will live through this
And I will die for you
Cast me not away
Say you'll be with me
For I know
I cannot bear it all alone
Can’t cry it all away
Can’t scratch it all away
Can’t fight it all away
It just won’t fade away, no
Ooh, can’t wash it all away
Can’t wish it all away, yeah, yeah
Can’t cry it all away
Can’t scratch it all away
Can’t fight it all away
Can’t hope it all away
Can’t scream it all away
Oh, it all away
Oh, it all away, yeah, yeah
Oh, ooh.
Guitar Tabs & Sheet Music
Notes and References
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