Lithium
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General information
Written by: A. Lee
Described by Evanescence.com as a track "which embraces feeling over numbness".[1] Amy confirmed, at the world premiere of The Open Door in London, England, her soured relationship with ex-boyfriend Shaun Morgan of Seether was the inspiration for this track.
Before the release of The Open Door, some fans mistakenly believed "Lithium" to be a cover of the Nirvana song which bears the same name. However, the two songs are unrelated.
At The Open Door premiere in Milan, Amy said that "Lithium" would be the album's second single.
Amy's description of the song:
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I wrote the chorus on the guitar when I was about 16. I always thought it was a cool chorus, but I never used it for anything. I started playing it on the piano and the verses came out. I have a pile of pieces stowed away in my mind that maybe I'll use some day. In a way it's an old song, but not really. It grew up.[2] | 
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From MTV Italy:
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It's not literal, it's not literal about the drug for me, I've never taken lithium before. It's sort of a metaphor about numbness and happiness and sort of like, it's me looking at happiness in a negative way because I've always been, you know, kind of afraid to be happy. Like with the band and the art and everything else, it's always like I'm never letting myself break through into the happiness it seems like, because it's not cool or something. And describing happiness is lithium, it's like saying 'that's numbness, I won't be able to be an artist anymore if I'm happy,' which is hilarious because that's just not true, I'm happy. So it's like this fight within the song of like 'do I do this and get out of here and get happy or do I wallow in it like I always do?' And it's cool because at the end of the song I say 'I'm going to let it go,' like I am going to be happy.[3] |
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"Lithium" was added to the setlist of The Open Door Tour (2006-07).[4][5] It was performed at the Legends & Lyrics concert in Nashville on February 23, 2009,[6] followed by the New York secret show on November 4, 2009.[7] It was later added to the setlist of the Evanescence Tour (2011-12).[8][9]
Versions
Studio versions:
Lithium
- Recording date: September 2005 - March 2006
- Status: Released
- Released on:
- The Open Door (track #4) - the second single off the album
- All "Lithium" singles
- Length: 3:44
Live versions:
Lithium [2006-2007 live]
- Performing period: October 5, 2006 - December 8, 2007
- Example: KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas (December 10, 2006)
Lithium [2009 live]
- Performing Period: November 4 and November 8, 2009
- Performed at: New York City Secret Show (November 4) and Maquinaria Festival, São Paulo, Brazil (November 8)
Lithium [2011-2012 live]
- Performing Period: August 17, 2011 - November 9, 2012
- Example: War Memorial Auditorium, Nashville, Tennessee, USA (August 17, 2011)
Lithium [Acoustic]
- Performing period: August - September 2006
- Status: Released
- Released on: Lithium Maxi CD single
- Recording date: August 13, 2006
- Recording place: Sony Studios
- Length: 3:52
- Performed by Amy Lee (piano, vocals), John LeCompt (acoustic guitar) and David Eggar (cello)
Lithium [Legends & Lyrics]
- Performing date: February 23, 2009
- Status: Unreleased
- Performed at: Legends & Lyrics, Nashville, Tennessee
- Length: Unknown
Lithium [2011-2012 acoustic]
- Performing period: December 7, 2011 and May 30, 2012
- Performed at: Octane Artist Confidential, SiriusXM Radio (December 7, 2011) and BigFM, Wiesbaden, Germany (May 30, 2012)
Lithium [2015 live]
- Performing Period: November 2015
- Example: Ozzfest Festival, Japan (November 21)
Lithium [2016 live]
- Performing Period: April 2016
- Example: House Of Blues, Orlando, FL (April 30)
Lyrics
Lithium - don't wanna lock me up inside
Lithium - don't wanna forget how it feels without
Lithium - I wanna stay in love with my sorrow
Oh, but God, I wanna let it go
Come to bed, don't make me sleep alone
Couldn't hide the emptiness you let it show
Never wanted it to be so cold
Just didn't drink enough to say you love me
I can't hold on to me
Wonder what's wrong with me
Lithium - don't wanna lock me up inside
Lithium - don't wanna forget how it feels without
Lithium - I wanna stay in love with my sorrow
Oh! Don't wanna let it lay me down this time
Drown my will to fly
Here in the darkness I know myself
Can't break free until I let it go
Let me go
Darling, I forgive you after all
Anything is better than to be alone
And in the end I guess I had to fall
Always find my place among the ashes
I can't hold on to me
Wonder what's wrong with me
Lithium - don't wanna lock me up inside
Lithium - don't wanna forget how it feels without
Lithium - I wanna stay in love with you
Oh, I'm gonna let it go
Music video
Directed by Paul Fedor,[10] the video features two Amys, one in the water (assuming the "sadness" role) in a black dress singing to her alter ego in white (assuming the "happiness" role) who, through a process of internal torment, conquers her sadness. The video also features prominent shots of the rest of the band, including new member Tim McCord, all dressed in black.
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There's the me in all white and it's really wintry, and then there's the all-in-black Amy under the surface of the water of this lake in the forest. So it's the happiness and the sorrow and we're almost singing to each other, trying to figure out how both of us can work.[10] |
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Shot in Los Angeles in late October of 2006, and released some time late in November. The video leaked on Thursday, November 23 (Thanksgiving). Due to unknown issues, apparently caused by the label, the video was released internationally late in November, however the US had to wait almost 2 weeks for stations to start playing it.
- Watch the video on YouTube.com here.
In May, 2016 a Director's Cut of the music video surfaced the internet, with several alternate takes and considerably lighter scenes. It differs in many moments from the version officially released in 2006, mainly due to the abundance of the underwater scenes.
Commercial release
Main article: Lithium Single
The "Lithium" single was commercially released on December 15, 2006 in Germany, January 8, 2007 in the UK, and January 15 in Australia.
Songs released with this single include:
- "Lithium"
- "The Last Song I'm Wasting on You"
- "All That I'm Living For" [Acoustic version] (with David Eggar on cello)
- "Lithium" (enhanced acoustic video)
Chart performance
On the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart (which ranks the top 25 songs below #100 that have not yet appeared on the Billboard Hot 100), "Lithium" peaked at number 24. It was on the chart for two weeks.[11] "Lithium" also peaked at number 39 on the Mainstream Rock Songs chart,[12] and number 37 on Alternative Songs.[13] "Lithium" also peaked at number 32 on the UK Singles Chart,[14] and was on the chart for two weeks.[15] It also reached the top position on the Rock Chart in the same country and remained at this position for two weeks.[16][17] On the Australian Singles Chart, "Lithium" debuted and peaked at number 26 on January 28, 2007. It stayed on the chart for eight weeks and it was at number 49 on its last week on the chart.[18] The only country where "Lithium" reached the top 10 on the main chart is Italy, in which it debuted and peaked at number 2. The song stayed in the top 10 for three weeks and in the top 20 for four weeks.[19]
| Chart (2006–07) |
Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[18] | 26 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[20] | 41 |
| Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[21] | 13 |
| Czech Republic (IFPI)[22] | 18 |
| Germany (Media Control AG)[23] | 44 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[24] | 30 |
| Italy (FIMI)[19] | 2 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[25] | 16 |
| Netherlands (Mega Single Top 100)[26] | 55 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[27] | 23 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[28] | 40 |
| UK Rock (Official Charts Company)[16] | 1 |
| UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[14] | 32 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[11] | 24 |
| US Mainstream Rock Songs (Billboard)[12] | 39 |
| US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[13] | 37 |
Guitar tabs & sheet music
Guitar tab at GuitarWorld
Guitar Tab by Norin at e-chords.com
Piano sheet music - arranged by Kelly Thomas
References
- ↑ "Evanescence - Bio". Evanescence.com. Archived from the original on November 16, 2006. http://web.archive.org/web/20061116191801/http://www.evanescence.com/bio.asp. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
- ↑ Bottomley, C. (September 18, 2006). "Evanescence: Amy Lee Explains the New Songs". VH1. Archived from the original on October 16, 2006. http://web.archive.org/web/20061016104811/http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1540914/story.jhtml. Retrieved December 18, 2006.
- ↑ "Tutto su Evanescence". MTV News. October 12, 2006. Archived from the original on October 17, 2006. http://web.archive.org/web/20061017073923/http://www.mtv.it/news/news_page_int.asp?IDINT=6499. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ↑ Harris, Chris (August 12, 2013). "Evanescence Live In NYC: Amy Lee Headbangs, Serenades Her 'New Hometown'". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1542773/evanescence-live-amy-lee-rocks-new-hometown.jhtml. Retrieved September 19, 2013.
- ↑ Massimo, Rick (April 5, 2007). "Amy Lee cements her status as the core of Evanescence". The Providence Journal. Archived from the original on May 14, 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080514012353/http://www.projo.com/music/content/QEVANREV_04-05-07_64548TM.3846ec9.html. Retrieved September 19, 2013.
- ↑ "Amy Lee Plays Legends And Lyrics". UpVenue.com. http://www.upvenue.com/music-news/blog-headline/1032/amy-lee-legends-and-lyrics.html. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
- ↑ "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 September 19, 2013.
- ↑ "Evanescence Plays First Show In Almost Two Years; Video Available". Blabbermouth.net. August 18, 2011. http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/evanescence-plays-first-show-in-almost-two-years-video-available/. Retrieved September 19, 2013.
- ↑ "Review: Evanescence Melbourne Concert, Rod Laver Arena - 24th March 2012". Take 40 Australia. March 25, 2012. http://www.take40.com/news/30103/review:-evanescence-melbourne-concert,-rod-laver-arena---24th-march-2012. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Moss, Corey (November 20, 2006). "After Facing Big Bad Wolf, Amy Lee Faces Herself In Evanescence Clip". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1544656/amy-lee-confronts-herself-lithium-clip.jhtml. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Evanescence – Chart History". Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles for Evanescence. http://www.billboard.com/artist/301942/Evanescence/chart?f=344. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Evanescence – Chart History". Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs for Evanescence. http://www.billboard.com/artist/301942/Evanescence/chart?f=376. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Evanescence – Chart History". Billboard Alternative Songs for Evanescence. http://www.billboard.com/artist/301942/Evanescence/chart?f=377. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 "2007 Top 40 Official Singles Chart UK Archive". UK Singles Chart (Official Charts Company). January 20, 2007. http://www.officialcharts.com/archive-chart/_/1/2007-01-20/. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
- ↑ "Evanescence – Singles". UK Singles Chart (Official Charts Company). http://www.officialcharts.com/archive-chart/_/1/2007-01-20/. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Top 40 Rock Singles". BBC.co.uk (Official Charts Company). January 14, 2007. Archived from the original on January 18, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070118013329/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/rocksingles.shtml. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Top 40 Rock Singles". BBC.co.uk (Official Charts Company). January 28, 2007. Archived from the original on February 2, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070202030349/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/rocksingles.shtml. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Evanescence – Lithium". Australian-charts.com (ARIA Charts). http://www.australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Evanescence&titel=Lithium&cat=s. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Evanescence – Lithium". Italiancharts.com (FIMI). http://www.italiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Evanescence&titel=Lithium&cat=s. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
- ↑ "Evanescence – Lithium". Austriancharts.at (Ö3 Austria Top 40). http://www.austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Evanescence&titel=Lithium&cat=s. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
- ↑ "Evanescence – Lithium". Ultratop.be (Ultratip Wallonia). http://www.ultratop.be/fr/showitem.asp?interpret=Evanescence&titel=Lithium&cat=s. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
- ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (put 200722 in search). Ifpicr.cz (IFPI). http://www.ifpicr.cz/hitparada/index.php?hitp=R. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
- ↑ "Evanescence" (in German). Media Control Charts (PhonoNet GmbH). http://www.musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/EVANESCENCE/?type=single. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
- ↑ "Evanescence – Lithium". Chart-track.co.uk (IRMA). January 11, 2007. http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240001&arch=t&lyr=2007&year=2007&week=2. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
- ↑ "Evanescence – Lithium". Charts.org.nz (Recorded Music NZ). http://www.charts.org.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Evanescence&titel=Lithium&cat=s. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
- ↑ "Evanescence – Lithium". Dutchcharts.nl (Mega Single Top 100). http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Evanescence&titel=Lithium&cat=s. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
- ↑ "Evanescence – Lithium". Swedishcharts.com (Sverigetopplistan). http://www.swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Evanescence&titel=Lithium&cat=s. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
- ↑ "Evanescence – Lithium". Swisscharts.com (Swiss Singles Chart). http://www.swisscharts.com/song/Evanescence/Lithium-248257. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
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