Evanescence - My Immortal (Original)

The song was written by Evanescence's former guitarist, Ben Moody, with Amy Lee adding the bridge.

Several versions of the song exist: one demo version the band made from 1997-1998 (Evanescence EP outtakes), which includes some different lyrics (it's entirely written and composed by Moody); one featured on the band's demo album, Origin (lead singer Amy Lee recomposed the song and changed the lyrics); the one featured on Fallen (similar to the one on Origin, except with added strings); their Mystary EP version (similar to the band version, minus the band); and "My Immortal (Band Version)", the radio version in which the final phrase of the music is filled with heavy guitars and drums (where it is filled with strings in the radio version) which was the version used in the music video and was also included as an additional track in newer editions of their album Fallen.

Until near the end of 2002, the Fallen version was played live. They then began playing the 'Band' version, which later became the version they released as a single. When performed live, Amy is playing the piano herself, but the notes are changed into a much simpler melody, probably to avoid mistakes during live playing. Amy has stated she hates the song because she can never really relate to it (and that you can notice when performing live), since it is not her's and not based on real events.

The song has many different interpretations. Ben wrote a short story before writing the lyrics to the song. According to Ben, the song is about a spirit staying with you after its death and haunting you until you actually wish that the spirit were gone because it won't leave you alone. Ben dedicated the song along with the Fallen album to his grandfather. The song peaked at #2 on the pop chart just behind Britney Spears' Toxic, and was #1 on the Hot Adult Contemporary chart for 3 weeks.

The band version of My Immortal is Ben Moody's last recording with Evanescence before his departure in October of 2003.

This song was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Performance by Duo or Group for the 47th Annual Grammy Awards.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• My
• Immortal

[Ravenlightwood]

All good things must begin some where. I think this was written in her teens and done right after Highschool. And now look at it, Its a radio, if not, global hit! I heard this song in Brazil, the US and in Germany. You cant get any bigger that that. And the fact that the fan base has actually grown in their hiatus. Congats Amy Lee and Evanescence as a whole, including all infuences, current members and past members.

[demeterlol]

I am so ticked off! My dad said I shouldn't listen to this song so much because it's so sad! And he doesn't want me to be goth. I can't help that I am. And he admitted he liked the song too. Can we say 'hypocrite?"

[LilySevShipper]

Whoooaaaa.... this is so fucking beautiful, and SO different from the Amy I'm used to, but I love it. Totally wish I had this instead of the Fallen version on my ipod.

[coolpics4u]

@Ravenlightwood And also, I wasn't saying that to be a "know it all". I was simply correcting you, because I thought you meant that Amy wrote it.

[coolpics4u]

@Ravenlightwood But you said, "I think this was written in her teens and done right after Highschool." So I assumed that you meant she wrote it.

[coolpics4u]

@Ravenlightwood From a reliable website all about Evanescence. It's how I found out that there was an original version of My Immortal.

[Ravenlightwood]

@coolpics4u Thanks for the info, but how do you honestly know that? How do you know thats true and not some made up "oh i know that...blah,blah,blah" bullpoopie that seems to float around our internet so often.

[Ravenlightwood]

@coolpics4u If you notice, If you notice, I never said who wrote it. I said congrats to her and Evanescence. past and previous members. Ben Moody was a previous member, If he wrote it and had Amy sing it, then that was his choice, but by doing that, made it an Evanescence song and further refined it to the level it is at now.

[coolpics4u]

@Ravenlightwood Actually Ben Moody wrote the original when he was 15 years old, Not Amy.

[CaBaWR]

She looks like sarah at knight rider in this picture!

[TheRoflBanana]

i wish i could get the lyrics to this one :o)

[CWATalkShow]

Oh my gosh, I like all the Origin versions of these songs better than the Fallen versions. LOL