Lithium (Evanescence song)

Infobox Single
Name = Lithium


Cover size =
Caption = Lithium (Part 1)
Artist = Evanescence
Album = The Open Door
B-side = "The Last Song I'm Wasting On You"
Released = January 8, 2007
Format = CD single
Recorded = 2006
Genre = Alternative metal
Length = 3:44
Label = Wind-up
Writer = Amy Lee
Producer = Dave Fortman
Certification =
Last single = "Call Me When You're Sober" (2006)
This single = "Lithium" (2007)
Next single = "Sweet Sacrifice" (2007)
Misc = Extra tracklisting
Album = The Open Door
Type = studio
prev_track = Weight of the World
prev_no = 3
this_track = Lithium
track_no = 4
next_track = Cloud Nine
next_no = 5 Extra album cover 2
Upper caption = Alternate covers
Type = Single


Lower caption = Lithium (Part 2) Extra album cover 2
Type = Single

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Lower caption = Lithium Radio Promo Extra album cover 2
Upper caption =
Type = Single


Lower caption = Picture Disc

"Lithium" is the second single from American alternative metal band Evanescence's second studio album "The Open Door", and was written by Amy Lee. Originally to be released in the UK on December 4, 2006,cite web |url=http://www.evanescenceuk.co.uk/news.php?mode=show&id=20 |title=New single details! |work=EvanescenceUK.co.uk |date=2006-11-01 |accessdate=2006-11-09] new dates were later set. It has no connection to the early-1990s grunge band Nirvana's 1992 song.

Meaning

In an interview with MTV Italy Amy Lee says:

Lee previously stated in an interview with VH1 that she wrote the chorus on the guitar when she was about 16, later filling in the verses while writing "The Open Door". [cite news |url=http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1540914/story.jhtml |title=Evanescence: Amy Lee Explains the New Songs |work=VH1.com |first=C. |last=Bottomley |date=2006-09-18 |accessdate=2006-11-06]

Despite the many references to letting go of depression and darkness in the lyrics, lithium carbonate is typically used as a mood stabilizer to prevent acute manic episodes in bipolar disorder.

Music video

The music video for "Lithium" was directed by Paul Fedor, and shot between October 31 and November 1, 2006. The video is set in a snowy cemetery and features two versions of Amy Lee representing the emotions of sorrow and happiness. The underwater scenes featured in the video are similar to those in the video for Going Under.

In reference to the video, Lee has been quoted saying:

After its release on MuchMusic.com exclusively to Canadian audiences on November 24, 2006, the video was ripped and placed on several other sites, such as YouTube and MySpace. The video was subsequently removed from MuchMusic.com, but later restored on December 4. Wind-up Records officially released the video on Evanescence's website on November 27,cite news |url=http://www.evanescence.com/news.asp |title=New "Lithium" Video |work=Evanescence.com |date=2006-11-27 |accessdate=2006-11-27] and was released on iTunes December 19. The day it was first previewed and later premiered on TRL, December 24, Amy Lee stopped by the studio for a guest appearance on the show.

Track listing

Single (Part 1)Tracklist
writing_credits = yes
title1 = Lithium
writer1 = Lee
length1 = 3:44
title2 = The Last Song I'm Wasting On You
writer2 = Lee
length2 = 4:07

Maxi (Part 2)Tracklist
writing_credits = yes
title1 = Lithium
writer1 = Lee
length1 = 3:44
title2 = The Last Song I'm Wasting On You
writer2 = Lee
length2 = 4:07
title3 = All That I'm Living For
note3 = Acoustic version
writer3 = Lee, Lecompt
title4 = Lithium
note4 = Video/Acoustic version
writer4 = Lee

7" Vinyl Picture DiscTracklist
writing_credits = yes
title1 = Lithium
writer1 = Lee
length1 = 3:44
title2 = The Last Song I'm Wasting On You
writer2 = Lee
length2 = 4:07

Charts

Ailyn cover

A cover of "Lithium" by singer Ailyn was included on her second compilation, "Yin ~Dark Side~", and was the only single from that album. The single was released digitally on May 7, 2007, and was downloadable through Ailyn's website for free.

References