My Immortal

The central meaning of "My Immortal" revolves around the theme of a lingering presence after a profound loss or departure. Penned primarily by former guitarist Ben Moody, the lyrics are a fictional exploration of being haunted by a spirit that stays with you after its death. This haunting is not comforting; rather, it becomes a torment, leading the narrator to wish the spirit would leave because its constant presence prevents them from moving on. The song delves into the complex emotions of grief, loneliness, and the struggle to let go. The phrase "My Immortal" itself is a metaphor for this undying memory and the indelible mark left by the departed person. While Moody wrote the lyrics from a fictional standpoint, many listeners interpret the song as a story of losing a loved one, with the narrator grappling with memories that are both cherished and painful. Amy Lee, who composed the music and added the bridge, has stated that while she didn't write most of the lyrics and initially felt disconnected from the song, she has since reinterpreted it as a connection to her fans and the band's shared history.

The narrator begins by expressing a deep weariness with their current state, feeling trapped and held down by persistent, youthful fears. There's a palpable sense of being haunted by a presence that refuses to depart. The narrator implores this entity, if it must leave, to do so completely, as its lingering spirit is a constant torment that prevents any sense of peace or solitude. The emotional wounds from this connection are described as unhealable, a pain so profound and real that time itself is powerless to erase the scars.

A reflection on the past reveals the narrator's unwavering support for this person. They were a source of comfort in times of sorrow, wiping away tears, and a protector who fought against fears. For years, the narrator stood by them, offering their hand in solidarity. Despite this complete devotion, the other person still possesses every part of the narrator, indicating a one-sided and draining relationship. There was a time when the narrator was captivated by this person's vibrant spirit, their "resonating light." Now, however, the narrator is bound and defined by the life that this person left behind, trapped in the echoes of what once was.

The haunting becomes more invasive and psychological. The person's face appears in what used to be pleasant dreams, turning them into nightmares. Their voice, once perhaps a source of comfort, has now chased away all sanity. This reinforces the theme of a beautiful memory turning into a source of torment. The cycle of unhealing wounds and indelible pain is repeated, emphasizing the inescapable nature of this grief.

In a moment of painful realization, the narrator admits to the struggle of accepting that the person is truly gone. The cruel paradox is that even though this presence is still felt so strongly, the narrator has been utterly alone throughout the entire experience. This suggests the connection was never truly reciprocal, and the support given was never returned, leading to a profound loneliness that persists even in the haunting. The song concludes with a final, desperate reiteration of the chorus, a testament to the unending support they gave and the fact that, despite everything, they are still completely consumed by this immortal memory, a love and pain that will not die.

"My Immortal" has a long and layered history, originating when co-founders Amy Lee and Ben Moody were just 15 years old. Moody wrote the lyrics, based on a fictional story or a movie he had seen, while Lee composed the piano music and later added the bridge. The song was one of their earliest compositions, with the first known demo recorded around 1997. This early version was intended for their 1998 Evanescence EP but was ultimately cut.

Several versions were recorded over the years. A demo was featured on their 2000 album Origin, recorded late at night at a radio station where Lee's father worked. Against Lee's wishes, the record label, Wind-up Records, insisted on using this demo version for the debut album Fallen (2003), believing it had a certain "magic." For the album, strings arranged by Daredevil soundtrack composer Graeme Revell were added to this demo track.

For the single release on December 8, 2003, and the music video, a different recording known as the "band version" was used. This version, which Amy Lee preferred, features a full band arrangement with guitars and drums during the bridge and final chorus, along with a string arrangement by David Campbell. Later pressings of Fallen include this band version as a hidden track. The song was also featured on the soundtrack for the 2003 film Daredevil, which helped catapult the band to international fame.

"My Immortal" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that articulate profound grief and inescapable memory.

• The Immortal Spirit: The central metaphor of the song is the "immortal" presence, which symbolizes a memory of a person that refuses to fade. This isn't a literal ghost in a horror sense, but rather the haunting persistence of a loved one's impact on the narrator's psyche. It represents how deeply this person is embedded in the narrator's being, to the point where their presence is constant and overwhelming.
• Wounds and Scars: The lyrics "These wounds won't seem to heal / This pain is just too real / There's just too much that time cannot erase" use physical injury as a metaphor for deep emotional trauma. It suggests a pain so profound that it feels like a physical ailment that cannot be cured by time, challenging the old adage that "time heals all wounds."
• Haunted Dreams: The line "Your face it haunts my once pleasant dreams" symbolizes the corruption of happy memories. Dreams, typically a place of escape or subconscious processing, have become another realm for the narrator's torment, showing there is no respite from the pain.
• The Absence of Ground in the Music Video: In the iconic music video, Amy Lee is never shown with her feet touching the ground. This visually symbolizes her status as a spirit or someone disconnected from reality, floating through the world tormented by this memory, unable to move on or find solid footing in her life.

The predominant emotional tone of "My Immortal" is one of profound sadness, longing, and weary resignation. It creates a deeply melancholic and haunting atmosphere from the very first piano notes. This emotional landscape is crafted through a careful interplay of lyrics and music. Amy Lee's vocal performance is key; it is filled with a sense of vulnerability and sorrow that feels both personal and universal. The lyrics speak of unhealable wounds and a pain "just too real," articulating a state of inescapable grief.

The song's structure mirrors an emotional journey. The verses are quiet and introspective, reflecting a state of suppressed sorrow. The chorus swells with a mix of love and pain, recalling past devotion while being tormented by it in the present. In the "band version," the bridge introduces a surge of power and desperation, as if the suppressed emotions are finally breaking through, only to recede back into the somber acceptance of the final chorus. It's a landscape of bittersweet memories that have turned toxic, leaving the narrator in a state of perpetual loneliness and emotional exhaustion.

"My Immortal" had a significant cultural impact, becoming one of Evanescence's most iconic and enduring songs. Released as the third single from the multi-platinum album Fallen, it was a massive commercial success. The song peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topped the charts in several countries, including Canada, Greece, and Portugal. It was certified Platinum in the US, UK, and Australia, cementing its status as a global hit.

Its inclusion in the 2003 superhero film Daredevil, alongside "Bring Me to Life," was crucial in launching the band into the mainstream. The song was used in a poignant funeral scene in the film. It also received a Grammy Award nomination in 2005 for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

The song's black-and-white music video became iconic, and in 2024, it surpassed one billion views on YouTube. The track's title also famously inspired one of the most infamous fan fictions ever written, a Harry Potter story also titled "My Immortal," which gained notoriety for its poor quality. Over the years, the song has remained a staple of Evanescence's live shows, often performed as an encore where Amy Lee dedicates it to the fans, signifying its journey and the band's history.

"My Immortal" follows a relatively simple and consistent structure in its rhyme and rhythm, which supports its ballad form and melancholic mood.

• Rhyme Scheme: The rhyme scheme is generally straightforward, often using couplets (AABB) or alternating rhymes (ABAB) within its stanzas. For instance, in the first verse, "here" rhymes with "fears," and "leave" has an end-rhyme connection with the repeated "leave me alone." The chorus follows a pattern of "tears"/"fears"/"years," creating a strong, memorable hook. This simple scheme makes the lyrics feel direct and sincere, like an earnest plea.
• Rhythm and Meter: The song is in common time (4/4) and maintains a slow, deliberate tempo of approximately 80 beats per minute. The rhythm is largely dictated by the piano melody, which provides a steady, somber foundation. The lyrical phrasing often follows the piano line closely, creating a seamless and fluid feel. The slow pacing allows each word and note to resonate, emphasizing the weight of the emotions being expressed. In the "band version," the rhythm section enters during the bridge, adding a powerful, driving beat that escalates the song's intensity before it recedes, mirroring an emotional outburst followed by weary resignation.

"My Immortal" employs a combination of musical and literary techniques to create its powerfully melancholic atmosphere.

• Musical Arrangement: The song is a quintessential piano-led power ballad. The primary album version is minimalist, featuring Amy Lee's emotive vocals accompanied mainly by piano and later, orchestral strings arranged by Graeme Revell. This stripped-down arrangement in the verses places the focus squarely on the lyrical narrative and Lee's poignant delivery. The "band version," used for the single, introduces a full rock band in the bridge and final chorus, creating a dynamic swell that musically represents the overwhelming surge of emotion.
• Vocal Delivery: Amy Lee's vocal performance is central to the song's impact. Her voice is clear and sorrowful, conveying a sense of vulnerability and deep-seated pain. Her vocal range in the song spans from A3 to C♯5, allowing for a dynamic emotional arc from the restrained verses to the more powerful chorus.
• Literary Devices: The lyrics, written by Ben Moody, utilize direct and evocative language. The narrative voice is that of a first-person narrator speaking directly to the departed person, creating an intimate and confessional tone. The use of imagery like "childish fears" and a haunting "face" in dreams makes the abstract pain of loss more tangible for the listener.
• Key and Tempo: The song is set in the key of A major, with a slow tempo of around 80 beats per minute, contributing to its somber and ballad-like quality. The use of minor keys in the progression enhances the sad and mournful feeling.

What is the story behind Evanescence's song 'My Immortal'?

The lyrics for 'My Immortal' were written by former Evanescence guitarist Ben Moody and are based on a fictional story. Moody described it as being about a spirit that lingers after death, haunting a loved one to the point where the person wishes the spirit would leave them in peace. Amy Lee wrote the piano melody and the bridge.

Who wrote 'My Immortal'?

'My Immortal' was co-written by Evanescence co-founders Ben Moody and Amy Lee when they were teenagers, with keyboardist David Hodges also receiving a writing credit. Moody wrote the lyrics, while Lee composed the piano music and the bridge.

Why are there two different versions of 'My Immortal'?

There are multiple versions, but the two main ones are the album version and the 'band version'. The album version is a demo from 2000 with piano, vocals, and added strings. The record label preferred this version for 'Fallen'. The 'band version', used for the single and music video, is a re-recording with a full band arrangement in the latter half, which was Amy Lee's preferred take.

What movie features the song 'My Immortal'?

"My Immortal" was prominently featured in the 2003 film 'Daredevil', starring Ben Affleck. The song plays during the funeral scene for Elektra's father, and its inclusion on the movie's soundtrack was a major factor in the band's rise to fame.

What do the lyrics 'though you're still with me, I've been alone all along' mean?

This line conveys a deep sense of loneliness and emotional abandonment. It suggests that even when the person was physically present in the narrator's life, the narrator felt emotionally isolated and unsupported. Now, haunted by their memory, that feeling of being 'alone all along' is cruelly amplified.

Is 'My Immortal' about Amy Lee's sister?

No, this is a common misconception. The song's lyrics were written by Ben Moody about a fictional story. While Amy Lee tragically lost a sister, and she can relate to the song's themes of loss, she was not the lyricist and the song was not written about that personal experience.

Where was the music video for 'My Immortal' filmed?

The music video for 'My Immortal' was filmed entirely in black-and-white in the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) of Barcelona, Spain, on October 10, 2003. The video notably features Ben Moody shortly before he left the band.