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"My love is love/What You Want"
Song

"What You Want" is a song by American rock band Evanescence. The freedom-themed song was written by Amy Lee, Terry Balsamo and Tim McCord. It was described as the heaviest and most different Evanescence song. According to Lee, the song talks about the experiences with her fans and her realizations about the things that she should do.

A snippet of the song premiered on MTV News on July 11, 2011, and the song was released on August 9, 2011 through Wind-up Records as the first single from their self-titled third studio album, Evanescence. Upon its release, "What You Want" spawned mostly positive review from music critics who praised its loud sound and Lee's powerful and soaring vocals during the song. However, some reviewers noticed that the song was not a big departure from their old sound.

The accompanying music video for "What You Want" started filming on July 30, 2011 in Brooklyn, New York, and it was directed by Meiert Avis. "What You Want" was performed live for the first time on MTV.

Background and inspiration[edit]

"What You Want" was written by Amy Lee, Terry Balsamo, and Tim McCord in New York City, New York.[1] During an interview with MTV News, Lee talked about the first single from Evanescence's third self-titled album. She said "So, the song that I think is the first single is the song that wraps it all up. It's got a cool meaning, a lot of great lyrics going on, it also just smacks you right in the face and it's heavy and it's great ... I think that there's a couple songs that meet that same criteria."[2] She added that "What You Want" was totally different for the band and they wanted the new single to be more than a hit.[2] Later the band revealed that there were a lot of songs which could be released as a single, but it was a natural choice to release "What You Want".[3]

Lee explained that the song was very danceable and the band had fun while recording it. "I had a lot of moments where we were smiling, we were having a great time [making it]. We had a lot of time.[...] this was where we did our pre-production and wrote some of these songs, finished them off. 'What You Want,' for example" - says Lee.[3] Lee has stated the song is about her relationship with her fans, and the relization that "this is what I'm supposed to do".[1] In an interview with MTV News, she explained her inspiration behind the song,

"It's about freedom — that's definitely a constant theme on the record — but, it's like Evanescence, and me, and my relationship with the music and the fans, and coming to that realization of 'This is what I'm supposed to do ... I want to do this,' And when it says, 'Remember who you really are,' that's exactly everything you could assume it means."[1]

Composition[edit]

"What You Want" opens with drums and soon moves into a danceable guitar-driven mode,[4] accompanied by synthesizers.[5] Then, those sounds are followed by hard rock guitar which according to Pop Crush's Scott Shetler, "define Evanescence's sound."[5] The chorus contains "crashing cymbals and a steady guitar line."[6] Scott Shetler from Pop Crush described "What You Want" as a "polished production, with piano, strings and a few industrial rock effects also finding their way into the mix."[5] According to Bill Lamb of the website About.com, the "piano flourishes maintain the gothic feel that has always lurked in the music of Evanescence".[4]

Lyrically, "What You Want" is filled with the angst of a relationship that just can't quite work out despite the presence of love binding the pair together.[4] The song begins with Lee singing "Do what you, what you want / If you have a dream for better / Do what you, what you want / 'Til you don't want it anymore."[5] In the chorus she sings the lines "Hello, hello, remember me? I’m everything you can’t control / Somewhere beyond the pain there must be a way to believe we can break through."[5] At the end of the song Lee shouts "Do what you, what you want," with an echo that fades away.[5] Jason Lipshutz of Billboard said that in the song, Lee is "trying to convince a romantic partner to stop 'spiraling down, down, down' and help her find a new beginning."[6]

Release[edit]

A snippet of "What You Want" premiered on MTV on July 11, 2011.[1] During that time it was reported that the new single will be released in early August.[1] Later another sample of the song was shown on Amazon.com.[7] The song was digitally released on August 9, 2011 exclusively on iTunes.[8] The whole song was performed live by the band on August 8, at 7:54 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.[9] After the performance the album version was shown on MTV.[9] The song will also be available to all digital retailers on 16 August.[10][11]

After James Montgomery from MTV News showed the snippets of the song, he asked Evanescence's fans on Twitter to share their opinions about the new songs. According to the fans' tweets the new songs were well received and praised.[12] Kara Klenk also confirmed the same adding, "In the fast-paced music world where artists need to constantly reinvent themselves and pump out music, videos, appearances, and tours to keep their fans happy and interested, it’s rare for a band to take a multi-year hiatus and come back to legions of fans who have anxiously awaited their return."[13]

Critical reception[edit]

Critics praised Lee's powerful and soaring vocals in the song.

Hearing the snippet of the song, Katherine St Asaph from the website Pop Dust described "What You Want" as relatively unchanged Evanescence.[14] Scott Shetler for Pop Crush described the song as a "forceful rock track that reminds fans why the group was one of the most successful crossover acts of the past decade."[5] He added that the riff used in the song is accompanied by Lee's "strong-but-pretty vocals."[5] James Montgomery from MTV News, praised the song saying that the "elastic-yet-lock-step energy not only makes the song the perfect comeback single for a band that's been gone for far too long, but it manages to capture the very essence of what inspired them to press on."[3] A writer for NME praised the guitar riff in the song "built around Amy Lee's pseudo operatic vocals."[15]

Jason Lipshutz of Billboard called "What You Want" a "hard-charging single" and praised its melody.[6] Bill Lamb of the website About.com gave the song four and a half stars out of five, praising its powerful and danceable rock beat, Lee's soaring vocals and lyrics of pain and heartbreak.[4] Lamb also added that the song was set in "engaging melody that will inspire listeners to join in on the 'Hello hello' choruses."[4] He finished his review writing that the song "is a perfect single to continue the band's legacy."[4] Writing for the website Ology, Brett Warner said that he didn't hear any "trip-hop or electro influences" on the track adding that it "sounds like standard Evanescence fare to me—heavy guitar riffs beneath Amy’s larger than life voice."[16] He added that it was good to hear the band "sticking to what they do best, but maybe a small part of me was really hoping they’d reinvent the wheel this time around."[16]

Music video[edit]

The music video for "What You Want" started filming on July 30, 2011 in a warehouse in Brooklyn, New York, and it was directed by Meiert Avis.[17] The video also featured their fans who were playing a crowd on a concert by Evanescence.[17] In an interview with MTV News, Lee described the concept of the video,

"This video is sort of, like, the history of the band. This club [set] is emulating old shows we used to play in the beginning — we used to play this club called Vino's in Little Rock [Arkansas] — it's sort of like back then, the gritty, dirty club, sweaty. And basically, it's also [about] New York, where I've been, [and] where [bassist] Tim [McCord] lived in the past few years since we've been gone. And it's sort of about escaping New York and.[...] coming back out into the world."[17]

She further revealed that the music video for the song was one of their most real videos adding, "This is more a personal video. We've done a lot in the past that [were] very 'fantasy,' and this is sort of the real us.[...] I just wanted to do something that really felt personal for a change. Obviously, I'm wearing crazy makeup, and that's not my everyday, but, you know, I want ... to connect with the fans again. We all do. We miss them. A lot of this record is about them, and that's why they're going to be here and be in it, too."[17] James Montgomery from MTV News, said that the video was a departure for the band "eschewing the dark fantasy worlds they've created in previous videos in favor of good old-fashioned realism: the blood, sweat and tears that not only took them to the top, but have fueled their current comeback, too."[17]

Live performances[edit]

Evanescence performed the song live for the first time,[18] on August 8, at 7:54 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.[9][19] MTV called the the entire event "MTV First: Evanescence".[9][19] After the performance the band had an exclusive interview.[9][19] James Montgomery from MTV News described Lee's vocals as "powerful" during the performance.[19]

Track listing[edit]

  • Digital download[8]
  1. "What You Want" - 3:40

Release history[edit]

Country Date Format Label
Australia[20] August 9, 2011 Digital download Wind-up Records
Austria[21]
Belgium[22]
Denmark[23]
Finland[24]
France[25]
Germany[26]
Italy[27]
Netherlands[28]
Norway[29]
Portugal[30]
Spain[31]
Sweden[32]
Switzerland[33]
United States[8]
New Zealand[34]
United Kingdom[35] August 21, 2011

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Montgomery, James (July 11, 2011). "Evanescence's 'What You Want': Hear A Preview!". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved July 11, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  2. ^ a b Montgomery, James (June 27, 2011). "Evanescence's New Album 'All Over The Place,' Amy Lee Says". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved July 20, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  3. ^ a b c Montgomery, James (August 9, 2011). "Evanescence Say First Single 'What You Want' Was 'A Natural Choice'". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved August 9, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  4. ^ a b c d e f Lamb, Bill. "Review: Evanescence - What You Want". About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved August 11, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Shetler, Scott (August 9, 2011). "Evanescence, 'What You Want' – Song Review". Pop Crush. Retrieved August 9, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  6. ^ a b c Lipshutz, Jason (August 9, 2011). "Evanescence Returns with 'What You Want' Single: Listen". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  7. ^ "What You Want: Evanescence MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. Retrieved July 26, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  8. ^ a b c "What You Want - Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved August 9, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  9. ^ a b c d e Montgomery, James (August 4, 2011). "Evanescence To Premiere 'What You Want' Live On MTV". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved August 4, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  10. ^ "Evanescence Return With New Album and Tour". Antimusic. August 9, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  11. ^ Grischow, Chad (August 10, 2011). "Evanescence Readies New Album". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved August 11, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  12. ^ Montgomery, James (July 14 2011). "Evanescence Fans Share Their Enthusiasm For New Songs". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved July 20, 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  13. ^ Klenk, Kara (August 9, 2011). "Evanescence Fans Power The Band's Comeback". MTV Newsroom. MTV Networks. Retrieved August 9, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  14. ^ Asaph, Katherine St (11 July, 2011). ""What You Want" Is Relatively Unchanged Evanescence". Pop Dust. Retrieved July 20, 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  15. ^ "Hear Evanescence's comeback single 'What You Want' – audio". New Musical Express. Time Inc. August 9, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  16. ^ a b Warner, Brett (August 9, 2011). "Listen Up: "What You Want" by Evanescence". Ology. Retrieved August 9, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  17. ^ a b c d e Montgomery, James (August 1, 2011). "Evanescence's 'What You Want' Video: Go Behind The Scenes Now!". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved August 2, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  18. ^ Eames, Tom (August 9 2011). "Evanescence premiere new single 'What You Want' - video". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Médias. Retrieved August 11, 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  19. ^ a b c d Kara Warner; reporting by James Montgomery (August 9, 2011). "Evanescence Say Making New Album 'Felt Like The First Time'". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved August 9, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ "What You Want - Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved August 10, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  21. ^ "What You Want - Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved August 11, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  22. ^ "What You Want - Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved August 11, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  23. ^ "What You Want - Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved August 11, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  24. ^ "What You Want - Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved August 11, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  25. ^ "What You Want - Single". iTunes Store (in French). Apple Inc. Retrieved August 11, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  26. ^ "What You Want - Single". iTunes Store (in German). Apple Inc. Retrieved August 11, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  27. ^ "What You Want - Single". iTunes Store (in Italian). Apple Inc. Retrieved August 11, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  28. ^ "What You Want - Single". iTunes Store (in Dutch). Apple Inc. Retrieved August 11, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  29. ^ "What You Want - Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved August 11, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  30. ^ "What You Want - Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved August 11, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  31. ^ "What You Want - Single". iTunes Store (in Spanish). Apple Inc. Retrieved August 11, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  32. ^ "What You Want - Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved August 11, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  33. ^ "What You Want - Single". iTunes Store (in German). Apple Inc. Retrieved August 11, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  34. ^ "What You Want - Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved August 10, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  35. ^ "What You Want" release date Evanescence.com. Retrieved August 12, 2011.

External links[edit]

Category:Evanescence songs Category:2011 singles Category:Songs written by Amy Lee

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