page_title: The Open Door
section_title: Songs and lyrics
hierarchical_section_title: The Open Door / Music / Songs and lyrics
caption_attribution_description: Evanescence early line-up.
context_page_description: The Open Door is the second studio album by American rock band Evanescence, released on September 25, 2006, by Wind-up Records. The album was initially set to be released in March 2006, but was postponed as a result of guitarist Terry Balsamo's stroke, the loss of the band's former manager, and Will Boyd's and Ben Moody's departure from the group. The record symbolizes a new beginning for the band, incorporating new elements into their previous musical styles, including gothic rock and symphonic metal, as well as the use of choirs on several songs. The writing process for the album took over 18 months to complete; most of the songs were written by Amy Lee and Terry Balsamo, while production was handled by Dave Fortman.
  The Open Door received mixed to positive reviews from music critics, who generally praised its lyrical content and the instrumentation accompanied by Lee's vocals. Some critics gave negative reviews regarding the band's sound, which differs from that of the band's previous album, Fallen. The record was nominated at the 50th Grammy Awards for Best Hard Rock Performance for "Sweet Sacrifice".
context_section_description: "Sweet Sacrifice", the first song of the album, contains "rumbling guitars" and a string section according to IGN's Ed Thompson. The main theme of the song is recovery from an abusive relationship, which also inspired all of the songs on Fallen. Jordan Reimer of The Daily Princetonian and Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone said the song was written for Evanescence's former guitarist Ben Moody. "Call Me When You're Sober" is a rock song that starts as a piano ballad before quickly becoming an alternative metal song that uses elements of nu metal, symphonic rock and pop music. Lee said she wrote the song for her ex-boyfriend Shaun Morgan of South African alternative metal band Seether. Described as a "chick anthem", the song's protagonist explains the reasons the relationship between the pair will not work through the lyrics "Don't cry to me … If you loved me, you would be here with me / ... How could I have burned paradise? How could I … you were never mine". "Weight of the World" is a mixture of pop and metal, according to Stornoway Gazette. Inspired by the pressures of fame, it contains "Eastern motifs" and "distorted vocals" in the opening lines "Feels like the weight of the world / Like God in heaven gave me a turn / Don't cling to me, I swear I can't fix you" and in the chorus, "If you love me, then let go of me / I won't be held down by who I used to be".
  "Lithium" is a slow-tempo rock song; the protagonist sings about the fear of lithium in a lower register while "embrac[ing] feeling over numbness". Lee originally wrote its chorus on a guitar when she was 16 years old, but the instrument was later changed to piano when the verses were written. The song is about the choice between the comfort of sorrow and the possibility of happiness, and shows the protagonist's sadness as an excuse to make music. Critics noted similarities between the "tinkling" piano introduction and the band's previous material, particularly "My Immortal" (2003). MTV News' Chris Harris compared "Lithium" with the songs of Tori Amos. Rolling Stone's Rob Sheffield said the song was Lee's ode to Kurt Cobain and Nirvana's song of the same name. "Cloud Nine" was inspired by a break-up. It uses strings, studio effects and Lee's "layered moaning". "Snow White Queen", the first song written for The Open Door, was inspired by Lee's experiences of stalkers. According to Lee's experience, her privacy had been invaded to the point that she could not stay in her house. Entertainment Weekly's Jon Dolan found similarities between the song and Tori Amos' "Me and a Gun". Musically, it uses several industrial beats in its composition.
  "Lacrymosa" incorporates the Lacrimosa sequence from Mozart's Requiem (1791). It additionally includes a 22-piece orchestra led by Dave Campbell and background vocals by The Millennium Choir. Inspired by the film Amadeus, the song contains electronic backing beats, symphonic string section, heavy guitar and a haunting choir. Its vocals make a contrasting representation of light and dark. Jim Farber of Daily News compared the song with the works of English progressive rock band Renaissance. "Like You" is written in memory of Lee's deceased sister, as was "Hello" on Fallen. Concerning this, the singer said, "I can't help but be affected by that, and if it's my place to express myself and all the things that have been most deep and the most painful and have just touched me, I feel like it does honor her". One of the most personal songs on the album, "Like You", contains lyrics which yearn for death so Lee can be with her sister. which are accompanied by heavy riffing guitars. Rolling Stone's Rob Sheffield found similarities between the track and American rock band My Chemical Romance's song "Helena" (2005); other critics compared the song with Evanescence's earlier material on Fallen. "Lose Control" was inspired by Balsamo's loud guitar and contains influences from Portishead. The protagonist shows her anger through the lines, "You don't remember my name, I don't really care". According to Lee, the song is about wanting to be less apprehen
caption: Evanescence performing at a concert of the first leg of The Open Door world tour
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