Listeners fell for the sound of Amy Lee’s voice the second Evanescence introduced themselves with Fallen’s legendary debut single, “Bring Me to Life.” And yet, while we primarily associate the singer and classically-trained pianist with the work she’s done through that project, it’s fair to say that Lee has also gifted us plenty of vital performances outside of her main gig.
Over the years, Lee has moonlighted from Evanescence by singing with post-grungers, while delivering acoustic nu-metal interpretations with scene legends, by reinterpreting Tim Burton-related musical numbers and while teaming up with the latest generation of pop stars and alternative powerhouses.
But what’s her strongest vocal statement outside of Evanescence? We asked Revolver readers this exact question, and they ranked their personal favorites thusly.
Amy Lee – “Sally’s Song”
If you’re sensing something in the wind, that’s just an enthusiastic cloud of fan votes drifting over to shower love onto Amy Lee’s version of “Sally’s Song.”
Indeed, for many fans, pairing Lee’s theatrical aura with the heart-tugging feels of The Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack was a dream come true. She both brings her unique energy and honors the vulnerability of Catherine O’Hara’s original Sally performance on this 2008 recording.
The reimagined musical number is more piano-driven up front, and ends in a more rock-styled direction than the original — but the Evanescence singer still captures the essence of Sally’s tragic love song.
Amy Lee – “Speak to Me”
“We are one breath apart, my love.”
Lee’s closing-credits contribution to supernatural thriller Voice From the Stone is tied to the film’s themes of a mother trying to speak with her children from beyond the grave. The vocalist channels the spirit of the plot through lyrics that suggest we can communicate with loved ones beyond the tangible realm (“The space between is just a dream”).
Musically, it’s a tenderly-delivered, but emotionally bombastic, piano-and-strings-driven ballad — and it speaks deeply to the many fans, who voted for it here.
Bring Me the Horizon – “One Day the Only Butterflies Left Will Be in Your Chest as You March Towards Your Death”
You could argue that the final track on BMTH’s POST HUMAN: SURVIVAL HORROR project begins in Lee’s wheelhouse — think opalescent vocal melodies and tragi-haunting piano dramatics. The guest vocalist leans into a soft but cautionary vibrato (“On the verge of no return, why’d you keep fucking it up?), while Oli Sykes delivers auto-tuned croons and an eventual gargoyle’s scream.
Sykes said the doomed dynamic hinted at in the piece is about humanity’s “abusive relationship” with the earth, and the song essentially casts Lee as the Gaia figure. Sure enough, there’s something intriguingly elemental about the way she hits the mic on this one.
Poppy, Amy Lee and Courtney LaPlante – “End of You”
“End of You” just came out, but Lee’s monumental team-up with Poppy and Spiritbox vocalist Courtney LaPlante was an insta-classic for Revolver readers.
The trio’s “fractured lullaby” is full of gothic nu-isms, crushingly djented moments and powerhouse melodies. All three singers give it their all — Lee harnessing high-drama melodies, Poppy undulating between cleans and screams, and LaPlante delivering the final blow with her juggernaut roars.
Considering their respective careers, “End of You” isn’t exactly the “start of life” they sing of, but rather a crystallization of three vocalists coming together in perfect harmony.
Seether – “Broken” feat. Amy Lee
Lee’s star was still ascending when she popped up on post-grunge group Seether’s re-recorded “Broken” for the Punisher soundtrack — the collaborative single arriving just over a year on from Evanescence’s debut album, 2003’s Fallen.
Seether vocalist Shaun Morgan wrote the guitar-cranking ballad — originally recorded for the band’s 2002 album, Disclaimer — about the dissolution of his marriage. That said, he and Lee entwine harmoniously across his lines about pain and loneliness — the pair had actually been romantically involved at this point. Interestingly, Lee later wrote Evanescence’s “Call Me When You’re Sober” about their own breakup.
Nevertheless, “Broken” is a keeper, and it remains one of Lee’s most emotionally resonant vocal moments outside of Evanescence.