#422 Hello- Evanescence

Don’t try to fix me I’m not broken/
Hello I’m the lie living for you so you can hide.

“Hello” by Evanescence is a beautifully haunting song that explores how we can deal with childhood trauma. The author appears to witness a horrifying event-perhaps the death of a loved one at an early age. All of the sudden we hear a new voice introduce herself. This is the artist’s subconscious.

Hello Greatest Songs Meaning
Amy Lee

The subconscious tells us she is going to be taking over for a while so that the little girl will be able to handle everything. The subconscious takes over so that she doesn’t break down and die herself. Amy Lee  imagines the subconscious as a guardian angel, an entity that helps her. It is talking to her and telling her things are going to be ok, because she is bringing in the reinforcements.

The song is very touching, and it is a delightful way to imagine how our body works during times of difficulty. Some seek religion, some seek something spiritual within. This song is a slight departure from Evanescense’s other songs: Lee’s voice is more tender. It also has less instrumentation, usually just a piano and strings, though some electric guitar sprinkled throughout.

The unique concept, beautiful piano and lyrics and tender vocals make this a solid contribution to the top 500 songs of all time list.

Hello Lyrics

Playground school bell rings again
Rain clouds come to play again
Has no one told you she’s not breathing?
Hello I’m your mind giving you someone to talk to
Hello

If I smile and don’t believe
Soon I know I’ll wake from this dream
Don’t try to fix me I’m not broken
Hello I’m the lie living for you so you can hide
Don’t cry

Suddenly I know I’m not sleeping
Hello I’m still here
All that’s left of yesterday

Songwriters: Amy Lee / Ben Moody / David Hodges

#421 Words Get in the Way- Gloria Estefan

I try to say I love you/ 
But the words get in the way.

Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine were soft rock staples in the 1980s. “Words Get in the Way” was their one classic. Estefan imagines talking to her ex.  He is seeing someone new. She still feels deeply about him.

She remembers his quirks: his moodiness that he sometimes tries to hide and knows she knows him better than the new girl. She has so much to say to him. She knows she feels more love for him than the new woman. If only she can get the words out.

Words Get in the Way Meaning
Gloria Estefan

In the second part of Gloria Estefan’s ”Words Get in the Way” we find out part of her hesitancy might because she knows she is not right for him and “it’s time to set you free.” Maybe she was wrong, and she doesn’t know him as well as she thought. In the end she doesn’t say anything.

Words Get in the Way is a beautiful song that many can relate to. Estefan’s voice is amazing and she sings the song in an understated way: a lot of the divas during this time period (and since) would go on crazy runs just to show off their vocal prowess. Estefan keeps it simple and delivers a classic. The percussion should be pointed out. Estefan’s songs are always strong on percussion and this song is no different. It helps create her signature Latin American sound.

Words Get in the Way Lyrics

I realize you’re seeing someone new
But I don’t believe she knows you like I do
Your temperamental moody side
The one you always try to hide from me

But I know when you’ve got something on your mind
You’ve been trying to tell me for the longest time
But before you break my heart in two
There’s something I’ve been trying to say to you

But the words get in the way
There’s so much I want to say
But it’s locked deep inside and if you look in my eyes
We might fall in love again

I won’t even start to cry
Before we say goodbye
I’m trying to say I love you
But the words get in the way

Your heart has always been an open door
But baby I don’t even know you anymore
And despite the fact it’s hurting me
I know the time has come to set you free

But the words get in the way
There’s so much I want to say
But it’s locked deep inside and if you look in my eyes
We might fall in love again

I won’t even start to cry
Before we say goodbye
I’m trying to say I love you
But the words get in the way

I’m trying to say I love you
But the words get in the way

Songwriters: Gloria M. Estefan

#420 You Are So Beautiful- Joe Cocker

You’re everything I need/
You are so beautiful to me.

Joe Cocker is one of the best cover artists ever. There are a couple other artists in contention: Nina Simone, Roberta Flack, The Byrds, Tori Amos. The ability to take a good song and interpret it in a different way so as to sound like a completely different song is a great talent. Joe Cocker is one of the best. Here he covers Billy Preston’s “You are So Beautiful”, but really, this is the definitive version.

You Are So Beautiful Meaning
Joe Cocker

The accompanying piano in “You Are So Beautiful” is great. The arrangement is unique and elevates the song. It is hard to create a unique piano arrangement that is noticeable in popular music: most are pretty standard. This is different. Very elegant. Cocker’s vocal styling does the rest.

At different times during the song he sings loudly and softly and the vocals are borderline over-melodramatic (especially the last note) but Cocker cuts it off at just the right time. The message is simple: you are beautiful, and you are everything that I want and need. This is a classic love song.

Lyrics You Are So Beautiful
You are so beautiful
To me
You are so beautiful
To me
Can’t you see
You’re everything I hoped for
You’re everything I need
You are so beautiful
To me

You are so wonderful
To me
You are so wonderful
To me
Can’t you see
You’re everything I hoped for
You’re everything I need
You are so wonderful
To me

You are so beautiful
To me
You are so beautiful
To me
Can’t you see
You’re everything I hoped for
You’re everything I need
You are so beautiful
To me

Songwriters: Bruce Carleton Fisher / Billy Preston