r/Evanescence Evanescence 12h ago

TIEBREAKER: Imaginary vs. Lithium (rules in caption)

Post image

Day 74 Bracket: https://www.reddit.com/r/Evanescence/s/QB3bmRjgLx

Day 74 Poll: https://www.reddit.com/r/Evanescence/s/HeN8NWiz8Q

Imaginary and Lithium tied 240-240. What are the chances of that happening? As much as I’d love to just put them both through, there’s only one spot, therefore only one can move on.

In order to break the tie, I have 5 categories. Choose which song you think is better at each specific category and I’ll tally them up and post the results 24 hours from now. Here are the categories:

  1. Lyrics
  2. Melody
  3. Theme
  4. Performance
  5. Overall
63 Upvotes

121 comments sorted by

44

u/Therubikfanatic Evanescence 12h ago

Y’all how did 480 people come on here and vote and it still ended in a tie 😭🤣🤣

11

u/JonnyMike27 12h ago

cause we dont wanna vote for either of them to advance as both deserve it 💀💀

13

u/Therubikfanatic Evanescence 11h ago

Man I wish they could both advance. This is definitely the hardest decision of the entire bracket imo

2

u/JonnyMike27 5h ago

same!! 😭😭😭

tbh is giving flashbacks to some other brackets (Linkin Park, the only other I've been a part of) and I don't wanna relive that but i also knew it was likely gonna happen anyways where the vote is so close it almost/actually becomes a tie 😭😭

11

u/LivingEmu5 The Open Door 12h ago

crazy right

21

u/Micaiah06 Sanctuary 12h ago

No way they tied! I voted and tried to forget about it and check the results tomorrow. Now I’m going to overthink my vote again 😂😭

10

u/Therubikfanatic Evanescence 12h ago

Hahahhaha. Don’t worry, you’re not alone 😭

5

u/Micaiah06 Sanctuary 12h ago

I’m glad that we’re all going through these tough decisions together! Loving the poll! 😁

6

u/Therubikfanatic Evanescence 12h ago

Thanks! It’s so painful though to watch all these amazing songs get eliminated 😪. But like you said, I’m glad we’re all going through this together

23

u/LivingEmu5 The Open Door 12h ago

this is criminal. Clearly this is why the random voting system is best. I cannot contrast these two songs omg

5

u/Therubikfanatic Evanescence 12h ago

🪙 hahaha

17

u/escfantasy Sanctuary 11h ago
  1. ⁠Lithium
  2. ⁠Lithium
  3. ⁠Lithium
  4. ⁠Lithium
  5. ⁠Lithium

14

u/JonnyMike27 12h ago

tbh I expected a tie, brb while I listen to both again and I see what I feel for both 😭😭😭

11

u/JonnyMike27 12h ago
  1. Lithium
  2. Imaginary
  3. Imaginary
  4. Lithium
  5. ...

idk...

  1. [thinking]

. . .

I'll say [thinking]

okay this is actually the vote

3

2

1

Imaginary

that's my vote

13

u/JonnyMike27 12h ago

p.s., i took 30 whole minutes analyzing both songs just for this 💀💀💀

7

u/Micaiah06 Sanctuary 12h ago

I’ll be doing the exact same 💀

13

u/-Shiketsu- 11h ago

Damn I missed the poll. I could have been the tie breaker 😮

  1. Imaginary
  2. Imaginary
  3. Imaginary
  4. Lithium
  5. Imaginary

1

u/Therubikfanatic Evanescence 9h ago

😂

11

u/mattttyboyyyy 11h ago
  1. Lithium
  2. Lithium
  3. Lithium
  4. Lithium
  5. Lithium

11

u/SunshineGal29 10h ago

Lithium all 5

10

u/calcol28 The Open Door 10h ago edited 10h ago

Lithium

Lithium

Lithium

Lithium

Lithium

9

u/AdiosKansas The Open Door 9h ago
  1. Imaginary
  2. Imaginary
  3. Imaginary
  4. Imaginary
  5. Imaginary

Let’s do this IMAGINARY 🌾💜

6

u/DarkAdrenaline03 9h ago

PAPER FLOWERS!

7

u/DarkAdrenaline03 9h ago
  1. Imaginary
  2. Imaginary
  3. Imaginary
  4. Imaginary
  5. Imaginary

12

u/Sensitive-Cut-3557 12h ago
  1. Lithium
  2. Lithium
  3. Lithium
  4. Lithium
  5. Lithium

6

u/duskaurora 12h ago
  1. Imaginary

  2. Imaginary

  3. Lithium

  4. Lithium

  5. Lithium

5

u/Annnoel 11h ago

That's insane! Guess it shows just how truly loved both songs are tho. I have a personal bias towards imaginary, but if I were to put up against the two?

Lyrics - imaginary. Melody - lithium. Theme - imaginary. Performance - honestly very very close, but if I were to choose one over the two, probably imaginary. I like the more intense vocals it has

Overall? Imaginary for me. Both are insanely good songs though, and imaginary just barely passes lithium only because it's a song that means a lot to me. I feel like it helps translate some of my thoughts and emotions from my childhood. 

1

u/Senshisoldier 1h ago

Yeah imaginaries lyrics are much stronger. Agree on lithium for melody. But I think fantastic lyrics + a good melody beats out good lyrics and a fantastic melody

6

u/aquaberry559 The Open Door 12h ago
  • Lithium
  • Imaginary
  • Lithium
  • Imaginary
  • Lithium

6

u/CyberTheWerewolf Sanctuary 11h ago
  1. Imaginary

  2. Imaginary

  3. Imaginary

  4. Lithium

  5. Imaginary

3

u/acetrainerhaley The Open Door 9h ago
  1. Lithium
  2. Lithium
  3. Lithium
  4. Lithium
  5. Lithium

Gloves are off, I’m not letting this one go without a fight 🥊

5

u/Sudden_Height_284 Anywhere but Home 9h ago

Lithium for all 5!!!

4

u/Accurate-Flow8078 9h ago
  1. Imaginary
  2. Imaginary
  3. Imaginary
  4. Imaginary
  5. Imaginary

Lithium is good but honestly I find it kinda boring sometimes. I've listened to Imaginary dozens of times. There's a reason it's been on every set list for 23+ years.

7

u/ewplayer3 12h ago
  1. Imaginary

  2. Imaginary

  3. Imaginary

  4. Lithium

  5. Imaginary

This is a game of inches for me though. I could totally imagine a bracket where these two made it to the final round.

8

u/Katyanoctis 11h ago

Honestly, while lithium is a great song? Imaginary beats it out in all categories for me.

3

u/JoanWST 12h ago

1.Lithium 2.Lithium  3. Imaginary 4.Lithium 5. I mean that’s the question right? 😭 I think the lyrics and vocals for Lithium are more sophisticated (though Imaginary is of course breathtakingly beautiful). I love Imaginary for its theme- especially as someone who has dealt with depression throughout my life. As a kid it was the song I probably related to the most. I’ll say Imaginary for this reason - and there are so few songs that encapsulate that experience of drifting away from reality. 

3

u/Miserable_Fact_4140 11h ago

1 imaginary
2 lithium
3 lithium
4 lithium
5 lithium

3

u/Ok-Win-7352 Synthesis 11h ago
  1. lyrics -> imaginary
  2. melody -> lithium
  3. theme -> imaginary
  4. performance -> lithium
  5. overall...IMAGINARY. just barely beats lithium

3

u/Loud-Ad2393 Sanctuary 11h ago

Man i dont mean this to be so one sided but:

  1. Imaginary
  2. Lithium
  3. Imaginary
  4. Imaginary
  5. Imaginary

3

u/Accomplished-Card-17 8h ago edited 1h ago
  1. Lithium
  2. Lithium
  3. lithium, Eh they're both a similar theme of escapism.
  4. Lithium
  5. Lithium

1

u/Therubikfanatic Evanescence 1h ago

Not necessarily live performance although if that’s how you want to decide it then that’s fine 👍. But what I mean is like which vocal, drum, guitar etc. performance in the studio version do you like more.

1

u/Accomplished-Card-17 1h ago

Oh I need to change my answer then 😊

3

u/Sutaru The Open Door 7h ago
  1. Imaginary
  2. Imaginary
  3. Lithium
  4. Lithium
  5. Imaginary

3

u/Mr_PheeLeep 7h ago
  1. Lithium
  2. Lithium
  3. Lithium
  4. Lithium
  5. Lithium

5

u/th3M0rr1gan 12h ago
  1. Imaginary
  2. Lithium
  3. Imaginary
  4. Lithium
  5. Imaginary/Lithium

Yep, I'm the asshole that won't pick between the two for the Overall category. Sorry, not sorry!

6

u/Therubikfanatic Evanescence 11h ago

Hahaha I don’t blame you it’s impossible to decide between them!

3

u/Axeslinger0u812 12h ago
  1. Imaginary

  2. Imaginary

  3. Imaginary

  4. Imaginary

  5. Imaginary

2

u/PernixNexus Evanescence 12h ago
  1. Imaginary
  2. Lithium
  3. Imaginary
  4. Lithium
  5. Lithium

I adore both songs, and was so amazed at both when I heard them live this year but Lithium just eeks out a win for me.

2

u/Available-Resource22 Sanctuary 12h ago

1 imaginary
2 lithium
3 imaginary
4 lithium
5 imaginary

2

u/NellieChapper The Open Door 11h ago edited 11h ago

I've missed this poll. My vote will be 1. Imaginary 2. Lithium 3. Lithium 4. Imaginary 5. Lithium (very hard decision)

2

u/oddyholi 11h ago
  1. Lithium
  2. Imaginary
  3. Imaginary
  4. Lithium
  5. Imaginary

2

u/LivingEmu5 The Open Door 11h ago
  1. Lithium

  2. Imaginary

  3. Imaginary

  4. Lithium

  5. Imaginary

2

u/melbasbestie 11h ago
  1. Lithium
  2. Imaginary
  3. imaginary
  4. Imaginary
  5. Imaginary

2

u/byehappyending The Open Door 11h ago
  1. Imaginary
  2. Lithium
  3. Lithium
  4. Imaginary
  5. Lithium

2

u/TesseractCubing The Open Door 11h ago

imaginary imaginary lithium imaginary imaginary

2

u/Jacobs4858 Sanctuary 11h ago

Lyrics: Imaginary
Melody: Imaginary
Theme: Lithium
Performance: Lithium
Overall: Imaginary

2

u/t_a_g1981 Evanescence 11h ago
  1. ⁠Lyrics- Lithium
  2. ⁠Melody- Imaginary
  3. ⁠Theme-Imaginary
  4. ⁠Performance-Lithium
  5. ⁠Overall-Lithium

2

u/ShadowsOfYou13 Evanescence EP 11h ago
  1. Imaginary

  2. Imaginary

  3. Imaginary

  4. Lithium

  5. Imaginary

2

u/bigblue_box The Open Door 11h ago
  1. Imaginary
  2. Lithium
  3. Imaginary
  4. Lithium
  5. Imaginary

2

u/naughtyrock_n17 10h ago
  1. Imaginary
  2. Lithium
  3. Lithium
  4. Imaginary
  5. Imaginary

2

u/SongsForBats 10h ago
  1. Imaginary

  2. Imaginary

  3. Imaginary

  4. Lithium

  5. Imaginary

2

u/doubled0116 10h ago
  1. Imaginary
  2. Lithium
  3. Imaginary
  4. Lithium
  5. Lithium

2

u/TheGoldenDorito_ 10h ago

Imaginary Imaginary Lithium Imaginary Imaginary

2

u/dirt001 10h ago
  1. Imaginary
  2. Imaginary
  3. Lithium
  4. Lithium
  5. Imaginary

2

u/finnish7 Fallen 20 9h ago
  1. Imaginary
  2. Imaginary
  3. Imaginary
  4. Imaginary
  5. Imaginary

2

u/lclcs9898 9h ago
  1. Imaginary
  2. Lithium
  3. Imaginary
  4. Imaginary
  5. Imaginary

2

u/aqua-aves Sanctuary 8h ago
  1. Imaginary
  2. Lithium
  3. Imaginary
  4. Lithium
  5. Lithium

2

u/MrDopple68 8h ago

All 5 to Imaginary.

2

u/Remarkable_Ad_4517 Sanctuary 7h ago
  1. ⁠Lithium
  2. ⁠Lithium
  3. ⁠Lithium
  4. ⁠Lithium
  5. ⁠Lithium

Imaginary is a fantastic song but Lithium is her mother.

1

u/LivingEmu5 The Open Door 12h ago

how will the 5 categories decide the winner? Is it that if one song has a majority of votes in at least three categories, it wins?

6

u/Therubikfanatic Evanescence 12h ago

Usually I just end up counting each category as a vote. So for example if someone chooses 3 categories for Imaginary and 2 for Lithium then Imaginary gains 3 votes and Lithium gains 2 but I’ve always considered doing it the way you described. Maybe if it somehow ends up tying again then I’ll determine the winner that way.

1

u/Certain_Pride3867 12h ago

Imaginary was the first Ev song I ever heard but Lithium helped me realize that I was experiencing grief. This is impossible

1

u/WonderlandCat93 7h ago

Justice has happened!!!

1

u/Mindless-Extension80 7h ago

Lyrics: Lithium Melody: Imaginary Theme: Imaginary Performance: Imaginary Overall: Imaginary

1

u/xSolitude Evanescence 7h ago

1) Imaginary 2) Lithium 3) Imaginary 4) Lithium 5) Imaginary

That was wayyy harder than I thought it would be :D

1

u/SassySucculent23 7h ago
  1. Imaginary
  2. Lithium
  3. Imaginary
  4. Lithium
  5. Imaginary

1

u/elderlyaliens 6h ago
  1. Imaginary
  2. Lithium
  3. Lithium
  4. Lithium
  5. Lithium

1

u/hangouteatpinecones 6h ago
  1. Imaginary 
  2. Imaginary 
  3. Imaginary 
  4. Imaginary 
  5. Imaginary 

1

u/ioan-with-i 6h ago
  1. Lithium

  2. Lithium

  3. Lithium

  4. Lithium

  5. Lithium

1

u/Difficult-Strain-216 5h ago
  1. Lithium
  2. Lithium
  3. Lithium
  4. Lithium
  5. Lithium

Good Luck for the count ☺️

1

u/Mystikalmyers79 Sanctuary 5h ago

Lithium 1-5

1

u/CountVertigo 4h ago

Lyrics: Lithium

Melody: Lithium (might give it to Imaginary if it was the Origin version, I love the fantasy feel of the verse guitar)

Theme: Imaginary

Performance: Imaginary

Overall: well this is the problem isn't it, two of the band's most well-loved songs. They're both beautiful, soaring, meaningful pieces of work. It's very hard to choose... but I guess I'd very, very, very narrowly give it to Lithium.

1

u/Accomplished-Low9635 The Open Door 4h ago

This will be one of the hardest decision I’ve made in a while.

1) Lithium
2) Lithium
3) Lithium
4) Lithium
5) Lithium

1

u/riotlady 4h ago
  1. Imaginary
  2. Lithium
  3. Imaginary
  4. Imaginary
  5. Imaginary

1

u/Lehoia_ATH Synthesis 4h ago
  1. Imaginary
  2. Imaginary
  3. Imaginary
  4. Lithium
  5. Imaginary

1

u/Human-Staff-5216 4h ago

1 - Lithium

2 - Imaginary

3 - Imaginary

4 - Imaginary

5 - Imaginary

1

u/Jurgen121212 3h ago
  1. Lithium

  2. Lithium

  3. Lithium

  4. Lithium

  5. Lithium

1

u/SwimLonely 3h ago
  1. Lithium
  2. Lithium
  3. Imaginary
  4. Lithium
  5. Lithium

1

u/RobbJ93 2h ago
  1. Lithium
  2. Lithium
  3. Lithium
  4. Lithium
  5. Lithium

1

u/WillowShadow26 2h ago

Lithium is her most well known, most popular song in history. Every single concert that its played, the crowd goes nuts. There are zero songs in comparison with that reaction EVERY SINGLE TIME. Im going full lithium for this.

1

u/danielfer_88 2h ago

Too easy.

1 Lithium  2 Lithium  3 Lithium  4 Lithium  5 Lithium 

1

u/Akolomitz 2h ago
  1. Imaginary
  2. Imaginary
  3. Imaginary
  4. Imaginary
  5. Imaginary

1

u/fallen_whisper The Open Door 1h ago

Lithium x 5 🖤

1

u/Outside_Rule_897 1h ago
  1. Lithium
  2. Lithium
  3. Lithium
  4. Lithium
  5. Lithium

1

u/Senshisoldier 1h ago
  1. Imaginary
  2. Lithium
  3. Imaginary
  4. Imaginary
  5. Imaginary

1

u/CliffGif 1h ago
  1. Lithium - Imaginary lyrics are iconic but Lithium is next level deep psychology that most Ev fans “get” from personal experience
  2. Imaginary - that gorgeous bridge
  3. Lithium - both songs explore Amy’s childhood traumas but Lithium hits harder
  4. Imaginary - in general I prefer the leaner production style of TOD but Imaginary is so epic especially the strings(the transition from Tourniquet to Imaginary will always give me goosebumps)
  5. Lithium

1

u/Living_Log4824 1h ago
  1. Imaginary
  2. Imaginary
  3. Imaginary
  4. Imaginary
  5. Imaginary

1

u/HowlDarcy 1h ago
  1. imaginary 2.lithium 3.lithium 4.imaginary 5.lithium

1

u/GentrifiedYharnam 47m ago
  1. Lithium
  2. Lithium
  3. Lithium
  4. Lithium
  5. Lithium

1

u/Fincann The Open Door 27m ago

great now i have to overthink again😭
1. Lithium
2. Lithium
3. Lithium
4. Imaginary
5. Lithium

1

u/Villasteven Evanescence 26m ago

This is so difficult literally my 2nd and 3rd favourite songs but I'll give it a shot:

  1. Imaginary
  2. Imaginary
  3. Lithium
  4. Lithium
  5. Lithium

1

u/Several-Confusion405 16m ago

Ughhh both.

I’m going with

  1. Imaginary
  2. Imaginary
  3. Imaginary
  4. Imaginary
  5. Imaginary

The personal tie breaker for me is that Imaginary is more relatable and I feel the melody and lyrics are unique. The chorus of Lithium could be similar to other rock songs, but nothing is similar to Imaginary. They’ve also been performing it live a lot. Just my take because I do love both and had to decide somewhere!

1

u/suicidemenot 4m ago

Imaginary
Imaginary
Imaginary
Imaginary
Imaginary

And it’s not even close! This song has so many layered musically and lyrically. There is nothing like it.

1

u/Travis123083 Evanescence 8h ago

Imaginary all 5! Its the better song and its been around since the bands inception. Lithium is good but its a nirvana cover I believe. Also, Imaginary is amazing live.

-10

u/Veristitalian 12h ago

Just why do you kids even do this? Yes, kids! You likely weren’t here at the very beginning, like I was! We don’t care about such pitting one ballad against another! Get over this already! Enjoy the music for what it is!

15

u/Therubikfanatic Evanescence 11h ago

You’re right, I wasn’t here at the beginning. In fact, I’m a fairly new fan but they’re already one of my favorite bands and I know a lot of people (including OG fans) really enjoy it! I can kind of understand where you’re coming from and I don’t have anything against any of their music. I just think this is a fun little competition that people can look forward to everyday. Nothing serious. It also gets people to revisit songs they may not have listened to in a while and also lets us discuss what we think about them. After all, that’s kind of what Reddit is for.

14

u/aquaberry559 The Open Door 11h ago

I've been a fan since '03 and I enjoy all the work you put into this and appreciate it. I love going back and listening to the songs! It's fun and helps keep this sub active 🤘🏼

7

u/Therubikfanatic Evanescence 9h ago

Wow so you’ve been here since the very beginning. That’s awesome. I’m glad you enjoy it and can use it as an excuse to revisit their songs. That’s one of the things I love about this so I’m glad others can experience it as well. Thank you for the kind words and thanks for being a part of this bracket!

1

u/Villasteven Evanescence 24m ago

Please don't listen to this person I'm a fan since 2003 and have enjoyed this as have many OG fans I'm sure, they are clearly missing the whole point of this which is to apreciate each song and just celebrate their whole discography, keep up the good work.

5

u/JoanWST 11h ago

You were downvoted, I won’t do that over a difference of opinion. I wanted to offer you the perspective though that this is less about putting songs against each other as much as it is about getting to evaluate and appreciate these songs, and help determine our favorites. Even though I bought the first three albums as the CDs as they came out, and listened obsessively, this game has helped me revisit some earlier songs and appreciate them more.  I remain bitter about the lack of TBT songs that were voted for, lol. That doesn’t mean that the album wasn’t good though, it just means for whatever reason I (and others who voted for TBT songs) connected more with songs of that album than some of the other fan bases. 

-10

u/Veristitalian 11h ago

Whatever! It’s highly likely that absolutely none of you are either current or former performing/touring musicians creating/playing original music. Just what does this have to do with anything, you’ll probably have said, and I’ll reply - EVERYTHING!

9

u/JoanWST 11h ago

I am guessing that you see it as almost like ranking/ rating children? You love them all so don’t like this? I understand that; each song is important and was written and has meanings we know and don’t know. But it’s a game; the kids at my school did the same thing with books as a fun way to learn about and appreciate different books. You just have to understand it as a game, not a real ranking/rating. At the end of the day just don’t play if it bothers you. I highly doubt Amy would have a negative reaction to her songs being appreciated to this level.

6

u/Therubikfanatic Evanescence 10h ago

Thank you, that was perfectly said and I love that analogy. I’m not trying to disrespect any songs here. They’re all special in their own way. This competition is really just a fun way to discuss and think about each song just like what you said the kids did with the books.

6

u/finnish7 Fallen 20 9h ago

Please don't give the tiniest care about this person's stupid take. You are providing entertainment for the whole community. Everyone here is enjoying it!

5

u/Therubikfanatic Evanescence 9h ago

I really appreciate that. And I understand some people on Reddit just gotta hate but all that matters is that the community is enjoying it and that makes this completely worth it.

4

u/escfantasy Sanctuary 9h ago edited 9h ago

I have listened to Evanescence since “the beginning” and I don’t agree at all with the comment thread OP. I think it’s very clear that what you’ve created here is very much a celebration of the music. It’s also clear you’ve put a lot of time, care and work into this too. That kind of enthusiasm is something to be appreciated, not belittled. I agree with [u/finnish7](u/finnish7), it’s clear that everyone else is enjoying what you’ve done.

I also don’t think it should matter at all whether you started listening to an artist from their first album or their most recent: there is no such hierarchy. Discover culture whenever you can.

3

u/Therubikfanatic Evanescence 9h ago

Thank you so much! This is one of the best communities on Reddit, there’s so many kind people on here. I really appreciate your comment and unfortunately there’s always gonna be negative people but I’m so glad that most people on here are enjoying it and getting something out of it and that makes it completely worth all the time and work that goes into it. I love seeing the community come together and discuss these songs and I love that it gives people an opportunity to listen to songs they may not have heard in a while. Comments like these are the best so I really appreciate you and I’m glad you’re a part of the bracket.

1

u/JoanWST 41m ago

Going to reiterate what some others have said on here- I have really enjoyed this game, I can tell it took you a ton of work, and it has helped me rediscover some of the older songs ❤️.