My Tourniquet Song Meaning

Lorenzo Makoy
3 min readJul 17, 2023

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If you are a fan of Evanescence, you might have heard their song “Tourniquet” from their debut album “Fallen”. But do you know what the song is really about? In this post, I will explore the meaning and background of this powerful and emotional song.

Evanescence performing live at The Wiltern theatre in Los Angeles California on Tuesday November 17th, 2015. (Photo by Justin Higuchi under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license)

What is a tourniquet?

A tourniquet is a device used to stop bleeding, usually by choking off an artery, so the blood can’t flow out. It can be a life-saving tool in cases of severe injury or amputation. However, it can also cause tissue damage or gangrene if applied for too long or too tightly.

What is the origin of the song?

“Tourniquet” is a reworked cover of a 2001 song called “My Tourniquet” by the Christian death metal band Soul Embraced, written by their guitarist, Rocky Gray. Gray later joined Evanescence as their drummer and brought the song to the band. Amy Lee, the lead singer and songwriter of Evanescence, wrote the melody and added a second verse. Gray is a credited writer on “Tourniquet” along with Lee and her bandmates at the time, Ben Moody and David Hodges.

What is the meaning of the song?

The song is about a girl who attempted suicide and is now asking God to forgive her. It brings up whether you can enter heaven if you take your own life. The girl sees God as her tourniquet, the only one who can save her from bleeding to death spiritually. She is dying, praying, bleeding and screaming for salvation. She wonders if God remembers her, if he will be on the other side, or if he will forget her. Not only that, but she wants to die, but she also fears being denied by Christ.

The song reflects the struggle of someone who is suffering from depression, self-harm and suicidal thoughts. It also expresses the hope and faith that God can heal and redeem them. The song is not meant to glorify or encourage suicide, but rather to show compassion and empathy for those who are in pain.

Why is this song important?

This song is important because it raises awareness and understanding of mental health issues and suicide prevention. It also shows that music can be a powerful medium to express emotions and connect with others who are going through similar experiences. The song can be a source of comfort and inspiration for those who are feeling hopeless or alone.

The song also demonstrates the diversity and creativity of Evanescence as a band. They are not afraid to explore different genres, themes and influences in their music. They are not limited by labels or expectations. Likewise, they are true artists who express themselves authentically and passionately.

Conclusion

“My Tourniquet” is a song that has a deep and personal meaning for both the writers and the listeners. It is a song that speaks to the heart and soul of anyone who has ever felt lost, broken or desperate. It is a song that offers hope and healing through faith and love.

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and leave a comment below. If you want to learn more about Evanescence and their music, please visit their official website or follow them on social media.

https://www.evanescence.com/

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Lorenzo Makoy

Electronics engineer, crypto and AI fan. Working in music and entertainment.