Awake by Godsmack - Songfacts

Album: Awake (2000)

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Godsmack lead singer Sully Erna wrote "Awake." In an MTV online chat, he explained the song's personal nature: "That's me getting closure on a relationship. I'm just saying that now I'm awake, and I'm able to deal with everything I have to deal with. Where before I felt like I was going to lose control without this person in my life. I'm saying that I'm okay now without that person."
"Awake" became one of Godsmack's most popular songs and hit #1 on the Mainstream Rock chart. It's the title track to their second major-label album, which was released on Halloween, 2000.
This song was used in commercials for the US Navy's "Accelerate Your Life" recruiting campaign. The Navy also used the Godsmack song "Sick Of Life."

In a heated interview with Arthur magazine, Sully Erna fielded accusations that Godsmack was using their music to promote a pro-war agenda. He said, "By no means has this band ever supported any war for any country or that we support government decisions or why we're sticking our nose in other people's business at times. What we support is our troops. And the women and men that go over there - or anywhere - to fight for our country and our lives and protect our freedom and I feel that."
The radio version was cut down to 4:33 from the 5:04 album version.
On Godsmack's 2004 acoustic EP The Other Side, there is a new version of this song called "Asleep." The music is softer, the song is much shorter and there is the presence of a piano in the song.
This was used in the Jet Li action thriller The One in 2001.
In the music video, directed by Troy Smith ("Greed"), the band performs in a fenced-in prison yard while a riot brews among the prisoners locked inside the facility. The clip was shot at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio, which was where the 1994 movie The Shawshank Redemption was filmed.

Comments: 20

Jacob Fernandez from Las VegasThis song is about overcoming emotional pain, finding personal closure after a toxic relationship, and realizing your own strength. Lead singer Sully Erna explained that the song marks a point of awakening where he feels independent, resilient, and in control instead of feeling broken or controlled by someone else.
Gerry from Cincinnati OhI believe shawshank was partially filmed at the old Cincinnati workhouse.
Zack from Noblesville, InThis song is a good representation of high school.
Zero from Nowhere, NjI think it's just basically talking about being more weary of the people around you from bad experiences ("I'm awake because of you"). Sully plays rhythm guitar in live performances of this song.
Rose from Lancaster, CaNo matter what Sully and Godsmack record - ITS ALL AWESOME!!
Cooldy from Delphos, OhTHis song is about abortion. If u read the lyrics "because of you i'm alive." that means that the chick got knocked up. Just read the lyrics you will understand
Jeff from Helena, MtIf you read sully's autobiography it says godsmack was formed over the cold sore incident.
Anna from Moscow, Czech Republic"Sully Erna, the lead singer for Godsmack, has stated otherwise: "That's where we picked the name from. I was making fun of somebody who had a cold sore on his lip and the next day I had one myself and somebody said, 'It's a godsmack.' The name stuck. We were aware of the Alice in Chains song but didn't really think much about it. It's a cool song and the name had meaning for us".[3] However, many believe that this was part of Godsmack's attempt to distinguish themselves from the band that they have been compared to most frequently.[4]. Robbie Merril, the bassist for Godsmack, in the home video DVD "Smack This" stated "we stole it, from Alice in Chains"."~http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godsmack#The_band.27s_name
happy?
Steve from Toronto, Ont., CanadaThis is a great workout song...and a good song all-around.
Jason from Whippany, NjThe name Godsmack is also said to come from Alice in Chains cause their lead singer was sully erna's mentor, and on one of the alice in chains cd there is a song called "Godsmack"
David from Las Vegas, NvI saw Sully in an interview about where the name "Godsmack" came from and he did give some lame explanation about how Godsmack is a form of Karma. Essentially God Smacking you.
Heather from Amelia, OhIt's not Ohio State Reformitary where Shawshank Redemption was filmed. It was at Shawshank Penitentiary. Awesome song, I agree.
Benihana from Godsmack, Ne"One day they where practicing or something and the guitarist had a cold sore or something on his lip. Sully made fun of him all day and the next day Sully came in with a cold sore or something on his lip and the guys said that he was smacked by god."

How the hell could you believe that? They are just embarrassed that they were an Alice in Chains cover band and figure if they deny, people will believe it. Hey, I guess they're right...
Mel from Columbus, OhThe awake video was filmed at the Ohio Sate Reformatory same place Shawshank Redemption was filmed
Robbie from South Portland, Methe band's name DID come from the alice in chains' song with the same name. sully erna loves the band and has said something along the lines of "i want to make great riffs like bands like alice in chains did". the band has said that they got the name from the alice in chains song "God Smack". do some reasearch, that's where the name came from.
Farrah from Bucyrus, Ohthe bands name didn't come from Alice in chains, Heres how they got the name. One day they where practicing or something and the guitarist had a cold sore or something on his lip. Sully made fun of him all day and the next day Sully came in with a cold sore or something on his lip and the guys said that he was smacked by god. add two and two and there ya go they thought hey thats a good name and Godsmack it was.
Billy Ross from Hagerstown, Mdthis is my favorite godsmack song
E-van from Lansdale, PaI think you might be thinking of the video for Greed. The Awake video is shot in a prison.
Christina from Hamilton, MtThe girl in the video is the same girl from the cover of the album. They found her picture in a tattoo magazine and purchased it from the photographer. Later on the girl from the picutre surfaced and they decided to use her for the video.
Nick from Paramus, NjThere is some whispering going on in the background during the interludes between the first and second verses. Does anyone know what this is?

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