Under Your Scars

Album: When Legends Rise (2018)
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Songfacts®:

  • When Legends Rise finds Godsmack moving away from their trademark heavy metal sound and this powerful string-laden ballad is a case in point. "I come from a very broad background in music," explained frontman Sully Erna. "My great uncle was a famous composer in Sicily, and my dad is still a musician and runs an Italian band in the Boston area. So as I've grown over the years as an artist, I've regressed back to all types of music and instruments I love working with and composing. "

    "So I called upon my dear friend Irina Chirkova to lay down the cello parts and Zvezdelina Haltakova (both from Bulgaria) did all the violin parts for me," he added. "And I really feel that this specific track will be something people will gravitate towards since it's the first real ballad we've put on a Godsmack record. I think like it or not, they will gravitate towards it to explore it out of curiosity. But again, it's about taking risks and expanding."
  • The vulnerable song came to Sully Erna shortly after he'd spent some time with his friend Lady Gaga. Erna explained: "In the short amount of time we hung out, she made me realize that we all have these imperfections, these wounds that we carry (whether they're physical or emotional) that cut so deep they can cripple us.

    These feelings leave us vulnerable, or embarrassed, or even unworthy at times. And our human nature - when they're exposed - is to shut down, rather than embrace them and realize that not only can we overcome them, but we can also become an inspiration to inspire others to have a voice and find their inner strength to show their scars off loudly and proudly to the world. Our 'Scars' are nothing more than our battle wounds from life and they helped mold you into who you are today."
  • The song's music video, which was directed by Paris Visone, is dedicated to "anyone that has ever felt alone." The clip highlights Godsmack's relationship with their fans, both on and off the stage.
  • Godsmack achieved a career first when "Under Your Scars" ascended to #1 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart, marking the group's third chart-topping Mainstream Rock hit from When Legends Rise, following the title track and "Bulletproof." This was the first time the band scored three #1 singles from the same album.
  • In Godsmack's Pandora Stories feature, Erna explained the ballad is special to the band because it's a nod to their musical influences, like Aerosmith and Guns N' Roses. "It's a song that's become very near and dear to our hearts for the simple reason that we grew up on classic rock bands that had these kind of ballads, like 'Dream On' and 'November Rain,'" he explained. "This is one that we've really enjoyed and it's kind of our gift back to the fans."
  • The tune also inspired the band to launch The Scars Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides resources for issues like severe depression, addiction, bullying, PTSD, and suicide prevention.

Comments: 11

  • Bobby from Knoxville, Tn.Ty guys so much 4 being tuned n 2 ppl like me. I'm a war veteran w/ P.T.S.D. it's by far no picnic n sometimes I can barely hold on, but u guys helped me understand that there r others like me that need 2 make life work somehow 4 their families. So ty 4 the song it's beautiful and means the world 2 me. I'm making life work and so can u, so best wishes 2 all that read this and god bless.
  • Dani from PennsylvaniaLove this song I start out each day listening to it. It reminds me that I am who I am, I can not change my past. Even though I am now in my 50s i know that my story isn't over yet and that while somedays I am still stuck in the darkness of what others can't see that as Long as I keep reaching for the light I will survive
  • Anita Kay from Athens, TnThis song touches me deep beneath my scars. I have many. But now I love my scars. They are proof I am a strong survived. Thanks Yall. For sharing with us. Peace and much love.
  • Michigancitymusicman - Ron from North West IndianaClassic ballad by a heavy metal band. Also with meaningful lyrics. Would compare this effort to November Rain from G & R
  • Julie Gammon from Salt Lake City, UtahI would love to be able to reach out to Sully Erna & now Lady Gaga and express my gratitude for this song. I honestly had no idea what the lyrics meant but I felt this song deep and this song saved my life more than one, two, or even three times. I can't believe after reading the meaning of the song and where it came from it's so incredible how a song can do that I was feeling more alone than I ever have in my entire life and I felt scarred and ruined. Today I'm still here and I make certain I listen to this song as loud and as many times as I can every day cuz it saved my soul and continues to do so every time I listen to it. Thank you so much for knowing the way it feels inside and sharing this song.
  • Cindy Robertson from Bristol VaThis song really hits home for me and my god daughter we say this is our song, but she has been clean off drugs for a year just came up and I'm so glad and thankful everyday that she is clean I love her as my own..
  • Tara G from Norristown PaMy fiancé and I would listen to the song every night he said this song was meant for us! Sadly he passed away October 23, 2021 he was fighting addiction he had a year clean on the 13th died 10 days later of a relapse and kills me but this song just reminds me so much of us!
  • Rain A. M. from Columbus, OhioSome days this song gets me to the next day, thank you, a forgotten soldier.
  • Buddy from P.a.After going through a divorce this year from someone who made the last few years of my life an absolute nightmare this song really spoke to me. I can only hope that my future will bring someone who is willing to live under my scars.
  • Anita Burks from Greenwood IndianaI have never heard of your group nor had I ever listened a good friend of mine played this song and when she did it was like it was me and how I felt I couldn't believe. Your voice the Sound the song kept me hostage for days....amazing you guys are wonderful thank you so much for that song. Under your scars.
  • Heather from Cleveland Love this song! It definitely makes me think of a very special friend, Patrick
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