Going Under " is a nu metal song by American rock band Evanescence . Recorded for their debut studio album '' Fallen '' ( 2003 ) , Wind-up Records released it as the album 's second single on September 9 , 2003 . The song was written by Evanescence members Amy Lee , David Hodges and Ben Moody while its production was handled by Dave Fortman . The song contains rock and heavy metal elements and its instrumentation consists of drums and guitars built around Lee 's soprano vocals . Lyrically , " Going Under " was written about an emotionally difficult past relationship . It received mostly positive reviews from music critics , most of whom praised its anthemic chorus and Lee 's vocal performance . " Going Under " peaked at number five on the US '' Billboard '' Alternative Songs chart , charted in the top ten in Brazil , Italy , New Zealand and the UK and the top forty in various other European countries and Australia . It obtained a platinum certification in the latter country by the Australian Recording Industry Association ( ARIA ) . A music video for the song was directed by Philipp Stölzl and it was filmed in May 2003 in Berlin . It features the band performing the song live , while spectators from the audience turn into zombies and water in which lead singer Lee drowns , illustrating the song 's lyrics of sinking . The singer designed both of the dresses she wears in the video . Evanescence performed the song live during the set list of their concert tours in support of '' Fallen '' ( 2003-2004 ) and '' The Open Door '' ( 2006-2007 ) as well as the Evanescence Tour ( 2011-2012 ) in support of their self-titled third studio album . They also performed it during several of their televised appearances , such as the 2003 Teen Choice Awards , the 2003 American Music Awards and the '' Jimmy Kimmel Live ! '' show in 2011
2003 Teen Choice Awards
2003 Teen Choice Awards
Going Under