You said it Jone Ruiz. Nightwish is an emotional powerhouse. Floor is rare, unique, and oh so special. Live it is electrifying. Worth every dollar!!!!!!!!!!! Never too late to the show my friend.
This song is part of Nightwish's Holy Trinity, along with Ghost Love Score & The Greatest Show on Earth. This song is also one of those songs where you should know its background story to grasp its full meaning, IMO. And by the way, please don't stop live music videos before its very end. There is always a 'thank you' or some other comment from one of the NW singers towards the audience. I mean, you watch a 13+ minute song and still can't wait to stop the video? Just let it run till the end.
Hi! I'm a 63-old guy from Finland, like the band too. I've only once seen them live, fortunately at their last gig in Vaasa (after several concerts cancelled in Ukraine and in paris. The war and COVID....) I sometimes still listen to this performance, but I try to avoid it, if I don't have tissues on my side. I always have to see something amusing after listening to this.. like I donright now.
Yes, prerecorded London symphony and choir parts in the backing track(s). I love hearing all the parts of the orchestra. Harps, brass, additional percussion, clarinet, woodwinds, and lots of strings, though some of that is played on the keyboard as well. The first singer in the intro is a boy soprano.
On the whole album, the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Metro Voices* choir based in London (+ some Irish musicians) In this opening track of the album "Dark Passion Play" ; Guy Elliott - leading boy soprano Tom Williams - second boy soprano Martin Loveday - cello ...Tiny corrections just to avoid sharing any ´non - factual´ information...For the män himself in the reaction and especially for the "newbies" to this kinda awesomeness of musicality... 🤘😎💙🎶💯 * Metro Voices London or London Metro Voices choir, a group that has close working relationship with London Philharmonic orchestra. Both of them has been a part in numerous movie soundtracks, as for example in ; Ronin, The Beach, Unbreakable, Shrek (1&2), Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Blood Diamond, 300, Robin Hood, Prometheus, Guardians Of The Galaxy (1&2), World War Z, etc. etc. etc. just typing down few of those...AND of course in the movie "Imaginaerum" with Nightwish.
Masterpiece, i just hope one day i can witness it live .....ive heard they wont perform it ever again , i hope he has a change of heart one day , maybe the FINAL Tour .
Good reaction. Maybe you should look up the story behind to get all the meaning of it all. That makes the song much more appreachable. Belongs in a museum if you understand it. Greetings from Germany
I think this song is great enough without all the unnecessary research into Tuomas' biography that some Nightwish' fanatics are forcing reactors to do.
@@SokolRock Ok, do you call everybody fanatic who is fan of Nightwish or just the ones that do not only listen to the music but also understand the importance of lyrics in songs in general? Maybe you are one of those who care much more for shaking butts and weird dancing performances than empathy and sense in a story. Ok, I didn't want to offend you, but I think you shouldn't do it also. Listen, I am 64 years old, I know trashtalkers in the first sentence. And I know how to deal with.....
@@user-Rockmagix It's just that those who constantly force reactors to explore Tuomas' life for "The Poet and the Pendulum" remind me of those old-school music educators who believe that you can't really appreciate, for example, Mozart's "Requiem" unless you study the tragic story of his last months of life. Some people are so obsessed with their favorite artist that they consider it necessary to know their biography in order to truly comprehend their work. But that's not true. Real art is valuable in itself and does not require any biographical notes to enjoy it. And I'm also really tired that because of the discussions about those events of 2005-06 in the comments, it's constantly slipping into "holy wars" with Tarja's fans about the circumstances and the justification for her dismissal.
@@SokolRock Do you agree, that the most important peaces of art often evolve out of the deepest emotional turmoils of the creators? And in theese cases - not all others - you need to get sense of that feelings to understand what the composer/poet wanted to express and without it the piece of art would not have been created. This song is one of them - also Dead boys poem. And also great songs of Pink Floyd high hopes and others.
@@user-Rockmagix No, I believe that although for those who have become fans and want to comprehensively explore the life and work of their favorite artists, this can open up an additional dimension in understanding their art, nevertheless, for most listeners it's not necessary at all.
Hello The song "The Poet and the Pendulum" is a 13 Minute journey through the mind and turmoil of Tuomas Holopainen after the year 2005. It was in that year the band parted with their long-time singer Tarja Turunen and had a personal falling out with her. The pain of the separation was big on both sides, and shown in this song. There is the responsibility that the band and Holopainen had to show towards the fans,. It was the End of an Era for them, and reason for Holopainen being lost as described in these lyrics. We can only of course to a certain degree suppose how much of these are truly Holopainen's feelings, wishes and pains - but we do know that the lyrics of Nightwish have been up to then very personal. Other songs on the album also digest this separation and falling out of the members with Turunen. This is one of the interpretations and i know lots of fans do not agree, they just need to read the open letter that was given to Tarja by the whole band at her last concert with Nightwish, where they fired her. And the main reason that Tuomas went through a depression was that specially the Tarja fans where furious and showed that in the media and everyone was blaming Tuomas. (the fans spit on his grave). He felt the whole world was against him. However personal and "real" these thoughts are, I feel like this song definitely takes us not only on a journey with Holopainen but also into ourselves. The music underlines the emotional gravity of the song extremely well. And I believe a lot of people can actually relate to a sense of guilt and being overwhelmed that all they desired for is the safety of home and innocence. While being personal, the song can still ring true to it's listener. That's a quality Nighwish possesses in many, many more songs. The emotional journey is one we can all share and very few bands know how to put that journey into song and especially into sound as well as Nightwish does. The band remains through all it's shores and Oceans, one of my main favourites and I hold special place for the band in my musical heart. I hope you have enjoyed reading my analysis and share some of my thoughts. If you do have any comments, please feel free to let me know. And remember the beauty of interpretation is that it is subjective; we can see all and feel different things in the same song and continue to love it endlessly. Lyric analysis by Annika Hausen Greetings from the Netherlands
This song is really so emotional! Tuomas Holopainen, the keyboards player, is an amazing keyboard player, and he composes the music and lyrics for all of their music. He is in very elite company, as there is only one other person with that much talent, that being Sir Elton John. Not many people can say that they have enjoyed the music and lyrics of two of the greatest musicians ever in their lifetime! No matter how many times I have heard this song, I get very emotional and I usually end up crying.
🤩👍💥💯🎼 A lot of chromatic, in addition to dynamic modulations that absorb musically and, of course, a huge dose of well-honed interplay on stage... 🤘😎💙🎶 ...You can get into the lyrics with your own time and all the metaphorics within the story will open up in a whole different way.. "Weak Fantasy" live in Tampere 2015 next by them(???)
The band states this was the last time this song is going to be played in the public. It's an expression of Tuomas' anger and depression after the firing of Tarja, and he is longer that man he was then. The singer in the start and the spoken parts is Guy Elliott, a boy soprano 11 years old at the time of the recording.
Thank you, very nice reaction! Just Nightwish doing Nightwish things! And as you have surely noticed, although they are all outstanding , none of them standout. Nightwish is their own genre and no other band comes close to the level they are at. Never, in the history of music entertainment, have a set of skills and talent collided in such powerful manner. Tuomas is a true genius as a composer and with lyrics & Floor is Valkyrie Goddess!
Amazing that Wembley 2015 had the complete big three! A pity that you did not do some investigation before as that is what is needed to understand this song: after Nightwish kicking out there first singer Tarja, keyboardist Tuomas got some shit from a lot of fans and even questions in the Finnish parliament. This caused him to fall into a deep depression, but instead of committing a real suicide, he decided to do it on stage.
Excellent reaction. The first voice you heard was a boy soprano. Yes, powerful was the right word. No modern composer could take his internal pain and turn it into a masterpiece like Tuomas Holopainen.
My no 1 song. A masterpiece. Accumulated notes follow... This is a 5-part journey through the emotional turmoil following Tarja's departure. As the founder and guiding light of the band, Tuomas' took much of the flak from those who claimed to be Nightwish fans but we're actually obsessed with Tarja and thought she WAS Nightwish - an idea that the subsequent growth and improvement of the band comprehensively demolished. Indeed there are still people today who call the "Tarjawish" in some vain attempt to make Tarja something she wasn't. (Don't get me wrong, Tarja can be fantastic, but Nightwish is about Tuomas' and his compositions. We are fortunate he now has Floor to exhibit his works.) The parts are: 1. White Lands of Empathica (The End) - the end of a band as well know it. Later to become known as the "End of an Era" 2. Home - the breakup of the band and the wish to find a place, home, to go to and get away from the madness of those who hated. Of course, there is a lot more in here too. 3. The Pacific - as usual, Tuomas' needs to reference the oceans, one of his "grounding" themes. His love of the ocean metaphor is well-docunented. He did, of course, originally dream of becoming a marine biologist. Strange that he should have a gnat named after him! 4. Dark Passion Play - the hate of Tarja fans led him into deep depression. However the band were not in good places so he didn't feel he could "cry on their shoulders" so in the end he went back to see his 5. - Mother and Father (and The Beginning) - the lyrics here reflect what his mother said to him at that time. The beginning of a new era and new line-up BTW, they are not hanging out having a chat as such - see later. Tuomas refers to the ocean frequently - the second album is called Oceanborn, Dead Boys Poem ends with reference to ocean soul and Devil and the Deep Dark Ocean ends with lyrics about setting the dolphins free and "we shall wash the darkened blood red sea, our voices shall echo over the mountains and seas". Tuomas is a very special person and this is, for me, the pinnacle of his work. Nothing surpasses it. For him it is one of the deepest songs. Quotes from the band on the making of the album and the song... TUOMAS: We will never play "Bye Bye Beautiful" or "Master Passion Greed" live again, [sic] because the lyrics are just too unambiguous and personal. There was at least as much gloom behind "The Poet and the Pendulum", too, but it leaves a bit more room for interpretation. It's easily one of our best songs but especially, the "Mother and Father'" part in the end always stirs up such a storm of emotions that it's impossible for me to do it every night. Playing "The Poet and the Pendulum' is a real rollercoaster ride - it makes me feel anxious, blush, laugh, and, in the end, just happy that that part of my life is behind me. My notes: My number 1 Nightwish song and for good reasons. (No 2, Song of Myself, No 3 7 Days to the Wolves.) This is a deeply emotional and meaningful song with which I empathise and it helped me to see that there was a way forward when depression struck. I am not alone in being "saved" by Nightwish, a fact that Tuomas has referred to and said he could not terminate the band because he knows they have meant so much to some fans who feel their lives have been saved by Nightwish. He feels that he has a responsibility to the fans - not your standard rock musician then. Floor is worth watching closely, her facial, hand and whole-body motions reflect the emotions she is portraying. Hands in Mother and Father for example. Tearing her hair in the Dark Passion Play section. Note that when Tuomas talks about "Poet" he is always referencing himself. It happens throughout his ouvre. You will see other cross-references too. Tuomas does that deliberately to give the fans a sort of anchor. Meadows of Heaven is another example - a song in itself and often referenced. For what it's worth, here are are my thoughts and interpretations... End to beginning - death of one era of the band, beginning of a new era. Regarding the end of the first Era, I see no point in the blame game. The band split, that is all we need to know. Whatever the causes there was bound to be emotion on both sides so I leave it at that. But this masterpiece is what came out of Tuomas' emotions. The beginning is a boy soprano, Guy Elliott who also does the spoken parts. The whispering at the beginning is the central spoken section, but played in reverse. In The Dark Tower fantasy, Empathica, also known as the White Lands of Empathica, is a snowy tundra located in End-World. The residents of Empathica are known for their abilities to empathize and share other people's emotions. Then we get the whole section "Home". I see the "shoulder cries more" as having no shoulder to cry on because the other members of the band - his friends - were equally upset. The "whore for the cold world" I see as the selling of his whole life to the music industry (the metaphorical pimps, hence the "whore" references) which is not interested in the person, only what they can get from the band. The two faces bit is self explanatory; almost everyone will have been in situations where they have to hide their feelings and present a false front to the world. The reference to betrayal is again obvious and there are lots of metaphors in the surrounding words. The altar I think, is the tie to the band - these upheavals in 2004/5 were not the first time Tuomas had felt like ending the band. By the way, note the 3 minutes and counting: exactly 3 minutes later you get the guillotine motion. By the way, Marco made the demo version of this, with all the lyrics sung by himself and with harsher lyrics at this point too. Next we get to the Mother and Father section with Floor, Marco and Emppu all sitting, while Floor sings lyrics reflecting the words from his mother when he went back home for a break in the middle of all this turmoil. These are the words of love and then of advice, that he was given. Floor here is using her finger movements to accentuate emotion. This whole section and the way Floor sings it, is packed with those damned Onion Ninjas. Marco's harmonies are wonderful. We end with the final ethereal notes from Floor and here is another tingle-factor moment. Then a gentle piano ending, the calm after the emotional storm. Here, as in Sparkle my Scenery, the choir on the original album is replaced by Floor who wanted to sing them herself (and proved completely capable of it) which Anette could not have done - she could probably get the notes but the emotion is there in the choral original and is amplified when Floor sings it. The low brass used in many places is really effective. On the performance itself: When Emppu goes over to Tuomas and later both Marco and Emppu go over, it is a sign of moral support. They both know how difficult this is for him - eventually he had the vocals turned off in his in-ear, so he didn't have to listen to them because Floor put such emotion into them. At the end, she does not say "Thank you" immediately, as she does normally. Instead she looks over for a few seconds to check on him from her position. BTW, I have never bought the theory that Tuomas was "in love" with Tarja.
That was not Floor at the beginning. It was an English boy soprano. Floor told Tuomas that she could sing that part but it was at the top of her range. Tuomas decided to just do the backing track with the choir boy.
Wembley Arena concert 2015: ruclips.net/video/N_jgyrlONPc/видео.html 1. Shudder Before the Beautiful, 2. Yours Is an Empty Hope, 3. Ever Dream, 4. Storytime, 5. My Walden, 6. While Your Lips Are Still Red 7. Élan, 8. Weak Fantasy (Preceded by a Dawkins' narration), 9. 7 Days to the Wolves, 10. Alpenglow, 11. The Poet and the Pendulum 12. Nemo, 13. I Want My Tears Back, 14. Stargazers, 15. Ghost Love Score, 16. Last Ride of the Day, 17. The Greatest Show on Earth
What you describe as powerful is what metal is all about, it wants to get the adrenaline pumping right through your hair. Or your beard ;-) Nightwish concerts are relatively cheap. The stage set consists mainly of the screens and that makes it cheap with great effect. A ticket should cost well under $100 (like mine in a big concert hall) and there are support acts included. On smaller stages it should be even cheaper.
You are lacking the context of this song. It is a musical "suicide" of the keyboard player. This song was written after the band fired the first singer. Many of the keyboard player's (Tuomas') friends betrayed him and criticized him causing him to fall into a deep depression - nearly suicidal. This song came from that depression. I realize you didn't mean to be disrespectful by laughing, but don't be surprised if you catch a little heat. Floor does a wonderful job singing this. She's the third singer. The second singer ran off the stage sobbing while singing this song.
Plse tell me. From a musicians perspective. How does NW affect your songwriting. Are you going to change Or are you just going to continue with your music to make an impact on the listeners? I'm curious. Dave south Africa.
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You said it Jone Ruiz. Nightwish is an emotional powerhouse. Floor is rare, unique, and oh so special. Live it is electrifying. Worth every dollar!!!!!!!!!!! Never too late to the show my friend.
This song is part of Nightwish's Holy Trinity, along with Ghost Love Score & The Greatest Show on Earth.
This song is also one of those songs where you should know its background story to grasp its full meaning, IMO.
And by the way, please don't stop live music videos before its very end. There is always a 'thank you' or some other comment from one of the NW singers towards the audience. I mean, you watch a 13+ minute song and still can't wait to stop the video? Just let it run till the end.
Hi! I'm a 63-old guy from Finland, like the band too. I've only once seen them live, fortunately at their last gig in Vaasa (after several concerts cancelled in Ukraine and in paris. The war and COVID....)
I sometimes still listen to this performance, but I try to avoid it, if I don't have tissues on my side.
I always have to see something amusing after listening to this.. like I donright now.
Time for a new Nightwish song i think so my friend 🥸👍👍
Thank you for this reaction, yes they are so good, greetings from 🇫🇮
Yes, prerecorded London symphony and choir parts in the backing track(s). I love hearing all the parts of the orchestra. Harps, brass, additional percussion, clarinet, woodwinds, and lots of strings, though some of that is played on the keyboard as well. The first singer in the intro is a boy soprano.
On the whole album, the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Metro Voices* choir based in London (+ some Irish musicians)
In this opening track of the album "Dark Passion Play" ;
Guy Elliott - leading boy soprano
Tom Williams - second boy soprano
Martin Loveday - cello
...Tiny corrections just to avoid sharing any ´non - factual´ information...For the män himself in the reaction and especially for the "newbies" to this kinda awesomeness of musicality...
🤘😎💙🎶💯
* Metro Voices London or London Metro Voices choir, a group that has close working relationship with London Philharmonic orchestra. Both of them has been a part in numerous movie soundtracks, as for example in ;
Ronin, The Beach, Unbreakable, Shrek (1&2), Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Blood Diamond, 300, Robin Hood, Prometheus, Guardians Of The Galaxy (1&2), World War Z, etc. etc. etc. just typing down few of those...AND of course in the movie "Imaginaerum" with Nightwish.
👍Nice. Good reaction. 🖖❤
Masterpiece, i just hope one day i can witness it live .....ive heard they wont perform it ever again , i hope he has a change of heart one day , maybe the FINAL Tour .
Good reaction. Maybe you should look up the story behind to get all the meaning of it all. That makes the song much more appreachable. Belongs in a museum if you understand it.
Greetings from Germany
I think this song is great enough without all the unnecessary research into Tuomas' biography that some Nightwish' fanatics are forcing reactors to do.
@@SokolRock Ok, do you call everybody fanatic who is fan of Nightwish or just the ones that do not only listen to the music but also understand the importance of lyrics in songs in general? Maybe you are one of those who care much more for shaking butts and weird dancing performances than empathy and sense in a story.
Ok, I didn't want to offend you, but I think you shouldn't do it also.
Listen, I am 64 years old, I know trashtalkers in the first sentence. And I know how to deal with.....
@@user-Rockmagix It's just that those who constantly force reactors to explore Tuomas' life for "The Poet and the Pendulum" remind me of those old-school music educators who believe that you can't really appreciate, for example, Mozart's "Requiem" unless you study the tragic story of his last months of life.
Some people are so obsessed with their favorite artist that they consider it necessary to know their biography in order to truly comprehend their work. But that's not true. Real art is valuable in itself and does not require any biographical notes to enjoy it.
And I'm also really tired that because of the discussions about those events of 2005-06 in the comments, it's constantly slipping into "holy wars" with Tarja's fans about the circumstances and the justification for her dismissal.
@@SokolRock Do you agree, that the most important peaces of art often evolve out of the deepest emotional turmoils of the creators? And in theese cases - not all others - you need to get sense of that feelings to understand what the composer/poet wanted to express and without it the piece of art would not have been created.
This song is one of them - also Dead boys poem. And also great songs of Pink Floyd high hopes and others.
@@user-Rockmagix No, I believe that although for those who have become fans and want to comprehensively explore the life and work of their favorite artists, this can open up an additional dimension in understanding their art, nevertheless, for most listeners it's not necessary at all.
Hello
The song "The Poet and the Pendulum" is a 13 Minute journey through the mind and turmoil of Tuomas Holopainen after the year 2005. It was in that year the band parted with their long-time singer Tarja Turunen and had a personal falling out with her. The pain of the separation was big on both sides, and shown in this song. There is the responsibility that the band and Holopainen had to show towards the fans,. It was the End of an Era for them, and reason for Holopainen being lost as described in these lyrics. We can only of course to a certain degree suppose how much of these are truly Holopainen's feelings, wishes and pains - but we do know that the lyrics of Nightwish have been up to then very personal. Other songs on the album also digest this separation and falling out of the members with Turunen.
This is one of the interpretations and i know lots of fans do not agree, they just need to read the open letter that was given to Tarja by the whole band at her last concert with Nightwish, where they fired her. And the main reason that Tuomas went through a depression was that specially the Tarja fans where furious and showed that in the media and everyone was blaming Tuomas. (the fans spit on his grave). He felt the whole world was against him.
However personal and "real" these thoughts are, I feel like this song definitely takes us not only on a journey with Holopainen but also into ourselves. The music underlines the emotional gravity of the song extremely well. And I believe a lot of people can actually relate to a sense of guilt and being overwhelmed that all they desired for is the safety of home and innocence. While being personal, the song can still ring true to it's listener. That's a quality Nighwish possesses in many, many more songs. The emotional journey is one we can all share and very few bands know how to put that journey into song and especially into sound as well as Nightwish does.
The band remains through all it's shores and Oceans, one of my main favourites and I hold special place for the band in my musical heart. I hope you have enjoyed reading my analysis and share some of my thoughts. If you do have any comments, please feel free to let me know. And remember the beauty of interpretation is that it is subjective; we can see all and feel different things in the same song and continue to love it endlessly.
Lyric analysis by Annika Hausen
Greetings from the Netherlands
This song is really so emotional! Tuomas Holopainen, the keyboards player, is an amazing keyboard player, and he composes the music and lyrics for all of their music. He is in very elite company, as there is only one other person with that much talent, that being Sir Elton John. Not many people can say that they have enjoyed the music and lyrics of two of the greatest musicians ever in their lifetime!
No matter how many times I have heard this song, I get very emotional and I usually end up crying.
🤩👍💥💯🎼
A lot of chromatic, in addition to dynamic modulations that absorb musically and, of course, a huge dose of well-honed interplay on stage...
🤘😎💙🎶
...You can get into the lyrics with your own time and all the metaphorics within the story will open up in a whole different way..
"Weak Fantasy" live in Tampere 2015 next by them(???)
The band states this was the last time this song is going to be played in the public. It's an expression of Tuomas' anger and depression after the firing of Tarja, and he is longer that man he was then. The singer in the start and the spoken parts is Guy Elliott, a boy soprano 11 years old at the time of the recording.
🤗🍒🤘🏻 Great Job and good to have you back
Thank you, very nice reaction! Just Nightwish doing Nightwish things!
And as you have surely noticed, although they are all outstanding , none of them standout. Nightwish is their own genre and no other band comes close to the level they are at. Never, in the history of music entertainment, have a set of skills and talent collided in such powerful manner.
Tuomas is a true genius as a composer and with lyrics & Floor is Valkyrie Goddess!
Amazing that Wembley 2015 had the complete big three!
A pity that you did not do some investigation before as that is what is needed to understand this song: after Nightwish kicking out there first singer Tarja, keyboardist Tuomas got some shit from a lot of fans and even questions in the Finnish parliament. This caused him to fall into a deep depression, but instead of committing a real suicide, he decided to do it on stage.
Excellent reaction.
The first voice you heard was a boy soprano. Yes, powerful was the right word.
No modern composer could take his internal pain and turn it into a masterpiece like Tuomas Holopainen.
My no 1 song. A masterpiece.
Accumulated notes follow...
This is a 5-part journey through the emotional turmoil following Tarja's departure.
As the founder and guiding light of the band, Tuomas' took much of the flak from those who claimed to be Nightwish fans but we're actually obsessed with Tarja and thought she WAS Nightwish - an idea that the subsequent growth and improvement of the band comprehensively demolished.
Indeed there are still people today who call the "Tarjawish" in some vain attempt to make Tarja something she wasn't. (Don't get me wrong, Tarja can be fantastic, but Nightwish is about Tuomas' and his compositions. We are fortunate he now has Floor to exhibit his works.)
The parts are:
1. White Lands of Empathica (The End) - the end of a band as well know it. Later to become known as the "End of an Era"
2. Home - the breakup of the band and the wish to find a place, home, to go to and get away from the madness of those who hated. Of course, there is a lot more in here too.
3. The Pacific - as usual, Tuomas' needs to reference the oceans, one of his "grounding" themes. His love of the ocean metaphor is well-docunented. He did, of course, originally dream of becoming a marine biologist. Strange that he should have a gnat named after him!
4. Dark Passion Play - the hate of Tarja fans led him into deep depression. However the band were not in good places so he didn't feel he could "cry on their shoulders" so in the end he went back to see his
5. - Mother and Father (and The Beginning) - the lyrics here reflect what his mother said to him at that time. The beginning of a new era and new line-up
BTW, they are not hanging out having a chat as such - see later.
Tuomas refers to the ocean frequently - the second album is called Oceanborn, Dead Boys Poem ends with reference to ocean soul and Devil and the Deep Dark Ocean ends with lyrics about setting the dolphins free and "we shall wash the darkened blood red sea, our voices shall echo over the mountains and seas".
Tuomas is a very special person and this is, for me, the pinnacle of his work.
Nothing surpasses it.
For him it is one of the deepest songs.
Quotes from the band on the making of the album and the song...
TUOMAS: We will never play "Bye Bye Beautiful" or "Master Passion Greed" live again, [sic] because the lyrics are just too unambiguous and personal. There was at least as much gloom behind "The Poet and the Pendulum", too, but it leaves a bit more room for interpretation. It's easily one of our best songs but especially, the "Mother and Father'" part in the end always stirs up such a storm of emotions that it's impossible for me to do it every night. Playing "The Poet and the Pendulum' is a real rollercoaster ride - it makes me feel anxious, blush, laugh, and, in the end, just happy that that part of my life is behind me.
My notes:
My number 1 Nightwish song and for good reasons.
(No 2, Song of Myself, No 3 7 Days to the Wolves.)
This is a deeply emotional and meaningful song with which I empathise and it helped me to see that there was a way forward when depression struck. I am not alone in being "saved" by Nightwish, a fact that Tuomas has referred to and said he could not terminate the band because he knows they have meant so much to some fans who feel their lives have been saved by Nightwish.
He feels that he has a responsibility to the fans - not your standard rock musician then.
Floor is worth watching closely, her facial, hand and whole-body motions reflect the emotions she is portraying. Hands in Mother and Father for example. Tearing her hair in the Dark Passion Play section.
Note that when Tuomas talks about "Poet" he is always referencing himself. It happens throughout his ouvre.
You will see other cross-references too. Tuomas does that deliberately to give the fans a sort of anchor. Meadows of Heaven is another example - a song in itself and often referenced.
For what it's worth, here are are my thoughts and interpretations...
End to beginning - death of one era of the band, beginning of a new era.
Regarding the end of the first Era, I see no point in the blame game.
The band split, that is all we need to know.
Whatever the causes there was bound to be emotion on both sides so I leave it at that.
But this masterpiece is what came out of Tuomas' emotions.
The beginning is a boy soprano, Guy Elliott who also does the spoken parts. The whispering at the beginning is the central spoken section, but played in reverse.
In The Dark Tower fantasy, Empathica, also known as the White Lands of Empathica, is a snowy tundra located in End-World. The residents of Empathica are known for their abilities to empathize and share other people's emotions.
Then we get the whole section "Home".
I see the "shoulder cries more" as having no shoulder to cry on because the other members of the band - his friends - were equally upset.
The "whore for the cold world" I see as the selling of his whole life to the music industry (the metaphorical pimps, hence the "whore" references) which is not interested in the person, only what they can get from the band.
The two faces bit is self explanatory; almost everyone will have been in situations where they have to hide their feelings and present a false front to the world.
The reference to betrayal is again obvious and there are lots of metaphors in the surrounding words. The altar I think, is the tie to the band - these upheavals in 2004/5 were not the first time Tuomas had felt like ending the band.
By the way, note the 3 minutes and counting: exactly 3 minutes later you get the guillotine motion.
By the way, Marco made the demo version of this, with all the lyrics sung by himself and with harsher lyrics at this point too.
Next we get to the Mother and Father section with Floor, Marco and Emppu all sitting, while Floor sings lyrics reflecting the words from his mother when he went back home for a break in the middle of all this turmoil.
These are the words of love and then of advice, that he was given.
Floor here is using her finger movements to accentuate emotion.
This whole section and the way Floor sings it, is packed with those damned Onion Ninjas.
Marco's harmonies are wonderful.
We end with the final ethereal notes from Floor and here is another tingle-factor moment. Then a gentle piano ending, the calm after the emotional storm.
Here, as in Sparkle my Scenery, the choir on the original album is replaced by Floor who wanted to sing them herself (and proved completely capable of it) which Anette could not have done - she could probably get the notes but the emotion is there in the choral original and is amplified when Floor sings it.
The low brass used in many places is really effective.
On the performance itself:
When Emppu goes over to Tuomas and later both Marco and Emppu go over, it is a sign of moral support. They both know how difficult this is for him - eventually he had the vocals turned off in his in-ear, so he didn't have to listen to them because Floor put such emotion into them.
At the end, she does not say "Thank you" immediately, as she does normally. Instead she looks over for a few seconds to check on him from her position.
BTW, I have never bought the theory that Tuomas was "in love" with Tarja.
The singer at the beginning was a young boy.
🤘
That was not Floor at the beginning. It was an English boy soprano. Floor told Tuomas that she could sing that part but it was at the top of her range. Tuomas decided to just do the backing track with the choir boy.
😍😍😍😍😍😍
Это очень круто. Видели в живую большой водопад или извержение вулкана? Я видел. Эмоции те же.
👍
Wembley Arena concert 2015: ruclips.net/video/N_jgyrlONPc/видео.html
1. Shudder Before the Beautiful, 2. Yours Is an Empty Hope, 3. Ever Dream, 4. Storytime, 5. My Walden, 6. While Your Lips Are Still Red
7. Élan, 8. Weak Fantasy (Preceded by a Dawkins' narration), 9. 7 Days to the Wolves, 10. Alpenglow, 11. The Poet and the Pendulum
12. Nemo, 13. I Want My Tears Back, 14. Stargazers, 15. Ghost Love Score, 16. Last Ride of the Day, 17. The Greatest Show on Earth
What you describe as powerful is what metal is all about, it wants to get the adrenaline pumping right through your hair. Or your beard ;-)
Nightwish concerts are relatively cheap. The stage set consists mainly of the screens and that makes it cheap with great effect. A ticket should cost well under $100 (like mine in a big concert hall) and there are support acts included. On smaller stages it should be even cheaper.
You are lacking the context of this song. It is a musical "suicide" of the keyboard player. This song was written after the band fired the first singer. Many of the keyboard player's (Tuomas') friends betrayed him and criticized him causing him to fall into a deep depression - nearly suicidal. This song came from that depression. I realize you didn't mean to be disrespectful by laughing, but don't be surprised if you catch a little heat. Floor does a wonderful job singing this. She's the third singer. The second singer ran off the stage sobbing while singing this song.
Make it easy for you, they are the metallic avengers. (I btw hate disney)
Plse tell me. From a musicians perspective. How does NW affect your songwriting. Are you going to change Or are you just going to continue with your music to make an impact on the listeners? I'm curious. Dave south Africa.
Hope yoy knew the story beshind the lyricis
Compouser Tuomas Holopainen metal Mozart
We need more people like him!