Musical Analysis/Reaction of Nightwish - Song Of Myself (live)

[@JWSoundworks2]

🎵🎸Moody, atmospheric, instrumental, one-man-band prog? Right this way 👇 kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5-6lmadlJyjp6M

[@Phr8]

Your videos are getting more and more professional. Also loved the use of the Piano to illustrate Key changes and other musical elements. Also no need to apologize for pausing, we're here for the analysis! :D

[@JWSoundworks2]

Thank you! 😊🤘

[@DjTiesticles]

Yes, never apologies for pausing the video. We come here to hear your thoughts on the song.

[@nasujii]

Agree about the pausing. I dont get the whine about it. I mean if I just wanna listen the song its pretty easy to do :D

[@SthPaw2405]

This is the best analysis of this song I’ve seen. You do a great job of explaining what’s going on, while not belaboring the point. And you do it in a way that puts it in Layman’s terms for people that aren’t as well-versed musically as you are. Well done! 🙏🏼

[@JWSoundworks2]

Very kind words there, Andrew. Thanks very much!

[@diegoestrada3265]

Please, no need to apologise for pausing 😂 Your input is sooo valuable. It's priceless! Thanks for reacting/analyzing Nightwish's music! It's so very interesting to rediscover their music through you 🎸🤘🏻😊

[@ericbraun4652]

Nightwish is all about the music. There is very little that's just a virtuosic display. For example they do let Empu out of his box occasionally and it is fun. But generally his lines are pretty simple because that's what the music needs.

[@frenkwd1]

R.I.P Ann Waychoff mother of the Nightwish Army. June 28th, 2020 . Ann was a big Nightwish Fan. And every new person who listened to NW, she went through a little chat. And gave them some info about NW. This was her favorite song. And this song belongs to her. I like very much that Gabriel have continue Ann s work.... so her heritage is still here.

[@martinaalderink7773]

Loved it. Your professianalism and ethousiasm... Many pauzes? No. You hardly broke tempo, the comments were up to speed with the song, i call that dedication.

[@JWSoundworks2]

Appreciate that, Martin. Thanks! :)

[@eminabrestovac]

Darn, I've missed your Nightwish deconstructions so much!

[@HiTekCowboy]

Thanks for the fantastic analysis. And people they don't like pauses can uhm.. 'go away' to say it nicely. without pauses i don't learn nor get to appreciate the talent and perspective you bring. thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@richardmead5969]

wow Danny elfman, Oingo Boingo. thanks for the reaction to best rock band in 40 years. from Colorado

[@majbrat]

Such a great song. Nightwish works with both a London Children's choir & the London Metro Voices Choir for backing vocals in many songs. Orchestration is with Philip (Pip) Williams & a London Orchestra through Angel Studios.

[@michaelgifford9305]

The additional singing you were hearing in the back ground and inquired about are the backing tracks. They use the full London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Peoples Voices Choir on these tracks

[@ChrisHinton1967]

On the studio version of this, there is a 3rd poetic section. The last lines of that poem are "And there forever remains That change from G to E minor".

[@reeilona]

It is so beautiful, I cry every time.

[@machintelligence]

The irony is that G and E minor are the same progression of notes. They just start from a different point.

[@JWSoundworks2]

That's why I was curious that it didn't say d minor / f major on screen but from the comments it now makes sense. It wasn't, as I assumed, to be an analysis on the key of the music they were playing in.

[@Green-Lyon]

@@JWSoundworks2 A character in the Nightwish "Imaginaerum" movie also is deliberately nicknamed "Gem" (as in Gemma) and is a play on that last line of the poem.

[@GizmosMonster]

@@reeilona i am weeping during almost the entire poetic section, but on that final line and Imaginaerum starts swelling.. waterfalls man. It's stunning.

[@Shads62]

welcome aboard the nightwish rabbit hole mate. Strap in ;)

[@janjager2906]

Oh men, this was brilliant!

[@brendan100ify]

You are right, clever musical arrangements, poetic songwriting, splendid musicians, great singing.

[@lekalla]

The "Allentown" metallic hit sound you hear in this song is sledgehammer hitting anvil.

[@arnaldotanta3630]

For Ann, R.I.P dear

[@obud3777]

And There, Forever Remains That Change From G To E minor.... R.I.P. Ann Waychoff

[@rodneyhearne3405]

"I pause a lot"! Too funny but you make so worth our while. Thanks again for a great breakdown and reaction.

[@bbeckett5103]

You just scratched the surface with this band 🤟

[@jamescayer8172]

Pause away! LOVE hearing your insight!!!

[@tod1045]

Nightwish- first US tour date 5-7-2022 Lowell, MA tickets on sale now!

[@deeduffjr]

Great reaction, pause all you want! I love hearing an actual musician help me understand why this is my favorite Nightwish song!

[@Fabi72g]

It's nice you mentioned Tim Burton , in fact this song is part of the Nightwish Movie "Imaginaerum" soundtrack, which has a really strong Tim Burton movie vibe. The words in the background are from the Walt Wittman poem with the same title of the track, in the album version it's recited, in the live version it's written on the screen. Wittman is Tuomas favorite poet.

[@pro-v7500]

Small correction: the spoken poem in NW’s Song of Myself (Part 4: Love) is not from Walt Whitman’s free form poem of the same name. Everything in NW’s Song of Myself is written by Tuomas (song lyrics and spoken word poem). Everything is most definitely inspired by WW’s poem of the same name, but it is 100% written by Tuomas.

[@Fabi72g]

@@pro-v7500 Thanks for the correction.

[@prchise]

You are upping the ante with the reactions, mate. Excellent reaction and please pause as much as you want 🤘 I reckon you should stay in Finland and do Wintersun's Time, that live studio rehearsal version. It has been in the pipeline for a long time, hasn't it? 😊 take care, John.

[@JWSoundworks2]

Thank you mate! 🤘

[@yunietpiloto4425]

Very nice to get some insights of someone who knows what they're talking about lol...nice vid man!

[@JWSoundworks2]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@roooobiin]

We miss u bro! Cant wait for u to check out the new nightwish album😍

[@DrumsAndGadgets]

Yes, we enjoyed the video ;-)

[@elm6944]

I LOVE this reaction! Dude you are so freaking musical!! And your knowledge really comes through! Thank you brother!!

[@TeemarkConvair]

as a non- musician i highly value a professionals reaction, no glitz, just honest reaction

[@TheIpadfanatic]

I was initially terrified my beloved JW intro had been chucked. Thank goodness it comes in after the brief introduction. Masterful work John. Love the 2 camera setup. That Patreon money is bing put to good use. For anyone who is new here, check out The Rupal Face. Really great stuff!

[@JWSoundworks2]

Ha! Thank you, David! Hope you're keeping well. :)

[@black4pienus]

Probably my favorite Nightwish song. That second half is just.... EVERYTHING! Impossible not to headbang and put on a stank face.

[@reactionsaccount3955]

Great reaction as usual. More Nightwish and Ayreon please, and I am there for sure. 😀

[@tonycarroll7925]

Brilliant reaction JW...Sorry I'm late to your show but I'll catch up. Not sure how I missed you 😁🤘

[@justlittleoldme]

Love watching your videos, very interesting and informative.

[@homegnome2429]

Thanks JW - great to see you back with Nightwish and really enjoyed your breakdown - especially with the piano demostrations - you also picked out what is possibly my favourite chord change in the NW catalogue...great stuff 🤘

[@JWSoundworks2]

Thanks for the request! Great choice! 😊🤘

[@demoremda]

beautifull color on your guitar and it sounded good too :D

[@dalestevens3332]

Enjoyed your analysis. Your intro displayed some of your own musical talent. Very impressive.

[@Pamgiber]

Great reaction! Please keep doing Nightwish songs. There so many great ones for you to dissect. Greetings from Brazil!

[@JWSoundworks2]

Thank you, Pamela! Hello from Northern Ireland!

[@sylbaryn]

Well done you musical wizard. I'm here for the pauses.

[@larryd4352]

The line you saw on the Screen behind the band....it was from the Walt Whitman Poem :Song of Myself that is in his book, "Leaves of Grass.

[@PK--ITA]

Really nice, i love your new mode of reaction, including the interpretation, explanation and presentation (piano version) of what's going on .. Really great and professional approach. time for yours and one of my favorite bands, Opeth? It could be "Burden", that's where the piano starts the piece :) and thank you for coming back to Nightwish Regards

[@yabby6550]

Thanks for opening the time signature and the rhythm. Good points. - NW uses back tracks and click. Orchestral parts are pre-recorded typically with London Session Orchestra and arranged to work with live keyb playing. There is at least one youtube video showing recording orchestral and choir parts for this song at Angel Studios.

[@pro-v7500]

Here’s a link to the video you mention. About half way through it shows one of the percussionists dragging it a 50 gallon steel barrel to record the industrial hits haha kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpTbm36iisidjtE

[@MitchKarajohn]

Love the fact that you analyse the composition as you go! Cheers

[@Thorgrim247]

Definitely the choir on the backing track. Don't sweat the pauses. I love your breakdown and analysis. The words on the screen are the last lines in the epic 7 minute spoken word poem at the end of this song on the record. It is a musical metaphor. IMHO From uplifting to dark. From innocence to jaded. From youthful to adulthood. "And there forever remains That change from G to E minor".

[@user-Darunka]

Гарно граєте❤️

[@ericbraun4652]

I also love the fact they don't "overcomplicate" things with virtuosic riffs that have nothing to do with the story. It's all about the music. Empu can really shred but his lines are so simple most of the time because that's what the music calls for. It IS fun to hear when they let him out, though, like in Romanticide.

[@susanjw7763]

Shudder before the beautiful High hopes Weak fantasy Greatest show on earth These songs showcase Emppu shredding and in “shudder before the beautiful he duels with Tuomas

[@richardmead5969]

unleash the beast

[@sandy1653]

The choir is a track recorded by The Metro Voices from down in London if I remember correctly.

[@1337nano]

Great reaction, great breakdown of the song 🤘👍

[@kahpde]

Sooo JW im not your patreon , but i have look over 1500 NW reactions. You have the best sound and " playback 10 sec " i can see professonality. Toni From Finland.

[@zanetpieterse7933]

Liked and subscribed after this excellent and most enjoyable reaction. Please more NW!

[@JWSoundworks2]

Thank you very much!

[@elfariz4829]

Thx 4 d breakdown

[@evvk8865]

Great reaction man. U know what U R talking about. 👍

[@nostrathomas2437]

14:27 yes those plucks get me everytime also. Especially when headphones are employed 🤘

[@3534538]

The part "And there forever remains that change from G to E minor." is the last line of the song's lyrics.

[@deeteenw]

And it ties in with the character Gem in the Imaginaerum movie.

[@ecbftl]

I think the final note sung goes up, maybe into E minor?. I heard somewhere there is a known composing trick that the lift up in the vocal at the end adds a positive hopeful feel to the emotional end of a song.

[@matjahs]

Life has ups (G major) and downs (E minor). However, in the end, both are made up of the same pitches. Just like up- and down-periods are both part of life but in a different modulation 🙂

[@Asa-Maria]

Wow wow! Amazzzzing song, long time since I heard this one. Awesome reaction and analysis 💯👌 Yes, we want more NW obviously, so keep it coming 💪💥 Greetings from Finland. SUBBED 😉

[@SasukeUchiha-bz6se]

What a great video, amazing

[@SasukeUchiha-bz6se]

Please more !!!

[@kentk2215]

One of my favorites. Tuomas does record and arrange choral and symphonic backing tracks that he plays back during performances.

[@annaa2856]

I say, pause as much as you want, you decide it is your channel. Personally, I wanna hear what you have to say, I don't mind the pauses at all. I enjoy your commentary very much. Also, pauses are a part of reactionvideos, and you do it your way. I'm a big Nightwish fan, I've been taking a break from reactions but you pulled me right back in :) This is one of my absolute favourite songs of theirs, really interesting comments and analysis by you. Liked and subscribed Take care and stay safe /// Anna

[@bencooper4058]

This is one of my top Nightwish songs that I didn’t love on the album, but then this live version I absolutely love. Romanticide is the other. Great song, thanks for the breakdown!

[@JWSoundworks2]

Thanks Ben.

[@rakkau555]

Loved your professionalism! Don't bother about pausing too much, pause whenever you want bc the analysis and comments are great! I hope you continue doing nightwish's reactions

[@Marco-Conner]

I recommend you Nightwish live The Greatest Show On Earth @ tampere... then you can show what you're made of, bro :) the North German Division of the Nightwish Army reports !! We are there.

[@NickBR57]

My No 2 after TPATP. 🍿 and 🍷 time... Great analysis. How about 7 Days to the Wolves from Wembley please? Lots to analyse there 😀

[@BoonesRevenge]

Very nice video, enjoyed that 👍

[@TaverenTech]

JW, I'm loving your reactions. I prefer the pauses if they include true musical analysis for instrumental, vocal, structure, performance, anything that adds to our understanding of the music. I think its really great that you figure out the guitar and/or keyboard/piano stuff within the song, it really adds value to the analysis and makes you stand out as knowing what you're doing.

[@JWSoundworks2]

Appreciate that, man. Glad to hear you're enjoying the videos. Thank you!

[@amygoodson-catlady]

Really liked this reaction! The place you're focusing on is during a choral segment only prominently heard on the studio version. Everything will nesh when you hear. You're either a quick.study or a good editor! More Nightwish!

[@jumazv7811]

Great reactions and mate, you can even pause on reading this. I dont mind 👌

[@JWSoundworks2]

lol - thanks dude!

[@varsim5691]

Great reaction, thank you 😁👍 Nightwish!!❤❤

[@swankysweller]

very nice reaction, thank you

[@kane2505]

Wow u are really good too! PeaCe from Austria

[@sagebooker]

My favorite one from the band... the lyrics vs rhythm are like poesy vs strenght This song is based on "Song of myself" de Walt Whitman, and in the album, studio version, you can fin a long part at the end which is a poem, and the sentence you see here come from this part...

[@KD-gw4sj]

This song is so bleeping sick!! I know nothing about music so I love listening to people who can explain why it's so good!!

[@bocatampere]

This is a masterpiece 🔥🤘 ” Midnight flight into the Covington Woods ” ❤️🇫🇮

[@LooseMittens9]

Nightwish SHUDDER BEFORE THE BEAUTIFUL LIVE AT WEMBLEY.

[@savanian]

Great song.... N great react..... Good job sir

[@Razor2k3]

The lyrics that you saw are coming from the extended version which is on the album.... I somehow remember that they used to play it as a concert ending....

[@dieseldog00]

London Symphony Orchestra studio backing track playing throughout this song. The keyboard player/Founder Tuomas Holopainen(band is from Finland except Floor who is Dutch) works extensively with LSO The song 'Storytime' also has an LSO track but it's with their children's choir which makes sense as the song is about Peter Pan. I hear a major key the first half of the song and minor in the second half. Not saying I'm right, just what I hear.

[@mitchell.8014]

You would love Ghost River from the same show.

[@BoothTheGrey]

Pausing in a reaction video... if the one who reacts puts knowledge or his emotion in it... is exactly what a reaction should be about. So yeah... your excuse was really not accurate at all cause you put BOTH in your pausing... knowledge AND your joy. Both is very very welcome :) Thanks a lot for your reaction. I remember watching your first Nightwish reactions month ago. You are definitely on another level in your production now. This is really really good :) - and I am going to watch your Tool reactions from a month ago right after finishing this :) Hope you go on doing these kind of reactions and your channel will grow. Wish you all the best.

[@fotalle]

mantabs bro !!!

[@RougeWolf01]

Check out more of Marko's Vocals in "I wish I had an Angel" Live 2013 Live from Wacken

[@northof4912]

Please, please pause when you feel there something interesting to point out! That is why we are here! BTW, just subscribed because I like your analysis, which you cannot do if you don’t pause!!

[@JWSoundworks2]

If you're enjoying the content, folks, please consider... 🅿Supporting me on Patreon 👉www.patreon.com/JWSoundworks 🎸Buying my original music 👉🎹therupalface.bandcamp.com/ ☕Supporting me @BuyMeACoffee 👉www.buymeacoffee.com/JWsoundw... Thanks!🤘 JW

[@sugihsuryapurnama3481]

Please Reaction ALIPBATA ( BLack Or White ) Thanks MR. 👍

[@Drew_Guitarist]

GeM the name of Tuomas' daughter from the movie. it is the reveal at the end.

[@theorc9098]

Empuu and Marco detune to standard D. So the Em-G is correct, but the tuning takes it to Dm-F. A lot of their songs use that particular modulation. Tuomas acknowledged it in the poem portion of the song (not performed live but is heard on the album version).

[@shirazzza]

This is probably one of my top 3 of theirs that gets listened to for car karaoke lol. I love when Marko & Floor go full tilt together. Powerful ++

[@JWSoundworks2]

Thank you Shannon. I saw your comment pre edit but only getting to the comment now, so to answer your earlier question - yes I've been a classical piano teacher for about 18 years now. 😊

[@shirazzza]

@@JWSoundworks2 all good mate. I hate to think what time it is there cos it's like 9am here & I'm half asleep as is lol. But this is a great way to start what a bloody hectic day I have ahead of me haha. Yay! I think you can always pick teachers, like just the way you describe stuff. I've got mates who are monsters of their instrument but try to get out of them how they do this or that & they'll be "well I just do this" & do it again haha. I like to see the different things different reactions bring to a song. I'm really liking this format where you're having a noodle about on the keys or guitar. Keep rocking mate!

[@JWSoundworks2]

@@shirazzza good luck with the day! Today has been a loooong one for me as well lol. Time to hit the hay soon and stare at the ceiling for some insomnia fun. Joy!

[@shirazzza]

@@JWSoundworks2 thanks mate, first appointment done. The end will be good though as one of my best mates of 30 years now is coming through town on a family holiday & her daughter loves my cats so with husband being hellaciously allergic they're actually going to camp in my garden among my fruit trees haha. I can run power out to them but yeah joys of old houses on big blocks in the country. So we will have a cracking pub dinner & probably too much wine & then they'll head off on the next leg of the trip first thing in the morning. Feel you with the insomnia thing, annoying. I can spend 12 hours in bed & get like 5 good hours of sleep if I'm lucky

[@northof4912]

New here but looking through your song lists, and because you have done Nightwish already, throwing out a bunch of related artists, which are all in the same wheelhouse: Epica 🇳🇱 Within Temptation 🇳🇱 Sabiton. 🇸🇪 Devin Townsend 🇨🇦 Ayreon. 🇳🇱 This is the brainchild of musical mastermind Arjen Lucassen, who ties together all of the above artists, and dozens and dozens more. And all of the above artists will open you up to more and more amazing talent! As a North American who had to have a pandemic to shatter the wall that imprisoned us within the shitty pop and country music penitentiary, I was freed by exposure to European Symphonic metal.

[@JWSoundworks2]

Thank you - I've actually done Epica, Within Temptation and a couple of Ayreon/Star One, and I have a Devin Townsend analysis on my Patreon (been a LONG time fan of Devin. :) Still haven't listened to Sabaton yet, though.

[@northof4912]

@JW Soundworks Huh - my bad! I looked through your playlists before making these suggestipns and didn't see these bands! Oh well, my work here is done! 😉

[@marcell6915]

Great reaction, and reacting without pausing is no reaction.

[@JWSoundworks2]

This guy gets it. Cheers! 🤘

[@JoeBizzle]

Yours is an empty hope - Live at Wembley 2015

[@fadingdimension]

Keep pausing. Keep bringing it back. Here for your insights. Appreciate the content.

[@akhiraman6486]

Saya selalu menantikan anda mereaksikan alip ba ta berikutnya bang🥺

[@janottens6755]

Ann🧚‍♀️🧚‍♀️💖💖

[@robbieceltic1036]

london philharmonic!!!!!!!

[@joekel55]

It is based on a poem in 52 chapters by Walt Whitman (US 1819-1892) " Song of myself" 1855 There is an extended version of this song with some of the verses of this poem spoken and showen at the end. See below, and some of these you can also see on the ledscreen. Bucle up, it goes very deap. " I see a slow, simple youngster by a busy street With a begging bowl in his shaking hand Trying to smile but hurting infinitely Nobody notices I do, but walk by An old man gets naked and kisses a model-doll in his attic It's half-light and he's in tears When he finally comes his eyes are cascading I see a beaten dog in a pungent alley He tries to bite me All pride has left his wild drooling eyes I wish I had my leg to spare A mother visits her son, Smiles to him through the bars She's never loved him more An obese girl enters an elevator with me All dressed up fancy A green butterfly on her neck Terribly sweet perfume deafens me She's going to dinner alone That makes her even more beautiful I see a model's face on a brick wall A statue of porcelain perfection beside a violent city kill A city that worships flesh The first thing I ever heard Was a wandering man telling his story It was you, the grass under my bare feet The campfire in the dead of the night The heavenly black of sky and sea It was us Roaming the rainy roads Combing the gilded beaches Waking up to a new gallery of wonders every morn Bathing in places no-one's seen before Shipwrecked on some matt-painted island Clad in nothing but the surf Beauty's finest robe Beyond all mortality we are Swinging in the breath of nature In early air of the dawn of life A sight to silence the heavens I want to travel where life travels Following its permanent lead Where the air tastes like snow music Where grass smells like fresh-born Eden I would pass no man, no stranger, no tragedy or rapture I would bathe in a world of sensation Love, Goodness, and Simplicity (While violated and imprisoned by technology) The thought of my family's graves was the only moment I used to experience true love That love remains infinite As I'll never be the man my father is How can you "just be yourself" When you don't know who you are? Stop saying "I know how you feel" How could anyone know how another feels? Who am I to judge a priest, beggar, whore, politician, wrongdoer? I am, you are, all of them already Dear child, stop working, go play Forget every rule There's no fear in a dream "Is there a village inside this snowflake?" A child asked me "What's the color of our lullaby?" I've never been so close to truth as then I touched its silver lining Death is the winner in any war Nothing noble in dying for your religion For your country For ideology, for faith For another man, yes Paper is dead without words Ink idle without a poem All the world dead without stories Without love and disarming beauty Careless realism costs souls Ever seen the Lord smile? All the care for the world made Beautiful a sad man? Why do we still carry a device of torture around our necks? Oh, how rotten your pre-apocalypse is All you bible-black fools living over nightmare ground I see all those empty cradles and wonder If man will ever change I, too, wish to be a decent manboy But all I am Is smoke and mirrors Still given everything, may I be deservin And there forever remains That change from G to E minor. "

[@pro-v7500]

100% of the lyrics and spoken word poetry in the studio version of Song Of Myself was written by Tuomas. Everything is inspired by Walt Whitman’s free form poem of the same name, but the spoken word poem in NW’s Song Of Myself is written by Tuomas.

[@Kekoapono]

I hope you’ll consider reacting to the song “Rebirth” by Eluveitie. I think you’d very much enjoy it!

[@dennisvanulzen]

That is our Metal Mozart Tuomas at work! If you think this composition is amazing then you should really check out 'Ghost love score' or 'The greatest show on earth' ;)

[@JWSoundworks2]

I've done Ghost Love Score - think it was my first NW reaction. 🤘

[@JariJuslin]

Perhaps unsurprising at their level, but Emppu plays his signature series ESP.

[@roelhodzelmans1004]

Wonderful reaction again, thanks for the depth and skill you bring to reactions. Edit: I don't see any Sabaton reactions, do you already know them?

[@JWSoundworks2]

Haven't heard Sabaton yet! Thank you! :)

[@deed5811]

I expect reactors to pause, just back.up 10 seconds and it's all good.