Nightwish - Bless The Child (First Listen!!)

[@sumonjamal1653]

'Bless the child' is the first track from the 2002 album 'Century child'... the 4th album from Nightwish and the first to feature Marko Hietala (bass + male vocals) w/ the original singer Tarja... It was a very dark album because Tuomas Holopainen (keyboards + songwriting) was in a period of depression where he mourned his (as he put it) "end of innocence" as a songwriter and composer... When he started Nightwish in the mid-90's, he was enthusiastic about writing songs and being passionate about his work... But by the 3rd album 'Wishmaster' in 2000 as the band grew significantly in popularity, so did the scrutiny and the pressure on him. He felt that he was now writing songs like a hitmaker, looking to make money and appease the music industry. His band of friends now felt like employees looking for a paycheck from him. Tuomas grew so jaded that he basically announced in 2002 that he would write the last Nightwish album... and then break up the band... Tarja took time off to attend university (I think) and soon got married. The songs Tuomas wrote for 'Century Child' were very bleak and despondent lyrically... "Bless the child" for example: "Where have all the feelings gone? Why has all the laughter ceased?"... "I've never felt so alone in my life..." ... "Hope is only an illusion, And the ocean soul's Nothing but a name..." The other songs were just as smothered in angst... "End of all hope"... "Dead to the world"... "Slaying the dreamer"... "Beauty of the Beast"... "Ever dream"... Nightwish did not actively tour on the album, but eventually, Tuomas climbed out of his darkness and embraced the future of Nightwish by working on new songs that became the 2004 album 'Once'... Sadly, it was the last album w/ Tarja on vocals. Tuomas went through a similar phase after Tarja was fired... he wasn't sure if Nightwish would continue, but he kept writing songs until the next album 'Dark Passion Play' emerged... Even without Tarja on vocals (Anette Olzen joined in 2007), it became their biggest record.

[@chriso6719]

82 K fans in that crowd. It was a wardrobe change for Floor, which didn't go smoothly due to a stubborn zipper. She was almost late, you see her grab at the mic, miss it, and grab it just in time to start the song. Bless the Child is from the 2002 4th album, Century Child, recorded with Tarja.1st song Marko worked on after joining the band in 2001. The album is the 1st to feature an orchestra. This was song #10, you have already done #11, Romanticide, song # 12 is Amaranth. Btw , be careful with Babymetal, their stuff gets blocked a lot.

[@HCH944]

If you look exactly under her left armpit, you can see the zipper not completely closed.......

[@chriso6719]

@@HCH944 Didn't realize I forgot to mention which zipper, thanks for covering.☺

[@Idefixu]

​@@HCH944 at 5:48

[@HCH944]

@@chriso6719 No prob, thats why I completed it...... The story is so funny.....a simple zipper.... One of these little stories we never forget......

[@stevewilson8752]

Great song by Nightwish 😊👍 I've been a Nightwish fan for 12 years & they keep evolving & getting better 😝 There was 82,000 people at this concert 👏👏 luv You Nikki 💛💚❤️ Steve from Australia 🇦🇺🏄‍♂️🍹

[@amygoodson-catlady]

Steve, isn't that the most amazing thing? How we actually grow and evolve into better humans.. just from the benefit of loving Nightwish ❤!

[@stevewilson8752]

@Amy Goodson Totally agree miss Amy Goodson 😊👍 Where is this world are You from girl ??? I'm in Australia 🇦🇺🏄‍♂️🏖 Nightwish Disciple 🤟

[@amygoodson-catlady]

@@stevewilson8752 You haven't run into me b4? Well...I'm Nightwish Army, Palm Springs, CA, USA! And proud to know you, Steve!

[@Thorgrim247]

One of my favorites. Some of my favorite poetic lyrics from Tuomas. Floor changed from leather pants to a leather skirt. Go back whenever you want Nikki. Were are here to hear your commentary. you nailed it again Nikki. It is about life and death. the journey we each must make to live out our lives and come to grips with the final chapter. as we grow older we all reminisce about our childhood. The dreams we had and they way we felt about the journey ahead. Spoken intro words “I was born amidst the purple waterfalls. I was weak, yet not unblessed. Dead to the world. Alive for the journey. One night I dreamt a white rose withering, a newborn drowning a lifetime loneliness. I dreamt all my future. Relived my past. A witnessed the beauty of the beast” Spoken outro words “Where have all the feelings gone? Why is the deadliest sin - to love as I loved you? Now unblessed, homesick in time, soon to be freed from care, from human pain. My tale is the most bitter truth: Time pays us but with earth & dust, and a dark, silent grave. Remember, my child: Without innocence the cross is only iron, hope is only an illusion & Ocean Soul’s nothing but a name… The Child bless thee & keep thee forever”

[@marshalljackson9796]

My favorite song, thank you. Yeah, go back and show us what you think. Love it.

[@mattgraham2835]

such a good song and it does help to showcase what compositions they can put together the color accents cool flows of rhythms

[@markclements7767]

Hi Nikki Just thinking ahead here as we have only 3 more songs to watch from this concert Nightwish performed 17 songs at Wembley Arena in 2016, and 11 of those you haven't heard/seen yet 2 of those songs are a part of the 'Nightwish trifecta', being "Ghost Love Score", "Poet And The Pendulum" and "The Greatest Show On Earth", masterpieces you really need to hear/see Do you think you might like to follow 'Wacken Wednesdays' with 'Wembley Wednesdays'? 😁🙏

[@zbygniewprlwytzkofsky6614]

And do not forget the Tampere 2015 Wednesdays after that and then the Buenos Aires 2018 Wednesdays❤

[@markclements7767]

Hi Nikki, greetings from UK 😄 I really like this song but it is like a national anthem to me in as much as we all like to sing along without knowing the words so we mumble them, we just know bits of the chorus so we belt those out! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jasonmarshall7572]

They are an emotional rollercoaster.

[@chrisoleary1909]

It was a costume change. She wore pants until now, changing into that mini-skirt with the back-cape. You've seen the costume before because Romanticide and GLS come after this in the setlist.

[@AntaryDraconis]

Yep, and because of "the Zipper"🤣 no time for rings etc.. almost 1sec to late but great performance for hurry to the mic. All just Profis

[@joekel55]

Voice at the beginning (in most versions) I was born amidst the purple waterfalls I was weak, yet not unblessed Dead to the world Alive for the journey One night I dreamt a white rose withering A newborn drowning a lifetime loneliness I dreamt all my future. Relived my past I witnessed the beauty of the beast Voice at the end( always) Where have all the feelings gone? Why is the deadliest sin, To love as I loved you? Now unblessed, homesick in time, Soon to be freed from care, from human pain My tale is the most bitter truth Time pays us but with earth & dust And a dark, silent grave. Remember, my child Without innocence the cross is only iron, Hope is only an illusion And the ocean soul's Nothing but a name The child bless thee And keep thee forever

[@nikkireviews]

Thank you! 😊💛

[@sonofthesea3298]

One of theyr oldest hits made "new" and even better again with Floor,and by that i mean there is not entirely operatic vocals throughout the song,wich was Tarjas absolute strength. Dont get me wrong,she could go down abit and sing normal too,but i rarely heard her sing like that in Nightwish,i feel like she has done it alot more after she went solo. And Floor brings a different kind of power to this song,Tarja went HIGH most of the time and light,while Floor is a powerhouse,going all over the place if the song requires it. This is one of my favourite songs,one reason is that Nightwish were super young when they released it,so it means something special to me,even with Tarja this song is amazing! I do recommend the music video at one point! Another reason is Jukka,seeing him standing up communicating with the crowd,hyping them up.....i miss him sooooo much,as you already know he is my alltime favourite drummer. And maybe a third reason for laughs,is that its the only failure in this entire concert. Failure you say?! If you paied close attention,Floor from the side had a slight malfunction with her new outfit. She was still dressing up as this song began,so she thought "oh screw it,i need to run into the stage!" So she did,reached her opening part JUST in time! Not out of breath,not mentally out of it affecting her voice,and didnt miss a single note. Shes from another planet! Oh okay,fourth reason is her coming in for the first time with that leather skirt. Mama Mia! Eyh respectfully,thats when people started comparing her to Xenia The Warrior Princess PS: I also think this song has the best light settings and background in this concert! The overall sound of this song is soo dreamy but still heavy. Absolutely LOVE it!

[@kerimmejdoub1381]

Tarja brought operatic and that is amazing in her own right. Anette brought a more poppy sound. Floor brought some ethereal sound instead of full operatic, gave NW a different vibe. Everybody has their own taste of course in the sound they prefer. I prefer the ethereal sound of Floor, makes the music of Tuomas more magical.

[@jzundert]

@@kerimmejdoub1381 i concur and floor can sing all the songs of nightwish

[@danijelbalakovic127]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jimharris367]

Go back as much as you like, Nightwish is a nonstop goosebump fest so it's never an issue 🤘

[@nikkireviews]

Great! I'm glad you think so too! 😊✨

[@dolla3975]

Love this song too (all of them) I really agree on the contrasting parts that you mention. Thanks for Wacken Wednesdays.

[@nikkireviews]

Thank you! I've been really enjoying Wacken Wednesdays too!

[@FilPol-yu1es]

FLOOR is The BEST Goddess. Her Style is so much more Exciting & Beautiful. She's NOT a "one-trick pony" like that first singer

[@nikkireviews]

I have yet to listen to the first singer. 🤔 But I agree, Floor is SO talented!

[@williammelaniegappmayer2655]

One of favorite things about Nightwish is that there's always a dichotomy there are bright a optimistic moments blended in with the darker elements. Like Toumas is saying there better things to come.

[@nikkireviews]

Yes! I've noticed that too and really appreciate that in their songs. 💛

[@brianwillson9567]

By ‘century child’ the Tarja incarnation of Nightwish was ‘motoring’ to its ultimate achievement ‘once’. Bless the child was one of Tarjas brilliant tracks from century child. This Floor rendition is every bit as good, I will not say better, than Tarja, but the song and the entire concert were proof that Floor had now taken possession of the entire Nightwish back catalogue and was henceforth the voice of Nightwish.

[@mattgraham2835]

female empowerment anyone the dynamics and versatility of the singer

[@stevenhopwood8195]

That’s the beauty of lyrics they mean different things to different people, especially Tuomas’s lyrics. Open to all sorts of meanings. There are never any wrong interpretations as thats what it means to you. ❤️🤘🎸🎻🇦🇺

[@brianwillson9567]

I totally agree with your take on interpretation of Tuomas lyrics. Stargazers is incomprehensible to me. Poet , despair and destruction leading to rebirth, GLS a love song without parallel, ever dream Tuomas love song to and for Tarja. But one of Tuomas most profound lines must be ‘its hard to light a candle, easy to curse the dark instead’.

[@nanns77]

Great choice, Nikki. One of my favorite. 82k on this concert.

[@nikkireviews]

Wow, that's crazy! And thank you for stopping by! 😁💛

[@joeparker9516]

What I read about the 2013 Wacken Open Air Concert Festival, there were over 80,000 in attendance, including bands and others, not just fans.

[@TimoArula]

Another blast from the past (Tarja era)!!! And for me, one of Floor's most epic Windmills (The stance and sensual movement towards the end). Plus....this song brings me back to my early teen years, when I got my Love for Metal music. NWSU/FloorFan 🤘😎🤘.

[@randalladams7692]

Over 80,000 people old school song love it kick ass keep rocking

[@ursmetzger]

That was an awesome festival. I was there in the third row and had such a good time. This year I will be back at the holy ground of Wacken. I's my fifth time.

[@jeffreyphipps1507]

Actually, she did change costume (she may have had a bathroom break also). When she was supposed to be on stage, she was slightly late. The left side of her costume has a zipper that didn't zip all the way up. If you watch her left side you can see it. During GLS she leaves the stage. When she comes back the zipper is up. You asked how many people were at Wacken Open Air 2013 - 82,000+. It's important - Wacken only has 9000 residents and all of them get free tickets to the festival. People from out of town (out of country) pay for the festival.

[@Dani-ku9om]

the lyrics to me always reflect Tuomas' inner thoughts, specially in deeply emotional songs like this.

[@crazykaletrucker]

Thank you Nikki🙏🙏👍😘

[@nikkireviews]

Thank you! 😁

[@s.b.norton9481]

Great analysis!

[@nikkireviews]

Thank you! Thanks for watching! 😊

[@FromG2eminor]

It's ok to go back!! It's NW! it takes a bit to soak in what you experienced.

[@vanessalore9942]

Floor’s great and I love her, but once in a while I’d like to see someone react to this particular Tarja song with her actually singing it. It’s not a criticism, I’m very glad you’re enjoying the group. This concert is one of their best!

[@nikkireviews]

I will have to add it to my list. 😊 I haven't heard anything from Tarja yet and it would be interesting after hearing Floor now for this long.

[@vanessalore9942]

@@nikkireviews You’re a sweetheart, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who would appreciate it. And don’t let old dour ladies like me push you around, lol. It is your channel. If you decide to do it, the live version at the End of an Era concert is the best one imo. Have a blessed day 😊

[@alanfoster6589]

I think this is the most symphonic of all Nightwish's songs.

[@nikkireviews]

So beautiful. ✨

[@motorlife7037]

It´s a musical masterpiece, where the music gets you, when just simple notes create a magic atmosphere

[@jcd57]

Thnx for your reaction...

[@nikkireviews]

Thanks for watching. 😊

[@AntaryDraconis]

nice, thank you 🤘❤‍🔥

[@nikkireviews]

Thanks for watching 😁💛

[@markhayes9004]

Hey Awesome Lady, I hope you are having a wonderful week.

[@nikkireviews]

Thank you, same to you! 😊

[@robingelebal8447]

One of my favorite Nightwish songs, try haunting heavy 'Tribal' and 'Shoemaker'

[@nikkireviews]

Thank you, I will add those to my list!

[@paisa20]

Thanks

[@seattanf2348]

This is your reaction so do it the way you want.

[@nikkireviews]

Thank you 😊

[@rnowak85]

Great reaction to a great song! One of the songs where I love how both Floor and Tarja sing it (kudos to Tuomas). Tarja's is more operatic during those long flowing vocals but still beautiful. The official music video for it is a lot of fun, especially to see very young Tuomas, Emppu, Tarja, Jukka and Marko. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2aVknSXbruee80. As for the meaning, I don't think is about death per se but it certainly has elements of a person or child near death and looking back over their life and wishing for the blessing, i.e. innocence, of their younger selves. Their are certainly elements that refer to the corrupting influence or evil of adulthood, the fleeting nature of life, and how we are often only missed by friends and family after we are gone.

[@D-ragon-S]

It's soooo Nightwish this song. At least for me.

[@nikkireviews]

So good!

[@MycontentisgoldJerryGold]

I think a female lead singer features on 95% of Nightwish's songs.

[@fritsyt2090]

I am not so into Nightwish, yes i like them live really but i want it heavier like Epica, Eluveitie and Septicflesh.

[@nikkireviews]

I might bring Epica back to the polls for next week. Maybe I need to give them another chance. 🤨

[@jaskau2462]

🤩👍💥💯🎼 🤘😎 🇫🇮 💙

[@nikkireviews]

🤘

[@wanmac31]

😊🇫🇮💙🪄🎼✨💯🤘

[@nikkireviews]

😊✨💛

[@Mars-is4un]

🤗🍒🤘🏻😘

[@duncanwyer2460]

🇬🇧 Norfolk reports for duty 😊 Floor made it just in time to grab the mic after a costume malfunction under her left arm 😊

[@nikkireviews]

Ohh okay! 😊