NIGHTWISH - The Poet And The Pendulum (OFFICIAL LIVE) - Reaction

[@RonniePeterson]

Research or no research this song is a tour de force for anyone listening and/or watching. Great reaction.

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

thank you ✌️✌️

[@nicod1361]

@@CUTnPASTEreacts very perceptive insights given no backround about the song, great job!

[@jeannettesimpson9778]

Tuomas's hand gesture gives me the chills every time. And Tuomas singing along at the end with such emotion. Tuomas is a big fan of Disney and film scores. There's a six part documentary called "A Day Before Tomorrow" with English subtitles, that follows the band on the last few concerts of the tour that ended in Tarja's dismissal. (Each part is about 10 minutes long.) For anyone emotionally invested in the band, it's harrowing viewing, but it explains a lot about what was happening, and how bad things had got in terms of Tarja's relationship (or non-existent relationship) with the rest of the band.

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thank you. I'll check that out

[@ArnolddeGans]

@@CUTnPASTEreacts kzbin.info/www/bejne/opykkHZvesRgbrM

[@Anarch1313]

This song is more than fun and games to the band. It's very somber and full of dark emotions that Tuomas felt as he wrote it. You can tell how seriously every member of the band treats this song.

[@eddiecreutzburg7375]

She feels everything our Goddess of Empathy

[@yourwinefamily1939]

Opening Section : Lead boy soprano: Guy Elliott; later on spoken part about Tuomas erased text: is 2nd boy soprano: Tom Williams, both courtesy of the Reigate St Mary's Choir School

[@wimg.2377]

Hi Sean, The conversations are to check if Tuomas is still ok with all this. It is a very emotional composition for him, although he has passed on from it now. And the band is on speaking terms again with Tarja. Floor was always befriended with Tarja, they actually did a few performances together. The reason that it may seem "difficult" for Floor is that she is highly sensitive and a very strong empath. She feels what she sings and just pours it out to the fans listening, in a way that only Floor can. The way you felt towards the end is because it is composed so well, the music, and the performance by the band, and the voice of Floor and the way she brings the message. This is such an awesome composition and performance, it brings tears to my eyes every time I listen to it. Nightwish definitely is one of the greatest bands out there, if not the greatest. Thank you for a great (and honest) reaction again! Never too long, because of the way you do things. Love, warmest regards, Wim

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thanks Wim, I really appreciate your kind words, and the education as well. Yeah I agree, my initial reaction to Floor's performance was wrong, but it wasn't until much later that I understood the weight of the performance and that it was more of an emotional effort on her part than an actual physical one. ✌️✌️

[@brianproctor411]

I noticed Floor did not look at Tuomas at all during the song like Empu and Marko did. It might have made her break.

[@wimg.2377]

@@brianproctor411 I think so - she is too sensitive. On Beste Zangers the performers built an enormpous rapport, and Floor said on many occasions that if she would have looked at the singer she was performing for, she would have become too emotional to sing at all. And in one of the solo concerts she gave last year and this year, she sang Strong, with her mother present, for whom she wrote the song. She just could not finish it because of the emotions evoked by that song and her mothers presence. She is a person with extreme high sensitivity, and an incredible empath as well. It is a disadvantage at times, but it also helps make her the best performer out there, with any song. With anything she sings I get the chills, goosebumps and/or tears, and there is no other performer I am currently aware of that makes that happen to me with their performances with every single song. Kind regards, Wim

[@harrympower]

it must be incradible as a composer to have that voice to sing your songs. she do's it all...

[@kimfabritiusdetengnagel2038]

I believe that you got a deeper understanding of why we love Nightwish this much. Earlier you have heard Nightwish and they made you happy. This time they hit you and you FELT the full impact of what they can do. In short - this masterpiece is a multi dimensional story of depressive thoughts due to a bad handled personal situation (The firering of his childhood friend Tarja) It is not a song, it's a composition that describes in words and music the thoughts. From " 3 minutes and counting" - until he slides his throught - 3 minutes exactly. Floor - she doesn't try - believe me. Here you actually see and feel how good she is. Floor is a multi dimensional storyteller - she is the story - not just her voice. She has told that she disappears into the songs, visualizing them with attitude, body movements - every is coming from her inside - nothing rehearsed in front of a mirror. Everything in her voice are intentional - the " trying" you heard are Floor describing the hectic and desperate enormous amount of thoughts running meaningless around in Tuomas's mind (the music is showing it also). Both Floor and Tuomas are proud of the way they managed to express and perform the emotions in this journey into a depression - Tuomas in the composition and Floor in her performance (Tuomas has the technicians kill Floor's voice in his ear plugs at the end, to keep concentrated - fact) This is Nightwish - and you felt them. Great reaction from you - they reached out - and got you - that's Nightwish 🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

I really did get huge push further down the path of what they can really do as a group. As for my comments on Floor, I made them early on the performance, but it was later when I realized what this performance was, that it wasn't physical effort but more of emotional weight that have her performance that feel I thought was physical effort. I just didn't remember to clarify that by the end. To be honest, by the time I got to the end I had forgotten most of what I already said, it really moved my mood and thought process by the end of that one. Thx again for you comments and education ✌️✌️

[@kimfabritiusdetengnagel2038]

@@CUTnPASTEreacts I was at this concert - Floor crushed our souls and spines totally - mass effect of onion ninjas ( and I am 62!!)

[@mpainter22]

the final part was based on an actual conversation Toumas had with his mum. On a side note my mum died suddenly back in april, i had to do a 400 mile round trip to get to my sister, (she'd found mum deceased in bed), anyway i didn't cry or anything until i listened to this song (another reactor had done a video that day) when i got home. this song broke me i just howled and sobbed for about half an hour.

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Really sorry for your loss. I lost my dad a few years ago and it was a crazy time. It's crazy how well created music can just reach inside of us and impact us in a really emotional way.

[@mpainter22]

@@CUTnPASTEreacts thanks, same to you, if I ever get to meet Toumas I'm going to thank him for being him

[@christinaalgate4899]

I'm Sorry for your loss.

[@SYNtemp]

Mine release trigger was Meadows of heaven, back then in end of June, on the day i was informed my mother passed away, and later found out also our Ann Waychoff followed only hours later... what a coincidence... sad day.

[@damonbryan7232]

Guts me everytime I see Tuomas singing along in mother and father part. This is one of those songs. First with no background. Learn learn the meaning. Then relisten. With the meaning. Completely different experience.

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thx, I will do that

[@tomasjaluvka6917]

This song is top 3 in my Nightwish list, I love Floor's angelic performance in part 3 - The Pacific. It is the most emotional song I know...

[@jasonfields2793]

I love any clip when the great Metal Mozart can be seen singing along you can always see the passion for the music

[@greeniesr]

That was NOT Floor "Trying", is was her emotions about telling a very sad story....

[@gsparkman]

Yep. That was passion pervading performance-Floor channeling the combined fury, confusion and despair felt by Tuomas at the time. Run away, Fly away. But he really couldn’t, could he?

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

100% agree, my reaction to Floor was early in the performance before i caught on that this was a really heavy song and performance. I realised it was the emotional impact that made it seem that she was "trying" but by the time it ended, i was so mixed up in my own emotions i totally forgot to fix my earlier comment. ✌️✌️

[@jpsother1183]

more like, just really working for it in the pauses she is often really breathing a bit harder than you usually see her after an amazing string. The way she performed this is very exhausting in both emotion and physically. So yeah, "trying" could easily come across, because if she wasn't trying, it would not be nearly as impactful. Annette's original is far less impactful for me, because while she hits her notes (album version), and whatnot, she doesn't emote and doesn't have the vocal power Floor does, and if she tried to do it like this, would likely been too exhausted to continue. Then again, it wasn't written with her singing in mind. This show has GLS and GSOE (both after this, already an hour + into the show) as well a passel of belters. It had to be a tiring tour, the nights they performed this particular setlist in particular.

[@rockaddicthamburg8599]

This is Floor's gift. She is able, to put the right amount, of the right emotion into her vocals. She radiates them right into your heart and soul. This one just demanded the full blow.

[@Daederik]

You did it! Welcome to the club of grown men who have cried over this song (card carrying member here). Glad you waited a bit before listening to this one - imagine if it was like, the 2nd Nightwish song you heard!

[@TheStefan6969]

🤘🤘❤🤘🤘😁✌🏼🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Ahhhhhh yes, the emotional rollercoaster Masterpiece!!!!! Well done!!!!

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Hey man, Still tryiung to catch up on all these comments, as work is quiet right now 😁. Yeah this performance took me for a ride, and then after learning the details behind it. it all makes sense.

[@janjanssen9629]

Without knowing the background of the song, you did an excellent analysis of the song... you got the feel for it...

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thx, I really appreciate that ✌️✌️

[@TerribleChester]

The final part of this song, Mother and Father, brings me to tears every time I hear it, I'm not capable of fighting them off. Just spurs too much emotion to contain.

[@roonekoos6146]

Hi, great reaction. I noticed that you did not know the background story of the song but yet you felt every emotion and struggle of the song. I saw that the song has hit your emotions. Now you might understand why Nightwish is more to us than just a band. Keep up the great journey. Greetz.

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thank you, and I am beginning to understand that too. ✌️✌️

[@johnterry1852]

Great reaction. Nightwish will always make you feel something. Good, bad, happy, sad, but they make you feel.

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

So true

[@gabriel.bardac]

As you noticed, the theme of this song is not cheerful at all. There is talk of betrayal by friends, depression, and even the prospect of suicide. It is indeed the result of very intense emotions. The event that caused this was the parting of the band's first singer, Tarja Turunen, in a rather inelegant way, through an open letter, immediately after the 2005 "End Of An Era" concert, as well as the negative reaction of the fans. There were rational motivations for their gesture, but on an emotional level this led to a fracture. It was a hard emotional moment for everyone, which still has echoes now, after 15 years. It might be a good idea to react to a few songs with Tarja, to have a better idea about the context.

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

thx for that, i will check out some of her performances.

[@cinderellsworth]

Greetings from Idaho, USA, Gabriel. I hope you are staying safe & healthy. It's rare that I actually get to "catch up with you" ALMOST in real time! I'm SO proud of myself !! :)

[@gabriel.bardac]

@@cinderellsworth Well, Bucharest is in GMT +2 time-zone, here is 7 hours later then in NY (~ 11:00PM), that's why :) I'm a "night owl" but still. Thank you for caring, I'm mostly ok. I eagerly wait for Floor's next cover this weekend :) Hope you are safe too.

[@jacquimarat9723]

@@gabriel.bardac Is she doing another cover this weekend....soo cool.

[@gabriel.bardac]

@@jacquimarat9723 kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJmUYpqieLuJidk here is her "thank you" message for >500k views for "Let It Go" (the original is on her FB page) - she said there "..very soon the 2nd song is coming up, so stay tuned.." I'm guessing the upcoming weekend is the best moment for that.

[@chuckhand8622]

I'm surprised none of the Nightwish Army didn't tell you to get the back story on this song before you listened to it!!!

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Many of them suggested that i research the song before reacting to it, but I decided against it as I would have go soo far down the rabbit hole, I would have read reviews of the performance and that would have impacted my reaction. But they definitely let me know afterwards. ✌️✌️

[@cinderellsworth]

I don't think Floor is trying to "perform" in this masterpiece. These are Real, Raw emotions she is feeling and conveying to the listener. According to Floor herself in a livestream on her channel, this song is extremely emotional for her. She loves Tuomas deeply as a friend, and knowing and understanding the torment he went through when the band fired Tarja, she is very protective of him. If I remember correctly, she said she does not have a hard time performing this, but I think it probably is hard on her and Tuomas (and the whole band, for that matter) emotionally. Great reaction considering you went into this "cold". I'm really enjoying taking this NW journey with you. Can't wait for the next one! Greetings from Idaho...

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

I agree, that was my initial reaction early in the performance, but as it went on and I realised this was more than just a song they were performing it became clear it was more emotional weight that was making her performance seem that way to me,.

[@eddiecreutzburg7375]

She sees them as her Brothers

[@jmetallover]

"It shouldn't be the same person singing"....BUT it it is FLOOR and she sings anything that Nightwish needs or that Tuomas can dream up for the band!!! She ran the gamut of every emotion this songs covers, despair, depression, anger, hopelessness and finally redemption. This was Floor showing you what she would do on Beste Zangers all in one song!!!!

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

That's true, I didn't think.of like that, it was a showcase for her talent, but the emotional side of the song got me and everything else kinda went to the side. Good observation,thx for that ✌️✌️

[@danharris5999]

You mention Floor's effort during this performance. This is such a personal song for Tuomas, and Floor has that almost empathic ability to sense the emotions around her, so it's not surprising hearing it in her voice. Couple that with the fact that she and Tarja are friendly acquaintances who have performed together make it that much more impactful, I think.

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

I agree 100%, my comment was early in the performance, and it wasn't until later i was hearing something that was super heavy. It was clearly that emotional weight that made her voice sound like that. Unfortunately my brain was cooked by the end of the performance i didn't remember to correct myself. ✌️✌️

[@Amaranthos2]

"He was definitely in an... interesting...place when he wrote this" 🎯

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thank you ✌️✌️

[@fjnw]

Good reaction bro, quite a song. You didn't know the backstory before listening and I am glad you didn't. I didn't when I first heard this masterpiece. Most reactors are advised to study the backstory before listening, which is good, but on the other hand makes them pre-occupied when listening. Your reaction, just experiencing the emotion in this song first hand, makes it very genuine and interesting to see. Thanks man!

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thanks for that. I intentionally went in blind because that is exactly what i would have done. I would have researched for days and then gone in know exactly what to expect. ✌️✌️

[@gregzerby7168]

Knowing the back story of this song will give you a greater understanding and appreciation...lyric version helps also

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thanks, I'm getting an education through all of the comments people are leaving

[@shirazzza]

I always cry with this song, knowing feelings of intense depression (which I'm going through now following many loved ones deaths) but in some ways it is comforting. You can see Toumas going through it, I couldn't create anything so amazing from my depression. I hope this was cathartic for him.

[@darktitus]

Great reaction as usual.

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thanks ✌️✌️

[@fearmac]

Great reaction as always. I tear up every time I listen to this song. The last words of the song "The Beginning" gives hope for a better future. Congratulations on reaching your goal!! 🙂

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thanks, it's a bit bitter sweet after experiencing that performance. But I still appreciate the support from the community, ✌️✌️

[@christinaalgate4899]

It's Tuomas talking about suicide. He felt like it after the Tarja situation. So he made it a song instead of doing it for real . The one with Mother is actually his mom. At the end Marco and Emppu are giving emotional support because he still had some problems with this.

[@leathelone6972]

I like the 5th "act" at the end, The sentiments from his parents, sets the tone for a new beginning .. Certainly an emotional song but well written. The Tone for each act set by the music, genius...

[@tedbaker3846]

Queen Floor the Valkyrie Goddess!

[@MissIssay]

What really underlines the power of this song is that without research, without knowing the history behind it (let alone remembering the split with Tarja and the fallout) - you still got the emotional heaviness of it, and the impact it had.

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thank you, and that is what I generally try to do, go in cold into a reaction and let the performance of what ever it is, guide me through. ✌️✌️

[@mix6809]

loved your reaction to this powerful song, tnx...

[@allenjohnstone9945]

Nice reaction. If you want Disney then 'Lifetime of Adventure' that he recorded with his now wife Johanna. It's based on the life and times of Scrooge McDuck as illustrated by Don Rosa.

[@annukkas]

Oh, it's a very beautiful song. I really hope to see a reaction to it. 😊

[@shuriken4852]

I second this recommendation, not nearly enough reactors are reacting to this one.

[@alanfoster6589]

And read the 12-volume "comic'.

[@victoriacameron9834]

Does anyone else find it satisfying when Marko sings, "crows"?

[@SulacoNY]

It's hard for people to understand, but as someone who has been in bands since the late 80's, it's tough when bands have a falling out. Band members become family. Very close family and when business and attitudes get in the way, it's very emotional. Sometimes worse than a breakup with someone you love. I have cried for weeks over band issues. Now amplify that with an entire country and fanbase watching your every move and judging you on your decisions... yeah... it's a deeply emotional thing to live through. THEN add the fact that Tuomas and Tarja were childhood friends...

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Wow, that explains alot of the emotions i was picking up on in the song. thx for that

[@phillee2814]

@@CUTnPASTEreacts Floor is a natural empath, and a friend of both Tarja and Tuomas. She projects HIS feelings in this song, which is Tuomas' catharsis over what he went through following Tarja's firing. It was a band decision (they all signed "The Letter"), and he was apparently the last to be convinced of the need for it, yet he was the one that many of the fans turned on - viciously. Yet it was apparently Marco who went to Tuomas and said: "look, nobody wants Nightwish to end, but if Tarja stays, we won't have a band". It was a sad time in the band's history, and in hindsight (ain't it always 20/20?) could have been handled better, although the fans deserved to know what was going on, maybe there should have been time between The Letter being handed to Tarja and being published on the Nightwish website. You really should read that letter - it explains most of the reasons. The lyrics of the song make a lot more sense when you know the story behind them. It is a very emotionally tough song for Tuomas to perform, and you can see in this video that Emppu goes over early in the song to check he is OK, the both Emppu and Marco (the remaining members of the band from that time) stand with him at the end. Tuomas has the vocals near the end cut from his in-ears, as they are apparently the exact words used by his mother to him at the time. You can also see that when Floor gets carried away and starts windmilling, she stops after a look from Marco that is fairly clearly conveying "not cool". But Tarja had been distancing herself from the band for a long time then, and there was really no way back. Happily, after a period with Anette (who was easier to write for and had a range which made writing popular songs simpler), Nightwish emerged stronger than ever, and with Floor has become a family.

[@fjnw]

In addition to Emppu and Marco standing by Tuomas: the previous song in the set was Alpenglow, quite an uplifting piece. In the final part Floor joined Tuomas addressing the line "conquering the darkest places" directly to him.

[@darkiee69]

To understand the story you need to know the backstory. Nightwish was started by Tuomas, Emppu, and Tarja, their first singer. In 2005, after the recording of the "End of an era" dvd Tarja was fired thru a letter given to her by Tuomas, but it was a band decision. The letter was also posted on the bands homepage at the same time. Marko had told Tuomas "It's me or her". This song is about the aftermath thru Tuomas eyes. A piece in five parts. 1. White lands of Empathica.: Boy soprano. "The end, the songwriter's dead, the blade fell upon him" It's the end of an era, Tuomas feels dead inside, he was the one that handed Tarja the letter. The white lands of Emphatica is a place in Stephen Kings "Dark Tower" series. 2. Home: "A poet without a rime, a widowed writer torn apart by the chains of hell" Tuomas got writers block, he's lost his musical "wife", his muse, and was fighting depression and doubt. "My home was there and then, those meadows of heaven. Adventure filled days one with every smiling face" The bands beginning, before the troubles started. 3 The Pacific: "On the shore, se sat and hoped under the same pale moon who's guiding light chose you, chose you all" If I remember it right Tuomas, Emppu, and Tarja was having a barbecue at night when they decided to start a band together. The operatic part Floor sings was originally sung by the same boy soprano who sings the intro. When Floor joined she told Tuomas that she could sing that. He decided to keep the intro but let Floor sing that part. 4. Dark passion play: This is about the reactions from fans and media where everyone blamed Tuomas even tho it was a band decision. He was ripped apart, even the Finnish prime minister had an opinion. 5. Mother and Father: Tuomas took refuge at his parents house for a while, these are some of the things they told him during that time. Tuomas was inspired by the short story "The pit and the pendulum" by Edgar Allen Poe when he wrote this masterpiece. The first words are "The end", the last words are "The beginning". It's the end of an era and the start of a new. When you see Marko and Emppu close to Tuomas at the end it's a thing they have that started when this song was new. Tuomas feelings where still raw so they supported him at the end of the song. Tuomas had chosen to have Anettes song cut out of the mix in his earpiece at the shows. This was 11 years after the events, so he's mostly over it now

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thank you so much for such a short but very clear explanation to the track. I really appreciate it. ✌️✌️

[@Anarch1313]

Also, I highly recommend their song Dead Boy's Poem live from Buenos Aires. It comes from the album before the one that Poet and the Pendulum was on and I feel like it was a preface to the emotions and story of this song.

[@DjKorppi]

Moral of the story is: Do not do it. Write a song about it. Or make a painting of it. Add something to the world, do not take away.

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

✌️✌️

[@SandraNelson063]

Dude! Talk about taking the horns by the bull! Most reactors won't do this until they have LOTS of NW under their belt. I deal with depression everyday. There are times when I ask myself that dark question. It can be a soul crushing battle. And then these folks come along. They sparkle my scenery, they give me oceans within. They show up at my door with lighters and kerosene when I have rope in my hands( listen to How's The Heart). I have support in my battle, they are with me all the way.

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

thank you, i had a choice to go into it blindly or do the research. I landed on going in blind cause knowing myself, when i start researching something, I go DEEEEEP, and then I felt my reaction would have been heavily influenced by everything i would have read. ✌️✌️

[@Idefixu]

@@CUTnPASTEreacts That proved to be a good choise!!

[@johnterry1852]

With you my friend. Been a depressive most of my life. Nightwish and Floor actually help alot.

[@ArtMateurMusic]

It could be said that The poet and the pendulum, is applicable to Nightwish as a band The breaking of something, The death of the poet, The storm, the calm, and the love of those who will always be there, and the new beginning. Almost as if Floor is Nightwish's mother, bringing calm to get this new beginning, which is what Nightwish is living today... Tarja's end with the band was in 2005, after an open letter to both her and the fans ... interesting also is that her last recital with Tarja was released in October 2005 at the same time as the letter, The Name of this DVD. It's End of an Era (High hopes, The phantom of the opera, slaying the Dreamer, Sleeping Sun, and other performance epics born here). It is known that Tarja and Tuomas came and went with their feelings from a while ago(a few years before), and everything ended badly between the band and Tarja after her husband and also her manager began to be part of every movement of the band , Something had broken, something that would not be repairable and the reality of that, only they know it ... Nightwish is literally a story, a roller coaster, like their songs ... Tarja was the only member who left that classic Nightwish by unanimous decision of the band...The reasons given by the band are really hard and difficult to accept, it was living with the enemy. Of course, taking into account the version of the nightwish boys ... as I said, the reality of everything, only they know ... a documentary on the DVD end of an era, where the wear and tear of the band with Tarja is very noticeable, they practically rehearsed separately, traveled in separate planes, and many other issues... The second song on the album where the poet and the pendulum belongs, is titled Bye bye Beautiful and it is a final goodbye to Tarja...

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Wow, I am learning more and more about this everyday, thx for the info of what lead up to the breakup, that was new to me. I just posted a reaction i just did of Phantom of the Opera from that concert, it was my first time hearing Tarja. She was an amazing performer with them

[@ArtMateurMusic]

@@CUTnPASTEreacts You're welcome brother, I hope you continue to enjoy the band, with Tarja or with Floor, since it is really to admire the talent of both ... it is the past vs the future ... the ideal would be that they never be compared, but you will notice that the community cannot avoid comparison ...

[@mozsab]

I think you did the reaction YOU could do. Some reactors have done a brilliant job on the research and how the lyrics tie in to real life. Some don’t do research and just focus on the song. Either way is totally fine, as long as it is true to the reactor. This is a majestic song written by a genius who was tortured at the time. It’s definitely darker than most of their songs. It is one of my favorites and you did a beautiful, appropriate reaction that made me cry and smile. And marko rules!

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thanks man, I appreciate the support. I really felt I had to do it this way to make the reaction really mine and not something influenced by everything i would have read. ✌️✌️

[@olli-pekkaaaltonen2919]

Phantom of the opera Nightwish FIRST SINGER TARJA TURUNEN AND MARCO HIETALA ITS EPIC NEXT

[@kaantje4807]

graet reaction, without knowing the back story. I saw that the army already informed you why this song has such a deep meaning for Tuomas, NW and all the NW fans, so I will not go into that. Seeing your reaction I was a bit affraid the the army would give you some bad reactions for not knowing the back story. But they made me proud today, they informed you without dissing you, well done army.

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

yeah, the Army is mostly really positive. And I really felt i had to go into it blind as my reaction would be heavily influenced by what i would have read. ✌️✌️

[@fredcomstock1100]

Good reaction. When Floor sings "In the end, I will always love you.", always gets me. Very sobering song.

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

It immediately changed mood and mindset by the end.

[@mozsab]

That part kills me

[@seanstevenson9891]

Sean, you are deep in the Nightwish hole now. Hope you left breadcrumbs. Keep on Nightwishing on. 🤘😜🤘

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

I'm terrible at navigation, in totally lost now ✌️✌️

[@adlicious100]

Yep more then 2000 ..Congrats Sir ✌💥👌🙋‍♂️🙏🏼.. and please .. keep on rollin this Beautifull Nightwish Train dude 💎

[@erwinmulder1338]

Great reaction. Came here to 'educate', but I see my brothers and sisters from the army have done so already. You did great in feeling out the substance of the song. We mostly suggest to do research because most people just miss all that. You did great however, so I guess no real research was needed for you. Thumbs up. Ofc. It's nice to be filled in on the actual story later. (as you have been.)

[@DrewNewmanEngineer]

Excellent reactions and commentary!!!

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thank you kindly!

[@moimeme8827]

I love your reaction. it's not only technics analysis but emotions analysis, the final goal of great songs ;).

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thank you, it's not common that i hear music that pushes on me at such an emotional level.

[@kezca]

Thankyou for this one it is a Masterpiece. Tuomas committed suicide in the song, so he wouldn't have to do it in real life. He was in a very dark place. The last part of the song is what his parents told him which helped pull him through. A lot of reactors are asked to do a little research before this one just to get a little background of what happened it can help when listening. I think you did a great job. Here's to 2k 🤘👍

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thank you. I was suggested to do some research as well, but my issue is once i start researching i go deeep, so i would have ended up watching the performance and not be able to do a reaction to it.

[@kezca]

@@CUTnPASTEreacts I think you got the essence of the song without the research, thankyou it was very enjoyable. Look forward to the next one. All the best from the uk.

[@jessicakoster2543]

You are so right, I always feels like you're going through the five stages of grief in this song, starting with anger and ending with acceptance. May I suggest I want my tears back, to balance things out?

[@SandraNelson063]

Oh, The Last Ride!!!

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thanks, it really was kind of like diving into the mind of a person who really needs some help. But I didn't know what caused the problem in the first place. I know i could have researched it first, but then i felt my reaction would have been a lot different.

[@timometsanoja9666]

This is the Holy Grail of Nightwish... You don't just run to it. Context is everything... Other than that, you doing good!

[@lynnef1988]

Great reaction, such an emotional song. "You have such oceans within" is one of my all time favourite Nightwish lyrics, and the way Floor sings it with such emotion just gets me every time. For a completely opposite performance, I highly recommend "I want my tears back" - specifically in Buenos Aires. Floor has a cold, but still sounds awesome and the energy and fun they are having on stage is just insane. It's quite different to the ones you've reacted to so far! kzbin.info/www/bejne/inOylZqun8djoa8

[@ew56]

No one appears to have explained the last part of the song for you. Evidently after all the turmoil was going on and people and fans were blaming Tuomas having lost his muse and childhood friend Tarja and, I think possibly losing all his songs, after all they were written for Tarja and who else could sing them, he returned home to his Mother and Father. The last part included some of the advice and love they gave him to pull him out of the depression he was feeling, hence it says "new beginning". I think that part of the happiness and content he shows now with the band and Floor is also to do with feeling he has reclaimed his songs.

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thank you for explaining that, really appreciated.

[@jukkahelminen9071]

This was a good reaction video, respected the band. I watch a lot of reaction videos, but I don’t always watch this song. I think the song deserves enough respect because its content is what it is. I choose whose opinion I want to hear about this... You have already received a lot of information about the background of the song, the events of 2005-2006. I think that we Finns also have our own opinions and feelings at that time. What was moving here at the so-called "street level" is quite different from what was in London, for example ... Even my mother, well over 80, does not listen to metal music at all, but she also knows what Nightwish is and how Tarja Turunen was fired !!! So, if we talk about Nightwish being big in Finland ... One story adds to the life of Thomas and Nightwish. When their first singer Tarja started playing the piano at the age of 6, her first teacher was Tuomas' mother! Tuomas was 7 years old at the time. So they have met each other as a child! They went to the same school, but of course that age difference means they haven’t been in the same class. But when the school’s music teacher organized musical performances they have been one of the children who have been involved in these. There is a video where they are about 17-18 years old. Tarja is singing and one of the background musicians is Tuomas (saxophone). On top of that, then, 10 years of Nightwish’s career that ended with Tarja’s dismissal! The end of that friendship was a tough place for both of them. I remember seeing an interview with Tarja in the summer of 2019 asking about her current relationship with Tuomas. When she heard the name Thomas, I saw her heart shrink and a great pain came from within her. It was clearly difficult for her. I think both got lifelong scars from those events of the early 2000s. Too bad, however, both are great musicians. But, it's a thing called life ... Things happen in life, sometimes nice, sometimes not so nice ...

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

WOW, thank you for all of that. I was made aware they were childhood friends, but not to that level of detail. As someone who also performed as a young child, I can say for sure, that when you perform regularly with the same group of people, they honestly become family to you. So that adds a whole different dimension to this separation for me. I also appreciate getting the view from someone who lives in Finland and can share the thoughts and feelings that were happening there. Thanks again for watching my reaction and again for sharing your thoughts.

[@mariaelenasanchezyanez690]

Master piece...geniuos composer Tuomas🤘🔥

[@n5iln]

The entire Kubler-Ross Cycle of grief, condensed into a single musical performance. On a related note, Tuomas later stated in an interview that he would not be able to handle another major lineup change in the band. The last shakeup was when Jukka (drums) left due to medical reasons and was replaced by Kai. (As an aside, Jukka still works with the band in a managerial role, and his medical issues seem to have resolved.)

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

thats cool to know, it's more of a family than a business for him

[@shirazzza]

Oh gosh I remember when Elisabeth Kubler-Ross was dying herself. Working in mental health we studied it a lot

[@leightonwilson9165]

Wow! Great reaction. On point with your commentary. You got the message of this piece perfect. Well done! Thank you. Sub.

[@HughHarding46]

Sean; To go along with Wim G's explanation: Nightwish's letter to Tarja: nightwish.fandom.com/wiki/Open_Letter_to_Tarja_Turunen and Tarja's letter to Nightwish: nightwish.fandom.com/wiki/Open_Letter_from_Tarja_Turunen these are the letters that you can read at your leisure.

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thanks for that ✌️

[@Nightwishlishus]

New sub here...continue on Nightwish journey!

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thanks, most appreciated ✌️✌️

[@sterlingknight8087]

She's not struggling, she's conveying the emotions of Tuomas, who wrote this about his lyrical suicide. Convoluted and conflicted indeed.

[@pdutchie4924]

The feel you got from Floor trying harder than normal is because she was. She knows how difficult this song is for Tuomas. Please read the background story on this song and listen to it again, it will make a big difference and you will understand more. Also that they are not ‘just’ having a conversation but Empuu is checking up on his friend in the beginning, and at the end as well. Hope you will do that, thanks for this reaction. 🙏🏻

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thanks Pauline, I got a lot of information from the Army about the background on this specific performance and this song itself. It definitely explains a lot of what i was picking up on. As for my comment on Floor, it was early in the reaction, but the time i got to the end, it was very clear this was an emotionally heavy song and it was that weight that made her performance feel like that to me. but by the time i got there, i was so overwhelmed by it I forgot to correct myself. ✌️✌️

[@pekkakarppinen1608]

"Be still, my son. You're home. Oh when you become so cold?" gets me😭 every time. And Tuomas and Emppu were chatting like "Where we'll go to eat after this gig? Chinese?" in the middle of this tremendous performance. 😅 Good job! 👍

[@johto]

Emppu is asking Tuomas "Did you remember to but my beers in the fridge?" Tuomas nodding "Yea yeah, of course".

[@pekkakarppinen1608]

@@johto Yeah don't worry, i saved some Corona's for you, buddy. 😂

[@johto]

@@pekkakarppinen1608 😎

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

It's crazy how effortless they make it seem ✌️✌️

[@Melody-sc3mp]

If you would like to hear this in a much darker tone there is a demo of Marko singing this you should listen to

[@Idefixu]

Yes, Marko singing the whole thing because Nightwish had no female vocalist at that moment. Then it was Anette and Marko doing the vocals on the album.

[@marcoz.2521]

Next to react to is The Greatest Show on Earth live in Tempere... Incredible tune!

[@Idefixu]

Great reaction, once again. 2k subs, well deserved!!! Your pronunciation of "Tuomas" was just fine. You made so many good points, observations, especially given that you went in blind. Well done! I'm only going to say that I agree that Floor, not to mention Tuomas, for an obvious reason, and the whole band, went all in. I've never thought of this before, but I wonder, (I can't remember), what the next song on the setlist was after "The Poet"? How do you even start another song after "The Poet". I'm a little late with my comment because once again I watched reactions to some other, easier, songs first. I want to see every reaction to "The Poet" but not necessarily right away. A couple of months ago I read an old interview of Matti Vanhanen who was the Prime Minister of Finland in 2005, when Tarja Turunen the original Nightwish female lead vocalists was fired. He attended Tarja's last concert with Nightwish. (He is now the Secretary of the Treasury. He had decided not to take high posts anymore, but his party twisted his arm when the previous one had to/decided to resign. Covid-19 means difficult times economically too.) He was very diplomatic about the break up. He didn't want to take sides. He was worried about the future of Nightwish. If they were to go on with just Marko, as great as he is, on vocals, they might lose a lot of fans because female vocals had been the thing from the very start of Nightwish, a female fronted symphonic metal band. To change that after 9 years. Not a good idea, I agree. Vanhanen was also worried about the possible new female lead vocalist. It would be very difficult for her to be compered to Tarja, which was inevitable. It was only in 2007 when Nightwish chose Anette Olzon to be the next Nightwish female vocalist. 2000 women applied for the job, I have hear/read. One of Finland richest men Aatos Erkko, R.I.P., the owner of the Helsingin Sanomat, the largest daily newspaper in Finland, and the Sanoma Group, commented by saying he understood the decision to fire Tarja. I think it was the businessman in him. Gotta make decisions! The town leader of Kitee, a town of 10 000 people, where Nightwish is originally from, didn't save words criticizing Tuomas. Nightwish was the pride and joy of the small town and now it's future was in joepardy. Greetings from Helsinki!

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

WOW, firstly thank you for taking the time to explain all of that, I really REALLY appreciate getting that point of view, and secondly thanks for not being upset that I didn't do my homework before going into it. I felt if I had, know how I go deep down the rabbit holes, it would have had a potentially negative impact on my reaction. ✌️✌️

[@MsCatstaff]

Nemo came next in the setlist.

[@paulwakefield]

Now i only have three minutes and counting... is three minutes to the slit throat gesture. There is no limit to the musical genius from Tuomas.

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

It's incredible to lay that out so well

[@thaalboom]

30 seconds in... this will be a great one. Prereaction. 😃 Time to enjoy the show!

[@thaalboom]

Yes, nice one! Without knowing the history you got most points quite accurate and right even. Thumbs up! 👍

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thats awesome, thx ✌️✌️

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thank you, my initial take to it was a bit off, but as the performance developed I immediately understood that there were very strong under currents happening and I had to pay attention

[@droiduser9633]

OK... As a long time fan (21ish years) of Nightwish, I did hope you would check out much of both previous singers before tackling this song, in this very powerful and emotional version especially! The Annette version was great but did not move me much, Marco sang ALL of the song in the demo (Annette had yet to be recruited) and was more emotional to me (check it out!)!. Floor... Well, Floor! Her ability to sense and exude emotion is so great, this song, with her singing ... I have to be in the right mindset to avoid the onion ninjas! They appear out of nowhere! How about some Tarja era, Wishmaster would be nice! Um...Yeah! please look more into the origins of Nightwish, one helluva journey to where we are now!

[@robertcraane7910]

You are my official brother now

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thx ✌️✌️

[@paisa20]

Great reaction

[@papaverweg]

About the song context I would advertise to look at Edgar Alen Poe’s story about ‘The Pit and the Pendulum’ and some Internet about Stephan King’s book: The White Lands of Emphatica. stephenking.fandom.com/wiki/Dandelo Funny you remarks ‘If I didn’t had seen with your own eyes it was Floor you should not know it was the same person’ you hear. This song is so dedicated, so dark, so powerful, so emotional and so fragile, all in the same person: Floor. On the studio recording and live performance done with Anette these parts were sung by a boy soprano. Only Floor has proven to be able to perform these parts live like it should. Maybe now it’s time for a focus on Kai drum capabilities. Please watch Kai’s drumcam performance live at Himos, Finland 2016 ‘Shudder Before The Beautiful’. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXOaYnaCnb2LfZY Or ‘Wishmaster’ at the same concert. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6aQYYaAeLeisMk

[@LeglessWonder]

Parts 3 and 5 are so hard to listen to sometimes. I can usually hold out on this song until “Be still my son, you’re home. Oh, when did you become so cold?” And then I break every time, even just writing that was hard.

[@maverick191232]

Great video my brother... subbed!

[@AlexJ.77]

Nice reaction!

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thank you! 😁

[@joeyc785]

Hey, you should definitely check out nightwish wembley 2015 next shudder before the beautiful and yours is an empty hope, thanks 😊

[@jeannettesimpson9778]

7 Days to the Wolves and While Your Lips are Still Red from Wembley Arena as well! Has Shaun been introduced to Troy yet? I don't think he has.

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

No i haven't, if I'm not mistaken he's the multi instrument genius that joined the band? I am looking forward to seeing him perform

[@jeannettesimpson9778]

@@CUTnPASTEreacts The two I mentioned above both feature Troy, and While Your Lips are still Red is a Marko ballad to boot!. "My Walden" from the same concert also features Troy.

[@thomaslilly9558]

Two schools of thought on this one. Research the songs back ground or just listen to it. I'm big on knowing the history. To me if you don't know what the lyrics are about, it is nice music with wonderful vocals. Again....for ME knowing what it means makes it a piece of art. I know most reactors want it totally cold turkey.

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

I totally get that, and have no issue with it. I contemplated looking into it but I personally suffer from a small attention problem that once I start researching something I go waaaaaay down the rabbit hole and would have been forced to either watch the performance before reacting to it, or just reading enough about it that I would have known what to expect. I just hope to not piss people off with my takes on things ✌️✌️

[@alithanna]

There is value in both approaches here. If you do the research first, then you can appreciate the story more, but you know mostly what to expect. Without the research first, you get to see the pure shock and emotion of it. For example, the very common almost speechless shock when he "kills" himself...

[@billattercliffe8655]

This is not a happy song. The fan backlash from the firing of Tarja, was so vicious that Tuomas contemplated suicide. Instead of killing himself for real, he did in song. This is an emotional song for the band to perform, which accounts for that tension in her voice. It's not vocal strain, but just the emotional nature of the song.

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Wow, I didn't know that the reaction was that bad to her leaving. But it was clear he was going through something really deep, I just didn't know the source. Thx man ✌️

[@billattercliffe8655]

@@CUTnPASTEreacts Even the Prime Minister of Finland commented on the firing. It was that big a story.

[@Gibbetoo]

Tuomas actually said "i never had a single thought to hurt myself" this is from interview for book that recently came out few weeks ago.

[@billattercliffe8655]

@@Gibbetoo Supply a link.

[@Gibbetoo]

@@billattercliffe8655 you read Finnish? it was in iltasanomat or iltalehti.

[@nataschaodekerken-devrede8917]

Good reaction again. 🤘

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Glad you enjoyed

[@steveorton3168]

hey shaun awsome reaction i would recomend doing some research about the song and listning again it is basically about the dispute and the leaving of tarja from the band also wen the spoken part says there is 3 minuets and counting exactly 3 mins later tuomas commits suicide in the song plz read up on it and the open letters that were sent back and forth enjoy the 2nd listining

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thx, I'll do that

[@TomTomson81]

A song about depression and suicid. Very dark

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

yeah, i'm learning that now. Tough stuff

[@johnlindquist1784]

Interesting thing about the song - from the time the lyrics say "now I only have 3 minutes and counting" to the point where it all drops away to blackness and you hear the heart beat that stops is - exactly 3 minutes. Such is the genius of his composing. If this song doesn't wrench an emotion out of you, you'd better check for a heart beat. Congrats on the 2K subscribers, BTW. I'm glad to be one of them.

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate the support. and I hadn't caught the 3 minute thing when i watched it but after the comments and checking it out again, its crazy that he wrote this with that much precision especially while dealing with such a personal topic

[@artoeloranta2810]

👏👏👏

[@retrospect6904]

Tuomas (composer) is pronounced "Two O Maws". you had it correct.

[@rileyxxxx]

just binged thru all your nightwish videos. so good.. thanks for the content! and if u ever may feel the need to discover something new.. checkout my favorite band: "bandmaid" who are technically the best hardrock band out there. theyre japanese and all female. =)

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thanks, I'm not sure if you had commented on another video, but if not, you're the 2nd person who recommended i check out Bandmaid, now my curiosity is peaked. ✌️✌️

[@rileyxxxx]

@@CUTnPASTEreacts haha to be fair, bandmaid reactions are also quite popular :) shouldnt be too bad unless its not your cup of tea. but its kinda of a hardrock poprock mix with highly talented musicians. for instance, misa on bass is my personal idol, cause I just switched from guitar to bass and her basslines are a joy to learn.

[@jabgibson]

Congrats, you just unpacked the 2nd of a kind of Nightwish Holy Trinity. And it appears you did it with out much research before hand. You will hear a lot about this, and people will throw many opinions, but I just want to thank you for how much you figured out without knowing the history of this song. Do yourself a favor and read up on the history, and re-listen to the song, this is a masterpiece. This song is (as you might have already figured out) very sacred to the Nightwish Community, so there you go. You did it. Spend some time on other tracks before you get to The Greatest Show on Earth... you will need to come back to earth a bit before taking that on.

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thx, I've gotten a pretty serious education from the community, it definitely added a lot of the context, but at the same time I'm still glad I went in without that info. I enjoyed hearing it for the first time just like everyone else the first time it was performed, without they years of analysis and scrutiny. But I do totally have a complete new respect for Tuomas after learning what he went through and was going through when he composed this.

[@frenkwd1]

Too bad you didn't look up what this song is about first. This song would have been even more beautiful. Anyway this is one of their master piece.

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

I appreciate that, buy i intentionally decided not to. Knowing myself once i start researching something i got waaaaay down the rabbit hole and i would have ended up reading about this performance itself and then my reaction would have heavily been influenced. But I totally get why you say that. I've learned so much from this community here and do have a totally different feeling for the performance now. I think it's a testament to how the work was written that I could watch it blind and still be so heavily impacted by it and know that something very serious was going on in his mind when he wrote it. ✌️✌️

[@phils866]

That composition stands up against any opera. It has different movements, interludes, tells a story and showcases epic performances from the band, and Floor. Tuomas isn't called the 'Metal Mozart' for nothing.

[@JotikoNl]

You obviously did not rdo any research for this song, which is okay of course but if you had, I think you would have appreciated it even more. Tuomas and Emppu are not having just a conversation. Emppu is checking if Tuomas is okay. It's still a very emotional song for him. On some occassions he asks the sound engineer to shut off Floor's voice in his ear pieces during this song so that he does not have to listen to the lyrics that intensely. About Floor's emotions: she said in an interview that during this song, she thinks about things that were emotional for her in the past, to be able to give the song the proper emotions.

[@Thorgrim247]

All sexual references in this song are used metaphorically. This song represents a tragic incident in the bands history. This song usually leaves first time listeners a bit emotionally distraught. You are correct about him using this song to express the emotional turmoil and mental anguish that Tuomas experienced during this episode. Now you are beginning to understand the depth of Nightwish' compositional abilities. Unique in the world of metal/rock in general. Be well my friend. Peace.

[@jonm4733]

I like to compare Floor to a quote from Bruce Lee...her only style is to not have a style. And yes, this one is a deep one. The more you learn about NW the more you will be affected by this song. It is a work of genius.

[@Mischnikvideos]

You don't seem to know the backstory: After Tuomas has Tarja fired, he came under heavy public pressure. In Finland, metal is mainstream and everyone saw it. He was seriously considering suicide. Instead, he wrote this song and killed the poet. Later he wrote Bye bye beautifull, accusing Tarja of not understanding his open letter to her.

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

I knew that she was let go, but I didn't know about the backlash and his reaction to that. It was clear he was going through something, I just didn't know what it was. Crazy

[@basicguy5785]

Floor makes a small mistake in one part, but is otherwise really good. Never felt to me like she was reaching in her first part.

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Yeah, my impression of her reaching was wrong, by the time I realized how emotionally heavy the song was it was clear that it was the emotions coming across in her performance, but by the time it ended my brain was all over the place and didn't correct my earlier statement. ✌️✌️

[@tommyjohnson9175]

So sad, you don't know the background behind this song.. Knowing the back story would have enhanced you appreciation of this song ten fold.. Nightwish's epic songs have rather extensive back stories of how and why they came about.. Sorry, you didn't get anything about what's going on in this song, what a shame... I think you could have really love this song with a little preparation.. Wish you would have told us you were doing this song we could have given you the full story.. Make sure you find out before hand about "The Greatest Show on Earth" so you know what your listening to..

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

I loved the song without knowing anything about the background and I intentionally went into it mostly blind because of the type of person I am. If I would have started looking into it, I would have ended up going waaaaaaay down the rabbit hole and ended up reading about the performance as well, and in the end that would have set expectations within me for what i was about to see. I know it disappointed some that I didn't know the story first and I totally see and respect that opinion but it's not the way i want to experience something for the first time and why I chose to do it this way. Hopefully those who ware upset can forgive me. ✌️✌️

[@frankmerris8821]

i noticed you seemed to be squirming more then usual me to every time i listened to it

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

the song was really impacting me more than I thought it did.

[@frankmerris8821]

@@CUTnPASTEreacts agree i feel drained afterwords

[@kquincy3068]

You really should have done your homework on this song. If you would have you would have learned this song is about Thomas and firing their last singer and he felt so guilty that he had contemplated suicide so this song is about her and his feelings and musically committing suicide so he didn't have to do it in real life you should also go back and find the song with the lyrics the live version with the lyrics and Marco and empu go up and check on him he even has two sometimes take all the vocals out of his ear piece so he doesn't hear them it still disturbs him much

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

✌️✌️

[@jacquesahlers2253]

Just put "Tu O Mas" together and you are pretty close for his name. Still will not sound like a true Fin but close enough.

[@CUTnPASTEreacts]

Thank you, I barely sound like I speak English in my opinion, i just hate butchering other languages when I can avoid it, but thanks for that tip, that will definitely help ✌️✌️