Rappers React To Nightwish "The Poet And The Pendulum"!!!

[@frenkwd1]

Hello Trash Talkers The song "The Poet and the Pendulum" is a 13 Minute journey through the mind and turmoil of Tuomas Holopainen after the year 2005. It was in that year the band parted with their long-time singer Tarja Turunen and had a personal falling out with her. The pain of the separation was big on both sides, and shown in this song. There is guilt for what happened, there is the responsibility that the band and Holopainen had to show towards the fans,. It was the End of an Era for them, and reason for Holopainen being lost as described in these lyrics. We can only of course to a certain degree suppose how much of these are truly Holopainen's feelings, wishes and pains - but we do know that the lyrics of Nightwish have been up to then very personal. Other songs on the album also digest this separation and falling out of the members with Turunen. However personal and "real" these thoughts are, I feel like this song definitely takes us not only on a journey with Holopainen but also into ourselves. The music underlines the emotional gravity of the song extremely well. And I believe a lot of people can actually relate to a sense of guilt and being overwhelmed that all they desired for is the safety of home and innocence. While being personal, the song can still ring true to it's listener. That's a quality Nighwish possesses in many, many more songs. The emotional journey is one we can all share and very few bands know how to put that journey into song and especially into sound as well as Nightwish does. The band remains through all it's shores and Oceans, one of my main favourites and I hold special place for the band in my musical heart. I hope you have enjoyed reading my analysis and share some of my thoughts. If you do have any comments, please feel free to let me know. And remember the beauty of interpretation is that it is subjective; we can see all and feel different things in the same song and continue to love it endlessly. Lyric analysis by Annika Hausen Greetings from the Netherlands

[@SuperMoofie]

Beautifully said.

[@victoriarising]

PREACH

[@defacta5]

She had a baby and moved on. Then, we got.................this

[@steftherammsteiner8893]

Nog een Nederlander ayyyy

[@louisminten7889]

I tell you a bit about the backstory of this rollercoaster MASTERPIECE of emotions. After Tarja Turunen (first frontwoman) was fired, Tuomas (the keyboardplayer, songwriter and composer) got all the blame from media and fans, even when all members agreed. He fell in a deep depression and wrote this song in a for him terrible time, but he was so precise, that after the spoken words 3 minutes and counting, it's exactly 3 minutes that you see him slash his throat with his hand and commit suïcide in the song. Lucky for us he didn't do it for real and we can still enjoy his great musicianship. Greetings from the Netherlands

[@n5iln]

"For years, I've been strapped onto this altar. Now I only have three minutes and counting." Exactly three minutes later in the song, Tuomas makes the slashing motion across his throat. This is but one example of hundreds in the Nightwish catalog of why Tuomas is nicknamed "Metal Mozart".

[@ladydalida6917]

100% agree !

[@robertsheeler321]

In short this is about Tuomas he is the poet and the song writer for 95% of everything (Founder, Composer & Keyboard ) its 5 stages of depression and a on stage suicide to help put the pain behind him.

[@KL-qy4ye]

To me this is Tuomas’s masterpiece as well as his most personal composition. It rescued him from the darkness through the catharsis of a metaphorical suicide.

[@black4pienus]

Yeah and besides the personal subject, the way it's composed is just phenomenal. Everything about it is amazing. It was written in the Annette area and I've seen a live version of Annette performing the song, but.... Nope. She isn't a story teller like Floor. So Floor makes the song complete imo.

[@jamesanderson5268]

@@black4pienus Totally agree with you Dutch Eve. I bought the Dark Passion Play album also and even on that studio cut, Anette is singing without any passion or story telling ability.

[@youarehere594]

@@black4pienus I do like Annette but...it seems at least to me that she's just singing a song, not telling a story. This never used to be one of my favorite songs because of the way Annette sang it, but Floor just turned the entire song around. There are songs that I prefer Annette's style, but Poet is just Floor's to sing.

[@wanderingfirbolg6738]

It helps me everyday, fighting through my PTSD and pain... would not be alive if not for this song.

[@user-wt6hw5mi5q]

@@wanderingfirbolg6738 ❤️❤️❤️

[@JoTummers]

Floor does not need autotune or any other electronic shit to sing perfectly live 🙂 She nails any genre and has sung in at least 8 languages. 95 % of the music AND lyrics is written by Tuomas Holopainen, the guy behind the keyboards.

[@manna6618]

Yeh boys! More Nightwish please...The Greatest Show on Earth should be next, it's a complete banger with some of the most amazing lyrics they have ever done IMO. As for this song every time I hear Marco (bass player) come in screaming with them lyrics "Second robber to the right of Christ!" I instinctively throw the devils horns in the air and start headbanging HARD...best part of the song for me! And Floor is on another level, makes these current female chart-toppers look ridiculous by comparison...and damn she is hot!!!

[@no_onein2024]

The Keyboardist is TUomas Holopainen, he is the founder of Nightwish and the main composer of the music, lyrics, orchestral and choir arrangements, etc. The singer of Nightwish is to put a voice and EMOTION to Tuomas' storytelling, which OBVIOUSLY Floor is absolutely PERFECT in capturing the emotion by using different styles, textures & colors to her vocals, as well as a PERFECT breath control and use of body muscles to get that sound out as it SHOULD sound, and let's not talk about her stage presence and delivery either!!!! ALL the musicians in the band shine and, while this is originally from the 1st album Anette sang on, Floor ADDS the emotion as well as the Operatic style singings and parts where there was GRIT or even those ending haunting wails of the Siren!!! This version PERFECTLY reflects the emotions Tuomas MEANT when he wrote them. (Btw, part 1 White lands of Empathica is sung by a Boy Soprano, although Floor CAN get that high!)

[@dark.necrofear5583]

You did "Ghost Love Score", you did "The Poet and the Pendulum", and now you're ready for "The Greatest Show on Earth". Another proof that Tuomas' level is on another planet.

[@kurtball1228]

You bet on that. Tuomas is an architect of the greatest collection of songs that will be ever written,composed, and sung by the best.

[@teacher_fher]

That's right. Just please do it with subtitles guys.

[@dark.necrofear5583]

@@teacher_fher Yup. With subtitles

[@machiavellipua]

Watch the live in Tampere until the very end, then watch the end of the live in Wembley to see Mr Dawkins.

[@dark.necrofear5583]

@@machiavellipua Yea. I found few reactors they skipped the last part and thats a shame

[@acostamarcelo298]

It's metal man, no chorus, no auto tuning, just talent

[@scifimonkey3]

The poet is Tuomas, the keyboard player, who also writes everything. After a bit of research listen again, …..and again, …….and again……. It only becomes more impressive! Also props to the staging of this Wembley show which I was privileged to attend. Some of the best graphics and lighting I’ve seen to back up possibly the best live performance I’ve seen. Wind it back and check out the pendulums. You will get a lot of support for Greatest show on Earth from Tampere but for me the Wembley performance of that epic song by the band, was much better at Wembley with brilliant use of the e-bow by Troy, better sound quality and an appearance by the man that inspired the song in the first place. Tampere has some additional pyro but for me that’s not enough to swing it.

[@bradfalusi898]

Totally agree!!!

[@KevinHollisWI]

NightWish Army Wisconsin Chapter here. This is probably the GREATEST song ever composed. It is about the depression and suicidal thoughts of Toumas (the keyboardist) after all the hate mail by fans and even the Prime minister of Finland for firing original singer Tarja. I agree that this is the GREATEST song ever composed sung by the GREATEST female vocalist on the planet! ❤

[@Neurodrill]

This performance is one of the reasons Nightwish is so good; just watch the interaction of the band. Marco and Emppu were there for all of the turmoil Tuomas went through, and they know what the song is about and what it means to him. That's why they keep checking in on him and are standing right next to him towards the end. The members of this band love each other, and it shows.

[@jangles1839]

I'm surprisingly at a loss for words! I grasp what I've read in some of the comments the literal meaning of this song's lyrics but, man oh man! What an epic story and journey these lyrics tell & take you on! I'm again amazed by yet another group I'd never before! And also, again, awesome job fellers! 🤘🏼💙🤘🏼

[@IvysPoison1987]

When nightwish fired tarja, tuomas copped a lot of flack from everyone including finnish politicians. It was either kill himself in song or in real life. The "converstaion" is Emppu making sure tuomas is good. Tuomas wont have the lyrics through his earpiece because of how bad it was

[@janihaavisto79]

Yup. Tuomas said in interview once that he's not the same person that he was all those years ago. Also said that he sometimes asks techs to take word track out of his in ears.

[@IvysPoison1987]

@@janihaavisto79 i couldnt even imagine the amount of anxiety and depression that came from that.

[@tarjatuhkanen7094]

Tuomas got slack especially from the fans all over the world. There still are people who are 100 % devoted to Tarja and give slack to others who still listen Nightwish today with the current singer. Those fans still blame Tuomas for destroying "their" band... lol. It was an unanimous decision from the band to fire their first singer. And the band never was fans. And it never will be. We are just lucky to be here at this time when this band exists.

[@kentk2215]

The poet is Tuomas, the keyboard player. He writes nearly all the music and lyrics. This was his story.

[@MicheleNicole]

Smokey, it is incredible to watch you digest and process the lyrics. I think you, without any of the backstory, were putting together the pain that the song is built on. I see others have shared, but I'll also add a couple thoughts. When you see Marco and Emppu walking around Tuomas, they are there in support, in love and in friendship of Tuomas, because the lyrics were his expression of what he felt. It's pretty damned incredible.

[@christomashofski9160]

The keyboardist, Tuomas, is the poet. Edgar Allan Poe's "The Pit & The Pendulum" is the backdrop of the metaphor. The story is of Tuomas committing virtual suicide in the song so that he wouldn't have to do it in real life. The reason for the suicide is complex with varied interpretations which, no doubt, others have filled you in on below.

[@yurinaytar3023]

The singer at the beginning is a choir boy from England. They are a Finnish metal band, but include a Dutch singer (Floor) and and an Irish multi instrument player. They have so many influences

[@pintsize6662]

Her thank you at the end always gets me

[@chunkster4590]

Subscribed ... Geatest show on Earth, live in Tampere, Masterpiece.

[@RetroRanter]

Loved the reaction, always fun watching you two and Nightwish. Intro with the dog had me dead though. 😂

[@lujalainen1]

dang finally this song this channel and im pleased :) this is good way to start new week thanx to that and have lucky new week there.

[@raspberryripple88]

Glad you boys are back with Nightwish and with one of the big songs from their back catalogue :) research for this song (or any nightwish song for that matter) is not mandatory by any means, and it was a great reaction anyway, but it might have helped you guys a little bit just to get a little bit of context/ background info for this song. BTW, just in case you guys didnt know, the keyboardist Tuomas is the main songwriter and general mastermind/genius behind Nightwish, so he wrote this song about the aftermath of the band sacking Tarja, their original singer in 2005. Its hard to explain to people, who werent aware at the time, just how crazy and bitter it all got and it really split the fanbase, even to this day- It got really messy ; all the press at the time was around the idea that Tuomas was solely responsible for Tarjas sacking, when in fact it was the whole band, and he got the brunt of the backlash, including death threats and sent him into a severe depression. Poet and the pendulum is written in 5 parts and is essentially Tuomas taking his own life in the song, rather than doing so for real.

[@als100]

Hi, guys. Excellent, great reaction! As a music, this is already a masterpiece, and is an object of respect for the vast majority of Nightwish fans. But when you know the facts behind this song, it becomes even more amazing. A bit of the Nightwish story here... Tarja Turunen was the first singer of the band (you reacted to her in Phantom of The Opera cover from Nightwish) and was the lead singer for the first 5 albums of Nightwish. She was a long-time friend of Tuomas and was one of the founders of Nightwish, together with Emppu (the guitarist). When she married her husband, Marcelo, the band (and most of all Tuomas) felt that she changed and was not in the same mindset of the band anymore. After the show that became the "End of An Era" DVD (and from where that Phantom video came from), the band gave her a letter basically dismissing her from the band, and the day after the band published it as an open letter. After all this, Tuomas received a huge amount of hate from many fans for dismissing Tarja (I was into Nightwish at that time, and I felt it really hard when Tarja was fired, although I don't agree with all the flames). It was really worse when he admitted Anette Olzon as the new singer, as she doesn't have the operatic voice as Tarja has. All this brought him into a deep depression and, although actual suicide did not cross his mind, he created this song, The Poet And The Pendulum, to kill himself inside the song and expose his feelings. If you pay attention, the song describes an introduction on the first part, the immediate feelings he had after firing Tarja on the second part, the depression on the third part, the flames from fans and friends at the fourth part and the help he got from his parents on the fifth part (he actually used words that were said by his parents there). This song has many details, like when he says that he has only "three minutes and counting", three minutes after he "kills himself" in the song... like when he mentions the shoulder, some people think it's the band that's crying too, others think that's Tarja, which is also crying in the song. Tuomas sometimes asked to mute his in-ears to not listen to some parts of the song because he couldn't bear it. I can only imagine the toll this song took on Tuomas to deliver it at the time... he bared his soul in this music and exposed himself to everyone. That's why this song is so highly respected and admired by NW fans. Not only because of the musical mastery of the musicians, but also because of what this song represents. I hope that I could help you understand a bit more about this song and about Nightwish history. Your reaction to this song, even without knowing the story, was perfect in every way and the respect you two show for Nightwish is something to be recognized. I loved it! Thank you!

[@MorganS89]

PLEASE REACT TO NIGHTWISH...... GHOST RIVER YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPOINTED. Floor takes it to an entire new level. For a 5 min song OMG

[@JimboLana]

Thank you so much guys for making me cry 🤘. I felt the motion and it's happy tears. Keep up the good woork.

[@ACorpseWithoutSoul]

Greetings from Helsinki, Finland. I'm insane metalhead since 1981 and i really respect how you guys (rappers) enjoy to Nightwish music. All of the best you guys. Keep on rocking and stay heavy!

[@janihaavisto79]

BTW 1000 pages of erased text is a reference to erasing once past. And I get when ik now this band as well as I do, that Tuomas maybe wanted to erase some parts of his history at some point and time when he got so much hate for booting Tarja from the band. But truth is more complicated than that. Rumors had that Tarja had said 'she is the band' with out her there's no Nightwish. Even keyboard player Tuomas Holopainen had founded and build this band from ground up. And it didn't help that Tara's husband was a jealous bastard that tried everything in his power to get more money for Tarja and that money would of been lost from other members. Now one more thing was that in open letter to Tarja, band said that in 9yrs she never came to rehearsals, and that it influenced a lot to how complex music Tuomas can write. Since he didn't have her input on things. Some of these are just rumors, and my own opinions. So take it as such, i don't think anyone except band members in there knows what really went down.

[@danieln6700]

Amazing song. Its like 3 songs in one. Like music from an epic fantasy movie or video game

[@sicksimeonsamurai8897]

you guys have one of the best reaction channels. just real and authentic, no bullshit! keep it coming.

[@annetpetroni1797]

Fantastico Reaction Brothers 🤘🏼✌🏼 love and support from Italy 🇮🇹 " Nightwishsoul " Stay Safe And Sound XoXo

[@user-wt6hw5mi5q]

"The poet was being shunned by society." Very accurate. Likely how Tuomas felt.

[@gillesplantin1988]

"4 minutes long is too much for a song, you c..." "Hold my Pendulum"

[@PaulHanney]

Wait til they hear the album Dopesmoke by Sleep. 1 song - 63 minutes long.

[@dragonballbw3]

This one is deep. The keyboardist is Tuomas and he is the primary composer and writer. (aka The Poet) Check out TankTheTech's reaction to this video for a great analysis of the history behind this masterpiece.

[@rdmrdm2659]

The song feels like a storm at sea winding up, raging on full, then the calm after the storm. Also, it starts with ‘the end, the songwriters dead’, and ends with ‘the beginning’

[@peterbell3199]

Loved your reaction guys! Always nice to see musicians appreciate other musicians from a different genre!

[@dianec9456]

Your reaction to this epic masterpiece was the BEST reaction that I've ever watched. You guys GOT IT, right out of the gate. Part V. Mother and Father never fails to make me cry... Her tenderness when singing this part is just perfect. You two got the meaning faster than anyone else. I know that everyone has already told you, but Tuomas is the Poet.

[@music2seeconcertphotograph457]

„I have but two faces One for the world, One for God save me“ A perfect description for being depressive. And I know a lot about this topic for decades already

[@PaulHanney]

Can you please react to a great band from Finland, Wintersun - Time (TIME I Live Rehearsals At Sonic Pump Studios). The drummer for Wintersun is Kai Hahto who is also the drummer for Nightwish.

[@fredschepers5149]

I dig it. I figured it out. This reaction video opened my eyes after watching hundreds of millions of Nightwish reaction video's. All good but sometimes the weird feeling that it wasn't complete. That I missed something from the reactor. Thanks! If you are not aware of Nightwish general background and their sometimes very specific compositions, there are two options. You listen to their performances without background information since you are not interested in such, or maybe don't have the time to explore, and just enjoy the musical and vocal experience. No need for lyrics. Just close your eyes and feel the sound in it's totality of it all loosen up your Limbic System. Feel how the hypothalamus releases a flood of dopamine so overwhelming that it might even tear you up. You "feel" the content. Soak it up. And during the show and after the last notes you feel very much satisfied. Or know the background of each song. Know the lyrics. Understand the metaphors in this poem. Feel the performance like some people feel a Rembrandt. Or Van Gogh. Picasso or Michelangelo. Study the palette of this performance like the palette of a master painter and his paintbrush technique and get lost in a beauty that if you close your eyes comes to life like Rembrandt's Night Watch or Michelangelo's frescos on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Either way... You enjoy it. And that is the main result an artist is longing for... It actually doesn't matter how you experienced it. 8.2 billion people means 8.2 billion different experiences. "And there forever remains that change from G to E minor"....or, are Nightwish performances not absolute master pieces, no matter which point of view you hold? 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🌷

[@clivematthews5296]

This was written by Tuomas, keyboards,as he became suicidal after the hate he received for sacking the first singer. He writes over 90% of the songs and this was part of his catharsis. Initial part sung by a boy chorister.

[@gsparkman]

@Trash Talkers: Loved the reaction. Fun watching you two figure this one out. I'm assuming that by now you've read the comments which have fully explained it. This is the one Nightwish song we fans recommend to reactors (or any first listeners) that they do some research on before taking on this video. PLEASE, tell me that since reading the comments you have rewatched this video. If so, would love to hear your take of it; watching/hearing it again knowing the backstory.

[@silverblack5475]

Its about time you got back to The Goddess and Nightwish.

[@moalleboanne]

i love floor howe she sings ... i am proud that she his a dutch singer as am a simple dutch guy .

[@Frank-M.]

The greatest show on earth next please(live in Tampere)

[@kezca]

This is why they are the best live band on the planet imho.

[@westcoasthockey9522]

It´s not a story, it´s a masterpice.

[@billattercliffe8655]

The funny thing is, she could do a Slipknot song, complete with growls and screams. Do a reaction to "Disdain" at Grasspop 2010. Floor was with her second band ReVamp and this one was her baby. This is her sound at the time - angry Floor. Totally not Nightwish: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnrUq4OOr814q9k

[@MeigetsuNoSeishin]

Just found you guys tonight. But i can say that this band has gotten me through the loss of several family members in the last 4 years, and this song in particular is one thats always hit me extra hard. If you haven't already, you should read the lyrics to some of these songs some time, some of the things the lyrics reference are absolutely amazing

[@SilverAlex92]

The guy in the keyboards is Thoumas, a world respected maestro. He's writes the lyrics and composes the music for like 90+% of their songs, including the orchestral part. This song is about his inner turmoil about having to part ways with the band's original vocalist, Tarja in 2005.. Nightwish's current vocalist, Floor, is the third lead singer the band has had, but I can say for sure that she ficts perfectly with band, and the large mayority of the fans love her, if not all. We prefer to not compare the vocalists, and instead we're just happy and amazed at the insane vocal range of Floor, and how she can deliver songs that were written with a different vocalist in mind, like this one, perfect performances in a quality comparable to studio recordings.

[@NobleProductions1981]

That is how you do a reaction video. No over-analysing, no stop start BS and actually concentrating on the music. Awesome job guys 🤘🤘

[@aidenplaysyt2613]

That same keyboard player is actually the leader of that band by the way.

[@pannemanbroeker6822]

MASTERPIECE !! Next ,,The greatest show on earth,, live Tampere . Thats also a 21 minuts masterpiece .

[@stevehanson2398]

Thanks for a great reaction to a great song. This is an extremely emotional song but you don't necessarily need to know the backstory in order to enjoy it. I'd heard it hundreds of times before I knew what it was about😕 In particular, I love how Tuomas borrowed from "The Pit and The Pendulum", a short story written in 1842 by Edgar Allan Poe. The story deals with the psychological torment of a prisoner in the Spanish Inquisition who is publicly tortured and executed for opposing the Catholic Church. He finds himself in a rat-infested, darkened room with slippery sloped floors leading to a Pit, with a swinging Pendulum above. The Pit signifies Death, the Pendulum represents Time and the sloped floors, rats and darkness symbolise Fear. The protagonist of the story opposed the Catholic Church as he was angry with God for taking away his birth mother, adopted mother and wife with plague and disease. I wonder if Toumas's anguish was caused NOT because he fired Tarja (the original singer) from the band, but because he felt publicly tortured and judged by his so-called fans for doing it the way he did. I believe the score was arranged into 5 separate acts to represent the 5 stages of grieving.

[@SuperMoofie]

Missed you guys! Please do a lot more reactions to Nightwish. Your reactions are so great! :) There are so many fabulous songs to choose from, I would recommend Shoemaker from their latest album Human Nature. Here you get to hear Floor in her full operatic majesty, and believe me it will make your eyes leak.. The main voice singing in the chorus with her is Troy. Read the back story about Eugene Shoemaker first to give the song its true context :) Honestly tho, you could pick anything from them with Floor and it will be sensational :) All their songs have compex layers woven seamlessly together like invisible threads, and yes, they all tell a story, transcribed effortlessly by Floor, with passion and precision. They are all masters of what they do, and are the best of the best. They have a rare and special way of communicating and evoking feelings in us all, awakening a new level of understanding about the bigger picture in life, and confirming for others who already think that way. Yours is an Empty Hope (live from Wembley) Dead Boy's Poem (live in Buenos Aires) The Greatest Show on Earth (live in Tampere, Finland) Read the back story about it first, and you will appreciate it all the more :) Romanticide (Live from Wacken) Elven Jig & Elvenpath (live in Buenos Aires) There's so many more.. :)

[@atomictsarina4378]

Good catch! Actually, the poet you mentioned is Tuomas (there is his name mentioned before part IV starts) - a keyboardist :) This is a song written by him (like basically all of the Nightwish songs), about him and a very dark place he was in after the first Nightwish vocalist (who was his close friend as well) was kicked out from the band. This verse " I cannot cry cause the shoulder cries more" is about her being as much suffering as he was at this time. The verse "I cannot die, I, a whore for the cold world" is about a huge backlash that Tuomas received after his decision up to the point that he developed depression and was thinking about suicide. This song is katharsis for him - a metaphorical way to end with himself so he won't do that in real life.

[@tomdog7864]

Tears every time. Peace

[@Trevor21230]

Also, when you see the other band members, particularly the older ones like Emppu (guitarist) and Marko (basist, male vocalist; aka "Thor"), hanging out around Tuomas (Keyboardist, composer, lyricist & founder), they're most likely just trying to make sure he's doing okay. He doesn't really like performing this song live due to its deeply emotional nature; he's no longer the same man who wrote this song, and it feels almost awkward to be reminded of that man he used to be. In fact, when they *do* perform it live, he often asks the audio tech to turn off his in-ears so he can't hear the lyrics.

[@gsparkman]

It's probably in the comments already, but the voice at the beginning is that of boy soprano: Guy Elliott, courtesy of the Reigate St Mary's Choir School

[@arya.yudhistira11]

This is absolute MASTERPIECE OF MUSIC. "Be still my son, you're home"... this line always kill me. Next Nightwish masterpiece??? The Greatest Show on Earth is a must. It's about the evolution, the history of earth.

[@karolienharbrinknuman7820]

I really liked your reaction! Thank you. (And yes, it was a true experience).

[@youthanasia8767]

Well done guys again 👍

[@Trevor21230]

As other commenters have no doubt mentioned, this is a deeply emotional song written by Tuomas from a place of profound suffering after having to let go of the band's first singer. At that time, Nightwish was kind of what Tuomas lived for; it was his reason for being, and without Tarja he didn't know if the band would even continue to exist, let along be able to support his sense of self. On top of that, the reaction from the fans to Tarja's ouster was...less than ideal. There was a lot of anger from fans who couldn't see past "my favorite band isn't going to be the same anymore"--couldn't see why it had to be done. Tarja's relationship with the rest of the band had become deeply dysfunctional, and it was eventually going to tear them apart. That being said, let's do some lyrical analysis! >"I cannot cry 'cause the shoulder cries more / I cannot die, I, a whore for the cold world" These two lines are pretty straightforward; Tuomas would normally go to the other members of the band, that is the people with whom he was closest at the time, for comfort and support during times of emotional trauma. But he couldn't this time, because they were hurting just as badly as he was, and he felt that he, as their leader, had to be strong for them. The shoulder he would normally cry on was itself crying, leaving him nowhere to turn and with no outlet for his sorrow. >"I cannot die, I, a whore for the cold world" This line is about the nature of being an artist. Art is a part of you, and using it for your livelihood can at times feel very much like you're whoring out your very soul. And he can't even escape, he cannot "die" because of the obligation he feels to himself, his other bandmates, their fans, and to the music itself.

[@marcell6915]

Great to see this reaction, looking forward to more Nightwish. Can't believe you haven't heard Marco before. Devil and the deep dark ocean is a great one with Marco.

[@Censeo]

I figured two rappers would like this song because it's both poetic and honest lyrically. I think that is what serious rappers wants to create in their music too. I have big respect for old school rappers who tell their real story in music

[@dennisthemenace671]

Fantastic reaction guys , and thank you for using the lyric video i`m sure it helped .

[@Hollywood6IX]

100 percent it helped

[@arnaldotanta3630]

This song is a rollercoaster , a masterpiece of a genius performed by gods , and who needs auto- tune when we have Floor ,about the song the poet is tuomas but the guys did explain it already , greetings from Portugal 🤘🤘

[@mattdrummond9087]

This is a special band. The talent in this band is overwhelming...

[@alexandersteinmetz6857]

its 2.26 Am over here, didnt get sleep(fckng Headaches), watched your Reactions on NW from start to this, and the Analysis on that emphatic level at the end, wow. subbed and liked. you Guys got Bars and Brains. greeting from NW Army Buddy 52yrs Young, German Chapter north Bavaria Savages.

[@Hilariumosis]

There's quite a backstory to this and research going into it to fully grasp the story and emotional stages of the song.

[@racheldepuew2514]

Your next listen should definitely be The Greatest Show on Earth. And if you want to hear more of Marco’s voice, there’s an older, but very beautiful song called The Islander. You should check out that one too. He is singing most of this song with backup from Floor.

[@rdmrdm2659]

You note the time from “I only have three minutes and counting’ to the sound of the blade …. Is three minutes.

[@nickscott478]

This song is an absolute masterpiece

[@jamesdalessandro8728]

I highly doubt that is the first time you heared Marko sing. He is an extremely versatile and amazing vocalist.

[@Digita1Surfer]

15:23 - wow, that 'yeah' sounded almost like Brian Johnson's legendary 'yai'. lol You guys rock! :)

[@Berglundish]

I think the song is about hiding pain. That keyvoardplayer writes 95% of their lyrics AND music, he's a genius!

[@chrisowen3231]

Hey guys, great video. If you want to hear more Marko singing, I suggest Phantom of the Opera, (him and Tarja) or The Islander. Keep up the good work!

[@alleninfinity6730]

Tuomas made a masterpiece with this. Floor's voice is just too beautiful and powerful to be put into words, words just fall short. Nice reaction guys, and I hope to see you doing "Greatest Show on Earth" at Tampere. It is about the creation of earth to the inevitable end of mankind. Another masterpiece by Tuomas Holopainen keyboardist/founder/songwriter/composer and yes, Poet, for Nightwish.

[@svetlanadanely1964]

Need more symphonic metal and female vocals!!! Delain, Within Temptation, Epica, Therion. From non-symphonic metal Lacuna Coil or Amaranthe

[@brewswillis9783]

Ad Infinitum too!

[@julianne_warren]

For more suggestions - Devil and the Deep Dark Ocean is a good choice. Very theatrical, both Floor and Marco singing duet - her being a mermaid, him being Devil. Has an amazing drum work by Kai and cool keyboard playing by Tuomas. If you haven't watched any songs by Ayreon project, you can give it a try. It has a ton of singers, including Floor.

[@jamesanderson5268]

The first singer is an English boy soprano named Guy Williams. That part is always recorded as is the boy soprano at the end of part 4.

[@Tristan_Anderwelt]

My personal fav song of Nightwish beside "Dead Boy's Poem" and THE master piece for my opinion especially with knowing the background story. Great reaction guys!

[@aegonthedragon6341]

All Nightwish music (with a couple of exceptions) comes from the mind of Tuomas (keyboard player). Not only he writes all the lyrics but also he composes and arranges all the big orchestral parts you hear and those are then recorded in London by a real orchestra. He's pretty much a musical genius, nicknamed Metal Mozart by fans.

[@cathylyon8334]

Genial y espontánea su reacción!!!!me reí mucho

[@robertmartin8233]

Yikes, and awesome, going to see them on 17th November in Dublin Ireland, binging on Nightwish at the moment, also Amorphis supporting them, love Amorphis too, gonna be amazing.

[@nightwisharmyuk]

Nightwish Army UK popping in to say hi ....... this song gets me every time. Great reaction.

[@Agc2749]

Gonna have to recommend you check out Floors' cover of Oblivion. Her vocal on that is absolutely incredible

[@pirtlesquad1641]

I recently discovered your channel. I got obsessed with your System of a Down reactions. My request is you guys react to the their guitarist, Daron Malakian’s band Scars On Broadway, the song Lives.

[@Hollywood6IX]

Gotcha covered stick around and stay tuned

[@justinshook5332]

I would sure love to see some Soilwork on this channel. How about this one they did with Floor? SOILWORK - "Let This River Flow" feat. Floor Jansen - Live In The Heart of Helsinki (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

[@rg8829]

She is that good…I could not agree more.

[@acurioustraveller8194]

When I watch these reactions a lot of people focus on the vocals, instrumentals, or whatever, it's not often I see people reacted to the lyrics. I adore everything about Nightwish, but man, Toumas has such a way with words. Hope you do more NW reactions!

[@oneknight55]

If you guys get a second, look up the back story to this. It was from Tuomas' perspective (keyboard player), and how he was feeling after firing Nightwish's first lead singer Tarja. The backstory will fill in any gaps you have. I enjoyed your reaction. I think it is cool you can step out of your comfort zone, and check out different genres. Thank you.

[@music2seeconcertphotograph457]

The „three minutes and counting“ until Tuomas virtual / symbolic death / suicide are just ingenious. And the following fading heartbeat gibes me shivers ever time (of the hundreds of times I watched this performance).

[@guidoheuts]

The scentence," The poet whas being shunted by society". should explain all! This is excactly how the songwriter/poet felt when he/they had to say goodbye to Nightwish's first singer; Tarja Turunen. The composer/songwriter/poet, is the keyboard player by the name of Tuomas Holopainen, who wanted to commit suicide after all of this. However, instead of commiting this act in real life, he decided to write a song about his feelings at the time, and "The Poet And The Pendulum", is the outcome. So we could establish that this is not only just a story, but a real life experience. Great reaction guys!

[@MorganS89]

From seeing them Live im telling you omg Clive iowa 2015 it was an experience ill never forget and Ghost River to me is my favorite from them.

[@asxulxetesteronsxez538]

You’ve never heard Marko sing? Then you gotta do The Phantom and the Opera by Nightwish from the End of an Era concert. Or listen to a lyric video for Master Passion Greed.

[@edwardscott482]

Song already explained by many before me but this song is a complete masterpiece. Tuomas is a music and lyrical genius. If you want to hear Floor do some growling, gotta do Yours Is An Empty Hope from the same Wembley 2015 concert...love the respect you guys have for talent! One more note about The Poet and the Pendulum it is exactly 3 minutes from the time he states he has 3 minutes to live until the Pendulum drops and kills him (metaphorically)

[@AlexAmstaff91]

Masterpiece in composition, and for the voice remember that it's also live

[@hexesayuri90]

I love how you reacted to this song - I do think though, you'd have made a bit of research about about it 🙈 It hits waaay harder, if you know the story behind it and that its kinda like Tuomas suicide letter and he himself said once, that this song saved his life! 😢