Classical Composer Reaction & Analysis to Song of Myself (Nightwish) | The Daily Doug (Episode 463)

[@gabriel.bardac]

Interesting how the musical composition, the interpretation and the theme / meaning of the lyrics fit together in this song. From this perspective, it was one of the most holistic analyzes I have witnessed. Art, as a reflection of life. Thanks.

[@alexandersteinmetz6857]

Art as an reflection of Life. best put to this i ever had whitnessed. thx to you both. i Concur.

[@yibril17]

@@alexandersteinmetz6857 Just a heads-up for both of you: "Art as reflection of Life" was brought up by _several_ poets, writers and film-makers; even philosophers like Schopenhauer and Nietzsche - especially the latter, who built up a whole philosophic system regarding Art. If interested, I could name a list of music pieces which are at least on this very level - when if not even above. Just one single example of a band that does such a thing frequently (and that you will never find in channels like this one): Swallow The Sun, with these two pieces: "Hope" & "Don't Fall Asleep"; they both are prime example of _Art as a reflection of life_ : both about Art creation as *ultimate purpose* ; the former portrayed as response for unrequited loved; the latter portrayed as something born out of (artist's) desire, passion and suffering.

[@alexandersteinmetz6857]

@@yibril17 well, thx in advance for some links, surely would take an Look at this:)

[@yibril17]

@@alexandersteinmetz6857 You're welcome, I'm really glad you're interested. I'll try to post a list today, later on: there are many to choose from, and I want to make sure to not forget the ones I consider the best examples in that regard. I just warn you that the examples I will choose are somewhat less explicit than this Nightwish's piece: more poetic, more symbolic, _more obscure_ ; you need to be familiar with certain poetry and literature to grasp them on a first encounter: more often than not, it's all about a single tiny subtle bit that reveals it all. And trust me: it takes knowledge and skill to cram such amount of ideas with so little :) Anyway, I'll try to give some hints regarding where your attention should be put into ;)

[@yibril17]

@@alexandersteinmetz6857 Well, here the list goes regarding "Art, as a reflection of life", or according to Schopenhauer *"Art, as way to overcome existence's suffering"* or _better yet_ *"Art, as ultimate purpose/meaning of existence"* according to Nietzsche. 1. Virgin Black: "A Poet's Tears Of Porcelain" kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZvWeamLapqoppo First of all, don't get deceived by what these lyrics appear to be - they aren't about Christianism or religion. The whole idea is the same of Tuomas Holopainen's, just way more metaphorical :) Have you ever heard/read about how Art creation is Divine-inspired? Well, it's about _that_ :) The artist (the poet) is begging this divinity/god (Lord) _for something_ ... and then he (the poet) starts hearing divinity's song - oh! how fitting is that instrumental section and guitar solo: could something else represent _divinity_ any better than _that_ ? Following this, (poet's) _tears start flowing_ , and he praises this divinity because of what this divinity provided to him: Art! It's a common ancient idea which states that an Artist is a mere medium through which divinity expresses itself :) Notice that from the title it is hinted the idea that Art is born out of (artist's) suffering: _porcelain_ is a beautiful metaphor that convey that very idea :) Furthermore, the second half of the lyrics expresses as if Existence's _ultimate purpose_ is Art creation :) 2. Ne Obliviscaris: "Painters Of The Tempest (Part II): Triptych Lux" kzbin.info/www/bejne/nH2UgWmHjc-hgMU (no on-screen lyrics; lyrics in video description) What better than _painters_ as a way of referring to _Art creation as purpose of existence & its source_ ? :) _COME FORTH DARK HERALD_ _BRINGER OF LIGHT_ _BOURNE BY THE BURNING SWANS...AND HIS PLAGUE BREATH CREATOR_ ↳ Do you see what was done _there_ ? _Artist_ is portrayed as the bringer of light, bringer of _life_ : just like a god that by blowing life into inanimated things _creates_ life :) _OF THE DREAM COIL, A HALO ALOFT AS HANDS ENTWINE_ _PAINTERS OF THE TEMPEST, WITH THEIR RED HANDS_ _THE WORLD THEIR CANVAS_ _THROUGH THE MIST OF THE STORMGLASS..._ ↳ Nietzsche's idea of _existence_ as _originated_ from an artist's dream :) _angels fall..._ _into the canvas_ _reaching for the light_ _heaven is empty_ _...and all the beauty is here_ ↳ The _Divine_ resides in Art :) 3. Draconian: "Pale Tortured Blue" kzbin.info/www/bejne/foG0qaGjr86psKM (no on-screen lyrics; lyrics in video description) The _pain_ & _loss_ through which Art is created in order to relief _those_ are portrayed here as a _fractal pattern_ : sorrow and suffering evoked by the _piece of Art_ are replicated from small size (human: _the fallen statue in the wilderness that the artist will rise in order to reach his loved one in her dreams, an impossible task_ ) to huge size (celestial bodies: _planets and stars that are running away from each other because of universe expansion_ ). Again, Art reflecting life, on a _universal scale_ now. This vocal counterpoint is key: _The shades beseech you_ _My love increases you_ ↳ This is the _Artist_ speaking, out of despair; with his love increasing her, so it increases _his piece of Art_ . _And summer freezes you into me..._ _The cold fire suits you!_ _A pale tortured blue blistering through_ ↳ From her response, we are given to know how unreachable she is for him (the Artist): _she_ is portrayed as in another celestial body, from which the only thing able to be seen is a _pale blue dot_ (Earth) blistering through. Both are unable to see each other; yet the Artist is the one _who sends the message_ (an obscure, symbolic, poetic one: in that way Art is expressed; the statue in this case) in the hopes that she could be reached by it... However, that is condemned to fail because of what she reveals in the end: _"And I fail to realize it's you..."_ . I guess this one is the most poetical because the _human existence_ is posed as a tragedy from which the universe echoes and replicates: micro-level tragedy (human existence) parallels macro-level (planets & stars' existence: _"A lifeless lover was the high mountain, where we tried to reach the stars the moon, the ways beyond"_ ). In this macro-level, _Earth_ becomes the Artist: _tortured_ , unable to reach any other ever-fleeting celestial body in an ever-expanding universe :) 4. Stream Of Passion: "Passion" kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZOTiqKJnMmXm68 (no on-screen lyrics; lyrics in video description) Unavoidable, obvious choice for me :) From the band's name, where instead of a _stream of consciousness_ we have a _stream of passion_ , up to the piece title itself, it's crystal clear what the lyrics are about: Art as reflection of life. Here, focus is on the _passion_ required for Art to exist - but meant in its original meaning of the word: suffering. It delves into "Art, as way to overcome existence's suffering": Artist's need to create Art _is_ a suffering, but it can be portrayed in two ways. In the first one (Virgin Black) such a suffering ends when the divine inspiration arrives: a blissful moment because it is _desired_ . But here such a moment is feared because that suffering (the need to create) forces its way through the Artist: there is no bliss, but relief instead! Look this bit: _A dangerous stream of passion,_ _Flows through my heart._ _The melodies sung is secret,_ _Tearing me apart_ ↑↑ *That* ↑↑ is _passion_ ;) And of course, this doesn't belong to the Nietzschean idea of "Art as ultimate purpose/meaning of existence" ;)

[@goDoWARF]

thanks, the composing view. never even thought about that. And then there is this crazy good performance of this song?! Makes me wonder how music is judged and written into history in late 21. century.

[@eam2564]

Imaginaerum album is a truly gem

[@danefriser]

@Amari Dawn once

[@handycammusicmemories5650]

Nightwish High Hopes (Pink Floyd) tribute, please. The grass was greener

[@davidellinsworth22]

I concur

[@littleraven28]

I concur, Marko is awesome but Emppu is off the chart

[@alexandre_am]

And Jukka DID NOT have a migraine on that one!

[@heymargarita9950]

@@alexandre_am I love love love that song. And yes I did learn you can't believe anything in the comments.

[@MetalZoned]

Great recommendation!!!

[@Drinckx2]

Love the way Floor, from the first few lines to the final high note, runs across a 3-octave range without any vocal grandstanding. It’s just immaculate singing. Also, the way she acts out the lyrics (“Smiling like a clown until the show has come to the end.”) and her goddess-like stage presence throughout. One moment I also enjoy is that in the final section Emppu takes a chug of his beer and, as the beer is on the speaker cabinet, you just hear the feedback swelling as his guitar is touching the cab. He either moves away, or turns the volume down on his ESP before it starts to squeal. I love those little details in a live performance and Wacken 2013 is full of them.

[@ulfdanielsen6009]

Emppu plays ESP guitars,- possibly with EMG pickups,- to the best of my knowledge the Emg company have never manufactured a single guitar.... :)

[@Drinckx2]

@@ulfdanielsen6009 Sorry, my mistake. Of course it’s his ESP EV-1 signature. A bit of brain fog on my part.

[@digibirder]

You bring so much more than just a "reaction" to your videos Doug. Thank you.

[@geuseliohulk8661]

Normally the "G" (sol) scale is used for happy and joyful sounds. The Em scale (E minor) is used for sad and reflective sounds. So the change takes place from G to Em, from joy to sadness. It is also a reference to the movie Imaginaerum, the main character is called Gem.

[@147pablox]

I think the character is a reference to the song 🙃

[@pengy897]

I assume it's also due to being the relative minor, the same notes are used but the root is different

[@dennisweifenbach2647]

At one time this was my favorite song. But as time rolled on, I realized that that was a big error. Now they are all my favorite songs. It's amazing how one group is that great. I listen every day.

[@ralfmeyer9086]

Your Song Ann. R.I.P Mother of the Nightwish family 🌹🌹🌹 this is deeper, with the Lyrics (6min) at the end

[@TheDieke1974]

What a great reaction again .... really missed those ... thanks Doug ..hope you will do some more nightwish again . And not let us wait 150 episodes again ;p

[@nbgirl483]

Floor is awesome in the live version!!

[@marcoheinrich9518]

The change from G to e minor haunted me as well. I had a chance to ask Tuomas and Troy about it during an interview: Let's jump back. At the end of "Song of Myself" there are a number of small narratives. The last movement is "And there remains forever that change from G to E minor". What does this sentence mean to you? Holopainen (both laughing): I can't tell. Donockley: But it's a very beautiful thing. Holopainen: When it comes to art, timeless art, you have to be ambiguous. I don't want to sound pompous, but let's look at the Mona Lisa. If we could travel back in time to ask da Vinci what exactly he wanted to express with her smile - and then he gives us a very simple and obvious answer, then the special, the mysterious would be over in one fell swoop. Instead, people have been dealing with this work of art for centuries. That is what is special about art. One should never explain oneself too much as an artist. Donockley: The best way to respond to art is completely personal. Anyone who explains art only makes it smaller. Are any of you interested in what I do with the change from G major to E minor? Donockley: Definitely. Many Nightwish tracks deal with the great value of memories. Anyone experiencing something particularly beautiful would compose that moment in a triumphant key such as G major. Over time, such memories often become mixed with melancholy. Although the memory is the same, so the notes are the same, the atmosphere changes. As in the relative key of E minor. Happy is he who continues to discover the beautiful in the sad. Holpainen: That's very nice. Donockley: That's exactly what we meant earlier. The smile of the Mona Lisa. Holpainen: Thanks for telling us that. Donockley (laughs): Even if that's not what we understand behind the sentence.

[@johnekare8376]

How wonderful that you got to ask them that question and thank you for sharing the moment with us. I can totally understand Tuomas point of view. If I hear a song or see a piece of art that speaks to me on a personal level, I don't want anyone to rob me of that experience by telling me "No, that's not what it's about". Art is too personal for that; both from the point of view of the creator and the perceiver. I'm not saying that art can't be discussed and debated, that can open it up for multiple interpretations that enrich it even more, but I don't want to be handed an answer sheet. I like your interpretation of the song.

[@bloodybutunbowed291]

#pinthatbadboydoug

[@DIRK-PITT]

wonderful interview, and then the explanation of the gentlemen, Mona Lisa's smile is a great comparison or, on the contrary, an identification of art. beautiful🤘🤘❤❤🤘🤘

[@MeYou-nm5bd]

Same old dead boy’s song may be a reference to an earlier NW song, Dead Boy’s Poem (in itself definitely worth a listen).

[@athlonen]

I was going to mention something similar to this. One of the things that Tuomas likes to do is ever so subtly insert himself into some of the songs he composes. In previous songs, he's referred to himself: the Dead Boy (especially in Dead Boy's Poem), Romanticide ("dead boy's alive, but without sense, a near death experience..."), The Poet (The Poet and the Pendulum) The Beast (The Beauty of the Beast) so there are very subtle hints at himself in these songs, except for the glaringly obvious (The Poet and the Pendulum). So it's interesting to see how he portrays himself along this Nightwish journey.

[@wandapebble4992]

@@athlonen Also: Ocean Soul :)

[@572Btriode]

Tuomas says he's a man with a boy's heart and he writes from experiences and observations. So indeed anywhere we hear boy, pure heart, and the like is indeed Tuomas referring to himself; along with other pseudonyms he uses mentioned herein, there is also dreamer and writer/song writer, and all of these "codes" is Tuomas referring to himself.

[@ericsaari2901]

Song of Myself! Yesss! Here for it! Love this one. Enjoyed the reaction - thanks Doug. RIP Ann

[@randyburrill2340]

There are reactions, then there are Doug's reactions / analyses. Always enjoy these!

[@frenkwd1]

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

[@j_muller]

I always think of her with her favourite song.

[@marita2g]

Rip Ann

[@LuisRdzG10]

Respectfully, I don't know who she was...but may she RIP

[@make_m_finland]

@@j_muller same here... To Ann❤🕯

[@Green-Lyon]

Always and forever there remains the change from a world with Ann in it, to a world where I wish Ann could share all this with us again.

[@gzin33]

I know so many people want to hear Floor and I do as well. The real thing that draws me to Nightwish is the way the music makes me feel which in turn leads back to the composer and his genius way of making every song pull out some feeling in you whether it be good, bad, sad or happy. I have been a fan of this band since 1999 and am always eager to hear what he composes next. Thank you for this detailed analysis of the song. I do recommend listening to the album version at some point to get the whole experience. It is well worth the your time.

[@obud3777]

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

[@Tarkus_]

Possibly my favorite song from this legendary concert (though Ghost Love Score is hard to beat). It is just so epic, and the vocals from Floor and Marko are insane!

[@sagebooker]

My favorite one from this concert. As a not english fluent reader and speaker, I bought Whitman's poem after listening to this one ^^ Thanks a lot for your so qualitative analysis (as usual), greetings from France

[@fbittle]

Best reaction to a Nightwish track that I've seen in months, and I watch many Nightwish reactions. Excellent air drumming!

[@idyllicvem]

This is my favorite NW song. Thank you for reacting to it. I love your reaction.

[@erchl54]

yours has been, by far, the most informative and interesting analysis of one of my favorite songs by Nightwish. Thank you so very much! Your publications are really worth seeing! Keep it up! Greetings

[@paisa20]

Thanks a lot

[@eFiend]

As "dead boys poem" is so prominent in this song, you should react to that song, live from buenos aires.

[@SAVAGE09100]

Just can’t go wrong with Nightwish!!

[@littleraven28]

This is one of my all time favorite NW songs. It has everything and this version is the best, they are all killing it. 🤘🏽

[@damianvc31]

You did the whole research, your level of dedication to the music you react to is always impressive.

[@_zuri_]

I tell you, I yelled when I saw this video show up in my feed. YAYY!

[@Drinckx2]

Always enjoy your informed and erudite analysis, Doug. Great stuff on your part as well as their’s.

[@rickphil9999]

Absolutely love your reaction to this amazing song. Wonderful indeed.

[@janjager2906]

Thank you for explaining this song. I know this song for years now but I never had an in depth understanding of this song. This makes this song so much better!

[@jasonwall6999]

Wonderful analysis, Doug - this is one of my favorite songs by Nightwish. This whole Wacken concert was an amazing performance piece, but this is perhaps one song where I prefer the mix on the album. The backing orchestrations and choir work really has a lot of punch in the first part of the song on the album cut. Gives it a great groove. Thanks for running through the lyrics of the song as well - Tuomas doesn't get enough credit for his lyrical work, and he loves to put in little easter eggs. Their Imaginaerum album is probably the most musically coherent of all of their albums. Scaretale might be an interesting reaction for you - it's got a lot of stuff going on in it, from a very heavy minor groove to an open major orchestral fanfare, to a circus/calliope type of polka thing, to a lullaby. It's kind of a polarizing song for fans, as some don't "get it." It's one that might benefit from you breaking it down from a compositional perspective.

[@JaakkoTK]

Man I love Dougs drumming on this piece!

[@aaronh248]

Prob my favorite nightwish song. That whole last couple minutes is just a vibe that I love

[@kentk2215]

Great in depth analysis. Maybe my favorite performance from the Wacken show. RIP Ann Waychoff. One of the things that makes this so great lyrically, is the mystery and openness to interpretation by the listener. Obviously, an introspective self-reflection, inspired by the Whitman poem. Yet still not clear as to the specific meaning, which I think is Tuomas’s’ intent. It can, and should, mean different things to different people. An interesting side note… on of the characters from the movie is named Gem (G+em, g to e-minor). Personally, just another example of Tuomas’s artistic genius. Keep exploring Nightwish!

[@eaglepass5170]

Great analysis!!!

[@FancyPrimate]

Love your reactions! I appreciate your knowledge and musical instincts!

[@MetalZoned]

Excellent reaction Doug. So true about "our own scale"! I'm glad to see you sporting a pair of Sennheisers, great headphones. Also glad you did the live version of this song. I would recommend I Want my Tears Back and Ghost River from this album, I think you'd enjoy them.

[@anssia3123]

So nice to see you back doing some Nightwish! Thank you

[@BrindleChase]

Many great performers become labeled "Genius" ... but I think in Tuomas' case, its truly deserved. Your analysis of his lyrics is very insightful. Whether or not it aligns with Tuomas' actual intent or emotions at the time only Tuomas would know, but I think you nailed it.

[@kimmikke_]

Love to see you drumming, looks legit 😂 Great comments and opening the notes and what you see as the meaning of the song, as always. Love your reactions!

[@staropramen478]

Been awhile, and love seeing you react to one of my favorite songs.

[@len2193]

Great reaction as a composer. I love the guitar/drumming stabs and breaks in this song. All of this concert is masterpiece material.

[@johndoh5182]

Dude, I couldn't see if you've looked at a couple ELP songs that I put high on the list of great keyboard work. I know you've covered a few, but off the Trilogy album, the song Trilogy is beautiful keyboard work, and then off Brain Salad Surgery, the song Karn Evil 9 2nd Impression. WONDERFUL keyboard work. OK just looked and saw you covered the entire Karn Evil 9 piece. That must have been a chore, no deep dive for that. Trilogy.

[@MK9229-g4l]

love your reaction. Never saw you going so much with the music.

[@leftyme4568]

R.I.P Ann Waychoff

[@johannessilver8653]

Interesting analysis you did....do more ; ) The poem in the end is also great on the album version.

[@gene6690]

Thanks for such a professional analysis and reaction to this song. The Tuomas and Floor combination is just the perfect storm in the musical world

[@RuthlessBiscuit3]

Hello Doug, greetings from Toronto. The "dead boy" is Tuomas. It is referenced in other songs such as Dead Boy's Poem, (which I highly recommend.) The live performance in Buenos Aires 2019 with Floor Jansen is a must see/hear, and Last Ride Of The Day at Wacken Open Air 2013 is highly enjoyable. 😊🤘

[@deank179]

I'm sure it's been suggested already, but you should definitely check out Floor doing Phantom of the Opera with Henk Poort on Beste Zangers. It's incredible!

[@Predatorr5412]

really great reaction, and i like that you didnt stop the video, so you can feel the music and listen to you :D

[@wascawywabbit0987]

Very nice job of searching all the meanings of the song.

[@fredriknilsson6042]

I just love this song and the second half just gets me headbanging every time 😍

[@lisathewhitewolf]

The poem isn't performed - it's up on the screen behind them. The poem part from the album is definitely worth listening to, though, so go check that out too. You're the only reactor I've seen so far who had any idea what to make of the "change from G to E minor," which is in the Love section. And it sounds different not just because Tuomas is a keyboardist, but because he's a bloody perfectionist XDD

[@christophschmedes5975]

R I P ANN WAYCHOFF THE GOOD SOUL OF THE Nightwis🤘h Armee this was Her Song 🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@pahema472]

Doug, you rule. Well done. I appreciated what you said about the musician's perspective. Thanks.

[@yvonnevanwaegeningh-tiggel4577]

Thanks for returning to Nightwish. More of that please ;-) And perhaps you might want to try Avantasia's new single Misplaced Among The Angels, where Floor does some amazing vocals as well :-)

[@shogonekocosplay1416]

The last line also has a special meaning in the movie, won't give away spoilers, and def recommend! Would love to see you do a react to the movie itself.

[@Thorgrim247]

Wow Doug. Your musical knowledge and sophistication enabled you to understand the musical metaphor of that last line. I think it is brilliant. Only a musician would understand this reference. Even most musicians don't get it. You are the first reactor to catch it! Well done. Actually I am not surprised. Respect and thanks for your depth of commentary and musical understanding. Well done! 👍👍

[@amygoodson-catlady]

The extended live video is this same performance as what you chose, just with the poem tacked on rhe end. This song is important to the pathos of The Nightwish Army bc it was the favorite song of the late Mother of The Army, Ann W.. That extended video is a tribute to her. Check it out sometime. So, when a reaction to this song comes up...we all make a gesture of respect and remembrance for Ann.

[@gateret]

Best analysis ever, the last part 10/10! Transcending music…Thank you! I love the song and I LOVE THE MOVIE! One of my favourites ever

[@siddharthsubash7423]

Hello! This was a great review. What really interests me about Nightwish is the orchestration in many of their pieces. I was hoping you would talk about that more in depth. I discovered Nightwish through your channel, Doug, and I am impressed by all of their compositions and I think many of their songs would not be the same without the orchestra. My favorite piece by them, is Ghost Love Score and I love to play it on piano as a warmup before practicing. I hope you will review more Nightwish pieces soon.

[@JamesNoBrakes]

It's still a Maiden Monday. How she can take those songs and just make them her own is amazing.

[@eriksward6894]

This is one of the songs Ill miss most without Marko, their synergy here is truly epic and will never be the same.

[@kariy2187]

Well, I agree. Although new bass player is excellent but... Marco`s charisma is missing and no to mention on his voice

[@James0208]

on the album version you can hear more instruments , but yes, this is a great version too

[@fortuna7469]

Thank you Doug, I thoroughly enjoyed your analysis, also of the lyrics! The dead boy in lyrics by Tuomas.. he has told that he had a very happy childhood and misses the innocence of the boy he once was. Please react to "The Dead Boy's Poem", live performance, From Wishes to Eternity concert in 2000 with their original singer Tarja, who also had classical training. She was one of the original members of the band who contributed very much to Nightwish's music and sound.

[@kezca]

Well loved that so enjoyable Thankyou. Dont leave it so long next time

[@whisperinthewind3633]

So happy you came back to Nightwish😁 I hope you will react again sooner than last time🤣

[@paulchapman2569]

RIP Ann

[@OJB42]

Another thorough and astute analysis of a Nightwish song. Thanks!

[@hennieniceguy]

youre so right Doug total differend from other bands this is epic and thanks .

[@DIRK-PITT]

Wonderful explanation. thanks for that. gr.Jan de Zwaan❤🤘🤘👍❤❤

[@ludacrisbutler]

well I never listened to Nightwish before and my god

[@billtbodger]

This version is fantastic but definately one of those songs where you have to go and listen to the album version, the spoken part always has me in tears, it is beautifully read mainly by Troy. I think Tuomas wrote his strongest 2 albums with Anette, I think Floor sings them with more emotion but Anette sounds really good as well

[@billtbodger]

@Amari Dawn Tuomas wrote really well for Anette, I just find I am more emotionally involved when Floor sings those songs, I love the spoken parts to Song of Myself, they are beautiful, graphic honest and real, Troys parts can have me in tears

[@joecrafted]

Live, I prefer Floor's singing, but on the album, I prefer Anette for her two albums. This is my fav Nightwish album.

[@geertdelange4785]

Nice to see you again with Nightwish 👌🏻

[@geofflupton1254]

Interesting group, interesting source material. Thanks Doug!

[@dew2334]

Enjoyed the reaction Doug I rock out the same way you do except I don’t know all the technical music stuff like you do. It’s about time to do some Sabaton reactions.

[@dieseldog00]

The second half of this song is so CRUNCHY!!! And Floor is just her high-octave best at the end! You can hear her drop down to Alto or Contralto in her first phrase then up to her natural Soprano. Tuomas has been working with the London Symphony Orchestra for a long time so his natural instinct is writing Classical music and transferring to the modern rock sounds. The Peter Pan song has the LSO Children's Choir as background and Ghost Love Score has the LSO Adult Choir as background.

[@jewfish68]

Thank you for your unique and insightful commentary on this great song. I have long pondered that G to E minor lyric and what it means!

[@NickBR57]

Doug, glad you got to some Nightwish again. And my Number 2 at that! Thanks - back to comment after the video perhaps. The movie is weird (IMO) but well worth watching. The girl in the film by the way, is called Gem 😃 Lyrics are indeed important in Nigjtwish, and Dead Boy and Poet normally are a self reference to Tuomas. The description of depression is superb - "sometimes the within is piano black". I'd love to see your analysis of an early song, Devil and the Deep Dark Ocean from Buenos Aires 2018 concert...

[@martyboyatt6142]

1) You need to hear this entire studio album!! 2) I can not believe you have not reacted to any songs with original vocalist Tarja Turunen, she has an incredible voice!!!

[@elm6944]

Love this reaction and have watched it a few times! Would love to hear some new Nightwish !! Lots of cool festival vids from this summer! Like Noise from Hellfest would be so great! Love Erica Scottsdale Az

[@elvwood]

The last two tracks on Imaginaerum round out and sum up the album. This is the last song with lyrics, which reference what we've been listening to leading up to this point. Then you have the poem, tied to the film, and then an orchestral piece which is like an overture but at the end (there's probably a name for that!), revisiting musical themes. It's very satisfying IMO.

[@trailrunner919]

Great reaction & analysis as always Dr. Doug. This concert and lineup is Nightwish at their very best... IMHO!

[@kaypierce3211]

Excellent movie. Thought provoking.

[@TheSequentCalculus]

I don't want to bug you overly, especially considering I can't right now support you (or anyone) monetarily, but if you want to continue with Nightwish I think it would really be interesting to look at Oceanborn, which when it came out was often compared (by people probably unqualified to do so) with baroque music.

[@NikolayPavlov380]

What a fascinating reaction!

[@77bubba00]

Awesome movie! Very intense and dark at times. Incredible soundtrack.

[@clivematthews5296]

The curious thing about the Imaginaerum film is that large portions remind me of a dystopian version of The Snowman, an earlier 1982 animated film based on the book by Raymond Briggs and Nightwish did perform one of it's songs "Walking In The Air" during the Tarja era.

[@Eerielai]

I love this song, but the last part that isn't done live is my favorite. It's recited prose but the music composed to it is beautiful and the combination achieves such intense emotion and is quite unique.

[@TheApsodist]

This is one song that deserves the studio version imo

[@Kubrzesz]

Like the one released in 2011?

[@roycrego2449]

I believe they cleverly included the recited prose of the last section on the screen behind the band. You can see “that change from G to E minor” on the screen at the end.

[@mikaheinio1292]

Very informative reaction - pro - thank you :)

[@johnmc128]

Good one.

[@chelfyn]

Not sure if this is the right place to bring up a suggestion, but I think you would have a great time reviewing the title track from the New Coheed & Cambria album, Window of the Waking Mind. It's one of the best things they've ever done. It's long, complex, cinematic, dramatic and ripe for Helvering!

[@marcell6915]

Awesome reaction and deep dive in this song. But please don't keep us waiting that long for the next NW reaction.

[@paivijyrkinen636]

With Love from Finland!

[@German_1]

you haven't done dead boys poem in Buenos aries yet have you? it may connect to this song somehow. if you do lookup the backstory. the reason I ask is there's a verse where Floor is low again.

[@Razor2k3]

Hello Doug. I really would apreciate if you could comment on my opinion.The last quote . "And there forever remains that shift from G to E minor" i learned that usually Toumasz likes these particularly keys to play in - but the action of changing the key has or might have a deeper meaning. returning from a upper key to a lower key means writing in a calmer state with some peace of mind , but also perhaps starting again a new begining with another singer/band member/band.