Harvest is a song about death. About its inevitability for us all, but also our privilege when it comes to our choices as to what kind of life we lead. The song encourages us to life a worthwhile and productive life “water the fields surrender to the earth” “offer light to the coming day inspire a child” The extended bridge with its different melodies and instrumentation is a play on the ups and downs of a persons lifespan. “Arrive alive” is the ultimate message as we reflect on our lives nearing our inevitable death. Have we lived a fulfilling and productive life? Do we depart this earth with few regrets? I especially love the symbolism of the Video - the part where the camera angle is down low at the level of the wheat stalks with gravestones looming above us within the wheat. The wheat stalks are us, germinating and growing. The gravestones are our ultimate end whether it be early on in the “wheat” growth phase or much later when the wheat is fully grown, spent and mature.. Harvest is a deep song and much is not understood at first listen. The sinister and deep drone note that permeates the songs introduction represents the inevitable and inescapable flip side of living - death!
Wauw Eric, just keep finding these Nightwish jems, or side projects from all bandmembers, you know i think youre the best reactor to my fav band. And love the cat❤
Harvest is one of those "unique-sounding sibling" songs in Nightwish' career (I know it's sounds odd but lemme explain) For me, all (or almost all) of their songs are like siblings, born out of Tuomas' imagination, so they usually follow the same path, but there are some, like Harvest, Last of the Wilds, I Want My Tears Back, and others, that even though they have the same essence, they are like the "different" children in the family
Charlie is precious. When you talk he sits on your lap looking up at you. I'm a cat lover, and see the love is real there. Thanks again for this reaction. This isn't typical Nightwish, but I love there instrumental versions to their music, so Harvest was a pleasant surprise for me. Has a bit of that Auri feel, the trio between Tuomas, Troy and Johanna.
Troy showing off his Celtic/Folk roots. Love this track and it's final instruction while I'm driving :) In some ways it reminds me of John Barleycorn about the cycle of life, especially the one from the compilation CD made at Grampian Records in aid of the RNLI, (I used to work at Grampian Records in the 1970s)
Yes, that's Troy. Only Nightwish song(to date) that he sings lead on. If you want to see a live version (or sort of), it was played at their 2021 virtual concert (Live in a Virtual World) Antiquated listener here, perfectly understood the record references.😁
Actually he sings lead on The Carpenter (Buenos Aires Decades tour) as well. (Replacing Tuomas in the studio version. Yes Tuomas does sing!) Actually Floor sings one of the verses by herself too, so I guess he is co-lead but he sings most of it and Floor harmonises with him on the chorus.
An important aspect with composing that Tuomas doesn't has to care about anymore, the vocal lines, there are no limits anymore that he has to consinder. For example "Schoemaker", "how the f... do I sing that?", "you will find a way."
this kind of creativity that Tuomas and company compose music finnish heavy metal and give the music the sounds and colors of a symphony bells whistles flute pipes horns accents its so incredibly intellectually stimulated powerful social messages like when she says remember your name remember who you are very strong and uplifting, empowering and not just for the individual but also for the group as well
I love this song so much, and I especially love seeing people's faces when it does a 180. I also love watching them play it live, Tuomas looks like he's having so much fun on the keys.
"Arrive alive" was the catch phrase of an advert in Australia against drink driving. I'm pretty sure it was floating about when Nightwish were here on tour!
Hey again, Eric. This album (both sides) has grown on me from the first time I listened to it. Then I got to see them perform a good portion of these songs live in San Francisco on May 18th 2022 at the historic Warfield Theatre and I was blown away. I love Nightwish with Floor... every single member of the band, and especially, Tuomas, who is Nightwish. They speak to my soul. That said, I really appreciate the thoughtful perspective you bring to your reactions, and I must say.... I concur.
Thank you Eric for another great reaction. Now you have reacted to all songs on the first side of Human Nature, the Human part. I highly recommend listening to the whole CD in order on your own. Maybe for your next Nightwish reaction the second side of the album, the Nature part?
This song was a total surprise to me when the album came out. On the first hearing I would never have guessed this was to be my of my favorites of the whole Nightwish catalogue. Simple (for Nightwish) and extremely effective.
Well, this was my only pick for you. Lion King meets Jethro Tull. It was a suprise as a single for some fans, but not for me. I saw it coming. Some fans didn't like it, but as a long time JT fan l thought it was a Christmas. Troy's voice is perfect for this type of Celtic material. And the jig there with pipes, guitar and double-kick is awesome. And the harmonies are just excellent, Floor hovering above all like an Angel. And by the way, maybe the drummer, who introduced first double-kick to folk rock was Barriemore Barlow (Jethro Tull) in the early 70's. Well done, Eric! ⛄👍
Haha, "Graceland" was my first cd bought my own money 1986. There's quite lot of cat people in Nightwish fans. What do it really mean? Well, my kitten queen will turn 18 this year. It's like a lifetime. ⛄👍
Please don't ever apologize for Charlie coming in and being adorable. We love him. You are so eloquent when talking about Nightwish! I love the way you describe their music. This song is one that many Nightwish fans have rejected for multiple reasons. I love this song! I saw them in concert in 2022 and this song becomes a rocker live.
Speaking of second sides, Human :II: Nature has one too, it's called "All The Works Of Nature Which Adorn The World" and is a 30 minutes masterpiece, made up of 8 tracks, that really should be listened to in one go. By listening to this second side, you'll be able to see what Tuomas is truly capable of, and why he is called the Metal Mozart. Maybe do a reaction, if you're up for it?
I hope you never run out of Nightwish to review Eric - Wacken 2013 has ruined me! Recent interview with Kai says they won't be back together for "2 or 3 years", so 2016 and we can only hope Marko rejoins in some capacity. His mental state should be in good shape by then.
Marko will not return, his contribution to the band has diminished from year to year after the introduction of Troy and Floor, both "thinking performers", supporting Tuomas' urge for new horizons.
Marko is active in several music orientated work, and if you have watched his interviews, you know what to expect and what not ... and btw, its 2024 ;)
@@helli0n824 Right I meant to say 2026.... If you watch the ending of Tamnpere concert you as the band walks out the ramp toward the audience, you will see Marko with his arms outstretched. This would be a tremendous unmatched moment in his musical career. Eventually, if he wants to relive that moment, and all of them do... there is only one way. and that is why I think he returns eventually.
@@rolandconnor575 i can understand that, i dreamed of this too - it´s at least this one thing i could do - dreaming and thinking wishful. i am very thankful for Marko beeing in Nightwish and his work, but i think we will never ever see them together live performing. We can be sad about it, or wait for Tuomas to handle this .. he did several times and it worked out great(er than before), every Line-Up change was a significant change in Tuomas´ composing works... i am sooo fXXXing cuious and excited for the new album ;)
Like any great poetry Tuomas' lyrics in this song lend themselves to many interpretations. In case you and/or anyone else should be interested, I think that the lyrics are a message from death to mankind & Troy is in fact death personified who sings them. It contains a reminder that death inevitably waits for us all (i.e. we are death's harvest), but also advice on how to live our lives to the fullest ("Offer light to the coming day") taking care of one another, our children and our planet for generations to come ("Inspire a child", "Water the field"). For me, verse 1 is death personified telling that once we are born ("Tiny valorous straw") we will also die, but between birth and death we have time to live as death "will pause before a man whose path has just begun" a life and make something of it while approaching death ("Something unsung our way comes"). Verse 2 tells that nature teaches us that every living thing must die (The quaternary code is a structure shared by all DNA, and yes, misspelled in the lyrics) , and death is always present ("The strange peace of storm hovers over crops"), although as children, we don't realize it or worry about it ("And a child's face aglow before the scythe"). The chorus tells us that humans are no exception but all living species face the same destiny ("Join the harvest of hundred fields") in death ("All going back to one single grain"). However, we should live our lives to the fullest without fear of death ("Offer light to the coming day") & inspire the next generation to do the same ("Inspire a child") while taking care of our planet ("Water the field") before we die, i.e. "surrender to the earth". For me verse 4 is difficult to interpret, but I think that it tells us that although we could enjoy life to the fullest ("They have beauty beyond all poetry"), we tend not to do so ("But choose a silent misery"). And the more we let that happen ("The deeper their sea"), the less there is to enjoy ("The less remains"). There are also those that try to control how we live our lives ("They'll find the pretty words and tame flocks to herd"), but we can choose to resist and enjoy our lives to the fullest ("a carousal of dare") Finally "Arrive alive" means that one should live his/her life to the fullest (i.e. be alive) before it's time to die (i.e. arrive to life's destination in death). P.S. It could also be that the 5 crosses that one sees in the lyrics video refer to the five stages of man's life: conception, birth, life, death & decomposition. Others have also interpreted them as the other five members of Nightwish among whom Troy walks in the video, although why would just Troy be alive & the others dead? P.S.S. It also helps to know that in one interview Tuomas told that this song is "Nightwish smiling at death". P.S.S.S. As a big cat person, I absolutely love your cat Charlie.
One of the 4 that i heard that i thought " This is a hit" Noise, Harvest , tribal and shoemaker. Harvest to me is about life and death and how we all die and leave the world to the next generations..... Love the Cake CD. fashion Nugget i believe. Im from the same hometown and i remember when they released their first album locally. It was a big hit and was so cool seeing them get picked up by a big label. Deftones Papa Roach and Tesla are from my city. Sacramento. I believe the first Cake album was recorded at Teslas Brian Wheats studio if my memory serves me.
I know you like listening eyes closed to facilitate “seeing colors”. That being said, Nightwish lyric videos frequently include visuals that are informative of the song’s meaning. This one is a prime example.
OK, I'm giving you extra credit points for the coffee mug. As for this track, it is amazingly well done on the live Virtual Show DVD. Nightwish is always better live. Who else does that? Thanks again for helping to bring the magic of Tuomas Holopainen's band to the USA. I've read many online comments from Europeans opining that America will never embrace the music of Nightwish. Apparently, we're not sophisticated enough to comprehend the greatness of the different sounds, the lyrics, and the songs being more than 3.5 minutes long. Hmmm.....
nevermind Nightwish, but that CAT 😇awesome and a different note you said about their grow. you're spot on, but try tell it that to all those who would see this band rehashing ideas from 2004 - 2005 and still cry after Taria 17 year later. Love your comments, btw
A subscriber sent it to me in a gift package. The backdrop is from a meet and greet where the photo on the far right was signed. They sent me 2 large boxes of Nightwish swag. Cheers, Eric
![[REACTION!] Old Rock Radio DJ REACTS to NIGHTWISH ft. "The Greatest Show on Earth" (Live)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/E1OJi4FuY5w/mqdefault.jpg)
![[REACTION!] Old Rock Radio DJ REACTS to NIGHTWISH ft. "The Greatest Show on Earth" (Live)](/img/tr.png)
Harvest is a song about death. About its inevitability for us all, but also our privilege when it comes to our choices as to what kind of life we lead. The song encourages us to life a worthwhile and productive life “water the fields surrender to the earth” “offer light to the coming day inspire a child”
The extended bridge with its different melodies and instrumentation is a play on the ups and downs of a persons lifespan. “Arrive alive” is the ultimate message as we reflect on our lives nearing our inevitable death. Have we lived a fulfilling and productive life? Do we depart this earth with few regrets?
I especially love the symbolism of the Video - the part where the camera angle is down low at the level of the wheat stalks with gravestones looming above us within the wheat. The wheat stalks are us, germinating and growing. The gravestones are our ultimate end whether it be early on in the “wheat” growth phase or much later when the wheat is fully grown, spent and mature..
Harvest is a deep song and much is not understood at first listen. The sinister and deep drone note that permeates the songs introduction represents the inevitable and inescapable flip side of living - death!
Wauw Eric, just keep finding these Nightwish jems, or side projects from all bandmembers, you know i think youre the best reactor to my fav band. And love the cat❤
I concur 100%
I concur!
4 years old, yet still sounds fresh and new. Hi, Charlie! 🐈
Harvest is one of those "unique-sounding sibling" songs in Nightwish' career (I know it's sounds odd but lemme explain)
For me, all (or almost all) of their songs are like siblings, born out of Tuomas' imagination, so they usually follow the same path, but there are some, like Harvest, Last of the Wilds, I Want My Tears Back, and others, that even though they have the same essence, they are like the "different" children in the family
Nightwish: the gift that keeps on giving
Charlie is precious. When you talk he sits on your lap looking up at you. I'm a cat lover, and see the love is real there. Thanks again for this reaction. This isn't typical Nightwish, but I love there instrumental versions to their music, so Harvest was a pleasant surprise for me. Has a bit of that Auri feel, the trio between Tuomas, Troy and Johanna.
Troy showing off his Celtic/Folk roots. Love this track and it's final instruction while I'm driving :)
In some ways it reminds me of John Barleycorn about the cycle of life, especially the one from the compilation CD made at Grampian Records in aid of the RNLI, (I used to work at Grampian Records in the 1970s)
Yes, that's Troy. Only Nightwish song(to date) that he sings lead on. If you want to see a live version (or sort of), it was played at their 2021 virtual concert (Live in a Virtual World)
Antiquated listener here, perfectly understood the record references.😁
Actually he sings lead on The Carpenter (Buenos Aires Decades tour) as well. (Replacing Tuomas in the studio version. Yes Tuomas does sing!) Actually Floor sings one of the verses by herself too, so I guess he is co-lead but he sings most of it and Floor harmonises with him on the chorus.
An important aspect with composing that Tuomas doesn't has to care about anymore, the vocal lines, there are no limits anymore that he has to consinder.
For example "Schoemaker", "how the f... do I sing that?", "you will find a way."
this kind of creativity that Tuomas and company compose music finnish heavy metal and give the music the sounds and colors of a symphony bells whistles flute pipes horns accents its so incredibly intellectually stimulated powerful social messages like when she says remember your name remember who you are very strong and uplifting, empowering and not just for the individual but also for the group as well
I love this song so much, and I especially love seeing people's faces when it does a 180. I also love watching them play it live, Tuomas looks like he's having so much fun on the keys.
"Arrive alive" was the catch phrase of an advert in Australia against drink driving. I'm pretty sure it was floating about when Nightwish were here on tour!
Hey again, Eric. This album (both sides) has grown on me from the first time I listened to it. Then I got to see them perform a good portion of these songs live in San Francisco on May 18th 2022 at the historic Warfield Theatre and I was blown away. I love Nightwish with Floor... every single member of the band, and especially, Tuomas, who is Nightwish. They speak to my soul. That said, I really appreciate the thoughtful perspective you bring to your reactions, and I must say.... I concur.
Even Charlie knows a good song 😸
Arrive alive😍 Live life to the max before you go! I love this song so much.
You opened your eyes at the message of this song: " Arrive Alive!"
Thank you Eric for another great reaction. Now you have reacted to all songs on the first side of Human Nature, the Human part. I highly recommend listening to the whole CD in order on your own.
Maybe for your next Nightwish reaction the second side of the album, the Nature part?
This song was a total surprise to me when the album came out. On the first hearing I would never have guessed this was to be my of my favorites of the whole Nightwish catalogue. Simple (for Nightwish) and extremely effective.
Thanks for the reaction, and you all, let’s throw some love to Nightwish by buying / streaming their music.
Well, this was my only pick for you. Lion King meets Jethro Tull. It was a suprise as a single for some fans, but not for me. I saw it coming. Some fans didn't like it, but as a long time JT fan l thought it was a Christmas.
Troy's voice is perfect for this type of Celtic material. And the jig there with pipes, guitar and double-kick is awesome. And the harmonies are just excellent, Floor hovering above all like an Angel.
And by the way, maybe the drummer, who introduced first double-kick to folk rock was Barriemore Barlow (Jethro Tull) in the early 70's.
Well done, Eric! ⛄👍
Haha, "Graceland" was my first cd bought my own money 1986. There's quite lot of cat people in Nightwish fans. What do it really mean? Well, my kitten queen will turn 18 this year. It's like a lifetime. ⛄👍
Please don't ever apologize for Charlie coming in and being adorable. We love him.
You are so eloquent when talking about Nightwish! I love the way you describe their music. This song is one that many Nightwish fans have rejected for multiple reasons. I love this song! I saw them in concert in 2022 and this song becomes a rocker live.
Absolutely beautiful in every way, even the visuals.
Speaking of second sides, Human :II: Nature has one too, it's called "All The Works Of Nature Which Adorn The World" and is a 30 minutes masterpiece, made up of 8 tracks, that really should be listened to in one go. By listening to this second side, you'll be able to see what Tuomas is truly capable of, and why he is called the Metal Mozart. Maybe do a reaction, if you're up for it?
I concur!
@@lindahedenljung5094 Hedenljung sounds swedish... har jag rätt?
@@Pascal-the-Rascal helt rätt!
@@lindahedenljung5094 Kul! 😁 Hoppas du har en bra kväll. Själv sitter man här och letar reaction videos på favoritbanden igen, som vanligt.
@@Pascal-the-Rascal Ha en fin kväll du med! Jag är såld på Nightwish och alltid lika roligt se andra reagera på deras låtar.
Harvest is one of my favorite songs on this album! I am glad that Toumas gave Troy a lead on the LP!
You have a naughty tuxedo just like ours. His MO is "getting into stuff". He's a hooligan. Lol
Hi Eric, Hi Charlie!
Another good one Eric. I wonder if you will get to disc 2?
This one is also great live, by the way...
Hello, great reaction, you have a beautiful mug, best regards
Always very nice to see you again on the Nightwish train with reactions. You are one of the best.
That instrumental break goes right hard back to their first album for style. That's what they were. And it was very welcome.
I hope you never run out of Nightwish to review Eric - Wacken 2013 has ruined me! Recent interview with Kai says they won't be back together for "2 or 3 years", so 2016 and we can only hope Marko rejoins in some capacity. His mental state should be in good shape by then.
Marko will not return, his contribution to the band has diminished from year to year after the introduction of Troy and Floor, both "thinking performers", supporting Tuomas' urge for new horizons.
Marko is active in several music orientated work, and if you have watched his interviews, you know what to expect and what not ... and btw, its 2024 ;)
@@helli0n824 Right I meant to say 2026.... If you watch the ending of Tamnpere concert you as the band walks out the ramp toward the audience, you will see Marko with his arms outstretched. This would be a tremendous unmatched moment in his musical career. Eventually, if he wants to relive that moment, and all of them do... there is only one way. and that is why I think he returns eventually.
@@rolandconnor575 i can understand that, i dreamed of this too - it´s at least this one thing i could do - dreaming and thinking wishful.
i am very thankful for Marko beeing in Nightwish and his work, but i think we will never ever see them together live performing. We can be sad about it, or wait for Tuomas to handle this .. he did several times and it worked out great(er than before), every Line-Up change was a significant change in Tuomas´ composing works... i am sooo fXXXing cuious and excited for the new album ;)
never thought Marko would perform on tour with Tarja again but now he is
Kitty! 😺🤗
This song just always reminds me of the Lion King😅
Thanks Eric!
Nice to see how Nightwish makes You smile❤️
The stink face when pipes come in... Me, every time
Charlie is a great star with integrity. Thank you. Cheers from a finn in Sweden.
Nightwish make u dream even though your awake 😊
I hope each week to get you on NW. Thanks.
Like any great poetry Tuomas' lyrics in this song lend themselves to many interpretations. In case you and/or anyone else should be interested, I think that the lyrics are a message from death to mankind & Troy is in fact death personified who sings them. It contains a reminder that death inevitably waits for us all (i.e. we are death's harvest), but also advice on how to live our lives to the fullest ("Offer light to the coming day") taking care of one another, our children and our planet for generations to come ("Inspire a child", "Water the field").
For me, verse 1 is death personified telling that once we are born ("Tiny valorous straw") we will also die, but between birth and death we have time to live as death "will pause before a man
whose path has just begun" a life and make something of it while approaching death ("Something unsung our way comes").
Verse 2 tells that nature teaches us that every living thing must die (The quaternary code is a structure shared by all DNA, and yes, misspelled in the lyrics) , and death is always present ("The strange peace of storm hovers over crops"), although as children, we don't realize it or worry about it ("And a child's face aglow before the scythe").
The chorus tells us that humans are no exception but all living species face the same destiny ("Join the harvest of hundred fields") in death ("All going back to one single grain"). However, we should live our lives to the fullest without fear of death ("Offer light to the coming day") & inspire the next generation to do the same ("Inspire a child") while taking care of our planet ("Water the field") before we die, i.e. "surrender to the earth".
For me verse 4 is difficult to interpret, but I think that it tells us that although we could enjoy life to the fullest ("They have beauty beyond all poetry"), we tend not to do so ("But choose a silent misery"). And the more we let that happen ("The deeper their sea"), the less there is to enjoy ("The less remains"). There are also those that try to control how we live our lives ("They'll find the pretty words and tame flocks to herd"), but we can choose to resist and enjoy our lives to the fullest ("a carousal of dare")
Finally "Arrive alive" means that one should live his/her life to the fullest (i.e. be alive) before it's time to die (i.e. arrive to life's destination in death).
P.S. It could also be that the 5 crosses that one sees in the lyrics video refer to the five stages of man's life: conception, birth, life, death & decomposition.
Others have also interpreted them as the other five members of Nightwish among whom Troy walks in the video, although why would just Troy be alive & the others dead?
P.S.S. It also helps to know that in one interview Tuomas told that this song is "Nightwish smiling at death".
P.S.S.S. As a big cat person, I absolutely love your cat Charlie.
One of the 4 that i heard that i thought " This is a hit" Noise, Harvest , tribal and shoemaker. Harvest to me is about life and death and how we all die and leave the world to the next generations..... Love the Cake CD. fashion Nugget i believe. Im from the same hometown and i remember when they released their first album locally. It was a big hit and was so cool seeing them get picked up by a big label. Deftones Papa Roach and Tesla are from my city. Sacramento. I believe the first Cake album was recorded at Teslas Brian Wheats studio if my memory serves me.
I know you like listening eyes closed to facilitate “seeing colors”. That being said, Nightwish lyric videos frequently include visuals that are informative of the song’s meaning. This one is a prime example.
Lovely
🤗🍒🤘🏻Yes Eric that was Troy
OK, I'm giving you extra credit points for the coffee mug. As for this track, it is amazingly well done on the live Virtual Show DVD. Nightwish is always better live. Who else does that? Thanks again for helping to bring the magic of Tuomas Holopainen's band to the USA. I've read many online comments from Europeans opining that America will never embrace the music of Nightwish. Apparently, we're not sophisticated enough to comprehend the greatness of the different sounds, the lyrics, and the songs being more than 3.5 minutes long. Hmmm.....
To me, this is Nightwish meets Disney.
When I originally heard it and for a long while, I thought they were saying "alive alive"
nevermind Nightwish, but that CAT 😇awesome and a different note you said about their grow. you're spot on, but try tell it that to all those who would see this band rehashing ideas from 2004 - 2005 and still cry after Taria 17 year later. Love your comments, btw
Great againe eric .: 🤘🤘🤘
Where did you get the mug?
A subscriber sent it to me in a gift package. The backdrop is from a meet and greet where the photo on the far right was signed. They sent me 2 large boxes of Nightwish swag.
Cheers,
Eric
❤❤❤
🖤🤘🔥
Camera seems to have lost focus.
🤘🇫🇮👍😎👋
Eric, did you base your outfit on your cat? Or did you just blatantly copied his black and white?
Eric Nightwish Sleepwalker LIVE. ( for the eurovision) by Tarja.