I heard this song live, not in Buenos but in Prague and it made me cry hard, I mean this song is sad and all this but her voice ... One of million, really ! Also when I was at my first Nightwish concert noone wanted to go with me, so I went alone. I was 19, standing like 30 meters before the stage and I was so nervous around all these metal heads :D But when they started playing, it quickly gone off and in middle of that show something happened. I was like WTF is happening right now. There is one song that I completely LOVE, it is from their album Dark passion play and it is called The poet and the pendulum. And guess what, they played it ..... When I was checking their tour setlists it was kinda rare to play this song but on that evening they did, I was there alone and when they started playing it I felt like it was for me. From then there was just me and them, me and her .... Give this song a try becouse it also truly shows what Floor Jansen can do with her voice. I will never forget this special evening and I will always be proud of me for going there alone !! Stay metal ! :D
If you want to hear Floor at the extreme of her abilities, check out the song Shoemaker from the Deichbrand Festival. It’s from the most recent album and tour and she claimed in a launch interview that it was such a challenge for her that she didn’t think it would ever be performed live. Naturally Tuomas immediately added it to the set list 🤣 Sadly it’s a post-Marko show, but look out for Jukka Koskinen (Jukkis) as the new bassist. Very laid back, very smooth sound. Song starts at 51:20 here: ua-cam.com/video/fHaBDZYOP0I/v-deo.htmlsi=w0dBRqMyF8hkooW1&t=3080
Yes,and to really get the scope what/who Floor is all about; Beste zangers,After forever,Revamp, Northward,Floor solo............ Well,just a very versatile repertoire.🤘😉
Background things Swan on the screen: In Finnish mythology and folklore, the swan was the divine messenger between the living and the dead. Tuonelan Joutsen (Swan of Tuonela) carries the dead to afterlife. Tuomas composed this when he was 22 years old. This from their book, timeline year 2000: ------------------------ Besides the choir, the album featured some other guest artists, Ike Vil of Babylon Whores contributed some deranged self-inspection for 'The Kinslayer', and 'Dead Boy's Poem' featured a child's voice. "I had an idea of a song with a young boy reciting a poem", Tuomas says. "The trouble was that no Finnish 12-year-old could pronounce English so that it sounded right, so I had to find a native speaker to do it. My mother's sister, actress Miitta Sorvali, knew (the English-Finnish director and writer) Neil Hardwick well, and my mom remembered that Neil had a son called Sam. I called him and asked him to do the poem, and Sam agreed right away. It was just funny that when I talked to this 15-year-old boy, he seemed like such a citizen of the world and was actually familiar with our band, too. Sam said he'd be free to record the poem anytime; I'd just have to give him a call. He even knew where Finnvox was and promised to meet us there." The professionalism of young Sam Hardwick made a deep impression on Tuomas. "When he arrived at the studio, I had to ask him to wait for ten minutes or so, and he just pulled a book from his pocket and sat down to read", Tuomas says. "I gave him the poem, and he read it through a few times. We did some editing, and Sam just sat down on the studio floor and read his book, after which I asked him to read the poem a couple of more times." "When I started talking about his reward, he wouldn't hear anything about it. He just said "It's okay, it was fun". I insisted on giving him at least a couple of hundred marks, and then he left. A very puzzling young man, but a real pro and a very nice person. He later did the beginning of 'Bless the Child', too, and once again, everything worked like a charm. 'Dead Boy's Poem' continues to be a sort of a signature song for Nightwish, and after 'Wishmaster' came out, the song was voted on our web site as the best Nightwish song ever. There's certainly something about it that defines us, and - for me at least - the poem is the absolute high point of the song. So Sam Hardwick made a big contribution to our music." For Tuomas, 'Dead Boys Poem' is a deeply personal song. "The idea for that song came to me when I was thinking that if I die tomorrow, what kind of a message do I want to leave behind", Tuomas explains. "That song is all about apologizing, about saying thank you to those who deserve it - and likewise telling those who deserve it to fu*k off. It's kind of a testament. I had to make a song like that, just in case I happened to die tomorrow. A Finnish man rarely thanks anyone, or says he's sorry, but for me at least, it was possible through music." "I still live at my mom and dad's, who are the best people in the world, but I've never been able to tell them what I think about them", Tuomas confesses. "Maybe if they listen to the song and read the lyrics, they'll understand that it's partly about them, too. It's also about my best friends and Nightwish, the band that has come to be a significant - if not the most significant - part of myself in the course of years. My band mates are really important to me, but it's hard for me as a Finnish man to show my feelings. I'd rather write a song like 'Dead Boy's Poem' and ask them to listen to the words, because I just can't say it out loud. It's such a personal song, and I think it has the best lyrics I've ever been able to write. Musically, it's really good, too, definetely the best song on 'Wishmaster' - maybe the best Nightwish song ever." It had not gone unnoticed by Tarja (1st lead singer) that Tuomas expressed his feelings through music. "The melodic power of music - and the fact that music can be beautiful even at its heaviest - has always meant an awful lot to Tuomas", Tarja says. "He's able to show all his feelings in his music. I think Tuomas is very brave, because not many people can do the same. He may not look like a macho man, but when it comes to music, It's all or nothing for him."
It is, as Tuomas has said, his self-written epitaph and obituary. This is what Tuomas said about this song: "This is the most personal song I’ve ever written. My testimony for the whole world. With this song I want to apologise everyone who deserves my apology. It also makes an “I don’t care” -statement to them who deserve it. The song is also about what Nightwish means and has meant to me. It’s all, without it I’m dead. I have created it and it has created me. When I pass away, this song’s lyrics are of what I wish to be remembered. An Ocean Soul". It might help you to know Tuomas uses several pseudonyms to refer to himself in various Nightwish songs which he writes from experiences or imagination, he says he is a man with a boy's heart and you will see that directly in places, here for instance, or elsewhere as "one with a pure heart", a line Floor sings in a high head voice as you might hear from an excited small boy. Of course, you hear the narration spoken by a young boy. . . . . . . Tuomas commonly uses boy as a pseudonym, he will also use poet, dreamer, writer/song writer or ocean soul - Tuomas has an affinity for the ocean, he was studying to be a marine biologist. Whenever these names appear, it is Tuomas speaking of himself. This song is his self-written obituary/epitaph, he is the dead boy and appears in the back drop imploring the swans, which in Finnish traditions, carry you off to the afterlife. There's two Shakespeare quotes in this song almost verbatim from Sonnet 71 and 72, Sonnet 71 starts, "No longer mourn for me when I am dead" and Tuomas used the line " Nay, if you read this line, remember not the hand that writ it"; and Sonnet 72, "And live no more to shame nor me nor you." Read by a young boy narrator of course. . . . . . . . . . The only time too you will see a very serious Emppu, not his usual joking and happy self; he knows exactly what this song means. Does it all make sense now ?
Folks often make the 'bad ass" warrior queen type analogy...thing is, with Floor, it'd be an army for good. Not death and destruction, but tolerance and understanding with love and empathy and respect for the natural world. I luvs our Floor I do
It would indeed. Another reactor refers to her as “Dark Galadriel” - and when I first heard him say that was reminded of this from LoTR: “…in place of a dark lord, you would have a queen. Not dark, but beautiful and terrible as the dawn! Treacherous as the sea, stronger than the foundations of the Earth! All shall love me, and despair!”
This Buenos Aires concert is underrated in my opinion. Several more great songs to check out, including Devil and the Deep Dark Ocean, Slaying the Dreamer, Come Cover Me, Gethsemane and Sacrament of Wilderness. Appreciate your reactions to NW!
Thank you!! This is such a beautiful song. And you know, that it's serious when Emppu is not smiling when he is playing his solo. This song is my favourite song from the Wishmaster album (you can see the album cover on the backround). It came out in 2000, so it's quite old but the song has never lost it's beauty nor it's meaning. And it was also written for a different singer and 13 years before Floor joined the band, yet she has gotten so into it. She is a masterful storyteller. Tuomas is a masterful writer of the stories. He writes beautiful lyrics for someone else to sing.
Every Nightwish song was my favorite or one my favorite upon first time hearing. Depending on my mood rewatching/listening the song I choose at the moment is my favorite Nightwish song. While Floor is my favorite singer of Nightwish the other two previous singers brought to Nightwish unique vocals and inspiration to Tuomas. So each era of Nightwish is is precious. Most of not all miss Marco especially us male vocal which blended so well with Floor. Doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate Jukka the Base guitars as a musician and band members. So each era holds something precious for me as each band member brings something brilliant and amazing to the sound.
There is still a lot for you to unpack when it comes to Nightwish and Floor's talent. Every song you discover will be your favorite for that moment. lol. That happened to so many people who react to Nightwish. Every song they react to: This is my new favorite! lol. Maybe you could try out a song from their new(est) album. 'Shoemaker' is a good one. The last part of that song will blow your mind!
Nightwish Army south Brittany France reporting. My favourite Nightwish song, Emppu's solo always chokes me. Sam Hardwick was eleven years old when recited the poetry sections of the song.
This might be my favorite Floor performance, if not for "Devil and the Deep Dark Ocean" from the same concert. Just absolutely incredible. Obviously, the rest of the band is also elite, but Floor stands out in this one.
Such a beautiful song, for sure one of my favourites, not just of Nightwish, but in general! You should check out their song Higher Than Hope as well - another sad and beautiful song, written by Tuomas to one of his friends who died of cancer, and who also features on the track with spoken words, it's very moving.
Thank's for this reaction. Tuomas writing shines again as always. The power of Nightwish shines thru. And Floor is out of this world. Makes me proud to be a finn. Cheers.
Great reaction. Marko's guitar here, known as The Beast" is a Warwick bass on top and a Framus guitar on the bottom (Warwick and Framus are owned by the same German company). He is using piezo pickups which allows an electric guitar to sound like an acoustic guitar. Tro is playing an Irish Bouzouk. Dead Boy's Poem is one of my top 5 Nightwish songs. One of the more personal songs for Tuomas and the fans. An old song written by Tuomas when he was young. Inspired by the question, what would you say if you knew you were going to die tomorrow. Tuomas has said this song was a way of thanking all those who deserve his thanks and a piss off to all those who deserve it as well. Tuomas often uses the dead boy as a symbol of the loss of childhood innocence and imagination that we experience as we grow into adulthood. When you hear dead boy or poet in his lyrics he is usually referring to himself. He also has a strong connection to the ocean and sees it as a place of peace and tranquility. A refuge from the modern world. So in this song Tuomas is saying that he no longer lives for himself or his friends but only for the music. He puts all his feelings into the music and his music is what gives his life meaning. He tries to make his life better but can never get back to the innocence of his youth. He wants to be loved but can't connect with people. He asks that they remember his music, not him, after he is gone. Thus a lonely soul, an ocean soul. Note that on the video wall behind the band the boy is holding up his arms to several swans. In Finnish mythology swans are the creatures that guide your soul to the afterlife.
Subscribing specifically for all the upcoming Nightwish reactions!! It's so much fun to see your love of this beautiful band! Tuomas (keyboards) is the composer, almost exclusively.
One of my very favorites. Inspired by the question, “if you knew you were going to die tomorrow, what would you have to say today?” Tuomas answers in in his persona of an innocent, misunderstood boy. My favorite Emppu solo too. Floor is fantastic here. - Nightwish Army North Texas.
I love Nightwish, have been a fan for most of my life at this point through ach of the lead singers and I really believe that they each are fantastic and bring something wonderful to the group. Some of my favorites that you haven't listened to are Nemo, Amaranth, The Islander, While Your Lips Are Still Red, The Beauty and the Beast, The Carpenter, 7 Days to the Wolves (inspired by Stephen King's Wolves of the Calla), The Poet and the Pendulum (really anything from Once, Dark Passion Play, or Angel's Fall First). I'm far more familiar with Tarja and Anette (even though Floor is the only one I've seen in concert) so that is why my favorites are mostly those, but I do love Floor's voice.
That is the " Boy's Poem" on the backing track. One of my favorites as well. This is a very emotional and personal song for Tuomas. The small child's voice represents Tuomas inner child speaking. When asked what this song was about "Tuomas has said about this song, that it's about if he were to die tomorrow, what would he want to say to everyone that he loves, and that love him..." Notice the small boy on the screen reaching out to the flying swans on the screen. He is reaching out to implore them to take him with to the other side. In archaeological excavations done in Karelia, a child was found and its body was laying upon a wing of a swan. In Finnish mythology and folklore, the swan was the divine messenger between the living and the dead. When a swan dropped its head below the surface, people of old times believed that it was communicating to the spirit world. Killing swans was a terrible crime because it was as bad as murdering a human. Punishments for killing swans were severe, the usual penalty was death. Swan song often symbolizes an artist´s last performance but for a long time all across the world all the way to the 17th century it was believed that swans only sang when they died. A beautiful song filled with sadness from an unfulfilled destiny. Here are the spoken words from Dead Boy's Poem. "If you read this line Remember not the hand that wrote it Remember only the verse Songmaker's cry, the one without tears For I've given this its strength And it has become my only strength Comforting home, mother's lap, chance for immortality Where being wanted became a thrill I never knew The sweet piano writing down my life" "Teach me passion, for I fear it's gone Show me love, hold the lorn So much more I wanted to give to the ones who love me I'm sorry Time will tell, this bitter farewell I live no more to shame, nor me, nor you And you I wish I didn't feel for you anymore" A lonely soul An ocean soul
Marko is playing a double neck guitar, top is a bass, bottom is a guitar which is used without distortion so it sounds acoustic and I believe it has steel strings hence more metallic sound Anyway, the performance of Floor in this track is unbelievable, how she plays with the dynamics, it is her best quality IMO The original album version is sung by Tarja, it's also worth listening even in your own time since the approach is different (and equally amazing)
The thing that always blows my mind about this concert, is that Floor was sick as a dog the entire time... you can sort of hear it towards the end of GLS (after 2 hours of belting) where she's a lot more subtle at the end of the song...
Wacken 2013 may have less video and sound quality, but number one in atmosphere… A underrated song from that venue but with a lot of atmosphere: God Bless the Child. And keyboardist Tuomas showing he can windmill as Floor😮
Floor leads the Nightwish Army, we do her bidding. Tuomas has said that this is his most personal song. I love the older and newer songs and performances equally - it's Nightwish, thats all that matters 🤘🤘🤘
This is one of my favorite songs. And as always beautiful and full of empathy sung by Floor. Chills every time. And as Christmas is nearing.....Every year in Finland they have Heavy Christmas Metal concerts (Raskasta Joulua) and Floor participated several times. Would you like to see Floor singing in Finnish? If so, please react to Floor Jansen Raskasta Joulua "Oi Jouluyö" (Oh Holy Night). At that time she was 6 months pregnant of her first daughter. Enjoy!
Dead Boys Poem is one of my top 6 most epic NW songs. So IMO still missing - two of the trinity songs (you did GLS) "Poet and teh Pendulum" Wembley live, "Greatest Show on Earth" Tamperer live, then "Shoemaker" Hellfest 2022 live and "Seven Days to the Wolves" Wembley live. After these song you see why she is the goddess valkyrie 🙂🙂🙂
I too am relatively new to nightwish; been watching nothing but videos and reactions for about a month. Given her relative newness to the band at Wacken (10 mths since joining), and other band member changes between, I think the wembley and Buenos Aires shows provide an insight into their performances maturing together and becoming even more impressive if that seems possible. I love love love this particular song.
Marco is playing his Warwick Bass he calls "The Beast" the pedal hanging off the back of the bass makes his six string guitar sound like an acoustic!!!
Tuomas wrote this song when he was 22-ish, just after the band popularity exploded. Tuomas got exactly what he wished for, but he wasn't really prepared for the effects. All of a sudden he had to grow up real fast. The boy-Tuomas is now no longer exists (dead boy). He felt huge pressure to be the pivotal point of the huge enterprise and to write new songs even better than the last. Also how was he to find true love, now that people have assigned this god-like status to him? But of course these are things Tuomas cannot complain about, because he got exactly what he wished for.
one of my favorites (of many favorites) from Tuomas. - and with Floor and Emppu especially. Marko did a great job. legendary solo by emppu. And Kai and Troy as well. What can i say about them?
What you have to understand is anything written before Human Nature was written for other singers. The album Human Nature was the first time Toumas knew he had the perfect vocalist for his music. Tribal, Shoemaker, and How is the Heart challenge Floor's vocal range and singing skills to the limits. There is one you need to check out How's The Heart, Planet Rock acoustic video.
My no 4 joint with Devil and the Deep Dark Ocean from the same (my favourite) show. The drumming is insane. Not a standout in the album performance Floor and Marco bring it to a different league here Some background for you: "Dead Boy's Poem' featured a child's voice. "I had an idea of a song with a young boy boy reciting reciting a poem", Tuomas says. "The trouble was that no Finnish so I had to find a 12-year-old could pronounce English so that it sounded right, so I had to find a native speaker to do it. My mother's Sister, actress Miitta Sorvali, knew [the English-Finnish director and writer] Neil Hardwick well, and my mum remembered that Neil had a son called Sam. I called him and asked him to do the poem, and Sam agreed right away. It was just funny that when I talked to this 15-year-old boy he seemed like such a citizen of the worldand was actually familiar with our band too. Sam said he'd be free to record the poem anytime; I'd just have to give him a call. He even knew where Finnvox was and promised to meet us there. The professionalism of young Sam Hardwick made a deep impression on Tuomas. "When he arrived at the studio, had to ask him to wait for ten minutes or so and he just pulled a book from his pocket and sat down to read". Tuomas says, " I gave him the poem, and he read it through a few times. We did some editing and Sam just sat down on the studio floor and read his book, after which I asked him to read the poem a couple of more times." Dad? The only song I know in which Emppu never smiles. I don't recall if you have done Sleeping Sun from Masters of Rock 2016. As to demonstrating what Floor can do, wait till you get to my No 1 - The Poet and the Pendulum from Wembley 2015...
Dude, you have yet to see/hear what Floor is capable of believe it or not, like : Nightwish - How's The Heart Acoustic (Planet Rock acoustic session)Live 2020(one take,no edits) Alone - Heart (cover by Floor Jansen)2020 Floor Jansen & Henk Poort - Phantom Of The Opera | Beste Zangers 2019 Floor Jansen sings Shallow for Emma Heesters Beste Zangers 2019 *with subtittles version : SOMETHING SPECIAL : Even with a fan made phone recording it is MIND BLOWING,good quality, just imagine if it was professionally recorded : ReVamp...21-02-2014...Effenaar Eindhoven( Misery No Crime)
A fact of life with Nightwish: One's favorite NW song is always whichever one you just listened to. OK, slight exaggeration, but it gets across the point! :)
One of their older songs I`m so glad it was included in the setlist . Although Tarja is the original vocalist Floor really is a much better singer. Can I recommend a book ``Nightwish every album every song`` by Simon McMurdo. It delves deep into the band and the genius of Toumas`s songwriting
if you had paid attention to Gabriels comments would know, if you have watched ghoast love score. they use london symphoney, and 2 choirs. doing good keep it up. thanks from Colorado.
Floor is great. But the greatest is Tuomas. He is the true voice of Nightwish. Take this song for example. It's all Tuomas. What he wants to be remembered for.
Yeah, those lines "Walk within my poetry, this dying music. My love letter to nobody" are some of my favourites in rock music. Floor does this song well, but IMHO Tarja's version is better.
First of all, before the criticism comes, it was a great reaction. Real. But could you please keep your hands off the mouse and use the keyboard? You wiggle your mouse cursor back and forth, the screen constantly switching from full screen to options menu. This is annoying if you don't actually intend to press pause and the volume should be set correctly from the beginning, i.e. loud. 😉 So reaction was nice, the technical less so.
If you want to explore Floor As an Artist without Nightwish, then following songs will quite well give the understand of her very versatile singing and voice technologies: - Floor Jansen - Puccini: O mio babbino caro - Operetti, Classical Singing) - ua-cam.com/video/UeTyAZtV5wI/v-deo.html - Floor Jansen & Henk Poort - Phantom Of The Opera | Beste Zangers 2019 - ua-cam.com/video/plCScjvDOJM/v-deo.html - Floor Jansen - Shallow | Beste Zangers 2019 - cover of Lady Gaga’s song, extremely better version - ua-cam.com/video/M68pe4a_9zk/v-deo.html - Adagio - cover of Lara Fabian original song (2021, cover by Floor Jansen) - ua-cam.com/video/KZRHLLM6AU4/v-deo.html - Nightwish - How's The Heart Acoustic (Planet Rock acoustic session, only her voice and guitar, not the whole band) - ua-cam.com/video/yYtkPpFYzOo/v-deo.html - Floor Jansen - Storm (Official Music Video, Floors own music from her released own Album on 2023, it’s second solo single release)(Floors style, something between pop to rock and anything between - ua-cam.com/video/aGqJksbbUoY/v-deo.html - Alone - Heart (cover by Floor Jansen) - ua-cam.com/video/1fu-yP6q6Gk/v-deo.htmlsi=_1P0SJV1tA83ttyk - Floor Jansen - Me Without You (Floors own music from her 2023 Album, Very pop Hit style song) - ua-cam.com/video/RAnIRd39Pr8/v-deo.htmlsi=xNeeoBordbt5lZwY She really can sing anything and always makes the song her own, really worth of getting to know her singing, the endless colors and timbre and voice technologies, many voice coaches use her as an example of the perfect techniques. Se has said, that she is NOT an Opera Singer, having trained classical singing and using it as an effect and her interests are elsewhere than professional Opera Singing.
Don’t quote me, but I believe dead boys poem is how Tuomas wants to be remembered when he’s gone. so I find the spoken word kind of sad as you said at one point I live no more to shame you and I wish I didn’t feel for you anymore
I'm so tired of reactors reacting to Floor and Floor only. I mean, the whole band is fantastic. A bass player starting off with a guitar is worth mentioning, no? The composition in general? The drummer? The guitar solo? No, apparently it's all about Floor here. (Please don't get me wrong, I love Floor too but for me it's more about the band as a whole.)
![[REACTION!!] Old Rock Radio DJ REACTS to NIGHTWISH ft. "Dead Boys Poem" (LIVE at Buenos Aires 2018)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/DZBuc_vdkHE/mqdefault.jpg)
Nick - "She could lead an army."
Nightwish army - "We exist"
We are here....
She does .....and we are legion! 😉
"The next Nightwish-song you listen to is your favourite"
-An old NW-army proverb.
All of the shows works, early or late.
I heard this song live, not in Buenos but in Prague and it made me cry hard, I mean this song is sad and all this but her voice ... One of million, really ! Also when I was at my first Nightwish concert noone wanted to go with me, so I went alone. I was 19, standing like 30 meters before the stage and I was so nervous around all these metal heads :D But when they started playing, it quickly gone off and in middle of that show something happened. I was like WTF is happening right now. There is one song that I completely LOVE, it is from their album Dark passion play and it is called The poet and the pendulum. And guess what, they played it ..... When I was checking their tour setlists it was kinda rare to play this song but on that evening they did, I was there alone and when they started playing it I felt like it was for me. From then there was just me and them, me and her .... Give this song a try becouse it also truly shows what Floor Jansen can do with her voice. I will never forget this special evening and I will always be proud of me for going there alone !! Stay metal ! :D
If you want to hear Floor at the extreme of her abilities, check out the song Shoemaker from the Deichbrand Festival. It’s from the most recent album and tour and she claimed in a launch interview that it was such a challenge for her that she didn’t think it would ever be performed live. Naturally Tuomas immediately added it to the set list 🤣
Sadly it’s a post-Marko show, but look out for Jukka Koskinen (Jukkis) as the new bassist. Very laid back, very smooth sound.
Song starts at 51:20 here:
ua-cam.com/video/fHaBDZYOP0I/v-deo.htmlsi=w0dBRqMyF8hkooW1&t=3080
I can't even listen to the studio version of shoemaker after hearing it live!
Yes,and to really get the scope what/who Floor is all about; Beste zangers,After forever,Revamp, Northward,Floor solo............ Well,just a very versatile repertoire.🤘😉
I concur.
I concur
Definitely watch Shoemaker from Deichbrand.
Background things
Swan on the screen: In Finnish mythology and folklore, the swan was the divine messenger between the living and the dead. Tuonelan Joutsen (Swan of Tuonela) carries the dead to afterlife.
Tuomas composed this when he was 22 years old. This from their book, timeline year 2000:
------------------------
Besides the choir, the album featured some other guest artists, Ike Vil of Babylon Whores contributed some deranged self-inspection for 'The Kinslayer', and 'Dead Boy's Poem' featured a child's voice. "I had an idea of a song with a young boy reciting a poem", Tuomas says. "The trouble was that no Finnish 12-year-old could pronounce English so that it sounded right, so I had to find a native speaker to do it. My mother's sister, actress Miitta Sorvali, knew (the English-Finnish director and writer) Neil Hardwick well, and my mom remembered that Neil had a son called Sam. I called him and asked him to do the poem, and Sam agreed right away. It was just funny that when I talked to this 15-year-old boy, he seemed like such a citizen of the world and was actually familiar with our band, too. Sam said he'd be free to record the poem anytime; I'd just have to give him a call. He even knew where Finnvox was and promised to meet us there."
The professionalism of young Sam Hardwick made a deep impression on Tuomas. "When he arrived at the studio, I had to ask him to wait for ten minutes or so, and he just pulled a book from his pocket and sat down to read", Tuomas says. "I gave him the poem, and he read it through a few times. We did some editing, and Sam just sat down on the studio floor and read his book, after which I asked him to read the poem a couple of more times."
"When I started talking about his reward, he wouldn't hear anything about it. He just said "It's okay, it was fun". I insisted on giving him at least a couple of hundred marks, and then he left. A very puzzling young man, but a real pro and a very nice person. He later did the beginning of 'Bless the Child', too, and once again, everything worked like a charm. 'Dead Boy's Poem' continues to be a sort of a signature song for Nightwish, and after 'Wishmaster' came out, the song was voted on our web site as the best Nightwish song ever. There's certainly something about it that defines us, and - for me at least - the poem is the absolute high point of the song. So Sam Hardwick made a big contribution to our music."
For Tuomas, 'Dead Boys Poem' is a deeply personal song. "The idea for that song came to me when I was thinking that if I die tomorrow, what kind of a message do I want to leave behind", Tuomas explains. "That song is all about apologizing, about saying thank you to those who deserve it - and likewise telling those who deserve it to fu*k off. It's kind of a testament. I had to make a song like that, just in case I happened to die tomorrow. A Finnish man rarely thanks anyone, or says he's sorry, but for me at least, it was possible through music."
"I still live at my mom and dad's, who are the best people in the world, but I've never been able to tell them what I think about them", Tuomas confesses. "Maybe if they listen to the song and read the lyrics, they'll understand that it's partly about them, too. It's also about my best friends and Nightwish, the band that has come to be a significant - if not the most significant - part of myself in the course of years. My band mates are really important to me, but it's hard for me as a Finnish man to show my feelings. I'd rather write a song like 'Dead Boy's Poem' and ask them to listen to the words, because I just can't say it out loud. It's such a personal song, and I think it has the best lyrics I've ever been able to write. Musically, it's really good, too, definetely the best song on 'Wishmaster' - maybe the best Nightwish song ever."
It had not gone unnoticed by Tarja (1st lead singer) that Tuomas expressed his feelings through music. "The melodic power of music - and the fact that music can be beautiful even at its heaviest - has always meant an awful lot to Tuomas", Tarja says. "He's able to show all his feelings in his music. I think Tuomas is very brave, because not many people can do the same. He may not look like a macho man, but when it comes to music, It's all or nothing for him."
Great reaction i love this song! The spoken word parts are performed by Sam Hardwick. Nightwish army UK division signing in 🤘
It is, as Tuomas has said, his self-written epitaph and obituary.
This is what Tuomas said about this song: "This is the most personal song I’ve ever written. My testimony for the whole world. With this song I want to apologise everyone who deserves my apology. It also makes an “I don’t care” -statement to them who deserve it. The song is also about what Nightwish means and has meant to me. It’s all, without it I’m dead. I have created it and it has created me. When I pass away, this song’s lyrics are of what I wish to be remembered. An Ocean Soul".
It might help you to know Tuomas uses several pseudonyms to refer to himself in various Nightwish songs which he writes from experiences or imagination, he says he is a man with a boy's heart and you will see that directly in places, here for instance, or elsewhere as "one with a pure heart", a line Floor sings in a high head voice as you might hear from an excited small boy.
Of course, you hear the narration spoken by a young boy. . . . . . .
Tuomas commonly uses boy as a pseudonym, he will also use poet, dreamer, writer/song writer or ocean soul - Tuomas has an affinity for the ocean, he was studying to be a marine biologist. Whenever these names appear, it is Tuomas speaking of himself.
This song is his self-written obituary/epitaph, he is the dead boy and appears in the back drop imploring the swans, which in Finnish traditions, carry you off to the afterlife.
There's two Shakespeare quotes in this song almost verbatim from Sonnet 71 and 72, Sonnet 71 starts, "No longer mourn for me when I am dead" and Tuomas used the line " Nay, if you read this line, remember not the hand that writ it"; and Sonnet 72, "And live no more to shame nor me nor you."
Read by a young boy narrator of course. . . . . . . . . .
The only time too you will see a very serious Emppu, not his usual joking and happy self; he knows exactly what this song means.
Does it all make sense now ?
Emppu playing the solo like he'd play it in Tuomas' funeral gets me every time.
@@JariJuslin It very perceptively put.
Based on your intro music, I think you would, as a corollary, enjoy Sibelius's "Swan of Tuonela".
Folks often make the 'bad ass" warrior queen type analogy...thing is, with Floor, it'd be an army for good. Not death and destruction, but tolerance and understanding with love and empathy and respect for the natural world. I luvs our Floor I do
It would indeed. Another reactor refers to her as “Dark Galadriel” - and when I first heard him say that was reminded of this from LoTR:
“…in place of a dark lord, you would have a queen. Not dark, but beautiful and terrible as the dawn! Treacherous as the sea, stronger than the foundations of the Earth! All shall love me, and despair!”
This Buenos Aires concert is underrated in my opinion. Several more great songs to check out, including Devil and the Deep Dark Ocean, Slaying the Dreamer, Come Cover Me, Gethsemane and Sacrament of Wilderness. Appreciate your reactions to NW!
Devil and the deep dark ocean!!🤩🙌🏼
Gethsemane!
I concur
I concur
I concur. It would be a good concert to react to as a whole.
Thank you!!
This is such a beautiful song. And you know, that it's serious when Emppu is not smiling when he is playing his solo.
This song is my favourite song from the Wishmaster album (you can see the album cover on the backround). It came out in 2000, so it's quite old but the song has never lost it's beauty nor it's meaning. And it was also written for a different singer and 13 years before Floor joined the band, yet she has gotten so into it. She is a masterful storyteller.
Tuomas is a masterful writer of the stories. He writes beautiful lyrics for someone else to sing.
Tuomas ( keyboards) wrote this when he was a young man its basically his eulogy in a song
This song is beautiful. Nightwish really has songs foe any mood, they are blessed with talent ❤
Every Nightwish song was my favorite or one my favorite upon first time hearing. Depending on my mood rewatching/listening the song I choose at the moment is my favorite Nightwish song. While Floor is my favorite singer of Nightwish the other two previous singers brought to Nightwish unique vocals and inspiration to Tuomas. So each era of Nightwish is is precious. Most of not all miss Marco especially us male vocal which blended so well with Floor. Doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate Jukka the Base guitars as a musician and band members. So each era holds something precious for me as each band member brings something brilliant and amazing to the sound.
Hear Hellfest or Deichbrand 2022. With the new Bassplayer Jukka Koskinen ( from Wintersun, as Kai Hahto). Awesome Concerts 🤘
There is still a lot for you to unpack when it comes to Nightwish and Floor's talent. Every song you discover will be your favorite for that moment. lol. That happened to so many people who react to Nightwish. Every song they react to: This is my new favorite! lol. Maybe you could try out a song from their new(est) album. 'Shoemaker' is a good one. The last part of that song will blow your mind!
Nightwish Army south Brittany France reporting.
My favourite Nightwish song, Emppu's solo always chokes me.
Sam Hardwick was eleven years old when recited the poetry sections of the song.
"Dead Boy's Poem" is a Nightwish masterpiece
This might be my favorite Floor performance, if not for "Devil and the Deep Dark Ocean" from the same concert. Just absolutely incredible. Obviously, the rest of the band is also elite, but Floor stands out in this one.
Such a beautiful song, for sure one of my favourites, not just of Nightwish, but in general!
You should check out their song Higher Than Hope as well - another sad and beautiful song, written by Tuomas to one of his friends who died of cancer, and who also features on the track with spoken words, it's very moving.
Thank's for this reaction. Tuomas writing shines again as always. The power of Nightwish shines thru. And Floor is out of this world. Makes me proud to be a finn. Cheers.
Great reaction. Marko's guitar here, known as The Beast" is a Warwick bass on top and a Framus guitar on the bottom (Warwick and Framus are owned by the same German company). He is using piezo pickups which allows an electric guitar to sound like an acoustic guitar. Tro is playing an Irish Bouzouk.
Dead Boy's Poem is one of my top 5 Nightwish songs. One of the more personal songs for Tuomas and the fans. An old song written by Tuomas when he was young. Inspired by the question, what would you say if you knew you were going to die tomorrow. Tuomas has said this song was a way of thanking all those who deserve his thanks and a piss off to all those who deserve it as well. Tuomas often uses the dead boy as a symbol of the loss of childhood innocence and imagination that we experience as we grow into adulthood. When you hear dead boy or poet in his lyrics he is usually referring to himself. He also has a strong connection to the ocean and sees it as a place of peace and tranquility. A refuge from the modern world. So in this song Tuomas is saying that he no longer lives for himself or his friends but only for the music. He puts all his feelings into the music and his music is what gives his life meaning. He tries to make his life better but can never get back to the innocence of his youth. He wants to be loved but can't connect with people. He asks that they remember his music, not him, after he is gone. Thus a lonely soul, an ocean soul. Note that on the video wall behind the band the boy is holding up his arms to several swans. In Finnish mythology swans are the creatures that guide your soul to the afterlife.
Subscribing specifically for all the upcoming Nightwish reactions!! It's so much fun to see your love of this beautiful band! Tuomas (keyboards) is the composer, almost exclusively.
One of my very favorites. Inspired by the question, “if you knew you were going to die tomorrow, what would you have to say today?” Tuomas answers in in his persona of an innocent, misunderstood boy. My favorite Emppu solo too. Floor is fantastic here. - Nightwish Army North Texas.
my favorite song.
Perfection.
I love Nightwish, have been a fan for most of my life at this point through ach of the lead singers and I really believe that they each are fantastic and bring something wonderful to the group.
Some of my favorites that you haven't listened to are Nemo, Amaranth, The Islander, While Your Lips Are Still Red, The Beauty and the Beast, The Carpenter, 7 Days to the Wolves (inspired by Stephen King's Wolves of the Calla), The Poet and the Pendulum (really anything from Once, Dark Passion Play, or Angel's Fall First).
I'm far more familiar with Tarja and Anette (even though Floor is the only one I've seen in concert) so that is why my favorites are mostly those, but I do love Floor's voice.
That is the " Boy's Poem" on the backing track. One of my favorites as well.
This is a very emotional and personal song for Tuomas. The small child's voice represents Tuomas inner child speaking.
When asked what this song was about "Tuomas has said about this song, that it's about if he were to die tomorrow, what would he want to say to everyone that he loves, and that love him..."
Notice the small boy on the screen reaching out to the flying swans on the screen. He is reaching out to implore them to take him with to the other side.
In archaeological excavations done in Karelia, a child was found and its body was laying upon a wing of a swan. In Finnish mythology and folklore, the swan was the divine messenger between the living and the dead. When a swan dropped its head below the surface, people of old times believed that it was communicating to the spirit world.
Killing swans was a terrible crime because it was as bad as murdering a human. Punishments for killing swans were severe, the usual penalty was death.
Swan song often symbolizes an artist´s last performance but for a long time all across the world all the way to the 17th century it was believed that swans only sang when they died.
A beautiful song filled with sadness from an unfulfilled destiny.
Here are the spoken words from Dead Boy's Poem.
"If you read this line
Remember not the hand that wrote it
Remember only the verse
Songmaker's cry, the one without tears
For I've given this its strength
And it has become my only strength
Comforting home, mother's lap, chance for immortality
Where being wanted became a thrill I never knew The sweet piano writing down my life"
"Teach me passion, for I fear it's gone
Show me love, hold the lorn
So much more I wanted to give to the ones who love me
I'm sorry
Time will tell, this bitter farewell
I live no more to shame, nor me, nor you
And you I wish I didn't feel for you anymore"
A lonely soul
An ocean soul
Great reaction. Floor's growl is impressive as well as she does at the Wembley stadium that song is: Yours is an empty hope.
This concert, Decades Tour in Buenos Aires, is my favorite
Floors beautiful voice accompanied by flawless musicians. So good!
Marko is playing a double neck guitar, top is a bass, bottom is a guitar which is used without distortion so it sounds acoustic and I believe it has steel strings hence more metallic sound
Anyway, the performance of Floor in this track is unbelievable, how she plays with the dynamics, it is her best quality IMO
The original album version is sung by Tarja, it's also worth listening even in your own time since the approach is different (and equally amazing)
The thing that always blows my mind about this concert, is that Floor was sick as a dog the entire time... you can sort of hear it towards the end of GLS (after 2 hours of belting) where she's a lot more subtle at the end of the song...
Wacken 2013 may have less video and sound quality, but number one in atmosphere…
A underrated song from that venue but with a lot of atmosphere: God Bless the Child. And keyboardist Tuomas showing he can windmill as Floor😮
Great reaction. Thanks!
I agree, also one of my favorites
This is Nightwish at its core! It is so epic and it shows what the whole band is about. My favorite and this is extremely unlikely to change...
Floor leads the Nightwish Army, we do her bidding. Tuomas has said that this is his most personal song. I love the older and newer songs and performances equally - it's Nightwish, thats all that matters 🤘🤘🤘
This is one of my favorite songs. And as always beautiful and full of empathy sung by Floor. Chills every time. And as Christmas is nearing.....Every year in Finland they have Heavy Christmas Metal concerts (Raskasta Joulua) and Floor participated several times. Would you like to see Floor singing in Finnish? If so, please react to Floor Jansen Raskasta Joulua "Oi Jouluyö" (Oh Holy Night). At that time she was 6 months pregnant of her first daughter. Enjoy!
Would you please turn up your video volume?
Wait till you get to Devil and the Deep Dark Ocean!!!!
Dead Boys Poem is one of my top 6 most epic NW songs. So IMO still missing - two of the trinity songs (you did GLS) "Poet and teh Pendulum" Wembley live, "Greatest Show on Earth" Tamperer live, then "Shoemaker" Hellfest 2022 live and "Seven Days to the Wolves" Wembley live. After these song you see why she is the goddess valkyrie 🙂🙂🙂
My favorite Nightwish song, so beautiful and touching and Floor’s stage presence is epic❣️
Everyone touts Wacken, which is iconic, but overall this is my favorite concert recording of theirs.
How's the Heart and Endlessness, you won't regret them!
Good one.
I too am relatively new to nightwish; been watching nothing but videos and reactions for about a month. Given her relative newness to the band at Wacken (10 mths since joining), and other band member changes between, I think the wembley and Buenos Aires shows provide an insight into their performances maturing together and becoming even more impressive if that seems possible. I love love love this particular song.
Oops didn’t mean to leave out Tampere from that journey.
She carries this one.
Marco is playing his Warwick Bass he calls "The Beast" the pedal hanging off the back of the bass makes his six string guitar sound like an acoustic!!!
Tuomas wrote this song when he was 22-ish, just after the band popularity exploded. Tuomas got exactly what he wished for, but he wasn't really prepared for the effects. All of a sudden he had to grow up real fast. The boy-Tuomas is now no longer exists (dead boy). He felt huge pressure to be the pivotal point of the huge enterprise and to write new songs even better than the last. Also how was he to find true love, now that people have assigned this god-like status to him? But of course these are things Tuomas cannot complain about, because he got exactly what he wished for.
one of my favorites (of many favorites) from Tuomas. - and with Floor and Emppu especially. Marko did a great job. legendary solo by emppu. And Kai and Troy as well. What can i say about them?
What you have to understand is anything written before Human Nature was written for other singers. The album Human Nature was the first time Toumas knew he had the perfect vocalist for his music. Tribal, Shoemaker, and How is the Heart challenge Floor's vocal range and singing skills to the limits. There is one you need to check out How's The Heart, Planet Rock acoustic video.
Some of Endless Forms Most Beautiful is also written with Floor's talent in mind.
My no 4 joint with Devil and the Deep Dark Ocean from the same (my favourite) show.
The drumming is insane.
Not a standout in the album performance Floor and Marco bring it to a different league here
Some background for you:
"Dead Boy's Poem' featured a child's voice. "I had an idea of a song with a young boy boy reciting reciting a poem", Tuomas says. "The trouble was that no Finnish so I had to find a
12-year-old could pronounce English so that it sounded right, so I had to find a native speaker to do it. My mother's Sister, actress Miitta Sorvali, knew [the English-Finnish director and writer] Neil Hardwick well, and my mum remembered that Neil had a son called Sam. I called him and asked him to do the poem, and Sam agreed right away.
It was just funny that when I talked to this 15-year-old boy he seemed like such a citizen of the worldand was actually familiar with our band too. Sam said he'd be free to record the poem anytime; I'd just have to give him a call.
He even knew where Finnvox was and promised to meet us there. The professionalism of young Sam Hardwick made a deep impression on Tuomas.
"When he arrived at the studio, had to ask him
to wait for ten minutes or so and he just pulled a book from his pocket and sat down to read".
Tuomas says, " I gave him the poem, and he read it through a few times. We did some editing and Sam just sat down on the studio floor and read his book, after which I asked him to read the poem a couple of more times."
Dad? The only song I know in which Emppu never smiles.
I don't recall if you have done Sleeping Sun from Masters of Rock 2016. As to demonstrating what Floor can do, wait till you get to my No 1 - The Poet and the Pendulum from Wembley 2015...
You still have to check out Floors version of Shallow on the Beste Zangers show
you haven't watched "The Poet And The Pendulum" yet I think that song showcases her talent best in my opinion
Great reaction to a very sad song in parts! It's worth the time to look up the lyrics to this song, and you will understand it better.
favorite of mine. But need them man tissues for this one.
Great reaction! has anyone ever said you look like Johnny Depp!🤘
Dude, you have yet to see/hear what Floor is capable of believe it or not, like :
Nightwish - How's The Heart Acoustic (Planet Rock acoustic session)Live 2020(one take,no edits)
Alone - Heart (cover by Floor Jansen)2020
Floor Jansen & Henk Poort - Phantom Of The Opera | Beste Zangers 2019
Floor Jansen sings Shallow for Emma Heesters Beste Zangers 2019
*with subtittles version :
SOMETHING SPECIAL :
Even with a fan made phone recording it is MIND BLOWING,good quality, just imagine if it was
professionally recorded :
ReVamp...21-02-2014...Effenaar Eindhoven( Misery No Crime)
🤗🍒🤘🏻 well done again
Completely agree your opinion, but one of her best showcase is I think the poet and the pendulum. Check that one out
A fact of life with Nightwish: One's favorite NW song is always whichever one you just listened to.
OK, slight exaggeration, but it gets across the point! :)
Dude, I believe Floor is Queen Boudica brought back to lead the Nightwish Army. Just saying.
One of their older songs I`m so glad it was included in the setlist . Although Tarja is the original vocalist Floor really is a much better singer. Can I recommend a book ``Nightwish every album every song`` by Simon McMurdo. It delves deep into the band and the genius of Toumas`s songwriting
if you had paid attention to Gabriels comments would know, if you have watched ghoast love score. they use london symphoney, and 2 choirs. doing good keep it up. thanks from Colorado.
maybe im in the minority because i listened to it first, but i dont think they will ever be as good as they were with tarja, her voice was so haunting
You want missing their latest amazing album Human and Nature
Floor is great. But the greatest is Tuomas. He is the true voice of Nightwish. Take this song for example. It's all Tuomas. What he wants to be remembered for.
🤩👍💥💯🎼
🤘😎 🇫🇮 💙
Floors last name is pronounced "Y"ansen
Yeah, those lines "Walk within my poetry, this dying music. My love letter to nobody" are some of my favourites in rock music. Floor does this song well, but IMHO Tarja's version is better.
Hey Nick... If you like Nightwish listen to weak fantasy
Shoemaker please.🤘
Watch the old Nightwish vidios with Tarja turunen
First of all, before the criticism comes, it was a great reaction. Real.
But could you please keep your hands off the mouse and use the keyboard? You wiggle your mouse cursor back and forth, the screen constantly switching from full screen to options menu. This is annoying if you don't actually intend to press pause and the volume should be set correctly from the beginning, i.e. loud. 😉
So reaction was nice, the technical less so.
If you want to explore Floor As an Artist without Nightwish, then following songs will quite well give the understand of her very versatile singing and voice technologies:
- Floor Jansen - Puccini: O mio babbino caro - Operetti, Classical Singing) - ua-cam.com/video/UeTyAZtV5wI/v-deo.html
- Floor Jansen & Henk Poort - Phantom Of The Opera | Beste Zangers 2019 - ua-cam.com/video/plCScjvDOJM/v-deo.html
- Floor Jansen - Shallow | Beste Zangers 2019 - cover of Lady Gaga’s song, extremely better version - ua-cam.com/video/M68pe4a_9zk/v-deo.html
- Adagio - cover of Lara Fabian original song (2021, cover by Floor Jansen) - ua-cam.com/video/KZRHLLM6AU4/v-deo.html
- Nightwish - How's The Heart Acoustic (Planet Rock acoustic session, only her voice and guitar, not the whole band) - ua-cam.com/video/yYtkPpFYzOo/v-deo.html
- Floor Jansen - Storm (Official Music Video, Floors own music from her released own Album on 2023, it’s second solo single release)(Floors style, something between pop to rock and anything between - ua-cam.com/video/aGqJksbbUoY/v-deo.html
- Alone - Heart (cover by Floor Jansen) - ua-cam.com/video/1fu-yP6q6Gk/v-deo.htmlsi=_1P0SJV1tA83ttyk
- Floor Jansen - Me Without You (Floors own music from her 2023 Album, Very pop Hit style song) - ua-cam.com/video/RAnIRd39Pr8/v-deo.htmlsi=xNeeoBordbt5lZwY
She really can sing anything and always makes the song her own, really worth of getting to know her singing, the endless colors and timbre and voice technologies, many voice coaches use her as an example of the perfect techniques. Se has said, that she is NOT an Opera Singer, having trained classical singing and using it as an effect and her interests are elsewhere than professional Opera Singing.
Don’t quote me, but I believe dead boys poem is how Tuomas wants to be remembered when he’s gone. so I find the spoken word kind of sad as you said at one point I live no more to shame you and I wish I didn’t feel for you anymore
Tuomas Holopainen. KIITOS.
I'm so tired of reactors reacting to Floor and Floor only. I mean, the whole band is fantastic. A bass player starting off with a guitar is worth mentioning, no? The composition in general? The drummer? The guitar solo? No, apparently it's all about Floor here. (Please don't get me wrong, I love Floor too but for me it's more about the band as a whole.)
this song is not MY favorite, actually way down the list, but each to his own taste. only tears back is lower
Not enough pausing. You almost didnt butcher a song...step up your game dude lol. Sheesh...love your own voice that much uh?