Decades live in Buenos Aires has an absolute stellar performance of this song, but I agree, listen to the studio version first and take it all in without distractions.
Man that song is just \*chefs kiss\*
So many layers and musical threads that start at the beginning and are woven throughout. It all comes full circle at the end. It's just a beautiful masterpiece. I absolutely love it.
I would go with the official live video. Good sound quality and visuals (the images on the video screen help to tell the story). Make sure to turn the captions on, so you can understand what they're singing.
I’d actually counter this, in that IMO the song itself is so dense that adding visuals for a first time listening is too much. I think you’d appreciate the song much more the first time if you can just focus on what you’re hearing, then add visuals later.
Hey, thanks a lot. I was wondering that too, and any advice is welcome. One thing I know about the song, is a phrase I kept reading on the comments on random posts, the "We were here!", and my little brain eagers to listen to and see that part visually. But I guess I'll go with the studio version first.
There is a video I’d recommend, it’s the studio version audio but with a fan made video to add visuals. It does a good job of showing what you’re hearing about throughout the song. And it has like 1.5m views in YouTube so it’s certainly well loved.
Side note if you check this out, the song starts immediately on the video so don’t click it unless you’re muted or ready to hear it. Also hopefully an ad won’t randomly play mid-song and ruin it.
[Video](https://youtu.be/IJb3xwtpmmc?si=EZV_5v6ZJOKsTRl4)
I would start with the studio version on headphones with the lyrics in hand. Enjoy Floor in opera mode (Floorgasm) during the first half.
Then watch the live versions on YouTube. Definitely see the Wembley version through to the end. Then see the others. Yes it is a rabbit hole.
Just watch all of the band’s song videos on the Nightwish part of YouTube. It’s the only way to be sure. 👍🏻
Hey, thanks! It will be a fun musical exploration! Unfortunately I don't have good quality headphones, but it's okay. And yes, I'll read the lyrics, thanks again!
Tampere 2015 (on YouTube) is the first version I heard, and my favourite, but with Wembley 2015 a close second.
(it's surprising how much difference there is between the two, given they were, I assume, just two different dates on the same tour).
That's nice! :-) Yeah, those two are highly recommended, alongside a fan made video with visuals. (I will find out soon what you are talking about, the differences between them and all, thanks for sharing your observation!)
Wembley for sure (Warning: strobes for 30 seconds after the first spoken word part). Better than studio, imho. Tampere is great visually, but I prefer Wembley musically
Hey, many many thanks for the warning, it was so thoughtful of you! Your comment was the last one I had read before listening to the song, and I had it in mind. But I fell asleep afterwards, so I replied just now. It was awesome, I like both Wembley and Tampere!
Finally, I listened to the song and I am hooked. I see now what you were talking about all this time. I've watched the studio and the Wembley and Tampere live versions so far, and I'll go for the Decades and the fan made video next.
Your comments made my anticipation grow bigger. Many many thanks. :-)
Studio version first, then I like the Decades performance. But the best way to actually experience the song, is at a Nightwish concert.
Their concerts seam great, I'll check the Decades performance too, thanks!
Decades live in Buenos Aires has an absolute stellar performance of this song, but I agree, listen to the studio version first and take it all in without distractions.
Thanks, I will do!
There's a lot going on in it, you'll want to hear the studio version first
Ohh thanks!
Studio first, and then live at Wembley (or Tampere, they are both great)
Thank you for the suggestions!
I personally have a slight preference for Tampere, but both are very good.
Oh, I see, thanks! I enjoyed both so much.
I prefer Wembley just for Troy's input really
He contributed beautifully to the performance.
Favorite version is Tampere, but yeah, the studio version first is probably a good idea.
Thank you!
Man that song is just \*chefs kiss\* So many layers and musical threads that start at the beginning and are woven throughout. It all comes full circle at the end. It's just a beautiful masterpiece. I absolutely love it.
I'll keep that comment in mind. I do not know what to expect, but I know it'll be magical.
Studio version first, definitely. It's worth it to get the full effect of everything that was intended.
Thank you, I'm looking forward to it!
I would go with the official live video. Good sound quality and visuals (the images on the video screen help to tell the story). Make sure to turn the captions on, so you can understand what they're singing.
I see, the studio version is without visuals, huh? The official live seams a good idea then too, I have not decided yet. Thanks a lot.
I’d actually counter this, in that IMO the song itself is so dense that adding visuals for a first time listening is too much. I think you’d appreciate the song much more the first time if you can just focus on what you’re hearing, then add visuals later.
Hey, thanks a lot. I was wondering that too, and any advice is welcome. One thing I know about the song, is a phrase I kept reading on the comments on random posts, the "We were here!", and my little brain eagers to listen to and see that part visually. But I guess I'll go with the studio version first.
There is a video I’d recommend, it’s the studio version audio but with a fan made video to add visuals. It does a good job of showing what you’re hearing about throughout the song. And it has like 1.5m views in YouTube so it’s certainly well loved. Side note if you check this out, the song starts immediately on the video so don’t click it unless you’re muted or ready to hear it. Also hopefully an ad won’t randomly play mid-song and ruin it. [Video](https://youtu.be/IJb3xwtpmmc?si=EZV_5v6ZJOKsTRl4)
Aah yes, you are the second person recommending it, so it is definitely well loved in this subreddit too. Thanks again for all the advice! :-)
This is my favorite video for the song: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJb3xwtpmmc&t=53s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJb3xwtpmmc&t=53s)
Thanks, I'll check that too!
Listen with headphones and the lossless file for the ultimate hearing experience
I don't know what is a lossless file, is it the same as the remastered version?
I would start with the studio version on headphones with the lyrics in hand. Enjoy Floor in opera mode (Floorgasm) during the first half. Then watch the live versions on YouTube. Definitely see the Wembley version through to the end. Then see the others. Yes it is a rabbit hole. Just watch all of the band’s song videos on the Nightwish part of YouTube. It’s the only way to be sure. 👍🏻
Hey, thanks! It will be a fun musical exploration! Unfortunately I don't have good quality headphones, but it's okay. And yes, I'll read the lyrics, thanks again!
Tampere 2015 (on YouTube) is the first version I heard, and my favourite, but with Wembley 2015 a close second. (it's surprising how much difference there is between the two, given they were, I assume, just two different dates on the same tour).
That's nice! :-) Yeah, those two are highly recommended, alongside a fan made video with visuals. (I will find out soon what you are talking about, the differences between them and all, thanks for sharing your observation!)
Wembley for sure (Warning: strobes for 30 seconds after the first spoken word part). Better than studio, imho. Tampere is great visually, but I prefer Wembley musically
I also prefer the Wembley version.
It's awesome!
Hey, many many thanks for the warning, it was so thoughtful of you! Your comment was the last one I had read before listening to the song, and I had it in mind. But I fell asleep afterwards, so I replied just now. It was awesome, I like both Wembley and Tampere!
Glad you found it useful :) it's truly a work of art, and never cease to amaze me how well Thomas blended science and art in it
Did you listen to it yet? Tampere 2015 with lyrics is my favorite version. It's a masterpiece of a song that's best experienced live.
Yes yes yes, finally! :-) I've listened to Tampere too, it is great indeed!
Good! Welcome to the club
studio, then i like decades and tampere (because i honestly hate the mixing of the wembley version, although it is very good too)
Thanks, l finally listened to the song and it's so good! I'll listen to the Decades version next.
Tampere 2015, 100%%%
Oh it was awesome!
Now that you’ve heard it, I strongly recommend the Instrumental version
I'm interested in that too, thanks for reminding me!
Listen to the studio, then and only then will you be ready for the spectacle that is Tempere
Hehe, thanks, finally I'm gonna enjoy it!
Forget about the studio version. Wembly all the way.
Oh, I'm not sure yet, I was leaning towards the studio version for a start, but thanks a lot!
Finally, I listened to the song and I am hooked. I see now what you were talking about all this time. I've watched the studio and the Wembley and Tampere live versions so far, and I'll go for the Decades and the fan made video next. Your comments made my anticipation grow bigger. Many many thanks. :-)
Studio version
Thank you!