Pink Floyd / Nightwish - High Hopes - Double Feature (Reaction/First Listen!) 

The original Pink Floyd version reminds me of my childhood in the English countryside. I remember the sound of church bells on a Sunday, endless summers, birds and bees. It's a warm fuzzy feeling and this song broke me out of a bout of depresson as an adult, the song reminded me of a childhood that I missed that was free from adult bulls*t that we have to face everyday and I realised that I could suddenly feel again for the first time in a long time and I cried for ages. I saw this song live when the famous Pulse tour was filmed and it's a night that will be etched in my mind forever. The Nightwish homage comes a very close second for me because it respects the feel of the original and adds the special 'Nightwish' sauce.

This masterpiece from Pink Floyd...one of the greatest bands in rock history dont write songs for people who hasn`t lived...or people that`s not reflect on life. Nightwish did this Tribute to Pink Floyd...and my god they did it amazingly well...This is a tribute from one great band to maby the greatest band ever. Thank you for sharing.❤

Emppu's solo is absolutely amazing, one of his greatest ever.

This is not a cover, this really is a tribute to Pink Floyd. There is something very deep in this song, something that drives you into a deep journey inside of your own mind. For me Marco has one of the best vocals ever in the history of rock. Thank you Nikki, this was a nice comparison of these incredible bands. Greets from Finland. Take care.

Nightwish kicked it up from oh-so-British wistful melancholy to Scandinavian anguish, loss, and remorse. I'm a long time PF fan, but I think NW improved it. Thanks so much for doing it this way!

I miss Marko on Nightwish. And Jukka also 🥁But I understand there are changes in music industry. Your reaction is beautiful. I was at their concert this year 16th June. They did not play this song but many other beautiful songs though. The final song they played was 'The Greatest Show On Earth'...and I was sold. When I drove back home about 400 kilometers I was so quiet, did not listen to anything, no radio..I was just thinking...what did I just saw and listened. Nightwish group are now doing next album, propably release 2024. I am so happy to have all of their studio albums since 1996 including the rare 1996 first collector's edition album. And sure that Wacken 2013 double DVD including the document 'Please Learn The Setlist in 48 Hours'. Tuomas Holopainen (keyboards) is our modern day metal Mozart. He can do cover songs like this as it was their own, Nightwish song. This song is tribute to this Pink Floyd master piece. I tell you, if you ever have a chance seeing them live..go!

I heard Gilmore himself said at the time that Nightwish made the best cover of a Floyd Song. For my part, I think the version of Nightwish is not only significantly different, but also much better. I'm just a metal fan.

Great observation. Tuomas dives deep into the innocence of when we were young, inquisitive, more open. As others have said, David Gilmour has said this is his favorite rendition of his song. A fitting Tribute to a band they respect.

Good idea to listen to an original first before a cover, if you aren't familiar with the song. For the Pink Floyd song, it was the last song on the Division Bell album. If you want to see PF play it live, check out their 1994 Pulse concert. Yes, this Nightwish performance was October 21, 2005, in Hartwall Arena, Helsinki Finland. Last concert on the tour for the Once album, and last Nightwish show for original lead singer Tarja Turunen, who was backstage changing outfits. Marko killed it, and Emppu with tasteful guitar work in a classy tribute to the original. From 2001 when Marko joined, until this concert, he would sing lead on a cover during concerts to allow Tarja time for the change. Megadeth's Symphony of Destruction is another they had done, 2004ish. After you finish the Wembley concert, to hear Tarja , check out The Siren or their cover of Phantom of the Opera from this same concert.

High Hopes is a fantastic song, my favourite Pink Floyd song, and this tribute by Nightwish was a great version of it. Good that you watched the PF version first, but check out the live version from the Pulse concert. Marko's vocals superb, and nice playing from Emppu, but amazing performance by Jukka to drum like that while he was suffering from a crippling migraine to the point the gig nearly got cancelled, watch him holding his head in agony, great effort by him.

I like the original song, and, the older I get, the more I understand it. Everything looked brighter when I was a kid, a teenager... All the roads where I used to walk, run, looked more beautiful. Anyway, I like to listen the Nightwish version too, it's really great! Emppu did an awesome job with his guitar.

Hello from Finland! I love both versions so much! 🙏 And i think this is Marcos best cover he has ever done! 💪👍🤘🔥

Pink Floyd and Nightwish are two of my all-time very few favorite bands. I love both versions. This was later Pink Floyd, after Roger Waters had left. Love Marko’s vocals on it. The guys of Nightwish are fans of Pink Floyd and covered this one as a tribute to them. It was the most frequently used song during Tarja’s wardrobe changes. This was a 2005 performance. Keep exploring Nightwish! (And Pink Floyd would be okay with me too.😄)

Thx Nikki !! I love both these bands !! I grew up listening to PF but Nightwish holds the reins now for me now 🤘🏼💥🤘🏼

I liked the pink Floyd version and really enjoyed your reading and explaination between songs. Hearing the nightwish cover for the 1st time Marko's singing is just fantastic their version way much better. Marko's song while your lips are still red is an amazing song. You did an excellent job on this reaction

Marco's voice is just insanely ridiculous in this.... the mixture of vocal fry with his upper chest register towards the end is absolutely sublime

The bell is from the title of the album. The division bell is a parliamentary device that signals time to vote, that is, a time to make a choice. Choices are the burdens that each of us must bear. The large bust of a man being carried is the bust of Syd Barrett; a burden the band has carried since Syd was let go back in 1968. The last words in the song are from one of Syd's songs.

Nightwish are truly remarkable, very few could improve a Pink Floyd song, but they do it either ease. Marko is a fantastic singer, it's worth checking out some of his other bands, most particularly Tarot, who were a really great band. Excellent reaction as always Nikki - you should fo the entire Nightwish show from Buenos Aires 2018 and the 2022 Hellfest set, which is awesome (there's a remastered version on RU-vid which would be best) and of course the end of an Era show which this performance of High Hopes comes from 🤘

For my ear, Nightwish gave this great song the tone it needed to become a masterpiece. What a performance! And what a great review Nikki. I really liked the way you did some discovery and talked us through it. #NoBells

I`m 64 years and have been a Nightwish fan for over 15 years. Pink Floyd is what I grew up on and the only music from that era that I listen to. Empuu totally gives me David Gilmore vibes

I have loved this Pink Floyd song since I first heard it. Just for me, it is perfection, especially the Pulse concert in 1994. Perfection cannot be surpassed. Night wish are great, but it will always be Floyd for me ❤️❤️ And as you get older, this means so much more than it did when we were young. Floyd had amazing insights for such young guys, especially with Time. My favourite band of all!

High Hopes is a reflection. According to the band (in several interviews after the release of the album "The Division Bells") it goes back to before they started playing and the road they took. Refrences to the final cut are made as well as to the legendary Syd (Barrett, original singer of the band, went mad, tragic story, it is what the Wall is about). The last two lines of the song are directly taken from the song "See Emily Play" 8:35 THAT my dear is Sid

Nikki, you have a knack for making these videos feel like I am having a chat with a friend. I really enjoyed this, thanks

Nice, always like this version. And almost missed it. For all my life (67y old Dutch bloke) I am a fan of Pink Floyd and have see them several times. A song I always loved and is on my all time playlist. Nightwish did not cover this one, this is the ultimate tribute from an exceptional band to a exceptional band. Nightwish, by the way, I only started following after seeing Floor Jansen participating in Beste Zangers. Floor I've seen with one of her first solo shows, just before Covid kicked in. Nightwish and Floor now belong to my category of exceptional bands/musicians (Queen/Freddy Mercury, David Bowie, Santana, Bob Marley, Frank Zappa, U2, Cranberries, The Cure). And seen them all in my younger years, and many more. And at last, saw Nightwish last year in Amsterdam! And later on got to know Sabaton, Ayreon, Dream Theater, Symphony X, Kamelot, Toehider, Avantasia. All because of me liking Floor and Nightwish.

Love the Nightwish version, but as someone who has been listening to the Pink Floyd version since the mid 1990s, that one will always be the best for me. Especially the live versions.

This awesome Tribute to PF is from the one of the ultimate best NW concerts ever - End of an Era Helsinki 2005. Pls. check it through and you will agree. In this NW version and song Marco can utilize his grand singing capability to almost full as lead voice.

This Nightwish tribute to Pink Floyd’s masterpiece work is even more spectacular due to Jukka’s drumming. If you didn’t know, Jukka suffered terribly with migraines and insomnia, which ultimately led to him stepping down from performing with Nightwish. I’ve read, and by his demeanor in this concert, wholly believe it to be true, that he was dealing with a terrible migraine attack during this concert. He’s still involved with Nightwish, but on the business side. And yes, Marko shines so brightly here as does Emppu- among his strongest solos for sure. Great reaction and review!

I rank Emppu's solos in this right up there with Don Felder and Joe Walsh's guitar duet in Hotel California. Emppu's tone is perfect. Listening to Floyd's version, I am always waiting for it to 'get going', so to speak, which it never does. It's much more laid back, and Gilmour's guitar is exquisite, but Nightwish just take everything up to 11. Tarja was on a costume change during this, and would have been able to hear Marko's performance. It must have been daunting, coming back on stage, following such a powerhouse performance from Marko.

what can you say mind blowing

G'day beautiful Nikki 👋😄 Great idea playing floyd first 👍 Great great band is pink floyd (very deep thinkers & writers) Nightwish wouldn't cover their song if they didn't think they were great 👍😊 Floyd were 20 years ahead of themselves ! Hope you enjoy both versions girl ! Sending you happy cheer from Queensland Australia 🇦🇺🏄‍♂️🍹

It was the perfect length, i enjoyed the double reaction immensely

2005, This was the concert after which, Tarja was fired. She was doing a wardrobe change during this performance. When Marko lets loose w his vocals, he's just stunning to listen to! Also, remember that all the guys on stage *knew* they'd be firing Tarja after this concert...so the entire show is intense! That may have played into their decision to include this haunting and powerful song! Gonna keep suggesting this til the end of time... Tommy Johansson (the "male Floor") covering Steelheart's She's Gone. Nikki... hundreds of channels have taken a chance on Tommy...and were NOT sorry!! ❤

Great reaction! Enjoyed the double reaction. Really enjoyed you research into the meaning after the Pink Floyd version. I had only heard the live Pulse performance which if I remember correctly is not as mellow as the music video. Pink Floyd music is always kind of trippy (went to a bunch of Pink Floyd laser light shows in high school) and personally I love how Nightwish took it from an introspective song to an aggressive anthem. When guitar snobs throw shade at Emppu I always point them to this performance. He really shines hear.

This was performed by the band while Tarja was having a costume change!! Not many 'covers' are better than the original, and although this is more of a tribute to Pink Floyd's original, I would say that Nightwish make the song more accessible. So many of Floyd's compositions are self-indulgent, but this arrangement seems to bring the sad themes and make them more positive. The off-beat minor keys are still there, but less oppresive. Glad you enjoyed this experience Nikki, see you for thr 'Last Ride of the Day' on Wednesday...x

Excellent reaction! Thank you for the insight about the song.🤘🎸

Hi Nikki, greetings from UK 😉 Another gerat reaction as always 😁 I prefer the Nightwish version myself, the Pink Floyd version is not as animated, there is not as much bite to it I feel. It was great that you dug into the meaning of the song, I would not have caught all of that meaning by watching the video myself, so thankk you for educating me 😄 You will have to let us know what your husband thought of the Nightwish version 😊 I made my suggestion for Rocktober, the Nightwish song called 'Scaretale' featuring Anette, with the video link I posted, NOT the official version. This is because the video link I posted is a fan creation where they mixed the live show with a film that Nightwish made and it is really good

That's how you put emotion into a song. Nightwish' tribute to this great Pink Floyd, making it even better. Pink Floyd was some 45 years my nr.1 band, since 4 years they are a solid 2nd. Great reaction, specially the digging into the background of the song. Love your reactions!

You never had bells in school? I was schooled 11 years in a convent with a church and church bells. They used the church bell to mark the beginning of the lessons. This went on all day! Also for all sorts of announcements the church bell would ring!

I love this cover. And please react to the entire End of an Era concert

One of the things that make this performance even more powerful to me is the fact that this was the last show with their original singer, Tarja. There was a lot of turmoil within the band at that time, and at the end of that show, Tarja was going to be handed her dismissal letter, a fact that was known by all members of the band but herself. Thus, this particular show has a special vibe. It could have been the final concert of Nightwish as a band, the night their High Hopes were dashed.

Live version is always better than studio versions Nikki 😊👍🇦🇺🏄‍♂️🍹ps: We love how honest & raw you are nikki with your comments 😊

So much even older stuff from Nightwish for you to dive in, about 10 years or so 😊

I think that each version focusses on different emotions. The original is really focussed on the melancholy and the Nightwish tribute focusses more on loss. In my opinion of course.

Not a clue about Pink Floyd. Bless your heart.

NG the best tribute i listen to, live 2005🇫🇮(My opinion)🇸🇪 and High hopes by Pink Floyd is my no1

The white balloons, remind me of "Rover" from "The Prisoner", keeping you in check, not letting you leave, tracing his steps. Growing up, "The grass was greener", thinking it's better elsewhere, "bridges burnt", no turning back. The angst is palpable with the Nightwish performance, this is the concert where they all gave a dissmissal letter to Tarja, they knew what was coming, but she had no idea. The looks between them, ouch, keep it together boys, we can get through this, in spite of the "burnt bridges". Emppu leaping down from the drum kit, after checking on Jukka. "The light was brighter". Markos yell!

It not a Cover, its a Tribute

Trivia: Pink Floyd toured with a circular backdrop that they projected thing on. If you watch Nightwish's video you can see a circle above the drummer. Though much smaller then the one Pink Floyd had. Much Love to You and Ukraine 💙💛💙🌻🌻🌻

This is from 2005 (End of an Era) so, yes, they are MUCH younger...

Amazing song. it is more. rendition rather than a cover. I have read somewhere that David Gilmore gave his nod to Nightwish version. From Wikipedia: Note Also shown is an oversized bust of Syd Barrett. It would later be used in live performances during Pink Floyd's 1994 Division Bell Tour and seen on the PULSE video.

It was Syd Barrett, Founder of Pink Floyd who succumbed to mental illness after their first album in 1966ish.

The Message is that ...the Inner world is far more important than the ( hologram) outside Dearone ....something which is getting more growing as consciousness..These Days of Huge... transformation ❤

Nightwish sing this song brilliantly & Marco wow wow wow 👏👏👍 The best band in the world is Nightwish 😊 Nightwish Disciple from Australia 🇦🇺🏄‍♂️🍹

I've had some discussions about the two different versions - is Nightwish better or Pink Floyd. For me, this discussion is just as superfluous as whether Floor or Tarja is better. It's all a subjective matter of taste. I love Pink Floyd and Nightwish as much as I love Tarja and Floor. They are all so different and yet they are all brilliant in their artistic work.

Have a look at the Nightwish version again and bear in mind this was performed by the band as Tarja was about to be let go (after that very concert), all the guys knew this except Tarja...

Great reaction and it was great that you could get the video through the copyright blocking. If I've understood correctly Pink Floyd is very eager to block any video with even a short fragment of their music.

🦋 you will love "comfortably numb'"

Floyd are masters of invoking reaction. The alarms at the beginning of 'Time' is meant to slightly grate to 'wake you up'! If it was redone without this intro, the song would not convey as well the meaning of the song.

Actually the best comparison is by comparing two live performances and not a studio recording and a live performance. Having said that I understand that this was the performance on the night that they were going to reveal to Tarja that they were parting ways (firing her). The band had to perform as if nothing was wrong but they had this sadness that they were carrying in their hearts. I hear it in this cover, in Marco’s voice and in Tuomas demeanor.

Pink Floyd split up when roger waters left. A few years later David gilmour, Richard wright and Nick mason got back together. In my mind the guy reminiscing on the car is the three members struggling with getting back together for a new album and tours. He then goes to the back of the car and releases the past (the symbol on the balloons was the original symbol for pink Floyd) opening the way for a new pink Floyd without roger. Perhaps nightwish was also agonising over sacking tarja.

So damn sad Marco left Nightwish. Great vocalist.

Statue their carrying simply is "nostalgic" represantation,it shows how we honored our great dead before some great great ruler or big man and thinker,nowadays we cherish nothing and forget everything in 10 seconds its hard to get Floyd on first watch/listen thats why their music lives on its elaborate,and genius musically big legged man represent like buisness people who try to step over anything to get where they want,releasing on flags means we surrended our national identities and mixed everything up,universe and creatior or creation dont matter no more,its too abstract for todays shallow people to even think about and then chorus at the end for me best piece of lyrics anywhere ever The grass was greener The light was brighter The taste was sweeter The nights of wonder With friends surrounded The dawn mist glowing The water flowing The endless river For ever and ever im sure a lot of people trigger childhood or teen years by listening to these lyrics,its not the times that are changing,WE ARE and nothing will match your innocence and "wonder" ever again.... pretty sad song,but for me BEST ever,i would REALLY LIKE if you'd react to High Hopes live ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HX_du6Gcp1w.html Comfortably Numb live ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7kWl-ZGMwkQ.html both life changing performances :D

For your "Halloween Creepy Theme", you could give Pink Floyd another chance. Here's a suggestion: You could try: Pink Floyd - Run Like Hell (PULSE Restored & Re-Edited). Plus, it's a live version. No bell sounds, that's guaranteed, but a style of song that is closer to the "metal" genre.

Might have been a better comparison to watch both Live as there is more energy in the Floyd live performance. But it is a great song and a great tribute by Nightwish

I like Led zeppelin Pink F .This version the best i ever heart .Nightwish best live band Great command Nikkie 🤘🤘🤘🤘

The lesson to be learned here is clear. Never challenge Nightwish to a battle of the bands, even if you're Pink Floyd...

Whenever the argument about who's Nightwish's best vocalist comes up, a consensual answer is Marko.

Sh you got to the ultimate Marco with their tribute to PF, who linked it on their own official site as a great version. From your comments, perhaps you don't really know Floyd that well. Pigs is from the album Animals.

✌✌

Maybe you should react to the whole end of an era consert. Something new for you!

I believe this was from 2005.

Hi Nikki, why don't you like bells, they always make you think of a funeral or something?😊

I personally like the PF not the Night wish. JMO.

Hi Nikki, why don't you like bells, they always make you think of a funeral or something?

You should have done the live version 1994 Pulse concert. Would have been a much better comparison seeing how well Pink Floyd does this song live!!!

Should have done the version from the Pulse concert, comparing live to live.

Of course its matter of musical taste but Nightwish version really does not belong to pretty narrow category of covers that become so good that songs get a new life( aka all along the watchtower, hurt, sound of silence)

This format seems quite popular, if you are happy with it maybe you could use the same format when you listen to other covers in the future?

🤗🍒🤘🏻😘 Nikki !!! Nice ?

🙂

PFs is better in my option. Night wish made it different. It’s not their’s. It’s a tribute.

🐕

Sorry , I prefer David voice.....

My favorite band is PF, but they kill this, better than the original...Marco is sooo good....

Always liked Nightwish. With Tarja, with Anette and now with Floor. But this cover is complete disaster. Lightyears away from the feeling and the quality of the original. But if you compare with David Gilmour you can only lose. Nightwish is not really great in doing covers. "Over the Hills" is kind of a fail too. So far from Gary Moores original.

I was going to watch this as a Pink Floyd fan until I realised you were comparing the studio version of High Hopes to the Live version from Nightwish. To really make a comparison you should have compare the Pink Floyd Pulse concert version 1994 to the live version of Nightwish. Pink Floyd is far better live.

Why turn a reaction into a comparison show or competition , your are certainly not a Floyd fan , shame 😢they are both brilliant but in different league’s there are musicians and shredders

Kiitos!

Gatinha Linda 😍