Nemo (song)

Last updated

"Nemo"
Nightwish nemo cover.jpg
Single by Nightwish
from the album Once
B-side
  • "White Night Fantasy"
  • "Live to Tell the Tale"
  • "Planet Hell"
Released19 April 2004 (2004-04-19) [1]
Genre Symphonic metal
Length
  • 3:45 (radio edit)
  • 4:36 (album version)
Label Spinefarm
Songwriter(s) Tuomas Holopainen
Producer(s)
  • Tuomas Holopainen
  • TeeCee Kinnunen
Nightwish singles chronology
"Bless the Child"
(2002)		"Nemo"
(2004)		"Wish I Had an Angel"
(2004)
Music video
"Nemo" on YouTube

"Nemo" is the eighth single by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish and the first from the album Once . [2] A big-budget video was made for the song; the director was Antti Jokinen, [3] who had previously worked with Shania Twain, Celine Dion and Eminem. [3] The video was number one on MTV Brasil Video Chart. [4] The song was nominated for the Kerrang! Award for Best Single. Although Nightwish already enjoyed a solid fan base in Europe and South America by the time of the single's release, it is considered their breakthrough song since it helped them reach a wider audience. [1]

Contents

The song can be heard in the ending credits of the 2005 film The Cave . [5]

Composition

Keyboardist and songwriter Tuomas Holopainen says the song was "one of the most difficult songs" the band's ever done. It took them months to work on the arrangement. The first version was faster and two minutes longer, but recording engineer Tero Kinnunen suggested they cut off a certain section and slowed it down by about 10 bpm. [1]

Lyrics

Holopainen has stated that the title is Latin for "nobody" or "no name" [1] and the song is based on his occasional feelings of being lost, longing for the past and feeling nameless. [1] [6] This contradicts speculations that the song simply borrows on a Nemo character of an earlier work, such as J. Verne's Captain Nemo, Homer's Ulysses alias Nemo, C. Dickens’ Captain Hawdon alias Nemo, W. McCay's Little Nemo, or the Disney Studio's film Finding Nemo . [1] Asked about that, Holopainen responded: [6]

Not the fish! I cannot believe how everyone seems to be convinced it's that. Nemo, which is Latin for "nobody," has nothing to do with the Disney film. It revolves around the feelings I have from time to time. I feel nameless and do not know who I am or where I will go. I only know my past and I long to be back there. The song is about being lost, not knowing where to go or what to do, yet desperate for everything in life. That’s not always me, but when I wrote Nemo, that's the way I felt. Now I feel better. (Translated from German)

— Tuomas Holopainen, Underground Empire interview

In a 2016 interview, he said he "was just a much darker person then than I am now" and that he "would never do a song like that again". [1]

Music video

The song received a video that cost around €80,000, which is much more than most heavy metal videos cost at that time. It was directed by Finnish director Antti Jokinen and shows the band performing among snowy mountains. Then vocalist Tarja Turunen is wearing a red coat, which she admits to be different from other symphonic metal female vocalists, who usually dress in black. [1] A second version of the video included footage from The Cave.

The video was heavily played on TVs around the world, but according to Turunen, some channels were reluctant at first due to the video having been shot in the snow. [1] Also, she said the video helped the band gain more attention from gothic fans, even though she doesn't believe they have ever considered themselves to be a gothic band. [1]

Live performances

Nemo is the most played song by Nightwish, with well over 640 times as of August 2023. [7] After Turunen left Nightwish, "Nemo" became one of the songs from the band that she would frequently perform live in her solo concerts. [1]

Track listings

CD1
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Nemo" (w/ fade out)Holopainen4:28
2."Planet Hell"Holopainen4:42
3."White Night Fantasy" (non-album bonus track)Holopainen4:05
4."Nemo" (orchestral version)Holopainen4:37
5."Enhanced Part" (studio report / photo gallery) 4:05
CD2
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Nemo" (w/ cold end)Holopainen4:36
2."Live to Tell the Tale" (exclusive bonus track)Holopainen5:02
3."Nemo" (orchestral version)Holopainen4:37
4."Nemo promotional video" (m-peg) 4:05
10-inch
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Nemo" (w/ cold end)Holopainen4:36
2."White Night Fantasy" (non-album bonus track)Holopainen4:05
3."Nemo" (orchestral version)Holopainen4:37
4."Planet Hell"Holopainen4:42
5."Live to Tell the Tale" (non-album bonus track)Holopainen5:02
DVD
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Nemo" (video / stereo & 5.1)Holopainen4:05
2."Nemo" (audio / stereo & 5.1)Holopainen4:36
3."Planet Hell" (audio / stereo & 5.1)Holopainen4:42
4."The Making of Nemo" (video / stereo)  

Personnel

Personnel are adapted from the Nightwish website. [8]

Nightwish

Main crew

  • Engineers and recorders: Tero Kinnunen, Mikko Karmila and Emppu Vuorinen
  • Mixing: Mikko Karmila and Tuomas Holopainen
  • Mastering: Mika Jussila
  • Orchestral and choral arrangements: Pip Williams
  • Conducted: James Shearman
  • Orchestra Leader: Gavyn Wright
  • Band photographer: Toni Härkönen

Chart performance

"Nemo" topped the charts in Finland and Hungary; [9] [10] in the former country, it was the highest-selling single of 2004 from a domestic artist. [11] In the United Kingdom, it charted at number 87, giving Nightwish their first chart entry, and peaked at number five on the UK Rock Chart. [12] [13] Elsewhere in Europe, the single became a top-10 hit in Germany and Norway and a top-20 hit in Austria, Sweden, and Switzerland. [14] [15] "Nemo" was certified platinum in Finland, selling 13,109 copies. [16]

Sales and certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Finland (Musiikkituottajat) [16] Platinum13,109 [16]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nightwish</span> Finnish symphonic metal band

Nightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Kitee. The band was formed in 1996 by lead songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former lead singer Tarja Turunen. The band soon picked up drummer Jukka Nevalainen, and then bassist Sami Vänskä after the release of their debut album, Angels Fall First (1997). In 2001, Vänskä was replaced by Marko Hietala, who also took over the male vocalist role previously filled by Holopainen or guest singers. Although Nightwish have been prominent in their home country since Angels Fall First, they did not achieve wider success until the release of the albums Oceanborn (1998), Wishmaster (2000) and Century Child (2002).

<i>Angels Fall First</i> 1997 studio album by Nightwish

Angels Fall First is the debut studio album by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, originally released by Spinefarm Records on 30 September 1997 as a 500-copy limited edition. This edition is highly sought after by collectors and in 2012 a copy was sold for $1137.23 on eBay. It was subsequently released to the general public on 1 November, with four additional songs. The album was released in the US by Century Media in March 2001.

<i>Oceanborn</i> 1998 studio album by Nightwish

Oceanborn is the second studio album by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. It was released in Finland by Spinefarm Records on 7 December 1998 and in the spring of 1999 worldwide. It was released by Drakkar Entertainment in the rest of Europe, and by Toy's Factory in Japan. It is their first album with bassist Sami Vänskä.

<i>Wishmaster</i> (album) 2000 studio album by Nightwish

Wishmaster is the third studio album by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. It was released on 8 May 2000 through Spinefarm Records in Finland. The album was released in the rest of Europe by Drakkar Entertainment on 29 May, and in Japan by Toy's Factory on 19 July. In the US, it was released by Century Media on 6 February 2001.

<i>Over the Hills and Far Away</i> (EP) 2001 EP by Nightwish

Over the Hills and Far Away is the first EP by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, released on 25 June 2001 through Spinefarm Records in Finland, and Drakkar Records in the rest of Europe. It was also released by Toy's Factory in Japan and Century Media Records in the US. Bassist Sami Vänskä left the band after its recording, due to musical differences between him and Tuomas Holopainen. He was replaced by the bassist and male vocalist, Marko Hietala.

<i>Century Child</i> 2002 studio album by Nightwish

Century Child is the fourth studio album by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. It was released in 2002 through Spinefarm Records in Finland, Drakkar Entertainment in the rest of Europe, Century Media Records in the US, and Toy's Factory in Japan. It is the first album which features now-former bassist and male vocalist Marko Hietala, who left the band in January 2021. It is also the first Nightwish album to feature an orchestra.

<i>Once</i> (Nightwish album) 2004 studio album by Nightwish

Once is the fifth studio album by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, released on 7 June 2004 by Spinefarm Records in Finland and Nuclear Blast in the rest of Europe. It is the fifth and last album to feature Tarja Turunen on lead vocals. The album cost nearly €250,000 to make, which made it Finland's most expensive recording ever until the release of Nightwish's next album, Dark Passion Play, which cost over €500,000 to produce. As of 2013, Once had sold 2.3 million copies worldwide, becoming Nightwish's most successful album to date. The remastering of the album was released on 6 August 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tarja Turunen</span> Finnish musician (born 1977)

Tarja Soile Susanna Turunen-Cabuli, known professionally as Tarja Turunen or simply Tarja, is a Finnish heavy metal singer, best known as the former lead vocalist of Nightwish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tuomas Holopainen</span> Finnish songwriter, producer and keyboardist

Tuomas Lauri Johannes Holopainen is a Finnish musician, songwriter, and record producer, best known as the primary songwriter, keyboardist, and founding member of symphonic metal band Nightwish. He has stated that his songwriting is influenced by harmonic film music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sleeping Sun</span> 1999 Nightwish song

"Sleeping Sun" is a power ballad and the fourth single by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. It was released as a maxi single with three other songs on 2 August 1999 to coincide with the total solar eclipse that would occur on 11 August.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wish I Had an Angel</span> 2004 single by Nightwish

"Wish I Had An Angel" is the ninth single by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, the second from their fifth album Once. The song features vocals by then-vocalist Tarja Turunen and bassist Marko Hietala. The song was still performed live after Turunen's departure with Anette Olzon, before her departure, and current vocalist Floor Jansen afterwards. Featured on the soundtrack of the film Alone in the Dark, it became the group's most popular single in Europe and in the United States, next to "Nemo". It made it onto two U.S. film soundtracks. It reached #60 in the UK Singles Chart, the highest of any of the band's singles in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Carpenter (Nightwish song)</span> 1997 single by Nightwish

"The Carpenter" is the debut single by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, the only from their debut album, Angels Fall First. This is the only Nightwish single to feature lead vocals by both Tarja Turunen and Tuomas Holopainen. It was performed live for the first time in over twenty years with Floor Jansen and Troy Donockley in 2018 during the Decades: World Tour.

<i>Dark Passion Play</i> 2007 studio album by Nightwish

Dark Passion Play is the sixth studio album by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. It was released on 26 September 2007 by Spinefarm Records in Finland, 28 September by Nuclear Blast in Europe and 2 October 2007 by Roadrunner Records in the US. It is the first album without original vocalist Tarja Turunen, who was dismissed in 2005, as well as the first album involving future member Troy Donockley on uilleann pipes and tin whistle. It is the first of only two albums with vocalist Anette Olzon, who was eventually dismissed in 2012 after the release of the band's subsequent album, Imaginaerum. Tuomas Holopainen has referred to this album as the "album that saved his life".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nightwish discography</span> Band discography

This is the discography of the Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, which consists of ten studio albums, one extended play, six live albums, four compilations, eighteen music videos and twenty singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bye Bye Beautiful</span> 2008 single by Nightwish

"Bye Bye Beautiful" is the second track on Nightwish's Dark Passion Play album. The song was confirmed to be the second single from Dark Passion Play by Tuomas Holopainen in an interview, but it was changed to the third single after the announcement of "Erämaan viimeinen"'s release as the second.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Once Upon a Tour</span> 2004–2005 concert tour by Nightwish

Once Upon a Tour was a concert tour by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, in 2004 and 2005, to promote the release of their fifth album, Once, released June 7, 2004. A new greatest hits compilation, Highest Hopes, was also released to tie in with the tour. The albums combined with the band's most expansive merchandise campaign by Nuclear Blast Records meant this tour was heralded as the band's most important in many years. Many of the band's songs had not been played in a long time.

<i>Imaginaerum</i> 2011 studio album by Nightwish

Imaginaerum is the seventh studio album by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. It was released on 30 November 2011 by Scene Nation Oy and Sony Music in Finland, then on 2 December in Nuclear Blast in the rest of Europe and Roadrunner Records worldwide. According to Nightwish songwriter Tuomas Holopainen, the album is a concept album that tells the story of an old composer who is reminiscing of his youth on his deathbed. The album was produced alongside the movie of the same name, directed by Stobe Harju, who previously directed Nightwish's "The Islander" music video, and the album and the film share the same themes and general story. It is their second and last album with vocalist Anette Olzon, as well as the last with drummer Jukka Nevalainen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Storytime (song)</span> 2011 single by Nightwish

"Storytime" is the lead single from Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish's seventh studio album, Imaginaerum. It was released on November 9, 2011, twenty days prior to the album, along with a music video. The song premiered on Radio Rock, a Finnish radio station at 9.00 GMT +2 on November 7, 2011, two days before its commercial release.

<i>Walking in the Air: The Greatest Ballads</i> 2011 compilation album by Nightwish

Walking in the Air: The Greatest Ballads is the sixth compilation album by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, released in 2011. It contains the "greatest ballads" from the first four albums, two of which are covers. The cover art was created by Andreas Marschall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Élan (song)</span> 2015 single by Nightwish

"Élan" is a single by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, the first from their eighth album Endless Forms Most Beautiful. The song marks the first Nightwish song to feature its newest frontwoman, Dutch singer Floor Jansen, on vocals, and also the first to feature Troy Donockley as a full-time member and Kai Hahto as a temporary replacement for Jukka Nevalainen.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Lawson, Dom; Scharf, Natasha (6 October 2016). "The Story Behind The Song: Nightwish's Nemo". Metal Hammer . Future plc . Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  2. ↑ "Once: Nightwish". Allmusic . Retrieved 1 June 2010.
  3. 1 2 Ollia, Mape."Once Upon a Nightwish: The Official Biography 1996–2006". Bazillion Points, 2008, ISBN   978-0-9796163-2-7, p. 222
  4. ↑ ""Nemo" #1 on Brazilian videocharts". Nightwish's Official Website. 2 June 2004. Archived from the original on 24 January 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2009.
  5. ↑ http://www.soundtrack.net/albums/database/?id=3772 “The Cave: Music theme” at Soundtrack.net Retrieved 14 July 2011
  6. 1 2 Klaudia Weber: Nightwish Interview Archived 30 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine at Underground-Empire.com (German) Retrieved 14 July 2011.
  7. ↑ Nemo by Nightwish
  8. ↑ "The Band - Releases: Once (2004)". Nightwish's Official Website. Archived from the original on 18 April 2010. Retrieved 1 June 2010.
  9. 1 2 "Nightwish: Nemo" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  10. 1 2 "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  11. 1 2 "Myydyimmät levyt 2004" [Best-Selling Discs 2004] (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat . Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  12. 1 2 "Nightwish: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  13. 1 2 "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  14. 1 2 "Nightwish – Nemo" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  15. 1 2 "Nightwish – Nemo". VG-lista. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  16. 1 2 3 "Nightwish" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland . Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  17. ↑ "Nightwish – Nemo" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  18. ↑ "Hits of the World: Eurocharts". Music & Media . Vol. 116, no. 24. 12 June 2004. p. 53.
  19. ↑ "Nightwish – Nemo" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  20. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  21. ↑ "Nightwish – Nemo". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  22. ↑ "Nightwish – Nemo". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  23. ↑ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2004" (in German). Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  24. ↑ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 2004" (in German). GfK Entertainment . Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  25. ↑ "Årslista Singlar, 2004" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved 25 November 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.