Timo started playing guitar when he was 7 years old. His early influences were ABBA, The Beatles and The Shadows. Very quickly he progressed to the point where he wanted an electric guitar. After hearing “Smoke on the Water” on the radio the rest was history. As a young teenager, Tolkki practically slept with his guitar and it was not uncommon for him to practice 8 hours a day. He was also playing in some local bands but in 1984 got a phonecall from the Stratovarius camp asking him to join the band. Stratovarius soared to great heights becoming the leading pioneers in progressive power metal. This monumental achievement included 7 world tours, 3 consecutive gold discs in Finland and selling almost 3 million records.
The recent break up of Stratovarius came about because Tolkki felt that the relationships in the band very very badly contaminated and also because everything that was to be said with that band with those members had already been said and to continue would be simply repeating the same form. He also wanted to be able to concentrate on other things, explaining that:“There’s just a time for everything in life and Stratovarius came to the end of a road and there was nowhere to go anymore”. During the composing process of his upcoming solo album “Saana-Warrior of Light” he found many new interests in the form of photography, graphics design and video editing. “It was like a new world to me and I knew I had found something that would determine the course of the rest of my life regarding my art. Now I have these amazing tools available to me to create things I did not know was possible. Lot of studying, but it’s really a lot of fun, which brought me into many different areas in music. On the other hand I can do a production of a dance artist, or a metal artist. Or anyone who I think is real and has it. I rarely do productions outside of my own production company anymore. I am really into finding new talents and developing a project together with an artist, while using enough time for it. Because time is gold in music. I have everything I need here to create a perfect musical and visual experience. Music is the Universal language. Its primary function is to awaken emotions in us. We have no choice. If something doesn’t move me, I know it is not for me”.
Timo is currently running his own Goldenworks production company and has established a comfortable working suite in Helsinki with the latest technology. He calls his place “Santa’s Workshop”. Timo is actively looking for singers and artists who dare to explore the boundaries of themselves and take the step to the unknown.
He is ready to release his new solo album “Saana-Warrior of Light Pt1”. It is a groundbreaking release in many ways. It will only be available from the shop from his Official website http://www.timotolkki.com that is powered by TheGround.com so you will not find it in record stores. Tolkki is happy about these new opportunities to interact directly with his fans and to offer them products at a much better cost.
Since Stratovarius break-up, he has formed a new Power Metal band that continues the legacy of Stratovarius. This band is called REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE and its debut album “New Era” will be out on 6.6.2008 featuring Michael Kiske (Helloween) and Tobias Sammet (Edguy, Avantasia) on vocals.
Timo Tolkki is looking forward to new musical endeavours and to the exciting new and fresh future in his art. 8.
The Letter
Timo Tolkki Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Welcome my dear, my name is Freya, I'm your guide
Many mountains you have climbed, now your path has led you here
You have walked the winding road to the sea of loneliness
There's a reason to all these things my dear
[Saana:]
I have watched the seasons go
Still it's hard to comprehend
Is there meaning there at all
I don't know why I am here
But I know that I feel fear
Can you tell me? Answer me please
Why am I here?
[Freya:]
Go to sleep tomorrow is... a long day
The song "The Letter" from Timo Tolkki's rock opera "Saana - Warrior of Light Pt. 1" features two characters - Freya as a guide and Saana as a lost wanderer. Freya greets Saana and acknowledges the struggles she has had and the hardships she has faced in her journey to get here. Freya insists there is a reason for everything and that Saana has come this far to seek answers to the questions she has been pondering. Saana shares the confusions she has had and the fear she feels. She has seen the cycle of life unfold and wonders if there is any meaning to any of it. She begs Freya to answer why she is here, and the song ends with Freya offering Saana some comforting words to sleep better and to tackle the challenges when she wakes up. The song is a reflection of the various twists and turns of life, how we seek answers to important questions, and sometimes the answers we seek can only come from within.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome my dear, my name is Freya, I'm your guide
I am Freya, your guide. You have come a long way to reach here and I welcome you.
Many mountains you have climbed, now your path has led you here
You have overcome many obstacles to reach here and you have made it through the difficult times.
You have walked the winding road to the sea of loneliness
You have faced loneliness on your journey here.
There's a reason to all these things my dear
There is a reason for all that you have experienced and all that you will experience in the future.
I have watched the seasons go
I have observed the changing of seasons and how time goes by.
I have wondered 'bout this all
I have thought about the meaning of life and why things happen the way they do.
Still it's hard to comprehend
Even though I have thought about it, it is still difficult to understand.
Is there meaning there at all
I question if there is any purpose to life and if what we do really means anything.
I don't know why I am here
I am unsure of my purpose and why I exist.
But I know that I feel fear
I may not know why I am here, but I feel afraid of the unknown.
Can you tell me? Answer me please
Why am I here?
I am seeking answers to my questions and hoping for someone to provide guidance and clarity.
Go to sleep tomorrow is... a long day
It is time to rest and prepare for what lies ahead, as tomorrow will be a challenging day.
Contributed by Harper J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
CrackFire
The Letter
You don't remember me, I remember you
I know you're scared like once I was
Sitting here by the shore, like I did before
And thinking 'bout the winding road
But that road is so long
You must be strong
Learn from each day
Never giving up
Though the ocean is deep
You must carry one
Towards the reason why you're here
Keep the love in your heart
We'll never be apart
We'll meet again one day you'll see
We all have a destiny chosen by ourselves
But later you will understand
You were born with a gift
A secret to hold
Your heart is gold you got to carry on
Soon your pain turns to peace
There's no more fear
And my child we'll meet again
CrackFire
The Letter
You don't remember me, I remember you
I know you're scared like once I was
Sitting here by the shore, like I did before
And thinking 'bout the winding road
But that road is so long
You must be strong
Learn from each day
Never giving up
Though the ocean is deep
You must carry one
Towards the reason why you're here
Keep the love in your heart
We'll never be apart
We'll meet again one day you'll see
We all have a destiny chosen by ourselves
But later you will understand
You were born with a gift
A secret to hold
Your heart is gold you got to carry on
Soon your pain turns to peace
There's no more fear
And my child we'll meet again
GnopKing
just lovely!
Jazmani Ochoa
Great composition Timo, beautiful song, definitely you deserve more recognition... On the other hand I can imagine how amazing all that album could sound with Michael Kiske :-) Hopefully one day you can work again with him.
Marijana Kovačić
Beautiful song! Can a non-stop to listen, listen to the player is constantly in a circle!
FarBeyondTheStrat
An angel's voice. The vibrato is so expressive, so strong, so emotional, and just so perfect! :DDD
Diego Arantes
beautiful, angel's voice!
Bertrand Frémont
My favorite of all the songs I've heard in my life.
GnopKing
One of the best songs I've ever heard.
Great work, Maestro Timo
Célio Azevedo
Beautiful composition.
Crinstal Choi
truly beautiful voice, love the song