Sleeping Sun 2005

"Sleeping Sun" is a power ballad by Nightwish. The song was originally written by Tuomas Holopainen and dedicated to the solar eclipse that arose on the European sky in 1999. This version was released on CD and DVD Single in late October/early November 2005.

In 2005, Nightwish announced that they were busy recording a new version of this song for a compilation album, entitled Highest Hopes. Tarja Turunen sang lead vocals on the re-recorded version, this becoming her final studio contribution to the band before being replaced by Anette Olzon.

"Sleeping Sun" would appear on the Highest Hopes album titled " Sleeping Sun 2005 Version ". To promote the compilation it was released as a CD & DVD single.

The CD single include the full "2005 version", the radio edit of this new version, and the original 2000 version.

The band also made a video for the 2005 Version; It is a vicious medieval war scene including all the Nightwish band members, with Tarja In the aftermath of the battle. The original 2000 video version was filmed with vocalist Tarja Turunen walking about at Pakkahuone, Tampere, Finland. She is the only Nightwish band member featured in the original, far less dramatic, video. Both videos for 2000 & 2005 versions are included on The DVD Single.