For the first time ever, Anollasia won the World Hit Festival. The closest the nation had ever come to 1st place before was during the 32nd and 26th editions, with 3rd place. But Anima captured everyone's hearts in World Hit Festival 43 in Burgendore, Britonisea with the song "My Heart's Still Beating". The group's main vocalist and songwriter, Cael Atterman, had a dream come true that night, as he had always dreamed of joining the World Hit Festival. And so did the nation of Anollasia. Still, the truth remains that he is dying from cancer and it's a bit sad that it took a dying man to win the contest. Despite this though, Cael remains joyful and will enjoy seeing the contest take place at home, as will everyone else in Anollasia.
This was the time Good Fellows was waiting for. After all those months of practice (and after a long hiatus), they will show their talent again. They are about to perform the opening act for the 44th World Hit Festival in Jefferton, Anollasia.
The arena is dark but there are murmurs coming from the audience, unaware of what is about to happen. The song starts off with an intense synth riff. A spotlight is focused on Henry Goodman, who is playing the synth. He is wearing black dress pants and a white, collared shirt. Applause can be heard from the audience, partly because the show is starting, partly because many of them remember this song.
Then comes three drum beats. During each drum beat, a spotlight flashes towards the back of the stage, on the platform, where Sam Harrison is playing the drums. The LED screens in the background also flash with light. He is also wearing the same outfit as Henry. He retreats into darkness as Henry and John continue playing without him.
After the light focusing on the drums goes out, a spotlight is focused on Matthew McLaughlin, who is playing bass guitar. He is also wearing the same outfit as the other two.
John has a microphone stand right in front of the synth and he leans forward to start singing while he continues playing the synth. While he's singing, the LED screens show what he's singing about - green, rolling hills; windmills; waterfalls; and then a banquet hall with a view of the waterfall.
Rolling hillside
Oh, how beautiful
Spinning windmills
Oh, look how beautiful
Waterfalls
Seen through all those fancy banquet halls
His voice gets slightly louder. The bass drum comes in but the drums are still shrouded in darkness. The LEDs continue showing what he's singing about - snowy mountain; public fountain displaying a water show. Meanwhile, a spotlight is focused on John Caderburg, who is gently playing guitar. He is also wearing the same outfit as everyone else.
A snowy mountain
Another miracle
Another fountain
What a spectacle
No more time
I've got to love and live with pride
The drums and guitars kick in now: Sam enters with a powerful drum fill and John lifts his right arm up after playing each chord. The spotlights are replaced with full stage lighting and the LED screens are also bright. Henry is belting out the lyrics while still playing synths. He looks very euphoric.
This world is wonderful!
This world is wonderful!
Yeah!
Think about all those good things
Your happiness is the key
Think half the glass is full
Sam chugs on with the drum beat but John switches from playing power chords to background guitar licks. The lighting and LEDs are dimmed but still illuminate the stage. Henry's euphoria is replaced with a look of distress, which also reflects in his voice. The LEDs start showing imagery of wads of cash being blown away and then a die being repeatedly rolled.
So many piled debts
I think I have some stress
So many wrong bets
I have belongings less
Oh my god
Why is this always going o-o-o-o-on?
The LEDs now show a fire superimposed with silhouettes of men with spears. The men with spears are replaced with a silhouette of an airplane deploying atomic bombs. Then a battle scene is shown, with each side charging at each other with bayonets. This is juxtaposed with a scene of people around a campfire, which is flashed very quickly throughout the battle scene but slow enough to be noticed.
The fire's burning
The world's getting warmer now
What once were spears
Are atomic bombs
Outside the war is raging
But inside I ask why can't we be together in harmony?
The audience cheers as Henry name drops this edition's slogan ("Together in harmony").
The chorus is back but with a different spin. Henry is once again belting out the lyrics, joined by all the other members (who each have their own microphone stands) for the chorus part to create a luscious harmony. The stage and LEDs are once again bright, but fire also spouts from the edges of the stage.
This world is horrible!
This world is horrible!
Yeah!
Ooh, think about all those mistakes
Whatever I have done it makes me
Want to cry
John steps forward to play a powerful and epic guitar solo. Henry continues playing synths, which are hardly noticeable at this point. He also has tears in his eyes, but nobody notices because the cameras are focusing on the guitar solo and it's hard to see the tears from the audience. He interjects with some non-lyrics.
Yeah, yeah!
Whoa whoa whoa!
Whoa whoa whoa!
The guitar solo fades away to make room for the bridge, where the very truthful lyrics combined with powerful vocals creates a chilling feeling. Even the fires at the edge of the stage extinguish. The LEDs and lighting turn red for this segment.
All those bloody wars
Losing tons of precious lives
Dirty shores
We're killing life
Without a single bye
Are we a-aaall monsters?
The chorus is back again, somehow even more grandiose than the previous one. John and Matthew sing the "ooh" backing vocals in addition to the chorus, complementing Henry's impressive vocals. The fire at the edge of the stage is back now and so is the bright white lighting and LEDs.
This world is crazy!
Yeah, yeah!
This world is crazy!
(Ooh, ooh, ooh)
Why are we all hating?
When we can be creating
Some love in your heart
John once again steps forward to play an amazing guitar solo, this one even more powerful than the first one. The lights and LEDs are flashing along with the solo. Henry is still playing synths, which are hardly audible, and he is moving his head around to the solo as well and has tears falling down his cheek.
Once the guitar solo ends, Henry has made up his mind. Is this world wonderful, horrible, or crazy? He sings once more, bringing the song back to the message in the beginning. Before he officially states his stance on the matter, the other members sing "this world is" as backing vocals. Then he lets out the final verdict in a killer fashion, accompanied by a strong drum fill.
Ooh, don't ever forget
You shall not let
The bad things get the best of you
(This world is, this world is)
Wonderful!
The fires are officially extinguished and the LEDs turn off. The lighting gradually dims as well. Henry's eyes are closed and his head is facing down a bit. His hands are still on the synth, but they're stuck on the same chord. The other members sing the final verse in harmony.
This world is wonderful...
The audience erupts with applause and cheering as the band's voices echo throughout the arena. The lights come back on and the band look both emotionally tired from the performance but also grateful that they were able to play in the World Hit Festival again, even if only as an opening act. It had been a long time since they played music together as well so their feelings were strong regarding the performance.
They all say together, "Thank you, Anollasia! Thank you!" Before leaving the stage.