DoC's Top 50 Favorite Dream Theater songs, like ever!

[Destiny Of Chaos]

16. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence

Up next is Dream Theater’s longest song. Most of this song wowed me when I first heard it. I say most, because Solitary Shell is an anchor that keeps Six Degrees from making it even higher on my list. But the other “movements” are all top notch. My favorite movement is ABTC (Reprise), but I also love the vibe that they capture in Goodnight Kiss. All in all, a gigantic Dream Theater epic!






15. Fatal Tragedy

A staple on most lists, Fatal Tragedy is just one of those songs that takes you on a furious ride. The first half is pretty straightforward, but still awesome. But that jam session to end the song, that thing is epic. All the musicians are on point and you’d be hard pressed to find an instance of when the band is tighter than they are when navigating the end of this song.





14. Octavarium

Coming in at 14 is the 24 minute epic that DT released in 2005. This song was monumental, and was an impressive achievement.  I loved how the band put so much thought into making the entire album fit together, and this song is all of that effort coming to a head. I hate the lyrics during Full Circle, but I love them otherwise. James sounds great on this song. Razor’s edge is one of DT’s most epic ending moments. All in all, this song is deserving of all of the praise that it receives.





13. A Change of Seasons

A Change of Seasons blew me away when I first heard it. I love the lyrics and the overall theme. My favorite section by far is Carpe Diem. Another World is fantastic as well. I do get a little bored with the Inevitable Summer, but that’s just minor nit-picking. This sound is tremendous, and I envy anyone who has had the pleasure of hearing it live.

[BlobVanDam]

Getting all of the epics out in one go, huh?

Solitary Shell an anchor? Can't say I agree with you there! That's quite possibly my favourite part of the song! Each to his own.

[Scorpion]

Three great songs (good to see that FT is making lists quite regularly at the moment, it was pretty underappreciated a while ago) and one miss.

Octavarium is, in my opinion, one of DT's worst epics. The first two movements have an interesting vibe and I love how everyone works together to create a very subdued mood. Full Circle is quite cool musically, but the lyrics "Oh, let's go all wordplay and stuff" ruin the section for me. Intervals is amazing, I love the instrumental section and the buildup to the song's climax is fucking intense.

...and then comes Razor's Edge, the biggest let-down of DT's career. It just feels tacked on, stupidly long and completely unepic.

So, all in all, not a bad song, but it would never, ever touch my Top 50.

[BlobVanDam]

Razor's Edge a letdown? It's beautiful. That's like the best part of the song!   You guys crazy.

And of this batch, it's ACOS that wouldn't make my top 50. The rest most definitely would though.

[Destiny Of Chaos]

Three great songs (good to see that FT is making lists quite regularly at the moment, it was pretty underappreciated a while ago) and one miss.

Octavarium is, in my opinion, one of DT's worst epics. The first two movements have an interesting vibe and I love how everyone works together to create a very subdued mood. Full Circle is quite cool musically, but the lyrics "Oh, let's go all wordplay and stuff" ruin the section for me. Intervals is amazing, I love the instrumental section and the buildup to the song's climax is fucking intense.

...and then comes Razor's Edge, the biggest let-down of DT's career. It just feels tacked on, stupidly long and completely unepic.

So, all in all, not a bad song, but it would never, ever touch my Top 50.

I edited my write up.... Full Circle is the batch of lyrics I can't stand. Intervals is awesome. Oops.

[Rattlehead]

Getting all of the epics out in one go, huh?

Solitary Shell an anchor? Can't say I agree with you there! That's quite possibly my favourite part of the song! Each to his own.

Same here... I used to not really care for SS but it's really grown on me and has become my favorite part of SDOIT. Nice batch of songs though, DoC 

[BlobVanDam]

Three great songs (good to see that FT is making lists quite regularly at the moment, it was pretty underappreciated a while ago) and one miss.

Octavarium is, in my opinion, one of DT's worst epics. The first two movements have an interesting vibe and I love how everyone works together to create a very subdued mood. Full Circle is quite cool musically, but the lyrics "Oh, let's go all wordplay and stuff" ruin the section for me. Intervals is amazing, I love the instrumental section and the buildup to the song's climax is fucking intense.

...and then comes Razor's Edge, the biggest let-down of DT's career. It just feels tacked on, stupidly long and completely unepic.

So, all in all, not a bad song, but it would never, ever touch my Top 50.

I edited my write up.... Full Circle is the batch of lyrics I can't stand. Intervals is awesome. Oops.

The Full Circle lyrics really put me off the song at first, although I can tolerate them now to the point where they don't detract from the song for me. But I've never considered lyrics to be all that important to a song, so that's just me. I can definitely understand why it affects the song for others.

[hefdaddy42]

...and then comes Razor's Edge, the biggest let-down of DT's career. It just feels tacked on, stupidly long and completely unepic.

WTF

[Scorpion]

I've tried to explain it a few times, but ultimately it just feels very drawn out and boring, especially the solo. Now, don't get me wrong, I normally like solos that are more mellow and that don't go out full-shred all the time, but this solo, it's just basically the same melody repeated over and over. And that wouldn't even be so bad if it didn't come AFTER the perfect climax of the song. When I listen to the song, I just zone out during the outro solo. Nothing bad, but nothing that holds my attention.

[hefdaddy42]

[wasteland]

Before joining this site I would have never thought Razor's Edge to be so polarizing.

[Scorpion]

I wouldn't call it polarising. Except for me, ? and Milena, everyone seems to absolutely love it to pieces.

[Destiny Of Chaos]

"This journey ends where it begins!!!"

Gets me every time.

[wasteland]

I wouldn't call it polarising. Except for me, ? and Milena, everyone seems to absolutely love it to pieces.

Well, three people who meet ramdomly and have a very controversial opinion is a trend not to be ignored. I don't love it as much as I did three years ago, but I find it a fitting ending to a very good song.

[Cedar redaC]

Well, this is rather late, but following.

[?]

I wouldn't call it polarising. Except for me, ? and Milena, everyone seems to absolutely love it to pieces.

Unlike you two, I don't think Razor's Edge is the weakest part of the song, but it is overrated and I agree that the first two movements are the best Octavarium has to offer.

[Unlegit]

3 epics in one update. 

[DebraKadabra]

"This journey ends where it begins!!!"

Gets me every time.

You and me both, bro.

Oh, and thanks for not having ACOS at #1.

[Rattlehead]

I wouldn't call it polarising. Except for me, ? and Milena, everyone seems to absolutely love it to pieces.

Unlike you two, I don't think Razor's Edge is the weakest part of the song, but it is overrated and I agree that the first two movements are the best Octavarium has to offer.

Yeah I agree with this, I'm not a huge 8vm fan either. Medicate is by far the best part imo. Razor's Edge is overrated but still beats the hell out of the Full Circle part, which I find pretty bad and cringeworthy at times.

[GasparXR]

I think Ocavarium is magnificent, and it gets better with every minute. The post-Full Circle section is constructed very well, has a very nice flow and really memorable. Same with the ending.

[Lolzeez]

I placed FT above all those epics. 

[ZirconBlue]

I'm gonna have to get my list together and do one of these threads, just to watch Blob's head explode. 

[wasteland]

I think DTF should produce a coordinate endeavour to guess Blob's top 50 correctly. It would be epic. The Board vs. BlobVanDamn.

[BlobVanDam]

The Board vs. BlobVanDamn.

Also known as "every day" to me.

I should probably actually write up a top 50 before anyone was to attempt that though. I know the 50 songs that would be in it, but I haven't ever ranked a full top 50.

[wasteland]

Well, I have found and screenshot your top 10, unless it has changed ever since

[MoraWintersoul]

I should probably actually write up a top 50 before anyone was to attempt that though. I know the 50 songs that would be in it, but I haven't ever ranked a full top 50.

You really need to do that. It's an awesome and exhausting experience.

[BlobVanDam]

Well, I have found and screenshot your top 10, unless it has changed ever since

Was it recent-ish? My opinions probably haven't changed since then, although songs may swap around slightly depending on my mood, considering how close a lot of those top 20 songs would be for me. Top 1/2 hasn't ever really changed though.

[wasteland]

One yearish old, I think. I am extremely tempted to open a thread right now related to your eventual top 50. Can I? 

[BlobVanDam]

One yearish old, I think. I am extremely tempted to open a thread right now related to your eventual top 50. Can I? 

I'd really rather you didn't.

[?]

I think DTF should produce a coordinate endeavour to guess Blob's top 50 correctly. It would be epic. The Board vs. BlobVanDamn.

Someone should go through all the top 50 threads and check all Blob's comments to be able to get it right! Well, at least we have his top 10 from last summer, as you said

[Destiny Of Chaos]

12. Misunderstood

In what has been referred to as DT’s experimental album, it’s most experimental song is a cut above the rest. I love everything about this song. The lyrics are great, the chorus is fantastic. The instrumental parts are different, and great. James gives a great performance. This is also surprisingly a great song when played live. I have always been able to relate to this song and its message, so it will always be one of my favorites.











11. Bridges in the Sky

The intro threw me off on the first listen, but this song is an instant classic. I would go as far as to say that this is the quintessential Dream Theater song. It’s one of those songs that is a perfect example of what Dream Theater is. This song is about a journey and it really feels like you are along for the ride. I’ll say it again, this is truly an instant classic!





Recap

50. This is the Life
49. Burning My Soul
48. Space-Dye Vest
47. Stream of Consciousness
46. A Rite of Passage
45. Pull Me Under
44. Strange déjà vu
43. The Great Debate
42. As I Am
41. Lines in the Sand
40. The Best of Times
39. Overture 1928
38. Take the Time
37. The Root of All Evil
36. Caught in a Web
35. A Fortune in Lies
34. Scarred
33. This Dying Soul
32. Hell’s Kitchen
31. The Killing Hand
30. Erotomania
29. Learning to Live
28. Finally Free
27. On the Backs of Angels
26. Beyond This Life
25. In the Name of God
24. Honor Thy Father
23. Afterlife
22. The Count of Tuscany
21. Disappear
20. The Glass Prison
19. Outcry
18. Breaking All Illusions
17. The Mirror
16. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
15. Fatal Tragedy
14. Octavarium
13. A Change of Seasons
12. Misunderstood
11. Bridges in the Sky
10.
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 2.
 1.

[MoraWintersoul]

I want DT to make another experimental album.

[Onno]

Two EPIC songs!

I want DT to make another experimental album.

Yes indeed.

[BlobVanDam]

Great choices.

I want DT to make another experimental album.

If it ends up anywhere near as good as SDOIT, yes please.

[?]

I want DT to make another experimental album.

Six Degrees was the second album with Jordan and the new record will be the second with Mangini, so... Actually, every time they've made a second release with a new member, it has been notably different from its predecessor: I&W/Awake, ACOS/FII. Hopefully having re-established themselves with ADTOE and getting a new guy into the writing process will help DT come up with something really fresh for the new album!