Is anyone bothered by DT songs with the title in the opening verse?

[Aniland]

Examples of what I mean:

a. Several years ago / In a foreign town / So far away from home / I met The Count of Tuscany
b. A Nightmare to Remember / I'll never be the same!
c. Look in the mirror / What do you see? / The Shattered Fortress / That once bound me
d. Standing On the Backs of Angels / Destined to create

I notice this trend being more prevalent in their songwriting more than ever. Petrucci is the biggest offender, but of course, Mike's done it too at least once. The title of the song is presented at the beginning of the lyrics, which seems to ruin some suspense at times. I mean, could you imagine if The Beatles had titled that song, "She's Not a Girl (Who Misses Much)", or if Pink Floyd had called it "The Moments That Make Up A Dog Day". Granted, it works for some songs (from respective bands, "Love Me Do" and "Money"), but sometimes it doesn't, especially in a band that focuses on buildups like Dream Theater. Kinda ruins some mystery.

How do you feel about this? Personally, I don't like it. I would hate it if we heard opening verses along the lines of something like:

- The call of the OUTCRY / Burning our eyes!
- I watched her take her fall / Down BENEATH THE SURFACE
- The monster reached into my eyes / BREAKING ALL ILLUSIONS!
- You BUILD ME UP / You BREEE-AK ME DOWN.

I mean, come on guys.

[SystematicThought]

What? It's not that big of a deal. Why it would bother you?

[FlyingBIZKIT]

Doesn't bother me.

[reneranucci]

What? It's not that big of a deal. Why it would bother you? What mystery? Style?

[KevShmev]

What a silly thread.

[SystematicThought]

Actually, thanks for that addition reneranucci.

What mystery??

[renegate]

I think I remember a band that used to do it a lot... who were they again... let me see... oh yeah...




THE BEATLES

[Ħ]

^ Naming a band that sucks.  You're only helping Aniland's case.  =P





But anyway, it's not like they've done it for all their songs.  It happened a lot with BCSL, but not really any other time.  Don't worry.

[BlobVanDam]

Yeah, it doesn't bother me. It's almost like asking if using the song name in the chorus bothers me. Because it's a fairly common practice.

[Ħ]

Actually, what does bother me is pretentious song/album titles, like ?, (), Can Anyone Who Has Heard This Music Really Be A Bad Person?, or [untitled].  But I can't think of any times DT has crossed that line.

[Progmetty]

Wouldn't bother me in a hundred eternities..
This actually reminds me of someone somewhere -probably on your tube- saying something along these lines about TCoT when BC&SL came out, he was like "Oh don't call TCoT an epic, he says the name of the song on the first verse. Octavarium on the other hand is an epic cause he doesn't say the song title until near the end!". And you know sometimes you'll feel like punching someone on the internet in the face for saying something silly but this just made me wanna smack that guy on the forehead with a fat purple rubber dildo.

[wammabe]

I understand what you're saying but I'm not bothered by it in most cases. Perhaps in some cases, like "A Count Of Tuscany", in which the song used the title quite epicly in the end.

[BlobVanDam]

Wouldn't bother me in a hundred eternities..
This actually reminds me of someone somewhere -probably on your tube- saying something along these lines about TCoT when BC&SL came out, he was like "Oh don't call TCoT an epic, he says the name of the song on the first verse. Octavarium on the other hand is an epic cause he doesn't say the song title until near the end!". And you know sometimes you'll feel like punching someone on the internet in the face for saying something silly but this just made me wanna smack that guy on the forehead with a fat purple rubber dildo.

But there's nothing more epic than sitting a person down and saying to them "Let me tell you a story. When I met the count. The Count....... of Tuscany." At which point you would adjust your monocle and dim the lights.

[Mosh]

^ Naming a band that sucks.  You're only helping Aniland's case.  =P

It doesn't bother me. But saying the Beatles suck? Come on, they were a huge influence to modern music. They changed everything.

[wammabe]

^ Naming a band that sucks.  You're only helping Aniland's case.  =P

It doesn't bother me. But saying the Beatles suck? Come on, they were a huge influence to modern music. They changed everything.

I love the Beatles, but just because they're a legend or a huge influence doesn't mean that they have to be good or likable by the fans of the people who they influenced. If Rebecca Black influenced all the progressive rock bands nowadays, would you say that she's a great musician?

[The Letter M]

It's better than naming it after something that isn't even in the lyrics to begin with! Yes' recent album has a song titled "Life On A Film Set" and what you would perceive to be the title because it's a lyric that's repeated throughout the song is "Riding A Tiger", and IIRC, the title of the song isn't part of the lyrics at all.

I think using a lyric from the opening verse, rather than the chorus, is a neat way to switch things up as far as naming a song, goes. It's unexpected, unlike things like "Forsaken", "Wither", "A Rite Of Passage", "I Walk Beside You", etc. etc.

-Marc.

[Gorille85]

^ Naming a band that sucks.  You're only helping Aniland's case.  =P

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[DJay32]

I would just like to say that "The Shattered Fortress" does not state the song title in its first verse; it states it in movement ten's two choruses, neither of which is the first verse in any way, shape, or form. Though the first chorus is right after said first verse.

And hey, Rush's "Cygnus X-1" says the title in its first spoken part; that song's still amazing. In fact, you could say that song's more awesome for it.

You know what would have sucked? If "Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence" had its title stated in the opening verse of About to Crash. xD

[Adami]

Wouldn't bother me in a hundred eternities..
This actually reminds me of someone somewhere -probably on your tube- saying something along these lines about TCoT when BC&SL came out, he was like "Oh don't call TCoT an epic, he says the name of the song on the first verse. Octavarium on the other hand is an epic cause he doesn't say the song title until near the end!". And you know sometimes you'll feel like punching someone on the internet in the face for saying something silly but this just made me wanna smack that guy on the forehead with a fat purple rubber dildo.

But there's nothing more epic than sitting a person down and saying to them "Let me tell you a story. When I met the count. The Count....... of Tuscany." At which point you would adjust your monocle and dim the lights.

.............so what you're saying is that The Gentleman's Club should make a return?

[LCArenas]

TCOT's case bothered me. But for the rest no, to be honest, it's OK. And as I remember the first sentence in TSF was "FREEDOM! SERENITY! HAPPINESS! INVENTORY!"

[Riceball]

Poll needs an Aniland option.

[tri.ad]

 

[Metropolis Pt. II]

Examples of what I mean:

a. Several years ago / In a foreign town / So far away from home / I met The Count of Tuscany
b. A Nightmare to Remember / I'll never be the same!
c. Look in the mirror / What do you see? / The Shattered Fortress / That once bound me
d. Standing On the Backs of Angels / Destined to create

I notice this trend being more prevalent in their songwriting more than ever. Petrucci is the biggest offender, but of course, Mike's done it too at least once. The title of the song is presented at the beginning of the lyrics, which seems to ruin some suspense at times. I mean, could you imagine if The Beatles had titled that song, "She's Not a Girl (Who Misses Much)", or if Pink Floyd had called it "The Moments That Make Up A Dog Day". Granted, it works for some songs (from respective bands, "Love Me Do" and "Money"), but sometimes it doesn't, especially in a band that focuses on buildups like Dream Theater. Kinda ruins some mystery.

How do you feel about this? Personally, I don't like it. I would hate it if we heard opening verses along the lines of something like:

- The call of the OUTCRY / Burning our eyes!
- I watched her take her fall / Down BENEATH THE SURFACE
- The monster reached into my eyes / BREAKING ALL ILLUSIONS!
- You BUILD ME UP / You BREEE-AK ME DOWN.

I mean, come on guys.

I agree, Aniland!

[The Letter M]

Cuz I was curious, here's a list of DT songs whose title is in the first verse:
"Status Seeker"
"To Live Forever"
"Another Day"
"Take The Time"
"6:00"
"Space-Dye Vest"
"Take Away My Pain"
"Through My Words"
"V. Goodnight Kiss"
"VI. Solitary Shell"
"A Nightmare To Remember"
"The Count Of Tuscany"
"On The Backs Of Angels"

Did I miss any? And considering it's only 13 songs out of nearly 100 songs that do....whatever this is. I don't think it's a very big deal.

-Marc.

[Mosh]

^ Naming a band that sucks.  You're only helping Aniland's case.  =P

It doesn't bother me. But saying the Beatles suck? Come on, they were a huge influence to modern music. They changed everything.

I love the Beatles, but just because they're a legend or a huge influence doesn't mean that they have to be good or likable by the fans of the people who they influenced. If Rebecca Black influenced all the progressive rock bands nowadays, would you say that she's a great musician?

You don't have to like them. Your comparison makes no sense. Rebecca Black isn't remotely close to prog, she is highly unpopular and in a year or so nobody will know who she is. The Beatles were huge, very popular, did things that nobody had done before, and paved the way for all the rock bands to come.

[BlobVanDam]

The only ones of those that I've ever paid attention and noticed had the names in the first verse were 6:00, Goodnight Kiss, ANTR and TCOT. So not a big deal to me. I don't hear it and think "oh, they said the name in the first verse. This matters".

[hefdaddy42]

What a silly thread.

[BlobVanDam]

Wouldn't bother me in a hundred eternities..
This actually reminds me of someone somewhere -probably on your tube- saying something along these lines about TCoT when BC&SL came out, he was like "Oh don't call TCoT an epic, he says the name of the song on the first verse. Octavarium on the other hand is an epic cause he doesn't say the song title until near the end!". And you know sometimes you'll feel like punching someone on the internet in the face for saying something silly but this just made me wanna smack that guy on the forehead with a fat purple rubber dildo.

But there's nothing more epic than sitting a person down and saying to them "Let me tell you a story. When I met the count. The Count....... of Tuscany." At which point you would adjust your monocle and dim the lights.

.............so what you're saying is that The Gentleman's Club should make a return?

I'm glad I came back here, if for no other reason than to use that picture again.

[matt1722]

Actually, what does bother me is pretentious song/album titles, like ?, (), Can Anyone Who Has Heard This Music Really Be A Bad Person?, or [untitled].  But I can't think of any times DT has crossed that line.

Wait are you calling Neal Morse Pretentious . . . excuse me I'm going to find something to strike you with

[robwebster]

I'm bothered by DT songs with the title in the chorus. It's so predictable, everyone else does it. Dream Theater are above that. As soon as you reach the chorus you go "ohhh, here we go again."

How do you feel about this? Personally, I don't like it. I would hate it if we heard opening verses along the lines of something like:

- The call of the OUTCRY / Burning our eyes!
- I watched her take her fall / Down BENEATH THE SURFACE
- The monster reached into my eyes / BREAKING ALL ILLUSIONS!
- You BUILD ME UP / You BREEE-AK ME DOWN.

I mean, come on guys.

I'll be honest, my main issues with those have nothing to do with where they're placed in the song.

A good line is a good line and a good title is a good title. The title is sort of the song's "mission statement," so placing it at the start of the song is, if anything, slightly more sensible than anywhere else. Not to mention... the lyrics tend to dictate the title, not the other way round. Even if you'd chosen a different name, you'd still have those lines there. I don't get how calling the songs "A Bullet from the Night" or "The Moment We Arrived" makes them better.

On that note, what would you call those songs?

[deadtotheworld]

Doesnt bother me at all. In fact i think the only time a title of something bothers me is in films ie The Game... It would have been better to be watching that film trying to work out whats going on without the title telling you its a game! Presumed Innocent, there is loads of them i just cant think of them off the top of my head.

[commanderbob]

LOL. No it doesn't bother me.  In other news, I'm also not bothered by happy endings in movies.

Aniland's next thread:

'Is anyone bothered by DT epics with overtures?'

"Just wondering if anyone is bothered by this.  It really bothers me that in many of their epics they preview some of the themes that are played later on.  No one particular writer seems to be the main offender, it's just been a disturbing trend that I've noticed.  And I think it really just takes all of the suspense out of the rest of the song/suite/concept album.

Erotomania:  When they play the Silent Man melody, it not only ruins Silent Man for me, but it also ruins Voices because the whole time Voices is playing, even though it's technically awesome, I'm just sitting there thinking that Silent Man is ruined because the air has just been let out of the balloon back in Erotomania.  I ALREADY KNOW WHAT'S COMING! I could go on and on and on: ITPOE, pt1, Overture 1928 (don't get me started),TCOT(double-whammy since it has the song title in the first verse, BAH!).  What do you guys think?"

[wolfking]

Examples of what I mean:

a. Several years ago / In a foreign town / So far away from home / I met The Count of Tuscany
b. A Nightmare to Remember / I'll never be the same!
c. Look in the mirror / What do you see? / The Shattered Fortress / That once bound me
d. Standing On the Backs of Angels / Destined to create

I notice this trend being more prevalent in their songwriting more than ever. Petrucci is the biggest offender, but of course, Mike's done it too at least once. The title of the song is presented at the beginning of the lyrics, which seems to ruin some suspense at times. I mean, could you imagine if The Beatles had titled that song, "She's Not a Girl (Who Misses Much)", or if Pink Floyd had called it "The Moments That Make Up A Dog Day". Granted, it works for some songs (from respective bands, "Love Me Do" and "Money"), but sometimes it doesn't, especially in a band that focuses on buildups like Dream Theater. Kinda ruins some mystery.

How do you feel about this? Personally, I don't like it. I would hate it if we heard opening verses along the lines of something like:

- The call of the OUTCRY / Burning our eyes!
- I watched her take her fall / Down BENEATH THE SURFACE
- The monster reached into my eyes / BREAKING ALL ILLUSIONS!
- You BUILD ME UP / You BREEE-AK ME DOWN.

I mean, come on guys.

I honestly have never thought about that and to be honest, couldn't give a flying fuck.  I really don't think it's that big a deal.

[Jamesman42]

Examples of what I mean:

a. Several years ago / In a foreign town / So far away from home / I met The Count of Tuscany
b. A Nightmare to Remember / I'll never be the same!
c. Look in the mirror / What do you see? / The Shattered Fortress / That once bound me
d. Standing On the Backs of Angels / Destined to create

I notice this trend being more prevalent in their songwriting more than ever. Petrucci is the biggest offender, but of course, Mike's done it too at least once. The title of the song is presented at the beginning of the lyrics, which seems to ruin some suspense at times. I mean, could you imagine if The Beatles had titled that song, "She's Not a Girl (Who Misses Much)", or if Pink Floyd had called it "The Moments That Make Up A Dog Day". Granted, it works for some songs (from respective bands, "Love Me Do" and "Money"), but sometimes it doesn't, especially in a band that focuses on buildups like Dream Theater. Kinda ruins some mystery.

How do you feel about this? Personally, I don't like it. I would hate it if we heard opening verses along the lines of something like:

- The call of the OUTCRY / Burning our eyes!
- I watched her take her fall / Down BENEATH THE SURFACE
- The monster reached into my eyes / BREAKING ALL ILLUSIONS!
- You BUILD ME UP / You BREEE-AK ME DOWN.

I mean, come on guys.

^ Naming a band that sucks.  You're only helping Aniland's case.  =P

Actually, what does bother me is pretentious song/album titles, like ?,

These posts smell bad.

[chrisbDTM]

so much whining about things that arent a big deal these days