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The Truth about The Count of Tuscany

Started by Mosh, December 19, 2011, 06:04:47 PM

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Mosh

It is about SYSTEMATIC CHAOS

Several years ago In a foreign town
Far away from home I met the Count of Tuscany
A young eccentric man bred from royal blood
Took me for a ride across the open countryside
Let's ignore the foreign town part. And the far away from home part.

Systematic Chaos was recorded several years before. Count Of Tuscany really means Systematic Chaos. It was a young eccentric album, it was all brand new material, and didn't follow a certain idea or concept like previous albums. It was the first of that type since Falling Into Infinity.

It was bred from royal blood as in it was written by Dream Theater.
It took the listener for a ride, the open countryside meaning the listener had no clue what each song would bring, every track a new surprise.

Get into my car, let's go for a drive
Along the way I'll be your guide, just step inside


Meaning that the narrator (In this case John Petrucci) wants the listener to hear this album

Maybe you'll recall a cannibal curator
A character inspired by my brother's life


...is talking about Repentance. It is a song inspired by Mike Portnoy's personal life.


Winding through the hills, city far behind

As the album goes on, it gets more and more odd, even for a DT album.

On and on we drove down narrow streets and dusty roads

Some of the songs aren't that good. (I.E. Prophets of War)

At last we came upon a picturesque estate
On sprawling emerald fields, an ancient world of times gone by


This is talking about Repentance again. It is more familiar because it is another part of the 12 Step Suite.

Let me introduce my brother
A bearded gentleman, historian
Sucking on his pipe, distinguished accent
Making me uptight, no accident


With the arrival of Repentance, it is time to introduce Mike Portnoy... he is a creepy guy.

I wanna stay alive
Everything about this place just doesn't feel right
I, I don't wanna die
Suddenly I'm frightened for my life
I wanna say goodbye
This could be the last time you see me alive
I, I may not survive
Knew it from the moment we arrived


This album is too much for the listener to handle. He wants to forget about its existence, or it might affect his being a fan of DT, or worse, it might kill him.

Would you like to see our secret holy place?
I come here late at night to pray to him by candlelight


This is referring to In The Presence of Enemies, it is the album's centerpiece, and should be worshiped as such.

Then peering through the glass I saw with disbelief
Still dressed in royal clothes the saint behind the altar


The listener finds that there is more to ITPOE than just the opening track, part two appears at the end of the album!

History recalls during times of war
Legend has been traced back inside these castle walls


This line is referring to Prophets of War.

The soldiers came to hide in barrels filled with wine
Never to escape, these tombs of oak are where they died


The song started out good, but as it developed it got worse and worse until it fell to the bottom of the list of DT's worst songs.

Down the cellar stairs I disappear
Like the angel's share the end is near


The listener gets to the end of the album, deeper into it.

Come and have a taste, a rare vintage
All the finest wines improve with age


JP is urging the listener to give it more chances, that it improves with age.

Could this be the end? Is this the way I die?
Sitting here alone, no one by my side
I don't understand, I don't feel that I deserve this
What did I do wrong? I just don't understand
I just don't understand


The listener doesn't understand why he was subjected to such a bad album.*



Give me one more chance, let me please explain
It's all been circumstance, I'll tell you once again
You took me for a ride promising a vast adventure
The next thing that I know I'm frightened for my life


He doesn't think that it is his fault for listening to it, he expected a great adventurous album.


Now wait a minute man, that's not how it is
You must be confused, that isn't who I am
Please don't be afraid, I would never try to hurt you
This is how we live strange although it seems please try to forgive


JP explains that he still stands by it as a great album, but if the listener doesn't like it, well that's his problem.

The chapel and the saint, the soldiers and the wine
The fables and the tales all handed down through time


He believes that SC is a great album of historical importance, and will stand the test of time.

Of course you're free to go, go and tell the world my story
Tell about my brother, tell them about me, the Count of Tuscany


He urges the listener to spread the album, and to tell others about Mike Portnoy, and himself, and how Systematic Chaos is actually him.

:coolio

Next time I'll explain how Mike Portnoy is Black Clouds and Silver Linings.

alirocker08

Pffft, that's nothing, wait until you hear the truth about Wither! ;P

FlyingBIZKIT


Mosh



Ultimetalhead


VincentMDO

Drugs. And the strong one: Desomorphine.

theseoafs

I didn't know JP disliked Prophets of War so much.

rumborak

The song is about JP getting laid in Italy in some BDSM den. All they did was to add an "o", and now everybody thinks it's about a fricking Count. "Sucking on his pipe", could it be more obvious?!

rumborak

Pols Voice

Mosh, what was in that honeydew you dined on?

theseoafs

Quote from: Pols Voice on December 19, 2011, 07:03:26 PM
Mosh, what was in that honeydew you dined on?
I hear they're calling it "milk of paradise" these days.

Mosh


voncorn

#12
-

Jaq

Quote from: theseoafs on December 19, 2011, 07:06:07 PM
Quote from: Pols Voice on December 19, 2011, 07:03:26 PM
Mosh, what was in that honeydew you dined on?
I hear they're calling it "milk of paradise" these days.

Well played.

jingle.boy

Quote from: ReaperKK on July 28, 2018, 07:12:37 PMI didn't know I could handle another 10 inches and it was rough but in the end I'm glad I did it.
Quote from: Zydar on May 30, 2012, 03:56:46 AMI'll have to find something to blow
Quote from: Zydar on February 21, 2025, 02:29:56 AMI wish it was just the ball-sack.

BlobVanDam


Jirpo


Ben_Jamin

I like what you say. But, PoW is a great song


Gadough

Quote from: rumborak on December 19, 2011, 06:40:18 PM
The song is about JP getting laid in Italy in some BDSM den. All they did was to add an "o", and now everybody thinks it's about a fricking Count. "Sucking on his pipe", could it be more obvious?!

rumborak

Rumborak...you know Rena browses the forum. We should probably be more subtle when discussing matters such as this.

tjanuranus

Quote from: rumborak on December 19, 2011, 06:40:18 PM
The song is about JP getting laid in Italy in some BDSM den. All they did was to add an "o", and now everybody thinks it's about a fricking Count. "Sucking on his pipe", could it be more obvious?!

rumborak

:heart

angelillo


Mladen

That was hilarious.  :lol

Except that Systematic chaos is a great album.  :metal

wolfking

I read the first two lines and then lost interest.

Elite

So there we have it. Couldn't have been more obvious.
Quote from: Lolzeez on November 18, 2013, 01:23:32 PMHey dude slow the fuck down so we can finish together at the same time.  :biggrin:
Quote from: home on May 09, 2017, 04:05:10 PMSqu
scRa are the resultaten of sound nog bring propey

Millais

Quote from: rumborak on December 19, 2011, 06:40:18 PM
The song is about JP getting laid in Italy in some BDSM den. All they did was to add an "o", and now everybody thinks it's about a fricking Count. "Sucking on his pipe", could it be more obvious?!

rumborak

absolutely brilliant  ;D

Heretic


kirksnosehair


matt1722


kirksnosehair


matt1722

Quote from: kirksnosehair on December 20, 2011, 01:15:22 PM
Matt!!!!!!!! :metal

Barry !!!!!  :metal

I think you should go with this idea with The Anabasis II write a song about "The Count Of Tuscany" being about Systematic Chaos

It would be extremely well received.  :biggrin:

kirksnosehair


theGonz


kijuer

Quote from: theseoafs on December 19, 2011, 07:06:07 PM
Quote from: Pols Voice on December 19, 2011, 07:03:26 PM
Mosh, what was in that honeydew you dined on?
I hear they're calling it "milk of paradise" these days.

Did you take that clue from an ancient book?

hefdaddy42

Quote from: BlobVanDam on December 11, 2014, 08:19:46 PMHef is right on all things. Except for when I disagree with him. In which case he's probably still right.