I want To Live Forever - where can I find it?

[Jaffa]

This song has become one of my very favorite Dream Theater songs, and it annoys me that I don't actually have it. 

I know I could always just buy it through iTunes or something similar, but I do prefer to get a physical copy if at all possible.  I also know it's on Greatest Hit, and I'll buy that if it's my only decent option, but I'd rather not pay for a whole CD to get exactly one new song.  I also know it is on Cleaning Out the Closet, but as I understand it, that release isn't exactly easy to come by.   

So, aside from iTunes, Greatest Hit, and COtC, is there any other way of getting this song?  Or should I just suck it up and go buy Greatest Hit? 

[bosk1]

Wait...so you want the song, but don't want to either download the individual song or buy the official release or the studio release that it appears on?  I am confused.  Those are pretty much your only legal options.  But here are some other official versions of it that come to mind also:

Demo:  https://www.ytsejamrecords.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=14

Later demo:  https://www.ytsejamrecords.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=18

Live:  https://www.ytsejamrecords.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=8&idproduct=29

Live:  https://www.ytsejamrecords.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=20

[Jaffa]

Wait...so you want the song, but don't want to either download the individual song or buy the official release or the studio release that it appears on?  I am confused.  Those are pretty much your only legal options. 

Well, that's what I wanted to know.  Sorry for the confusion.  See, I'd buy Cleaning Out the Closet if I could.  I just don't have the faintest idea where to find it, and I've heard it's not easy to come by.  Greatest Hit and iTunes are viable options, but I was just wondering if there was anything else, some fanclub release or demo album that might be a little easier to get my hands on than COtC.


Again, sorry for the confusion. 

And thanks for the links!  I'll go check them out right now. 

[wasteland]

Wait...so you want the song, but don't want to either download the individual song or buy the official release or the studio release that it appears on?  I am confused.  Those are pretty much your only legal options. 

Well, that's what I wanted to know.  Sorry for the confusion.  See, I'd buy Cleaning Out the Closet if I could.  I just don't have the faintest idea where to find it, and I've heard it's not easy to come by.  Greatest Hit and iTunes are viable options, but I was just wondering if there was anything else, some fanclub release or demo album that might be a little easier to get my hands on than COtC.


Again, sorry for the confusion. 

And thanks for the links! 

You might find CoTC on ebay if you were to search thoroughly the site with some degree of persistence. You won't like the price, alas!

[bosk1]

Oh, I see.  COTC is probably not a good option for you.  Very difficult to find, and very expensive if you do (Ebay). 

[Jaffa]

Alright then.  Thanks, guys. 

[wasteland]

Oh, I see.  COTC is probably not a option for you.  Very difficult to find, and very expensive if you do (Ebay).

Actually it is not that difficult to spot a used (or even mint, sometimes) CoTC on Ebay. It pops up roughly once in two or three months, but rarely gets sold for less than 90$, which is by the way the reason why I suggest purchasing the official bootlegs instead (which I did) 

[2Timer]

Some years ago I saw COTC on ebay, and I was prepared to go $35 for it. I had it up until a day before it went off, when it shot up to $60, and that's what it sold for. I looked at the username to see who won it, and I thought to myself, 'hey, that username is a lot my (ex, now)girlfriend's email address.
About a month later, she handed me my birthday present, and when I unwrapped it, guess what it was...

OP, I'm curious as to which version has become your favorite. I first heard it on the Live in Tokyo video, and then it also became the reason I wanted COTC. When I got it I was pretty underwhelmed, and much, much prefer the live version to this day. I don't know if it's the harmonies in the studio version or what, but it just didn't do it for me.
However, I do recommend that disc for one reason...The Way it Used to Be. Amazing song!

[BlackInk]

The answer is in the lyrics of the song:

You don't want To Live Forever

So I guess your wishes are irrelevant.

[jammindude]

Greatest Hit is kindof a cool purchase...so I recommend that.   Even if you don't particularly like them...it's kindof nice to have the single edits of Home and Root of All Evil, and the remixes of the IAW tracks.   I'm glad that they didn't *just* make it a collection of existing things.   There's enough different things on the release that I feel it's worth having.

[The Letter M]

Oh, I see.  COTC is probably not a good option for you.  Very difficult to find, and very expensive if you do (Ebay).

It is rare and hard to get, but if you're willing to, I'd save up for it. It's got really well produced versions of the non-album songs from the FII-sessions, as well as great versions of "To Live Forever" and "Don't Look Past Me". I got mine for $79.00 USD after shipping on eBay a year ago today, actually, and while I've spent anywhere between $20 and $100 for each of the DTIFC CDs/DVDs, it's been worth it for me to add to my collection.

-Marc.

[a51502112]

Greatest Hit is kindof a cool purchase...so I recommend that.   Even if you don't particularly like them...it's kindof nice to have the single edits of Home and Root of All Evil, and the remixes of the IAW tracks.   I'm glad that they didn't *just* make it a collection of existing things.   There's enough different things on the release that I feel it's worth having.

^I came here to say this. Greatest Hit is probably your best, most cost-effective bet.

[lucky7]

Buy the greatest hits, depending where you are it should be quite cheap., Australia has it for $10 at JB Hifi
I actually had it in the car this morning, great track, nice alternative to carting around heaps of DT CD's. 

[EstyMaJ]

My Favorite is from IAW live in Tokyo - Has my favorite JP solo break in it 

[ZirconBlue]

It's also on the Lie single, if you can find it. 

[snapple]

My favorite part is when they're talking about the phrasing of the lyrics in the commentary.

JR: "at least it wasn't 'the wind has blown me'".

[Dusk Till Dawn]

Hey guys.  On the greatest is it the recorded version or the live fan club version?  I never bothred to get thr greatest hits.

[The Letter M]

Hey guys.  On the greatest is it the recorded version or the live fan club version?  I never bothred to get thr greatest hits.

AFAIK, all the tracks on Greatest Hit are studio recorded versions, albeit album-versions or edited/single-versions for some.

-Marc.

[ZirconBlue]

Hey guys.  On the greatest is it the recorded version or the live fan club version?  I never bothred to get thr greatest hits.

AFAIK, all the tracks on Greatest Hit are studio recorded versions, albeit album-versions or edited/single-versions for some.

-Marc.

Correct.  The version on Greatest Hit is the 1994 recording that was released on the Lie single.

[eric42434224]

I have the COTC disc and am willing to part with it.

Pretty sure I also have the International Fan Club Live acoustic CD too.

[thyer]

It's better to buy the greatest hits, it's cheaper...but if you want to buy the CD single check:

https://www.ebay.it/sch/i.html?rt=nc&LH_PrefLoc=2&_nkw=lie%20dream%20theater&_fln=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m283#item3cbfc47373

[gmillerdrake]

I believe DeLeon searched for it as well.....Central Florida perhaps? It was rumored through lore and leged that 'to live forever' could be found in a fountain flowing with water that would restore your youth. 

[ZirconBlue]

Really, who wants to live forever. . . when love must die?