Good Dream Theater lyrics?

[Lucidity]

My friend is an indie/alternative rock fan and has a great appreciation and understanding of music. He is a big Floyd and Radiohead fan, but no matter how hard I try, I can't get him to like any DT. The problem isn't the music-- he likes or at least appreciates that part, but he hates the lyrics. He listens to music for lyrics, essentially, and he can't stand any DT songs I show him.

I know that if DT had Radiohead lyrics, he's probably love them (maybe this is an overstatement, but whatever). He doesn't like the lyrics of The Spirit Carries On (GRRRR), Learning To Live, Under a Glass Moon, Breaking All Illusions-- basically *anything*. Does anyone have any recommendations for me to show him? I feel like he's really missing out on a world of brilliant music.

[black_biff_stadler]

I wish I knew what to tell you but unfortunately I'm not able to help out on this at all. DT and Opeth are the only two bands to have held the title of being my favorite band since 2000 (DT 2000-04, Opeth 2004-present) yet, despite the two of them having a total of 21 albums plus A Change of Seasons, I literally only know the lyrics to one of their songs all the way through, Opeth's Hours of Wealth.

I'm the opposite of your friend in that lyrics don't necessarily mean nothing to me but I'm probably 99% of the way toward that statement being true. I just enjoy music for what it is. We're all living beings able to feel things and sense moods, vibes, dynamics, and many other emotionally-dictated stimuli so I think it's just plain silly for your friend or others like him to disregard all of that because they aren't into the lyrics.

But then again, some of us are just wired differently so there may not be a whole lot of progress you can make on that matter. I guess, to me, overlooking good music because of not liking the lyrics is like writing off a movie because you didn't like the soundtrack.

[theseoafs]

Learning To Live, Under a Glass Moon

WTF

Anyway, maybe try throwing Scenes from a Memory at him?  If he really likes lyrics, the storyline could be a big draw.

[Ben_Jamin]

So he likes poetic style lyrics? Which is fine, but he's not really listening to the lyrics because it seems he's just listening to words, not the message/subject.

[Lucidity]

So he likes poetic style lyrics? Which is fine, but he's not really listening to the lyrics because it seems he's just listening to words, not the message/subject.

He thinks that the lyrics are too laid-out, in the sense that The Spirit Carries on is about the spirit carrying on, etc. He likes lyrics where you have to analyse to figure out what they're about. I thought he'd like Learning to Live and Under a Glass Moon, but he still thought the lyrics were bad ._.

[wasteland]

Try with The Count Of Tuscany. Given those premises, you might succeed.


ETA: Right, what about Voices and The Silent Man? Or Lifting Shadows Off A Dream. I am probably telling you something idiotic, but I think that none of these songs have their lyrical content completely understood by the fanbase.

[namgalsipsclar]

Maybe some Kevin Moore lyrics are best - they're not too hard to figure out but they're not that direct either. I always particularly liked Surrounded's lyrics

[Sketchy]

^Got to agree with Wasteland there. If JM doesn't work, maybe try the cellar stairs.

[theseoafs]

Try with The Count Of Tuscany. Given those premises, you might succeed.

Yeah, your friend will freak out when he figures out that the Count's brother's beard represents time.

[Lucidity]

Try with The Count Of Tuscany. Given those premises, you might succeed.

Count of Tuscany? o.o Really? As a huge fan of DT lyrics, I have to admit that the Count of Tuscany lyrics are pretty godawful.

[Lucidity]

Try with The Count Of Tuscany. Given those premises, you might succeed.

Yeah, your friend will freak out when he figures out that the Count's brother's beard represents time.

[wasteland]

Try with The Count Of Tuscany. Given those premises, you might succeed.

Count of Tuscany? o.o Really? As a huge fan of DT lyrics, I have to admit that the Count of Tuscany lyrics are pretty godawful.

You know, sometimes you get unexpected reactions, like H2O2 exploding with no external solicitation...

[Ben_Jamin]

So he likes poetic style lyrics? Which is fine, but he's not really listening to the lyrics because it seems he's just listening to words, not the message/subject.

He thinks that the lyrics are too laid-out, in the sense that The Spirit Carries on is about the spirit carrying on, etc. He likes lyrics where you have to analyse to figure out what they're about. I thought he'd like Learning to Live and Under a Glass Moon, but he still thought the lyrics were bad ._.

He's missing out on a lot of music then. Thats a weird way to listen to music. DT lyrics are like a story being told.

[Lucidity]

So he likes poetic style lyrics? Which is fine, but he's not really listening to the lyrics because it seems he's just listening to words, not the message/subject.

He thinks that the lyrics are too laid-out, in the sense that The Spirit Carries on is about the spirit carrying on, etc. He likes lyrics where you have to analyse to figure out what they're about. I thought he'd like Learning to Live and Under a Glass Moon, but he still thought the lyrics were bad ._.

He's missing out on a lot of music then. Thats a weird way to listen to music. DT lyrics are like a story being told.

He says that he doesn't like a story being told to him o:

[DebraKadabra]

Um... does not compute.

[54_diplomats]

Your friend is crazy, DT's lyrics are fucking awesome.

[Sketchy]

In that case throw him some Captain Beefheart. DT's not the thing for him.

[DebraKadabra]

In that case throw him some Captain Beefheart. DT's not the thing for him.

No shit.

[Sycsa]

The important thing about lyrics, primarily, is that they have to sound good. They have to sound like an instrument, they have to have the right percussive value, the words have to sound cool and have a certain kind of ring to them. DT succeeds in that and also manages to deliver some really meaningful lyrics, which sometimes connect with me on a personal level. Yeah, it's a big plus, but listening to music just for the lyrics seems pointless and sounds a bit pretentious.

[Sketchy]

You could find him a song in japanese and send that to him. He'd have a hell of a job trying to figure out what the song was about then (please don't say he speaks japanese).

[Cedar redaC]

Try with The Count Of Tuscany. Given those premises, you might succeed.

Yeah, your friend will freak out when he figures out that the Count's brother's beard represents time.

First I was like but then I was like 

[theseoafs]

Try with The Count Of Tuscany. Given those premises, you might succeed.

Count of Tuscany? o.o Really? As a huge fan of DT lyrics, I have to admit that the Count of Tuscany lyrics are pretty godawful.

You know, sometimes you get unexpected reactions, like H2O2 exploding with no external solicitation...

Can't believe no one else thought this was hilarious.

[SjundeInseglet]

I'd go with "Lines in The Sand" and "Scarred" which, to me, are definitely (more than) a notch above all other DT lyrics (admittedly, writing lyrics was never their strong point and I'm pretty sure they're aware of it). Still, those two are really, really good and I actually think that they do hold their own exceptionally well in the world of revered lyric-writing.

[hefdaddy42]

Lifting Shadows Off A Dream

[VioletS16]

Wait for Sleep? 

[alirocker08]

Try with The Count Of Tuscany. Given those premises, you might succeed.

I just don't understand...

I just don't understand

Roooooooooo

[Grinch]

Trial of Tears

[MoraWintersoul]

I am really into good lyrics, and while DT lags behind some of my favorite bands in terms of lyrics, that still doesn't mean they're bad. There's really something for everyone in their catalog, and that goes for lyrics as well. Just like your friend, I also dislike when a whole story is laid out in front of me, but DT makes up for it by writing lines I can relate to, and writing about basic, but painful human experiences. Missing a lover, death of parents, trying to pick yourself up from the ground, mental illness, being disillusioned... all those topics appeal to me, and all make their appearance.

Some of the ones that are moving, for me:
- Only A Matter Of Time
- Another Day
- Take The Time
- Surrounded
- Wait For Sleep
- Learning To Live
- 6:00
- Caught In A Web
- The Mirror
- Lifting Shadows Off A Dream
- Space-Dye Vest
- A Change Of Seasons
- Lines In The Sand
- Take Away My Pain
- Trial Of Tears
- Scenes!!! Both the storyline and the execution have their flaws, but if it's his first concept album, he is going to adore it.
- The Glass Prison
- Blind Faith
- Disappear
- Six fuckin' degrees.
- As I Am
- Endless Sacrifice
- Vacant
- Octavarium
- Wither

What I've noticed here, though, is that a lot of them lose part of their appeal when you don't know what inspired them - for example, Mike's AA suite is really inspiring when you know what's behind it. The last part of TGP gives me chills for this reason. Sure, it's like the story is being told to you directly, but it makes the lyrics so much cooler. I guess you can also ask him what kind of lyrical subjects interest him most, and go from there.

But I guess that DT in general are a band you really need to get to know in order to really love them. Sure, I really loved their music before I started reading about them and checking out behind-the-scenes stuff, but when I got to know them as artists who try to really communicate with their audience, and when I heard what they have to say and do besides playing stuff in studio and note-per-note on stage, that's when it crossed the line between "wow, neat album" and "if you've gotten this far through the commentary, you need to get a fuckin' life".

I guess that, if you really think your friend is missing out on this, just tell him "this is a fuckin' amazing band made of fuckin' fascinating musicians and yes, they have really cool lyrics buried in their catalog if you're willing to dig for something you like... if you want to miss out, fine, miss out". He'll see the honest look on your face

[Cable]

Awake, the entire album. Or at least 6:00, CIAW, IF, Voices, LSOAD, Scarred, SDV. [/thread]

[SeRoX]

Your friend is one of a kind, my friend.

[JimmyJava]

VOICES!!!

[Lucidity]

Try with The Count Of Tuscany. Given those premises, you might succeed.

I just don't understand...

I just don't understand

Roooooooooo

[Lucidity]

I am really into good lyrics, and while DT lags behind some of my favorite bands in terms of lyrics, that still doesn't mean they're bad. There's really something for everyone in their catalog, and that goes for lyrics as well. Just like your friend, I also dislike when a whole story is laid out in front of me, but DT makes up for it by writing lines I can relate to, and writing about basic, but painful human experiences. Missing a lover, death of parents, trying to pick yourself up from the ground, mental illness, being disillusioned... all those topics appeal to me, and all make their appearance.

Some of the ones that are moving, for me:
- Only A Matter Of Time
- Another Day
- Take The Time
- Surrounded
- Wait For Sleep
- Learning To Live
- 6:00
- Caught In A Web
- The Mirror
- Lifting Shadows Off A Dream
- Space-Dye Vest
- A Change Of Seasons
- Lines In The Sand
- Take Away My Pain
- Trial Of Tears
- Scenes!!! Both the storyline and the execution have their flaws, but if it's his first concept album, he is going to adore it.
- The Glass Prison
- Blind Faith
- Disappear
- Six fuckin' degrees.
- As I Am
- Endless Sacrifice
- Vacant
- Octavarium
- Wither

What I've noticed here, though, is that a lot of them lose part of their appeal when you don't know what inspired them - for example, Mike's AA suite is really inspiring when you know what's behind it. The last part of TGP gives me chills for this reason. Sure, it's like the story is being told to you directly, but it makes the lyrics so much cooler. I guess you can also ask him what kind of lyrical subjects interest him most, and go from there.

But I guess that DT in general are a band you really need to get to know in order to really love them. Sure, I really loved their music before I started reading about them and checking out behind-the-scenes stuff, but when I got to know them as artists who try to really communicate with their audience, and when I heard what they have to say and do besides playing stuff in studio and note-per-note on stage, that's when it crossed the line between "wow, neat album" and "if you've gotten this far through the commentary, you need to get a fuckin' life".

I guess that, if you really think your friend is missing out on this, just tell him "this is a fuckin' amazing band made of fuckin' fascinating musicians and yes, they have really cool lyrics buried in their catalog if you're willing to dig for something you like... if you want to miss out, fine, miss out". He'll see the honest look on your face

Thank you very much! These are some very helpful suggestions, and I'll be sure to take another whack at converting him to DTism.

[Marion Crane]

I'd start with The Glass Prison and explain the AA saga to him.

[Lucidity]

You're being extremely helpful guys, thanks a bunch. And I forgot to mention that he loves Solitary Shell, which is pretty much the only DT song he really likes. He liked the intro to Nightmare to Remember (This really surprised me) but he couldn't stand the vocals. I just showed him Surrounded, and he likes it