Pols Voice's Top 50 Dream Theater Songs

[Prog Snob]

11 through 15 are all too high.  Even higher than the girl in About to Crash. 

Is that before or after she fell out of the sky?

Both.   

[Pols Voice]

5. Pull Me Under

Yup. Just because it was their big hit doesn't make it bad. I feel like overexposure has almost made the song underrated. This is some awesome, memorable songwriting, with one of DT's best choruses. Everybody is firing on all cylinders. It explains what DT is all about while at the same time being appealing to the masses. Love that opening with the clean guitar and the toms that are introduced...it really builds excitement and anticipation for the subsequent chugging riffs, and is a terrific way to start one of the greatest albums of all time. James turns in one of his best performances in his first song with the band. How 'bout them vocals in the "watch the sparrow falling" part. They are...wait for it........phenomenal.

[BlobVanDam]

Not one of my top DT songs, but it really is a great song. I wouldn't say quite as good as most of the rest of the album, but that's more of a statement on the strength of the album than any weakness of PMU.

Nice pick.

[Cedar redaC]

Good stuff there.

[mike099]

Great song!  I am new to DT, but with this being a 'hit', I am sure that I have heard it before on FM back in day, but cannot remember.  If the Grammys had a progressive category back in the 90's, I am certain that I&W and SFAM would have been nominated and possible won the grammy the years that they were released.

[Unlegit]

Decent song, but one of the weakest off of Images and Words IMO.

[senecadawg2]

While a good song, and understandably a hit, I've always held it as the worst from I&W.

Still, good to see it get some love

[Pols Voice]

4. Take the Time

Dream Theater's most straight-up fun song. It just feels so positive. Even though the track takes a lot of twists and turns, everything meshes together well, including the lyrics by different members. The energy throughout is quite infectious, and the singalong chorus is the bee's knees, as the whippersnappers say. So catchy. One thing I always liked was how Petrucci plays like a happy version of Pull Me Under's "this world is spinning around me" (was that intentional?). KevMo's solo is really fun; I totally dig the sound he uses. Just when you think the song can't get any cooler or more enjoyable, there's that ending section which makes you want to clap along like a ninny. P.S. I think it's time for a CHAYAYAAAAAAAAAAAANGE!!!!!

If you can guess my Top 3, you'll be my best friend forever.

[Rattlehead]

Great choice and great spot as well, TTT is in my top 5.

I'm guessing your top 3 is...

3. Scarred
2. Metropolis
1. A Change of Seasons

[Cedar redaC]

Probably my number one

[Unlegit]

Great song.

[Rattlehead]

Probably my number one

Nice to see TTT getting so much appreciation here

[Lolzeez]

Well I can't really predict the next 3 but at least two of these songs are probably there.


Metropolis
Voices
Scarred
A Change Of Seasons
The Great Debate
Octavarium

Fine.. Here's my top 3 prediction...

3.A Change Of Seasons
2.Voices
1.Metropolis

[Unlegit]

I'm guessing:

3. Octavarium
2. Metropolis
1. A Change of Seasons.

[j]

3. Scarred
2. A Change of Seasons
1. Metropolis

I feel like Scarred is polarizing enough that it tends to be either in people's top 5s or bottom 5s.  I'm banking on you being the former.

-J

[Yoshi Yogurt]

Good to see Trial of Tears so high.

[BlobVanDam]

Take The Time!

I'd rank it about the same, maybe just a spot higher. I love it because it is such a fun and positive song, like you said. For me that's a major part of IaW's appeal in general.

[Pols Voice]

3. A Change of Seasons

Pretty much amazing all the way through, this is one of the best prog epics of all time. Despite presenting a ton of musical ideas, I've always thought the song felt very cohesive. The lyrics are Mike's best, and the music has a serious feel that serves them perfectly. There's so much emotion present in this song, and a real sense of drama that doesn't seem forced at all. I also like how the production has a different feel from the usual DT. For instance, Portnoy's snare is really poppy, for lack of a better term.

I have a thing for those anticipation-building calm before the storm parts of songs, and the beginning of The Crimson Sunrise is a great example of that. The following riffs are extremely awesome. Innocence...well, I don't really know what to say about it, but it's great. It has a somewhat ethereal feel that also continues in Carpe Diem, a section that starts calm but becomes quite intense, musically and lyrically.
   
The Darkest of Winters has a hint of that Kansas style that I always go crazy over. The emotionally powerful Another World features a great performance from JLB. JP's solo in The Inevitable Summer is awesome, and I enjoy the bass and drum work that's going on underneath. Then that low roar/foghorn/whatever sound is one of the coolest things ever. Derek's solo after that reminds me of Patrick Moraz for some reason, which is a good thing.
   
The only part of the song that seems a little odd is the transition into the "I sit down with my son" section of The Crimson Sunset. Anyway, the song reaches a fitting climactic moment with LaBrie's soaring "I will live on". I also enjoy the understated ending that echoes the beginning of the track.

[Lolzeez]

Well I can't really predict the next 3 but at least two of these songs are probably there.


Metropolis
Voices
Scarred
A Change Of Seasons
The Great Debate
Octavarium

Fine.. Here's my top 3 prediction...

3.A Change Of Seasons
2.Voices
1.Metropolis

OWWW YEAH!

[Prog Snob]

3. A Change of Seasons

Pretty much amazing all the way through, this is one of the best prog epics of all time. Despite presenting a ton of musical ideas, I've always thought the song felt very cohesive. The lyrics are Mike's best, and the music has a serious feel that serves them perfectly. There's so much emotion present in this song, and a real sense of drama that doesn't seem forced at all. I also like how the production has a different feel from the usual DT. For instance, Portnoy's snare is really poppy, for lack of a better term.

I have a thing for those anticipation-building calm before the storm parts of songs, and the beginning of The Crimson Sunrise is a great example of that. The following riffs are extremely awesome. Innocence...well, I don't really know what to say about it, but it's great. It has a somewhat ethereal feel that also continues in Carpe Diem, a section that starts calm but becomes quite intense, musically and lyrically.
   
The Darkest of Winters has a hint of that Kansas style that I always go crazy over. The emotionally powerful Another World features a great performance from JLB. JP's solo in The Inevitable Summer is awesome, and I enjoy the bass and drum work that's going on underneath. Then that low roar/foghorn/whatever sound is one of the coolest things ever. Derek's solo after that reminds me of Patrick Moraz for some reason, which is a good thing.
   
The only part of the song that seems a little odd is the transition into the "I sit down with my son" section of The Crimson Sunset. Anyway, the song reaches a fitting climactic moment with LaBrie's soaring "I will live on". I also enjoy the understated ending that echoes the beginning of the track.

Perfect!!

[nicmos]

I've tried to like ACOS for 18 years.  really.  I just get bored by it.  sorry.  Favorite thing on the EP is the Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding cover, and even that is inferior to the original IMO.  I gave up my disc and never looked back.

But the upside is, I know I will like your top 2 choices. 

[j]

I've tried to like ACOS for 18 years.  really.

Try again!

Great pick, would certainly be in my own top 3.

-J

[?]

ACOS definitely deserves a spot as high as that!

[Unlegit]

Great choice for number three, although that likely means my guesses were completely off.

[BlobVanDam]

3. A Change of Seasons

[MoraWintersoul]

My god Blob, I just realized my top 50 will make you want to kill yourself for real.

[wasteland]

3. A Change of Seasons

Save this post. You are going to need it, just as it is now, when the time comes 

[Lolzeez]

My god Blob, I just realized my top 50 will make you want to kill yourself for real.

1.Scarred
2.Lie
3.Space Dye Vest
4.The Entire WDADU
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Least fav song:The Glass Prison

[Pols Voice]

2. Scarred

Exceptionally awesome. Just hearing that cymbal right when the song starts fills my heart with joy. The chill, almost jazzy intro is perfect, and a style I wish the band would explore some more. Some very cool basslines in this track. The rocking, hard-hitting section of the song is so intense. I have to give a lot of credit to Moore for his spot on keyboard work throughout the song, which really sets the right atmosphere.
 
JLB successfully shows off distinct facets of his voice in Scarred, and I can see why he likes this song so much because it's one of his all time greatest performances. I enjoy the chorus greatly, and the "do you feel..." part takes the volume down a notch, but raises the emotional content. I've always found Petrucci's solo to be one of his very best (maybe my second favorite, behind LITS). It just hits the spot. The song concludes with an epic outro, which is honestly my least favorite part of the track, but it's still really good. And I must mention the lyrics, which are really nice. Hey, Awake sure is a good little album, isn't it?

1. Metropolis—Part I "The Miracle and the Sleeper"

Here's almost everything great about Dream Theater in one song. It was simply destined to be a classic. The dramatic beginning is total goosebump material, starting off all ominous and spooky and then just exploding. James turns in an amazing, commanding performance (how many times have I said something like that on this list...). The whole band was on the top of their game here, of course.
   
The extended instrumental section is the stuff of legend, with a perfect balance between complexity and listenability. It's really very memorable and even catchy while being full of wild proggy goodness, and adds some fun elements to a song that starts and ends more serious in mood. Gotta mention JM's time to shine; I wish he'd get more chances in the limelight. Also, props to MP for holding everything together with his complex, precision drumming. He's one of the first drummers that really made me take notice and listen.
   
The whole song just feels important, with each note in place and no wasted space. Every part fits together to make a jaw-dropping whole that defines progressive metal. How many bands were inspired by this song? My estimate: trillions. By the way, the unison around 5:50 reminds me of Mega Man. Mega Man rules, and so does Dream Theater. On that note...



So there you have it! Rattlehead and j are now my best friends forever because they got my Top 3 right, albeit in different orders.

All of Images and Words made the list, and none of Systematic Chaos. Some fan favorites like Octavarium, Voices, and Home didn't make an appearance. Here are the complete rankings:

50. The Dance of Eternity
49. Wither
48. This is the Life
47. Take Away My Pain
46. Misunderstood
45. The Answer Lies Within
44. As I Am
43. Wait for Sleep
42. Only a Matter of Time
41. Through Her Eyes
40. Finally Free
39. In the Name of God
38. Bridges in the Sky
37. Peruvian Skies
36. The Mirror
35. The Count of Tuscany
34. Another Day
33. Outcry
32. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
31. Innocence Faded
30. New Millennium
29. Lost Not Forgotten
28. Under a Glass Moon
27. Breaking All Illusions
26. Hell's Kitchen
25. Erotomania
24. Fatal Tragedy
23. Beyond This Life
22. The Glass Prison
21. The Silent Man
20. Surrounded
19. Learning to Live
18. Strange Deja Vu
17. The Spirit Carries On
16. Beneath the Surface
15. Overture 1928
14. Caught in a Web
13. 6:00
12. Endless Sacrifice
11. Lie
10. Blind Faith
9. Lifting Shadows Off a Dream
8. Lines in the Sand
7. Stream of Consciousness
6. Trial of Tears
5. Pull Me Under
4. Take the Time
3. A Change of Seasons
2. Scarred
1. Metropolis—Part I "The Miracle and the Sleeper"

Thank you for reading my list. I hope you enjoyed it.

[Prog Snob]

Awesome picks for the top 2.  While Metropolis is an easy choice for most, I love that you chose Scarred.  It probably won't be in my Top 10, BUT it usually goes extremely unnoticed. 

[j]

2. Scarred
The chill, almost jazzy intro is perfect, and a style I wish the band would explore some more.

This, so hard.

The song concludes with an epic outro, which is honestly my least favorite part of the track, but it's still really good.

But not this...man I think that's one of my favorite parts of the song!

So there you have it! Rattlehead and j are now my best friends forever because they got my Top 3 right, albeit in different orders.

  All right!

Great list, nice mix of surprises and DT staples, and I enjoyed reading the write ups.

-J

EDIT: I'm curious as to your feelings on Voices though?  It's not one of my absolute favorites, but I think it would easily make my DT top 20.

[BlobVanDam]

Scarred - A complete mess of a song. (also, drink now twice - since it wouldn't make my top 100)

Metropolis - Can't complain about that. A defining song for DT, if not the defining song.

[Glass Moonlight]

Great list, Scarred would be lower but Metropolis, eh, would be lower.

[Unlegit]

Got your top 3 completely wrong, but whatever. 2 awesome songs, worthy. Great list!

[Pols Voice]

Thanks guys.

EDIT: I'm curious as to your feelings on Voices though?  It's not one of my absolute favorites, but I think it would easily make my DT top 20.

I dunno...I never totally connected with it even though it's well done. It would probably be around 60th place.