Scorpion's Top 50 Dream Theater Songs

[Scorpion]

Phew, I was kinda worried that I had agreed with you for a second

[wasteland]

ATC is great, and I kind of agree that it's one of the best little songs in SDOIT. On the other hand I think I dread Sacrificed Sons

[Prog Snob]

Controversial picks incoming!

34 – The Ministry of Lost Souls – Systematic Chaos
This is my favourite off of Systematic Chaos and I'm pretty sure that that will spark some controversy, but oh well. This song is beautiful throughout, the grand feeling of the verses is particularly great. The instrumental section is, despite what others say, very well crafted and doesn't feel out of place to me – I especially appreciate the final unison, which is one of the best that DT have ever written. A minor gripe with this is that the outro could have been, like, half a minute or so shorter, but other than that, this song is stellar.

I'm glad to see that this song is included. A bit underrated by most in my opinion. 

[Onno]

Woohoo, SS and TMOLS are amazing.

[wolfking]

Ministy of Lost Souls have grown on me and probably my fav from the album too.

[Scorpion]

32 – Anna Lee – Falling Into Infinity
Dream Theater often do ballads and semi-ballads well, and this song is no exception. Derek really shines here, delivering some of his best piano playing for DT on this song – I especially love the main piano melody, very simple but so good. Add to that some tasteful playing by MP, emotional lyrics with a delivery that does them justice perfectly and one of JP's tastiest solos, and you've got yourself one hell of a song.

31 – This Is The Life – A Dramatic Turn of Events
Another semi-balladish song we have here, this one is especially great due to JP's guitar work. I love how the intro solo, the main solo and the outro solo are based on the same motif but yet still distinct and different. James sounds great here as well, except for the last part before the main guitar solo, which has always sounded a little weak to me in comparison, but I still like this song a lot.

30 – Peruvian Skies – Falling Into Infinity
Peruvian Skies has DT perfectly meshing Pink Floyd and Metallica influences while still sounding like DT. Like the other two songs in this update, this is rather restrained throughout, but it works perfectly in the context of the song. The guitar solo is great again. I wish this would be played live again, I'm sure this would get quite some crowd reactions.

[senecadawg2]

3 great songs! Though, personally, I'd put Anna Lee a bit ahead of This is the Life.

[Unlegit]

Decent songs, but nothing deserving to be this high IMO. It's good to see This is the Life and Anna Lee though.

[BlobVanDam]

I don't think I'd place any of these quite so high, but they'd all probably make my top 50. I really love DT's simpler, shorter songs, especially a lot of the older ballady stuff, so it's nice to see them get some love!

[Onno]

Don't know if those would make my top 50, but they're cool nevertheless.

[wolfking]

None of those songs would make anywhere near my top 50.

[GasparXR]

All good choices, Anna Lee and This is the Life would definitely make my top 50, Peruvian Skies I'm not sure if it would. If it does, it would be near the bottom.

[Scorpion]

 29 – The Mirror – Awake
One word: badass. The main riff of this song is so simple and yet packs such a punch that it's awesome. It also features some of Portnoy's best lyrics, along with ACOS, and some great keyboard playing by KM. I love the use of the Space-Dye Vest theme as well, though I don't really understand what the two songs have to do with each other, but oh well.

28 – Overture 1928 – Scenes from a Memory
After the simple and yet foreboding Regression, this truly kicks off Scenes from a Memory. Overture 1928 manages to do what Overture (6DOIT) fails at: introducing the main motifs of the album without feeling cluttered, drawn out or boring. The whole thing is perfectly to the point and it features some awesome playing by all members. Highlights for me were always Jordan's two small keyboard solos that told everyone right from the start that the new guy was a force to be reckoned with.

27 – Wither – Black Clouds and Silver Linings
Short and sweet, this song doesn't really have all that much to offer, but it does what it's supposed to do extremely well. It has a very "normal" song structure, but this isn't DT being progressive or anything, so it works. Highlights here are Jordan's gorgeous piano work and Petrucci's solo, which is one of my favourites on BC&SL, despite probably also being the shortest.

[BlobVanDam]

Nice batch. They'd all possibly make my top 50, although probably a little lower.

The Mirror and SDV have nothing to do with each other, I just see it as one of those things DT used to tie the album together a bit, much like the Octavarium theme appearing in TROAE and TALW. I like the principle of it.

And SDOIT's overture fails at nothing. It's a melodic masterpiece, much like the rest of the song. But Overture 1928 is still excellent, even though it pales by comparison.

Wither's a neat song too. I like DT's shorter songs (or at least, songs that follow more typical structures). The bridge section is beautiful.

[wolfking]

Nice update.

[Elite]

30 – Peruvian Skies – Falling Into Infinity
I wish this would be played live again, I'm sure this would get quite some crowd reactions.

They played this live on the European leg of the 2011 tour. At least, I saw it played then. It was awesome. And it's too low on your list.

[Octavaripolis]

30 – Peruvian Skies – Falling Into Infinity
I wish this would be played live again, I'm sure this would get quite some crowd reactions.

They played this live on the European leg of the 2011 tour. At least, I saw it played then. It was awesome. And it's too low on your list.

what

[Onno]

Those songs are awesome indeed, though I don't know whether they would make my Top 50 or not.

[Scorpion]

26 – The Great Debate – Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
This song takes a while until it really gets going, but when it does, you're in for a helluva ride. I like how the lyrics are pretty neutral on the subject, showing both sides of the debate instead of focusing on one of them. Musically, my favourite parts here are JM's groovy bass work throughout, the guitar solo which totally slays, and the chorus, which is probably one of DT's most powerful. I'm a little unhappy with the title, because "The Great Debate" sounds a little pedestrian and lackluster, whereas the song is anything but in the end, the music is what matters.

25 – Home – Scenes from a Memory
This is the song that made me realise that Eastern influences on music could be pretty damn cool. The sitar work throughout is outstanding, for a long time I actually thought that it was a sitar and not just a clever keyboard patch. Anyway, this features some pretty cool riffs throughout, and I don't give a flying fuck if the main riff rips of Tool or not, it's awesome anyway. Also, I've never had a problem with the sex noises, I mean, they fit the story of SFAM perfectly and they don't detract from my enjoyment of the song at all.

24 – The Killing Hand – When Dream and Day Unite
Here we have DT's first epic, and while many of the later epics are superior to this, it's pretty damn cool too. True, the story that's being told is pretty contrived, and James does far better than Charlie, but CD isn't given the credit he deserves either, in my opinion, because he does this song quite well, actually. This song also contains some of Petrucci's best guitar and songwriting work on WDADU, it's astonishing to consider that the guy was barely in his twenties and could already shred AND write cool songs like nobody's business – pretty damn cool, huh?

[Prog Snob]

Great choices! 

[Ruba]

What an update  .

[?]

Great choices!

[BlobVanDam]

All ok songs, although TGD is easily my least favourite from SDOIT (although it is my favourite album), Home is the most overrated song from SFAM (although that's my 2nd favourite album, and the song is still cool), and TKH is pre-DT's ability to write mature and excellent music (although it's easily one of the best songs from WDADU with JLB on vocals).

[Octavaripolis]

26 – The Great Debate – Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
This song takes a while until it really gets going, but when it does, you're in for a helluva ride. I like how the lyrics are pretty neutral on the subject, showing both sides of the debate instead of focusing on one of them. Musically, my favourite parts here are JM's groovy bass work throughout, the guitar solo which totally slays, and the chorus, which is probably one of DT's most powerful. I'm a little unhappy with the title, because "The Great Debate" sounds a little pedestrian and lackluster, whereas the song is anything but in the end, the music is what matters.

25 – Home – Scenes from a Memory
This is the song that made me realise that Eastern influences on music could be pretty damn cool. The sitar work throughout is outstanding, for a long time I actually thought that it was a sitar and not just a clever keyboard patch. Anyway, this features some pretty cool riffs throughout, and I don't give a flying fuck if the main riff rips of Tool or not, it's awesome anyway. Also, I've never had a problem with the sex noises, I mean, they fit the story of SFAM perfectly and they don't detract from my enjoyment of the song at all.

24 – The Killing Hand – When Dream and Day Unite
Here we have DT's first epic, and while many of the later epics are superior to this, it's pretty damn cool too. True, the story that's being told is pretty contrived, and James does far better than Charlie, but CD isn't given the credit he deserves either, in my opinion, because he does this song quite well, actually. This song also contains some of Petrucci's best guitar and songwriting work on WDADU, it's astonishing to consider that the guy was barely in his twenties and could already shred AND write cool songs like nobody's business – pretty damn cool, huh?

Couldn't agree more. I think I have a sentence like this in my write-up for Afterlife 

[Scorpion]

23 – The Count of Tuscany – Black Clouds and Silver Linings
LET ME INTRODUCE... MY BRUTHA! Now that we've gotten that out the way, let's focus on what's important here: the music. Yes, the lyrics won't win any prizes, but that's the case for most DT songs anyway and I don't really find the lyrics to be as cringeworthy as many say – and even if they were, the music more than makes up for it. I love how many different styles are incorporated here, with the proggy intro, the heavier and more straight-forward verses, the grandiose choruses and that awesome Floydian middle part with the that powerful finish. Good stuff.

22 – Beneath the Surface – A Dramatic Turn of Events
The closer of ADTOE is also one of the best songs on the album. It's simple, yes, but it's extremely heartfelt and emotional, and it has one of my favourite Jordan moments in that sweet Moog solo. People often complain how this is obviously autotuned, but I don't hear it and it therefore doesn't make a difference to me.

21 – Don't Look Past Me – Cleaning Out the Closet
This song is goddamn underappreciated that it's not even funny. I love the positive feel throughout and James really shines, especially in the vocal harmony part that also would make this an impossibility to perform live, unfortunately. It also contains one of Petrucci's most well-constructed and –phrased solos of his career. Anyone who doesn't know this song should do themselves a favour and listen to it. Twice.

[Onno]

Count is actually one of my favourite DT songs. Don't Look Past Me is an OK song but not more than that. Wouldn't make my top 50. Beneath The Surface is fantastic.

[BlobVanDam]

One hit, two misses for me.  (or should I say two drinks?)
TCOT is a great song. The lyrics don't bother me either, and I think they're fun and quirky and fit that section of the song perfectly. And musically, the song is incredible. The other two songs may as well not even exist for all I care for them.

[Prog Snob]

21 – Don't Look Past Me – Cleaning Out the Closet
This song is goddamn underappreciated that it's not even funny. I love the positive feel throughout and James really shines, especially in the vocal harmony part that also would make this an impossibility to perform live, unfortunately. It also contains one of Petrucci's most well-constructed and –phrased solos of his career. Anyone who doesn't know this song should do themselves a favour and listen to it. Twice.

[wasteland]

21 – Don't Look Past Me – Cleaning Out the Closet
This song is goddamn underappreciated that it's not even funny. I love the positive feel throughout and James really shines, especially in the vocal harmony part that also would make this an impossibility to perform live, unfortunately. It also contains one of Petrucci's most well-constructed and –phrased solos of his career. Anyone who doesn't know this song should do themselves a favour and listen to it. Twice.

I wouldn't be so sure about the impossibility of it being played live. They just need to accept the compromise of having one of the voices on a tape.

[wolfking]

One hit, two misses for me.  (or should I say two drinks?)
TCOT is a great song. The lyrics don't bother me either, and I think they're fun and quirky and fit that section of the song perfectly. And musically, the song is incredible. The other two songs may as well not even exist for all I care for them.

All of this.

[GasparXR]

21 – Don't Look Past Me – Cleaning Out the Closet
This song is goddamn underappreciated that it's not even funny. I love the positive feel throughout and James really shines, especially in the vocal harmony part that also would make this an impossibility to perform live, unfortunately. It also contains one of Petrucci's most well-constructed and –phrased solos of his career. Anyone who doesn't know this song should do themselves a favour and listen to it. Twice.

I wouldn't be so sure about the impossibility of it being played live. They just need to accept the compromise of having one of the voices on a tape.

Which they have done on the last tour for some backing vocals anyway. I'm not sure if it would be a stretch to get JP so sing them but an octave or two lower, whatever his comfortable range is.

[Prog Snob]

21 – Don't Look Past Me – Cleaning Out the Closet
This song is goddamn underappreciated that it's not even funny. I love the positive feel throughout and James really shines, especially in the vocal harmony part that also would make this an impossibility to perform live, unfortunately. It also contains one of Petrucci's most well-constructed and –phrased solos of his career. Anyone who doesn't know this song should do themselves a favour and listen to it. Twice.

I wouldn't be so sure about the impossibility of it being played live. They just need to accept the compromise of having one of the voices on a tape.

Which they have done on the last tour for some backing vocals anyway. I'm not sure if it would be a stretch to get JP so sing them but an octave or two lower, whatever his comfortable range is.

Or ten octaves lower like he did in the psycho exercises.

[Cedar redaC]

Or Mike Mangini could sing it. I don't remember the video, but one time, during an acoustic section, He just came up and started singing. It was awesome, even though they were just joking around.

[wasteland]

Or Mike Mangini could sing it. I don't remember the video, but one time, during an acoustic section, He just came up and started singing. It was awesome, even though they were just joking around.

Yeah, but it's not really easy for a drummer to sing while actually drumming, I think.

[BlobVanDam]

Or Mike Mangini could sing it. I don't remember the video, but one time, during an acoustic section, He just came up and started singing. It was awesome, even though they were just joking around.

Yeah, but it's not really easy for a drummer to sing while actually drumming, I think.

For someone with the kind of coordination like MM, I don't think that would be an issue. I think his singing voice itself would be the main factor. MP could sing and drum, so I don't see that MM would have a problem there either. I've seen vids of MM singing/playing before, so he could definitely do it, speaking only of coordination.
Personally, I'd love for them to bring in MM or JR (or JM lol) for some vocals, and make it more of a band effort vocally instead of using tapes for backup vocals.