Sixdgmaticor's Awake interperataion/explanation

[TheAtliator]

A few months ago some other members and I were talking about Awake and I said that I think almost nobody has any idea of the profound concepts that I believe are portrayed in this album. I think many DT fans think the lyrics are gibberish and think the music is technical, just has a few repeating themes, but isn't really portraying anything in particular. I'm making this thread to "lead you to the water" so to speak, and if your mind is open, you might drink, but I can't make you! Anyway, here is part 1-






We're gonna learn in the first few songs that people get stuck in a cycle, like a web. It has many names which will be highlighted in red. All other quotes will be in blue.

6:00 begins to explain someone who is living life the way he thinks is practical but really he just can't take any more- He wakes up "from a dream," and he's got work to do. He doesn't like what he has to, and he can't seem to get over the thought of this thing he'd rather do with his life. This is portrayed in "I may never get over," and the fact that it is 9:00, but he just can't get himself to "shake the sound" (the thought of the dream which he keeps thinking about) and get to work (Instead he just sits in his car and thinks).

So why doesn't he give up his current job for something he likes more? Why can't he take control of his life? Because he thinks "He's in too deep!" He is not living "Awake," so to speak, because he is too far into this life of shallowness and thinks it would be too hard to change now. It's one of those situations where every second it gets harder and harder to change your ways because you think it is too late..... *wait for it*....NOW, but you may have been able to a minute ago. Well the thing about that is you will say in a minute from now that you should have a minute ago.

But the point is, he shouldn't have gotten into this hole in the first place! He got stuck here because of the path he chose in life. He got stuck in a terrible cycle and realized too late.

This is relevant to real life because many great musicians think they have to quote on quote "sell out" to make any money, but they just end up working at that forever and never get where they want. Or sometimes people don't have confidence in their skills (for any job, not just music) and end up spending all their time on a day job they think is practical. The point is- follow the dream that you genuinely have as soon as you can- when your chance at succeeding is best


In Caught in a Web we begin to learn how people get stuck in the cycle in the first place with their career or even social life. However, this one is told from the point of view person who already has decided the right choice and is going to live their life best. This person (The "I" or "me" character) has already felt the potential dangers of the improperly lived life, to which he, himself once subscribed, and watches as people destroy themselves and try to tell him to do the same. Luckily though, he will break away and NOT accept their way of life.
"I watch you
Show me the hurt
That haunts you
Would you despise the thrill
If all you hide were mine?
I can't hold on any longer...
..Caught in a web..Spinning the lies
Devised in my head "

SO next we see again what is this cycle more specifically (we got a nice glimpse in 6:00)

"I've seen the path
The one you take
Shows the truth
For you to make [they make up their own truth- things are not going to happen the way they plan]
This turn of phrase
We might not see
Is the thirst of desire (a)
Found so easily

Try to push me 'round
The world some more
And make me live in fear
I bare all that I am
Made of now
Attractive I don't care
'cause even when I danced with life
No one was there to share
Does this voice the wounds of your soul?(b) "

(a) following your GENUINE dream is the only thing that will lead you to inspiration
(b) Irony that the "I" character knows the shallow people are going through the exact pain he was at one point. He's telling them I broke away, stop trying to control what I do, and I'll bet you guys feel the exact same way but are too afraid and weak to express it!

edit, addition: The whole point is- I'm not going to try to please everybody anymore, I'm going to live life the way I know is best and I only want the kind of people around me who will do the same for themselves and not try to change who I am (to those who understand I extend my hand, to the doubtful I demand, take me as I am or eat my ass and balls, your choice).

Think about the employee who finally quits and all his fellow workers try to tell him it's not a smart choice. They all say that to get on their boss's good side, but truthfully they feel exactly the same negative feelings toward their jobs as the man who was strong enough to quit. They make themselves fight against the person they actually agree with. Think about the person who stops hanging out with his friends because they try to force him to do drugs. He wants actual friends, not the ones who are only brought together by an unsustainable feeling. He is not afraid to leave them because he'd rather have no friends than friends that suck the life out of him.  The strong man "tried to live the life you live and saw," but realized "it doesn't work" for him. He does NOT want to be involved in "spinning a cage" for himself anymore!


Now, with Innocence Faded we get to the first example of how a similar thing can play out in a relationship/love scenario. This means a LOT to me personally as I have been in a situation like this and it has affected me dearly.

"Animation breathes a cloudless mind" In other words, you can fly high if you really dream big and work hard
"Fascination leaves the doubting blind" Often when you hear "doubting," especially on an album titled "Awake" it implies doubting God, but I think they are more broadly just referring to the human spirit and potential. When you doubt your nature, you will be causing a cycle where you don't feel happy, and then go further against human nature to try to fix it, but just end up feeling more unhappy not knowing (blind to the reason) why. Obviously this will continue "until the circle breaks and wisdom lies ahead.
The faithful live Awake, the rest remain mislead
Some will transcend spinning years,
one as if time disappears" (The ones who are faithful to their own goals and nature become timeless. Much like the guys in Dream Theater themselves!)

In the chorus, I think we see an example of the kind of relationship that can be timeless-
"Innocence faded
The mirror falls behind you
Trinity jaded
I break down walls to find you" As this person grows older, he no longer cares to check the mirror for superficial attraction. He wants to find the type of person he would break down walls to find- not the kind that seems nice at first, like the man's day job in 6:00. He wants to live a dream animated by his fascination! He has ambition!

Now want an example of the relationship that spins a web for years without end? It describes exactly a relationship I once had-

"Callow and vain
Fixed like a fossil, shrouding pain
Passionless stage
Distant like brothers
Wearing apathetic displays
Sharing flesh like envy in cages
Condescending
Not intending to end"


HOLY CRAP that is powerful, especially when you hear the music!! I HATE apathy!! "Fixed like a fossil" -incredibly descriptive and makes me feel aggravated just thinking about it.

The rest of this song is quite self-explanatory once you have this background

"beyond the circle's edge, we're driven (inspired) by her (our love's) blessing,
forever hesitating (those who are too afraid to take life by the balls and chase their dreams) caught beneath the wheel"

The way I put it- true love is SELFISH love. When both people want the relationship for themselves, not because they are doing a favor for the other (Filling the void in another person), they both remain happy. They are honest with themselves when it comes to what they want- also called integrity.



Part 2-

Now, in the next few songs we start moving on to a new recurring symbolism of water which will be highlighted in green. Quotes are still in blue

honestly, Voices is probably the song I am still the most confused about on the album, but I think I get most of it and the main idea. Erotomania obviously also relies on an understanding of this song and the Silent Man. I am relatively confident in my understanding of The Silent Man, though. Anyway, check it out-


Erotomania is some of the musical depiction of the feelings and things going on in the mind of the man going through some of the changes/ decisions this album talks about. At this point, this man is beside himself on a decision. He is starting to believe that these concepts which the first three songs are explaining are contrary to what he has been taught growing up in regards to religion, and even possibly the belief in God, itself. Now he must decide which set of ideals to follow.

This song could also be seen as the musical depiction of very bad guilt and insecurity of sorts while doing a certain activity. This may make more sense after Voices.

Also just some cool things to notice that reflect the consistent and forward-moving tone of the album-

-the guitar during the very first main riff is kind of a variation on the fills at the very tail end of Innocence Faded, the song immediately before this one.
-the obvious one is that at 3:04 it's the melody to the chorus of Silent Man
-Then, notice the (much less obvious) recurring theme at 3:41 which appears again in Voices druing the fills at 2:55 (as with every other chorus) and at 5:45. Then once again at 1:52-2:14 of the Silent Man. Also this theme even nods at the chorus of Caught in a Web at 4:04 (of Erotomania)


At the beginning of Voices the "I" character is remembering some adult figures in his earlier life who seem to be very religious. One tells him "Love, just don't stare" which is kind of confusing, but I think is saying that you can fall in love, but advising to never take it too far, trust too much, or get too caught up in it because it can never be perfect. Personally, I don't like to settle for this, and I don't think the "I" character wants to either. When the "Animation breathes a cloudless mind" approach is taken, one does not have to settle for less than perfect. However, this old man remained caught beneath the wheel for his whole life; he sipped the poison, eventually died because he didn't really have any desire to go on, and now his widow is the one who is left.

Now the widow is introduced saying "So speak, I'm right here," but as indicated by "not a word not a word" the "I" character does not want to talk. He is feeling (as described later) "withdrawn and introverted", and we are about to find out why. First, though, let's notice the way the "I" character sees his two paths in life. He can either take the "Spider in the window" approach, or the "Angel in the pool" approach. The first way, a person will spin a web of lies his entire life, and with the other he will FACE HIS PROBLEMS WHEN THEY ARISE AND MAKE HIS LIFE GLORIOUS!

So now why is he so introverted? It's because he is starting to disagree fundamentally with the philosophy behind these religious people, but he's either too weak or too young to rebel. It's his own life that is being halted by their selfless and conformist ways, but he is in the incredibly frustrating and depressing state of being unable to fight for his own happiness. So he starts hearing voices in his head begging him to PLEASE take hold of your life!!- "feeling threatened we reflect your hopes and fears" he is subconsciously being moved by desire and fear (which of course will later be addressed in LSOAD), and his happiness is at stake (threatened). The "Others steal your thoughts" part is saying that if the "I" character doesn't take hold of his life, someone else will eventually think of and capitalize on the ideas he has; that he will begin to see new inventions/products (which could be of any industry or type) become successful in the world that he thought of first, but never acted on. The second verse says "Now they read my mind on the radio".

He is also dealing with the same concept when it comes to love. He starts to see that the philosophy of the people he is surrounded by is based on selflessness and the idea that people can NOT be perfect because they are fundamentally flawed (something I completely reject. Humans have the power to be the most perfect thing in the universe). He then sees that these people think the only way around this eternal misery is through God. We will see in The Silent Man that this is thankfully NOT the true purpose of God in the "I" character's and my own view. But we aren't there quite yet- while being surrounded by these people, one could even go as far as to say "Sex is death, death is sex" because of it's extreme amount of selfish pleasure, and creation of humanity. Now maybe the title and emotion of Erotomania has some new meaning?

The voices continue to tell him to rebel "Good behavior brings a savior to his knees." And you'll never guess where we end up in the next scene...

"Kneeling on the floor... like the spider in the window, I wish that I could speak." Yes, that's right, he still hasn't acted on what he knows is right, and thus he is still caught in the web these people spin their whole lives, remaining misled. And he is still withdrawn and introverted, and now seeing his "diary on the newsstand", proving the voices' point.

I think by the end of the song, the character might finally follow through (*cough* giving up on misery and leaving their distrust behind *cough*) and risk quote on quote "salvation" in order to escape from isolation, but it's very hard to tell.


In The Silent Man, we see that our main character has indeed found God, and not through a self-hating philosophy. (I'd like to point out that the religion in Voices was clearly Christianity, but of course you can still be Christian and not have the same beliefs as the antagonists in that song. You may be Christian and actually believe more like the protagonist in The Silent Man is going to describe, and think that the antagonists were not true Christians. This is not meant to offend or label all Christians as thinking a certain way)

The Silent Man is God. You can tell because, first of all the name is capitalized every time, and is even capitalized when referred to as "He." Second, because of the lyrics.

So what do you think about this question that is served about "Is silence like a fever, a voice never heard, or a message with no receiver?" I think that this first stanza regarding silence isn't even referring to the Silent Man, God quite yet. I think we are actually talking about the silence that the "I" character had when he was so withdrawn and introverted. And if you ask yourself why he was so silent, it's actually because he didn't think he could trust those who were talking to him. It's possible that Dream Theater is making a connection that similarly, God is entirely silent, but only when you are a good person and make the effort to search for the truth, he will be there for you. The "I" character does not want to be asked this question in church, though, because he does not want to let everyone know his answer. Again, he does not trust them with this.

The next question is whether man is just a victim of woman and his father. I think we have covered that this does not need to be the case; man has the power to be heroic! Also, what are the consequences of not bothering to even think about this "If he elects not to bother..."? Well, I think that would mean a shallow life because one will be very easily sucked right into the web and then never do any good for himself nor the rest of the world.

The chorus then clearly describes what the "I" character has found. It is basically that God is there to help you through rough times and guide you when you don't know where to go. We will then begin to see most importantly, that a person must work for themselves. God does NOT ask you to sit back so he can do the work for you. "When there is reason, Tonight I'm Awake, When there's no answer, Arrive the Silent Man."

The bridge is the most interesting and powerful part to me. "I could sail by on the Winds of Silence, and maybe they won't notice, But this time I think It'd be better if I swim" He is saying that he could just flow through life and let God push him around where he wants, and then the other people who surround him won't mind, but he would rather TAKE HOLD OF HIS LIFE and STEER IT WHERE HE, HIMSELF WANTS IT TO GO!! (Now we see why the angel in Voices was in the pool, yes?) He is inspired by the things that make him happy, including LOVE and whatever other passions he has, and with this at stake, he is prepared to TAKE ON THE OCEAN! To hell with what the self-haters want him to be! Rather than flowing with the stream, he has animation and fascination and he wants to swim through life with his own to arms!

hell yes.

[bosk1]

  It's a concept album, but that's not what it's about.

[TheAtliator]

  It's a concept album, but that's not what it's about.

Maybe some different specific experiences inspired the album than what I am saying, for instance the Kevin Moore thing (he cannot fulfill his own goals nor Dream Theater's if he's not enjoying what he's doing anymore), but I do think the concept is illustrating this philosophy. How do you know this is not what it's about?

[bosk1]

Because it is about a very specific topic.  Or, should I say, it is about a very specific character.  And, yeah, he is basically going through a lot of the things you mentioned.  But it's not primarily about that.  It's about this very specific character and those around him, and how he learns to cope with great power and great responsibility while simultaneously sometimes being helpless to control his circumstances.

[Ħ]

The album is like a web, eh? Sort of like a...spider's web?

EDIT: dangnabbit

[TheAtliator]

Because it is about a very specific topic.  Or, should I say, it is about a very specific character.  And, yeah, he is basically going through a lot of the things you mentioned.  But it's not primarily about that.  It's about this very specific character and those around him, and how he learns to cope with great power and great responsibility while simultaneously sometimes being helpless to control his circumstances.

It may be inspired by very specific events, but the songs themselves are not literal narratives, therefore their morals may apply to many different life scenarios. How else do you think it's possible for all five guys to contribute such personal lyrics to the album?

The album is like a web, eh? Sort of like a...spider's web?

about choosing either the spider in the window spinning lies his entire life, or the angel in the pool, someone who swims through the water, the stream of life, to reach his own goals, and who's back should not be stood upon.

[bosk1]

The same way they were all able to contribue lyrics on Scenes From A Memory.  They agreed ahead of time that they were going to write about this important historical figure, and then agreed on the basic outline of what aspects of his life they wanted to talk about, and just went from there.

[MoraWintersoul]

Oh god don't go there I am new but even I know about that and he doesn't

[TheAtliator]

The same way they were all able to contribue lyrics on Scenes From A Memory.  They agreed ahead of time that they were going to write about this important historical figure, and then agreed on the basic outline of what aspects of his life they wanted to talk about, and just went from there.

very possible (if they've said so specifically, then it's true), but still there are personal experiences (look at The Mirror), that made them inspired to write about it

[TheAtliator]

Oh god don't go there I am new but even I know about that and he doesn't

is "he" me? if so, will you go ahead and let me know what I have yet to learn?

[bosk1]

Well, yes, they are based on personal experiences.  But not their personal experiences.  Have you not really thought about the lyrics?  Do you actually think The Mirror (and some of the other songs) are about the members of DT?  I would have thought it should be pretty obvious who they are about.

[TheAtliator]

I know it really gets into God later on in the album, and there are biblical references, but other than that, I think I might come up dry. What are you referring to?

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Awake is about Spiderman. Any other interpretation won't work.

[Ħ]

Aww, you spoiled it.

[JayOctavarium]

[TheAtliator]

wait, was this whole thing with Bosk a joke? haha

that definitely would have been funny if you kept me hanging for a really long time on an inside joke that I didn't know, it's too bad you spoiled it.. I know that sounds sarcastic, but it's actually not 

but seriously, was this a joke or not, Bosk?

[bosk1]

Awake is about Spiderman. Any other interpretation won't work.

Dude, at least put "spoiler alert" on your post!  He hadn't figured it out yet! 

wait, was this whole thing with Bosk a joke? haha

that definitely would have been funny if you kept me hanging for a really long time on an inside joke that I didn't know, it's too bad you spoiled it.. I know that sounds sarcastic, but it's actually not 

but seriously, was this a joke or not, Bosk?

No.  Not a joke at all.  It is established fact.  I didn't come up with it.  It's just what the album is about.  Here's a summary of the analysis:

Indeed it is, allow me to explain to you the story Awake is trying to tell:

6:00 - Through the metaphor of a blue collar worker, the song tells the story of Peter Parker, having been bit by the spider, trying to decide whether to embrace his power to be a superhero, or go back to his normal life as a college student. Peter's aunt lecturing Mary Jane symbolizes the turmoil in the world Peter is potentially facing himself against.

Caught in a Web - Should be obvious

Innocence Faded - Having fully embraced his role as Spiderman, Peter's relationships with his friends degenerate. However, hope lays around the corner.

Erotomania - An instrumental about Mary Jane

Voices - This song takes Peter Parker to a level rarely explored in the comics and movies. Having taken to bed with MJ, Voices explores Peter's mind as it works through the inner conflict of love vs. being a superhero. Is MJ a devil in disguise, trying to distract him from his duties? Is the world necessarily worth saving?

The Silent Man - Peter has trouble dealing with his personal conflicts, so he becomes more emotionally withdrawn from Mary Jane.

The Mirror - And throws himself completely into his role as Spiderman. The Mirror details how he uses his persona as Spiderman to emotionally abuse Mary Jane. Instead of intimacy, he leaves to fight crime. When he gets perhaps too intimate with a woman he saves, he talks about how it's necessary to make him liked by the public. Peter knows he can never do this to Mary Jane again.

Lie - Unfortunately, rather than subject Mary Jane to his personal deficiencies, he decides to break up with her and date Gwen Stacy. The relationship did not end well, as the lyrics make plainly clear.

Lifting Shadows Off a Dream - Peter and Mary Jane reconcile their relationship. Mary Jane is able to truly accept Peter for who he is, and Peter is finally able to realize that.

Scarred - Using the metaphor of one's relationship with a parent or sibling, in fact this is a song about Peter's relationship to New York City itself. Set years after Lifting Shadows, the song reflects the anger Peter has developed toward his beloved city, which shows him love with cheering crowds, but then has newspapers and cops that want to defame Spiderman.

Space Dye Vest - A complex piece of lyricism. While Parker and MJ love each other, they have lived lives separate from each other. Peter is more likely to see one of her pictures as a clothing model than he is to see her in real life. Many of his nights are spent sitting at home, by himself, watching movies and TV. Because he's barely able to display emotion toward the true love of his life, he's found himself unable to even display emotion to the grateful people he saves. "I will never be open again," closes out a story of a man granted profound power, who was unable to emotionally bear the great responsibilities that came with it.

[rumborak]

To quote a singer who once auditioned for my DT tribute band, Awake is actually a song off the 6:00 album.
So, whatever you guys think are songs, are actually albums, and the other way around.

Splode.

[bosk1]

Okay, now you're just being silly.

[Nekov]

Don't forget the TOT poster in a Spider Man comic

[TheAtliator]

Ok everyone, very funny! I, however, honestly don't see the double meaning/misunderstood meaning, but then again I don't know the story of Spiderman particularly well.

NOW, as much as I love all your senses of humor, could we please get back to serious discussion about an album that changed my life? Talk about this for example-

about choosing either the spider in the window spinning lies his entire life, or the angel in the pool, someone who swims through the water, the stream of life, to reach his own goals, and who's back should not be stood upon.

[JayOctavarium]

[hefdaddy42]

[TheAtliator]

if your mind is open, you might drink, but I can't make you!

....

[Zook]

SPIDER-MAN
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[Aythesryche]

[DebraKadabra]

Awake is about Spiderman. Any other interpretation won't work.

OMG!!!!! 

[Nekov]

  I really love this forum

[Elite]

This is just getting sillier with the minute

[?]

This is just getting stranger by the minute

FTFY

[wasteland]

This is just getting stranger by the minute

FTFY

You are worthy. You can now enter the club.

[Sketchy]

That picture is actually adorable.

[?]

That club could be cool...

Anyway, I've obviously heard about the Spiderman thing before, but I have to give Reapsta props for coming up with such a thorough analysis

[DebraKadabra]

That picture is actually adorable.

It is!

[bosk1]

That club could be cool...

Anyway, I've obviously heard about the Spiderman thing before, but I have to give Reapsta props for coming up with such a thorough analysis

Yup.  Almost as good as my "Why Black Clouds And Silver Linings is a concept album about cannibalism" analysis.