Rewriting The Best of Times

[KevShmev]

I am not sure this is something the band would actually do, but how would you guys feel if Petrucci decided to write a whole new set of lyrics for the song, while retaining the Best of Times title and line, simply for the sake of playing it live?  I think it would be kind of cool, as it would give them the opportunity to play a song where the music was written by the band, while showing respect to their former member by not singing the lyrics that are very personal to him.  Plus, it would mean JP could play that killer outro solo without having to feature it in a dreaded medley, which we know he hates.

Thoughts?

[Zook]

Someone here rewrote the lyrics to The Count of Tuscany a few years back. They were awful.

[Perpetual Change]

They could just play "The Spirit of the Radio" and tack on an extended instrumental jam (including John's solo)

[BlobVanDam]

I think it would actually be pretty disrespectful to throw out MP's personal lyrics, and replace them with something else. It would be like taking away a part of DT history from MP.
The only options I can think of that would work are either to play it as is (unlikely), or to put it in a medley (also unlikely). Or not play it at all, obviously.

[Prog Snob]

They could just play "The Spirit of the Radio" and tack on an extended instrumental jam (including John's solo)

Is this another one of your note-for-note deductions?   

[KevShmev]

I think it would actually be pretty disrespectful to throw out MP's personal lyrics, and replace them with something else. It would be like taking away a part of DT history from MP.

I don't see how.  The original song, with Portnoy's lyrics, will forever be on Black Clouds & Silver Linings, and if they never play it live, it would then cease to ever be a part of their history in any other way, but at least this way, it would be, albeit in different form.  If arrangements and solos can be changed, why not lyrics?

[rumborak]

They could just play "The Spirit of the Radio" and tack on an extended instrumental jam (including John's solo)

Is this another one of your note-for-note deductions?   

Not like Tchaikovsky in IT, but please don't tell me you don't hear The Spirit Of Radio in the beginning of the song.

[Perpetual Change]

They could just play "The Spirit of the Radio" and tack on an extended instrumental jam (including John's solo)

Is this another one of your note-for-note deductions?   

lol, it's not an obvious nod like Illumination Theory and Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1, but I've always felt they were very similar, and so has pretty much everyone I've ever showed the song to.

[BlobVanDam]

I think it would actually be pretty disrespectful to throw out MP's personal lyrics, and replace them with something else. It would be like taking away a part of DT history from MP.

I don't see how.  The original song, with Portnoy's lyrics, will forever be on Black Clouds & Silver Linings, and if they never play it live, it would then cease to ever be a part of their history in any other way, but at least this way, it would be, albeit in different form.  If arrangements and solos can be changed, why not lyrics?

DT don't change 95% of the music of a song though. They've arranged plenty of songs differently, but musically they're very much the same song. They've also changed lyrical lines here and there as it fitted (such as LTL), but nothing major. You're talking about replacing an entire lyric to make it about something completely different.

As you said, as it stands it's currently only part of their history on BCASL, which is fine. To change it that drastically live is basically robbing it of ever being allowed more than that with MP's lyrics.
If they want to ever play it, they should play it, as is (either whole or a section). But I'd be pretty insulted if a band replaced lyrics I'd written for a song, even if they thought they had good intentions.

[Prog Snob]

Not like Tchaikovsky in IT, but please don't tell me you don't hear The Spirit Of Radio in the beginning of the song.

lol, it's not an obvious nod like Illumination Theory and Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1, but I've always felt they were very similar, and so has pretty much everyone I've ever showed the song to.

Naturally there are similarities and I do hear them, but that's where it stops.  I would definitely say the IT similarities to Tchaikovsky are stronger but even that isn't a blatant ripoff.  I am curious as to whether or not JR has picked up on that. 

[JiM-Xtreme]

It would be utterly disrespectful. MP made it no secret that he intended to perform this song live with DT when he was ready.

[Onno]

It would be utterly disrespectful. MP made it no secret that he intended to perform this song live with DT when he was ready.

[Jaq]

They could just play "The Spirit of the Radio" and tack on an extended instrumental jam (including John's solo)

[KevShmev]

I think it would actually be pretty disrespectful to throw out MP's personal lyrics, and replace them with something else. It would be like taking away a part of DT history from MP.

I don't see how.  The original song, with Portnoy's lyrics, will forever be on Black Clouds & Silver Linings, and if they never play it live, it would then cease to ever be a part of their history in any other way, but at least this way, it would be, albeit in different form.  If arrangements and solos can be changed, why not lyrics?

DT don't change 95% of the music of a song though. They've arranged plenty of songs differently, but musically they're very much the same song. They've also changed lyrical lines here and there as it fitted (such as LTL), but nothing major. You're talking about replacing an entire lyric to make it about something completely different.

As you said, as it stands it's currently only part of their history on BCASL, which is fine. To change it that drastically live is basically robbing it of ever being allowed more than that with MP's lyrics.
If they want to ever play it, they should play it, as is (either whole or a section). But I'd be pretty insulted if a band replaced lyrics I'd written for a song, even if they thought they had good intentions.

I get what you are saying, and they are valid points.  I just think it could be a neat thing the band could do. Hell, Petrucci would probably even contact him ahead of time to say, "Hey, we are gonna play the song, and if you don't want us using your lyrics, I can write other ones since it is such a personal song about you and your dad."  That would alleviate the alleged disrespect that some feel would take place if they were do it on their own without any warning. 

Again, I doubt this will ever happen, but it can be fun to speculate.  Hell, they could make it about their time together as a band back in the day, hence The Best of Times, although good luck getting JLB to want to sing about having the best of times with Mike Portnoy.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Yes, they should also rewrite Space-Dye Vest without those stupid emo lyrics.

[Siddhartha]

I think that would be a very bad idea and would show a lack of respect for Mike. I´m sure they will never do it.

On the other side, I don´t know what would be the problem if they play the song live as it is. Ok, it is personal, but the purpose of music is to express feelings, and a lot of  them are nspired by personal experiences. A song dedicated to a deceased father is something people can relate to.

I would love to hear a live version.

[Siddhartha]

I would definitely say the IT similarities to Tchaikovsky are stronger but even that isn't a blatant ripoff.

Really? It is the same melody note for note, only that they skip the last three. Of course is a ripoff.

[Zook]

Iced Earth did it. Why can't Dream Theater?

[mike099]

I would love to hear the song live, but  James Labrie would probably have a hard time singing the lyrics seeing as how he and Mike Portnoy got along.

The guitar solo is great.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Iced Earth did it. Why can't Dream Theater?

[The Stray Seed]

It is indeed remindful of SOTR by Rush, but I like TBOT a gazillion times more.

[Evermind]

Maybe they should put the TCOT lyrics there.

The Count of Tuscany
I've met these days
The finest wines improve
With age

But actually I think they should leave  TBOT as it is.

[TheAtliator]

^That's actually pretty funny if you read it to the tune 

[Perpetual Change]

Why stop there? Why not just rewrite all of BC&SL??? 



I'm joking, but it's my least favorite DT album by a longshot. 

[DTFan0789]

I think they should just play the fucking song. I really don't see how it would be "disrespectful" in any way.

[Cool Chris]

Just play the damn song live as it is. Good lord. (actually, don't play it, there are too many other better songs to play live)

No, don't re-write the lyrics.

This whole "It's a personal song despite being released on the band's album" is getting silly. 

[rumborak]

I think one of the reasons it doesn't get played live is because it's not really that good a song.

[Cool Chris]

Since when did we let facts get in the way of a perfectly pointless discussion?

[jakepriest]

It's better than a lot of songs they actually play live.

[Zook]

It's better than a lot of songs they actually play live.

Lol no

[KevShmev]

I think one of the reasons it doesn't get played live is because it's not really that good a song.

Riiight.

[TAC]

I think one of the reasons it doesn't get played live is because it's not really that good a song.

Riiight.

C'mon, guys!

I love the song the way it is. And I expect DT to play it.

[kirksnosehair]

  !sdrawkcab ti yalp dluohs yehT

[Zook]

I agree with Rambo. It's just not very good. The subject of the lyrics may be personal and sad to MP, but the lyrics and JLB's singing just do nothing for me. Not to be a Petdick, but the lyrics just ruin the song for me.

[rumborak]

I agree with Rambo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WsEVSr8igo