Rewriting The Best of Times

[jakepriest]

Oh the joys of being someone who doesn't care much for lyrics and can enjoy great songs like TBOT.

[PROGdrummer]

The lyrics are literally about Mike Portnoy and his father, and its not even subtle. They just simply should not play it without him. A song like ACOS is different.

That would be like if MP sang Vacant with one of his side projects live. It would just be so wrong

[Kotowboy]

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?

That person would be as popular as that guy who posted on MP.com about how shit the song is... Fish something ?

[krands85]

Oh the joys of being someone who doesn't care much for lyrics and can enjoy great songs like TBOT.

Lyrics are never really important for me either (in fact in some songs, I'm still not sure what JLB is singing at times  ), but TBOT is one of the rare exceptions for me, where the song really suffers because of the lyrics - though the way they are sung is probably a factor as well.

The intro and outro are great musically, but personally, I'd much rather they used the 13minutes to play a song or 2 that I enjoyed all the way through. I would be surprised if they ever played it live (without MP's involvement) and I think avoiding it is the right thing to do really.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

I will make a few predictions:

1) DT will not rewrite The Best Of Times.
2) DT will not play The Best Of Times live.
3) No one will care.

[Lowdz]

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?

That person would be as popular as that guy who posted on MP.com about how shit the song is... Fish something ?

That was  the one time MP went off on one that I agreed with him. I'd have held his coat whilst he beat the crap out of the guy. Insensitive? I think so.

[Cool Chris]

That would be like if MP sang Vacant with one of his side projects live. It would just be so wrong

No, that would be so wrong for other reasons    But no one would care either way because JLB hasn't made a hullabaloo about how personal that song is to him.

[orcus116]

Actually, PetFish (who is a member here too) wasn't really being disrespectful, just making a few valid points, and MP flew off the handle right away. I understand the idea of a personal work but like any piece of art it isn't immune to criticism, regardless of the subject matter.

On topic, I think the band should just let this go. They have many, many songs in their discography to play.

[Madman Shepherd]

Pick one:

Have Dream Theater discussed rewriting the lyrics of The Best of Times?

In the past do you think Dream Theater talked about changing the lyrics of The Best of Times?

[son_ov_hades]

I really hope they don't do anything with the song. Playing it live at a reunion show with Portnoy would be fine, but there are many many better songs to play.

[Prog Snob]

It would be a blatant slap in the face and a classless thing to do.

[gmillerdrake]

I will make a few predictions:

1) DT will not rewrite The Best Of Times.
2) DT will not play The Best Of Times live.
3) No one will care.

[Vivace]

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

fixed.

[DebraKadabra]

Pick one:

Have Dream Theater discussed rewriting the lyrics of The Best of Times?

In the past do you think Dream Theater talked about changing the lyrics of The Best of Times?

OT:  I couldn't care less if they play TBOT live or not, but my preference is for them not to.

[Jaq]

Let's make this thread more like what it's REALLY about.

1. Do you want to find some way for DT to play the outro of The Best of TImes?

Because honestly, that's why people want to hear it live. 

[JayOctavarium]

no

[PetFish]

Yes, I made a poor decision, and I paid for it (and continue to pay for it with people saying things like they'd help MP beat the crap out of me, among other personal and anonymous attacks).

It's like everyone who decided to hate me after all the good things I've done for the fan-base (dt-x.com RIP), artwork contests to give away cool DT stuff that I had in my collection, the bootleg artwork I did, the financial support for the band, my clean posting history, etc all meant nothing.  In their eyes I may as well have just been a one-day forum member troll just to make that post and then get perma-banned.  Then there was all the hate email and threats towards me, which I still get whenever this topic comes up, like in this very thread.

It's like everyone came after me with some sort of MP Warrior chant like they never made a mistake in their own lives, and that was/is uncalled for.  I owned my mistake, I never ran from it, and I never tried to "cover it up" with any bullshit like "oh, yeah, sorry i was drunk" or any other junk like that.  I sincerely apologized many times over but people didn't care, they just kept attacking me.

So here we are, a few years later, and a lot of people also think the lyrics are weak, yet I still get attitude about it.

Anyway, I do hope they do another Instrumedley one day so we can at least hear JP's outro solo as it would be a shame to never get it live.

[Zook]

I don't think anyone hates you, dude. The mp.com guys have their heads so far up MP's ass and only see in one direction. You didn't make any mistakes. The lyrics are weak and could have been written by a 10 year old. It's our right to think and say that. MP flipped his shit and although it's understandable why, you don't have to keep apologizing. Shit, people pour their heart and soul into music whether it be personal or otherwise, but that doesn't make it good or free from criticism.

[Prog Snob]

I don't think anyone hates you, dude. The mp.com guys have their heads so far up MP's ass and only see in one direction. You didn't make any mistakes. The lyrics are weak and could have been written by a 10 year old. It's our right to think and say that. MP flipped his shit and although it's understandable why, you don't have to keep apologizing. Shit, people pour their heart and soul into music whether it be personal or otherwise, but that doesn't make it good or free from criticism.

Exactly.

No disrespect to MP whatsoever but when you write a song like Never Enough with it's blatantly obvious lyrical content, you know you are dealing with someone who wears their heart on their sleeve. Don't let fan-boys question your right to voice your opinion.  If we all started silencing ourselves for fear of being ostracized, what a boring world this would be.  You are the the better person for sharing your opinion and also the better person for realizing your future efforts and explanations were futile. 

[hefdaddy42]

The mp.com guys have their heads so far up MP's ass and only see in one direction.

This kind of comment really isn't very helpful, Zook.  Let's avoid forum-wide generalizations like this, OK?

[Zook]

The mp.com guys have their heads so far up MP's ass and only see in one direction.

This kind of comment really isn't very helpful, Zook.  Let's avoid forum-wide generalizations like this, OK?

Search your feelings, hef. You know it to be true.



































Ok boss.

[Fisi]

If playing The Best of Times by the current lineup was disrespectful for Mike Portnoy, rewriting its lyrics would be even worse in my opinion. It's pretty much a Mike Portnoy song, and I can't imagine why Dream Theater would even want to play it. It has never been played live, it's not a classic song and it's not on a classic album, so just ignoring it in the future setlists shouldn't be a problem.

It would be interesting though to see MP doing it live with some of his bands just btw...

[hefdaddy42]

On topic, I don't understand this entire proposition.  I can't fathom a circumstance where this would seem like a good idea.

[?]

If playing The Best of Times by the current lineup was disrespectful for Mike Portnoy, rewriting its lyrics would be even worse in my opinion. It's pretty much a Mike Portnoy song, and I can't imagine why Dream Theater would even want to play it. It has never been played live, it's not a classic song and it's not on a classic album, so just ignoring it in the future setlists shouldn't be a problem.

All of this.

[CodyWanKenobi]

I'm pretty sure DT doesn't give a fuck and they'll just play it. I mean, are they never gonna play A Change Of Seasons again because MP wrote the lyrics about his mom? Of course they will.

[TheGreatPretender]

I think the song has a few beautiful musical passages, mainly bookending the mediocre center that makes up the most of it. So like many people here, I'd rather hear the outro tacked onto another piece of music.
I really hope they don't play the whole thing live. They could play two shorter songs that are many times better in its place.

[King Postwhore]

On topic, I don't understand this entire proposition.  I can't fathom a circumstance where this would seem like a good idea.

100% correct.

[?]

I'm pretty sure DT doesn't give a fuck and they'll just play it. I mean, are they never gonna play A Change Of Seasons again because MP wrote the lyrics about his mom? Of course they will.

The difference is that Carpe Diem in ACOS was inspired by/based on MP's mother's death, whereas TBOT is 100% about MP's father. Besides, ACOS is a true DT classic while TBOT is a relatively recent song that was never even played with MP and is far less popular among the fans.

[aprilethereal]

reunion show with Portnoy

Seriously?



And I agree with those who think that they'll never play it, not because of the personal lyrics, but just because it's not a great song and 90% of the fanbase wouldn't be interested in seeing it live.

[son_ov_hades]

reunion show with Portnoy

Seriously?

They're never gonna play the song without Mike Portnoy, its his Space Dye Vest. The only way they'll play it live is if he's on stage. 

[KevShmev]

I am guessing he was face-palming the "Portnoy reunion" show comment.  A number of fans have it in your heads that a reunion show is inevitable, but are you are doing is setting yourself up for disappointment.  I think it is way more likely that Portnoy rejoins the band full-time at some point (and that alone is not likely) than him coming back for just a reunion show is.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

reunion show with Portnoy

Seriously?

They're never gonna play the song without Mike Portnoy, its his Space Dye Vest. The only way they'll play it live is if he's on stage.

Well, Jordan and James played Space-Dye Vest.... so....

[son_ov_hades]

I am guessing he was face-palming the "Portnoy reunion" show comment.  A number of fans have it in your heads that a reunion show is inevitable, but are you are doing is setting yourself up for disappointment.  I think it is way more likely that Portnoy rejoins the band full-time at some point (and that alone is not likely) than him coming back for just a reunion show is.

For the record I'm against him rejoining the band at all. A one off show would be fine, but the band is better off without him. All I'm saying is I'd be extremely surprised if they played the song without him being there.

[rumborak]

reunion show with Portnoy

Seriously?

They're never gonna play the song without Mike Portnoy, its his Space Dye Vest. The only way they'll play it live is if he's on stage.

Well, Jordan and James played Space-Dye Vest.... so....

If the rendition of SDV is any indicator of how TBOT would be live, I have little desire to see the tune live.

[Vipmetal]

They have no need to ever play this song, although I like it. Solo is one of Petrucci's finest moments...