The Spirit Carries On appreciation thread

[KevShmev]

I did a search and was shocked to see that this all-time great DT song doesn't have its own proper thread, much less an appreciation thread, so here we go.

Absolutely magnificent song in every way imaginable - great melodies, one of JP's best solos, and an ending that is so euphoric and triumphant, it's like it was made to play live.  This, to me, is the one Dream Theater song that they could play at every single show until the day they retire and I'd be fine with it.  It is that awesome, in general and live.

A  song, for sure.

[Dream Team]

Love the live version on Score, and others. Album version is a little flat for me.

[TheGreatPretender]

Definitely a top 20 song for me. 

I would say, having it on 3 video albums is a little much, especially since they just can't beat the LSFNY version, with the live choir and all that, but it's still always good to hear... Hopefully live some day.

[Zydar]

One of my very favourites from them. Loved it since I first heard it. Awesome guitar solo as well.

[son_ov_hades]

One of my favorite songs, it gets me every time. Petrucci's solo is one of the most refined and emotional I've ever heard, he really channeled David Gilmour and it worked so fucking well. 

[wolfking]

One of JP's best guitar solos.

[Tom Bombadil]

The ending is truly magnificent. Great song overall.

[Crow]

I absolutely love the way this song constantly builds to the last verse and chorus. Amazing song all around, especially the solo and LaBrie is fantastic all throughout as well.

[krands85]

Definitely one of those songs that seems to work so much better live than on the album. Grown to appreciate it a lot more in the last few years as well too. Great track and one of JP's best solos.

[ThatOneGuy2112]

JP's solo in this song, and in fact all of his solos throughout SFAM, are so masterfully crafted and emotional, they're difficult to forget. It has a wonderful build-up and nearly explodes with pure emotion near the end.

[Sacul]

I think I prefer the LALP version 'cause of the vocal arrangements at the ending.

[Scorpion]

I appreciate this song.

[AngelBack]

I saw a version from Italy, I believe, that was dedicated to the DT Italy fan club drummer that gave up a seat on his lifeboat when the Concordia went down.  He didn't make it.  The tribute and song are one of the most emotional moments I have witnessed, even if on youtube.

[hefdaddy42]

Fantastic song.  Very Floydian, but with that stamp of DT-ness. 

I know the LSFNY version gets a lot of praise, and rightly so, but I think the band sounded better and more in synch - just an overall better performance - on SCORE.

[dparrott]

Love it.  Should have been a single.

[Jaq]

Great song on the album, knock it out of the park brilliant live. While I am sure there's a bad version of it somewhere out there, I've not heard or seen one yet that wasn't fan-fucking-tastic.

[Hayden]

What does everyone think of the lyrics, just out of curiosity?

I quite like them, but an acquaintance of mine told me that "The Spirit Carries On" was the low-point of Scenes from a Memory for him because the lyrics pretty much consisted of "a guy asking all these really general, cliche questions". However, I did explain to him that they were improved when listened to in the context of the album's story (which he hadn't paid attention to). Still, though, I think a big part of the reason why I enjoy them is because they speak to me on a personal level (being a Christian and, by extension, a believer in an afterlife), and I wonder how I would've responded to them if weren't a theist, even with the consideration of the song's surrounding context.

[son_ov_hades]

I'm not a religious person but the lyrics don't have any negative meaning for me. Its an overwhelmingly positive song, and quite beautiful in the context of the story. Even taken alone, someone finding belief in the afterlife which gives a sense meaning to their life is quite admirable to me. My personal beliefs don't have much to do with my appreciation for the lyrics. 

[jammindude]

I'm not a religious person but the lyrics don't have any negative meaning for me. Its an overwhelmingly positive song, and quite beautiful in the context of the story. Even taken alone, someone finding belief in the afterlife which gives a sense meaning to their life is quite admirable to me. My personal beliefs don't have much to do with my appreciation for the lyrics.

I am a religious person, but I do not believe in an immortal soul, or a "spirit that lives on after death" in the typical religious sense.    I still like the song though, and I choose to interpret the lyrics in a slightly different light.   To me, the "spirit" that carries on is simply the memories that your loved ones remember....and most of the song lyrics could be viewed in that light.   "I know that my soul will transcend" is really the only line that doesn't jibe with that idea...but I just choose to ignore that part.   

[Octavarious]

I love it, best of the best is imho the SFNY version, just epic.
Ever noticed that in some parts you can easily swap it with "Eclipse" from TDSOTM, not losing a beat and staying on same notes? Floydian as hell! Or Heaven...

[ReaPsTA]

I almost wish TSCO was the last song on Scenes.  The way it comes full circle to Regression is such an emotionally beautiful way to conclude a story.  You set up the mystery at the beginning by doing into this crazy hypnosis trip, and then you solve that mystery and pay off all the emotions at the end.  It sounds obvious when explained, but the experience is unforgettable.

[red barchetta]

Great song, one of the very first song I heard from DT.  Love the lyrics, very true.  Beautiful solo by John.  The SFAM live version with the Gospel ensemble is awsome.

[Shattered Glass]

Last year, I played this at my Mum's funeral. A couple of months later when we watched LALP at Avoca Beach (one of my most awesome nights ever) yeah, I had chills. 

[TAC]

Great song on the album, knock it out of the park brilliant live. While I am sure there's a bad version of it somewhere out there, I've not heard or seen one yet that wasn't fan-fucking-tastic.

[rumborak]

Best JP solo IMHO.

[Mindflux]

No ADTOE girl meme's in here yet? I am dissapoint.

[hefdaddy42]

Best JP solo IMHO.

I agree.

[The Curious Orange]

My favourite DT song by a mile, and I'm always surprised it doesn't get more love. Saw then play this at Hammersmith in 2005 with Teresa Thompson on guest vocals, 2 days before my dad's funeral. One of my finest DT moments. The song reminds me of Floyd, but also reminds me of Queen.

I've always felt TSCO would be perfect as a song in a The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe musical...

[kirksnosehair]

This song is definitely in my top 5 from Dream Theater.  It's got everything.  Great melodies, great lyrics, a fantastic guitar solo and a climax that's practically orgasmic. 

[smegolas]

proabably my favourite song of all time.  it kills me that i have never heard them play it live.

[tiagodon]

It is incredible how DT fans love this song considering this is not a representative DT song. It is a very Pink-Floydish song, not DT average style. They never did something like that again...

[Octavarious]

It is incredible how DT fans love this song considering this is not a representative DT song. It is a very Pink-Floydish song, not DT average style. They never did something like that again...

As i said, it's more Dark-sidish...  Listen to it in sequence with Eclipse, you'll be amazed...