Lines in the Sand vs. Trial of Tears

[Sycsa]

These two are dominating the best song from FII poll (45 votes for LitS, 35 for ToT as of right now) and for good reason. I wonder how would they rank up if we eliminated all the other options.

I love 'em both, I think both songs showcase Derek's abilities and style excellently. LitS features the coolest DT riff ever and ToT was the biggest grower for me out of all DT songs, going from the skip list to my top 5 in a few months, like many great classic prog tunes did in the past. The "Hidden by disguise" part is one of my all-time favorite DT sections and I was amazed what they did with it on Breaking the Fourth Wall, making it even better than the original. Evidently, my vote goes to ToT.

[TheGreatPretender]

This is really tough. Musically, I'd say ToT. But vocally definitely LitS. LitS is more fun to sing... But ToT is fun to sing too... Ough... The more I think about it, the harder it is!
I'm going with ToT.

[hefdaddy42]

Both songs are fantastic, but I have to give the nod to LITS.  Musically, it's not quite like anything else in DT's catalog, and the chops are fantastic, as are the lyrics.

[JiM-Xtreme]

Definitely ToT. I still don't really know what the music is about, but there's something really gripping and emotional about it... it really feels like a journey, all the riffs seem connected. The bass really plays a powerful role - the basslines are repetitive and simple, which makes them really powerful and memorable and allows the other instruments to develop a groove around them.

I always get chills listening to it, especially at The Wasteland section.

I like LitS too, but for me it's just not quite in the same league.

[wasteland]

I always get chills listening to it, especially at The Wasteland section.

Thanks a lot man! I really put my soul into that part 

[JayOctavarium]

I always get chills listening to it, especially at The Wasteland section.

Thanks a lot man! I really put my soul into that part 

[Dublagent66]

Both songs are awesome but Doug Pinnick's vocals in LitS detract from it slightly.  Not that he has a bad voice, but his style is very non-DTish and that makes me like it just a little less than ToT.

[Crow]

Lines in the Sand by a good margin, top 10 DT song for me. The only negative thing about it is the chorus as a whole being weak (guest vocals especially) but everything else is so good that it doesn't matter, I'd probably have this in the top 5 if the chorus were stronger though.

[JayOctavarium]

I love them both... but LitS just hits me harder. So energy. So powah. Not that I am saying ToT is boring.... but it has such a different feel to it.

[lithium112]

This might be the toughest poll question I've had to answer actually. Both those songs are amazing and my opinion changes with my mood. Currently I'm going off a high of seeing ToT live so I'll go with that, but man. Both top 25.

[TheGreatPretender]

This might be the toughest poll question I've had to answer actually. Both those songs are amazing and my opinion changes with my mood. Currently I'm going off a high of seeing ToT live so I'll go with that, but man. Both top 25.

That's the problem with these polls. Once you cast you're vote, you're just drawing a line in the sand.

[RoeDent]

Lines in the Sand, easily.

[Nearmyth]

Lines In The Sand. Easy pick for me, ToT has never done anything for me. LITS is just the more enjoyable, fun listen when it comes down to it.

[Nekov]

Tot is slightly better but both are excellent songs

[ThatOneGuy2112]

LITS is marginally more consistent, but both are still pretty fantastic.

[krands85]

Tot is slightly better but both are excellent songs

This. They are 2 of the DT songs that have grown on me the most over the years. Was great to see ToT live earlier this year, I hope they bring Lines in the Sand back next time around. 

[Rickharris1011]

Really close between the two - both great songs.  ToT wins for me because of the chorus ("I may have wasted all those years").  One of my favorite DT hooks - catchy with a cool groove.  I love the ending of the song, though not so secretly wish they went back to that hook one more time

[TAC]

Both are great songs. Can't believe an album that bad had songs this good!
Lines sits at mny #6 DT sing, whereas TOT is somewhere in the 12-15 range.

The BTFW version of TOT is awesome. Also, while Lines has some great drumming by MP, I would love to hear it played with MM.

[The Holy Tune]

I chose ToT over LITS and would choose for the rest of my life, but I think it has more of an emotional reason to it. The first big concert I've ever been to was DT this summer and I had been expecting them for 4 years, and when ToT(especially Wasteland) came in, I was about to cry. LITS is a beautiful song, it's chorus could be one of my favourites(man even thinking of it gives me shivers) but the album version has those kinda awkward backvocals by Doug Pinnick. Also I love listening to live versions of many songs and LITS doesn't have a very good one that I could find, but ToT has it and oh boy isn't it great...

Well overall more emotional reasons make me pick ToT but LITS isn't far behind it, both are awesome

[CharlesPL]

Trial of Tears easily top 1-6 DT songs, LITS not even in my 50 i think.

[Setlist Scotty]

When FII first came out, ToT was by far my favorite track on the album. But over time, my appreciation for LitS has grown to such a degree so as to overshadow ToT. Not sure why that is - perhaps due to the varying live versions of LitS (whereas ToT has always been played pretty much like the album) - but these days my vote is for LitS.

[RaiseTheKnife]

Tough choice.  Both have deep meaningful and poignant lyrics and great moments of musicianship.  Lines in the Sand edges out.  When my friends heard it in '97 they dismissed DT because of the Xanadu reference.   I was not familiar with Rush catalog at the time, but was somewhat soured by their negative reaction. 

I added Lines to my iPod last week and noticed so many extra nuggets.  JP's changing guitar effects alone are an aural treat.

[mikeyd23]

LitS by a hair. Both tunes are incredible.

[BlobVanDam]

Damn, why don't you ask me which of my children I love more while you're at it? That's what this question is.

Both are easily at least top 20 DT songs for me, and I think I could go either way on this question depending on my mood. ToT has the ambience and mood, LITS has the groove and just rocks. Today I think I'll go with LITS. Tomorrow I might have gone with ToT.

[Art]

LitS by a hair. Both tunes are incredible.

This.

[aprilethereal]

Tot is slightly better but both are excellent songs

[Stadler]

"Lines In The Sand, your dish has a great arrangement, and you have really brought out the various flavors of all the instruments.   But the guest vocals by Doug Pinnick stick out like a sore thumb, and detract from the rest of the dish.  For these reasons, you've been Chopped."

Trial of Tears.

[Zydar]

"Lines In The Sand, your dish has a great arrangement, and you have really brought out the various flavors of all the instruments.   But the guest vocals by Doug Pinnick stick out like a sore thumb, and detract from the rest of the dish.  For these reasons, you've been Chopped."

Trial of Tears.

[Evermind]

Trial of Tears easily for me. I'm just not a fan of LitS at all.

[cramx3]

LitS is unlike any DT song.  That does not make it great, but its well executed and a really fun song.  Its my favorite from FII.  ToT does make it tough to go against, but I got to pick LitS.  I really like the live at Bucharest version too with the extended instrumental parts.

[jjrock88]

LitS by a hair. Both tunes are incredible.

[gmillerdrake]

Trial of Tears easily top 1-6 DT songs

This for me. ToT is near the top for me......

[Outcrier]

I prefer LitS a bit but ToT ranks high too.

[fischermasamune]

I voted LITS, and now the poll is 37 equals.

[adamack]

The biggest DT mystery to me remains how so many people love ToT so much.

I appreciate the view of those who love it, since it's all just opinion anyway.

But to me, it is one of their top 10 worst songs. Everything about it, save the "It's raining" hook, is so boring to me. The vocal melodies just bore the hell out of me.

I've really tried to like it time and time again, but just can't get into it.

Needless to say, LiTS is the winner in my eyes! Awesome song with tons of energy.

The thing I love about LiTS is that Doug Pinnick adds a bluesy vibe to the vocals that lacks in every other DT song, as this is not JLB's style. So it gives DT a brief moment to sound like a straight rock band, and it sounds soulful and awesome.

Also, JP's solo section building back into the final chorus is great.