Dream Theater's most beautiful ballad.

[pcs90]

Beneath the Surface, Chosen and TSCO for me...
And also Eve, I mean that's basically a ballad.

[Dublagent66]

Lifting Shadows and This is the Life take the cake, and share it, for me. 

This is the Life has a very personal tie for me because my father passed in 2012 (actually yesterday was the 9th anniversary) and he had a habit of saying "this is the life isn't it son" when we would sit on the beach.  Year after year, from the early 90s through our final family trip in 2011 he would say that to me.  BIG song for me personally.  I had the chance to thank JP in-person for those lyrics in DC in 2012.

Plus the solo is all kinds of David Gilmour and kicks me in the a$$ when I play it (or try to )

Those are both excellent choices. 

[Nekov]

Lifting Shadows is my favorite ballad, though Beneath the Surface is close.
The first one I find to be quite emotional and just an amazing musical journey. The song builds up super nice and smooth from one section to the other until it reaches that climax almost at the end of the song, just to go back to where it began. On top of that, the contrast between the chorus and the verses is just perfect. It is a great example of what I love about early DT.
Beneath the Surface on the other hand, is much more concise, but nonetheless a beautiful piece of music. Everything about this song brings me peace and quiet. The string arrangement is a fantastic detail that adds an interesting layer to the song. I feel the song would still be quite good without it, but that puts it above other beautiful songs they've done in the past.

[Wim Kruithof]

Lifting Shadows is my favorite ballad, though Beneath the Surface is close.
The first one I find to be quite emotional and just an amazing musical journey. The song builds up super nice and smooth from one section to the other until it reaches that climax almost at the end of the song, just to go back to where it began. On top of that, the contrast between the chorus and the verses is just perfect. It is a great example of what I love about early DT.
Beneath the Surface on the other hand, is much more concise, but nonetheless a beautiful piece of music. Everything about this song brings me peace and quiet. The string arrangement is a fantastic detail that adds an interesting layer to the song. I feel the song would still be quite good without it, but that puts it above other beautiful songs they've done in the past.

I very much agree with your analyses.

[Nekov]

 

[AVFTTOTW]

For me it's:

Hollow Years
Lifting Shadows Off A Dream
Far From Heaven (I love it especially for the Twin Peaks cadence part  )

[Lax]

It's impossible for me to choose, because there are like 10 glorious ballads that I cannot rank.

But

They have so many beautiful ballads but I think Goodnight Kiss might be the most beautiful of them all.

This is just truth and I am amazed I only saw this name once, it's one of most heartmelting song I heard in my life, and the solo makes you visit from hell to paradise...A masterpiece.

Bonus track : Heaven's cove, on par with diablo games soundtrack

[jayvee3]

It's impossible for me to choose, because there are like 10 glorious ballads that I cannot rank.

But

They have so many beautiful ballads but I think Goodnight Kiss might be the most beautiful of them all.

This is just truth and I am amazed I only saw this name once, it's one of most heartmelting song I heard in my life, and the solo makes you visit from hell to paradise...A masterpiece.

Bonus track : Heaven's cove, on par with diablo games soundtrack

I absolutely love Heaven's Cove, but surely that can't be classed as a ballad?

[Fritzinger]

Could never go with one, but here's my selection:

Begin Again (that outro)
Anna Lee
Out Of Reach (very underappreciated imo)
This Is The Life
Wither
Another Day

[TAC]

This is the Life has a very personal tie for me because my father passed in 2012 (actually yesterday was the 9th anniversary) and he had a habit of saying "this is the life isn't it son" when we would sit on the beach.  Year after year, from the early 90s through our final family trip in 2011 he would say that to me.  BIG song for me personally.  I had the chance to thank JP in-person for those lyrics in DC in 2012.

Wow, man. Wow.

[Wim Kruithof]

So in the year exactly that you made your final family trip, This Is the Life was released in a Dramatic Turn of Events. Now that's something special.
And also the lyrics pointed out pretty much the same message as he did, although it looks like it, through your story. There is a thin line between grieving and a blessing.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

happy to see Out of Reach getting the recognition it deserves on this thread! I am surprised so many people don't dig it.

I think This is the Life is another great ballad with a memorable riff.