Favourite band member "farewell" song

[RoeDent]

So I realized that every band member who's left Dream Theater since they started making albums went out with a very strong song. Obviously most of these were not intentionally farewells (Space-Dye Vest probably an exception) but farewells they turned out to be. And as of now, before we get any new music under Portnoy 2.0, this is where we stand.

Which is your favourite of the songs listed?

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

no chance it's anything other than SDV

[SwedishGoose]

no chance it's anything other than SDV

It is frickin fantastic but Trial of Tears is totally amazing

[OpenYourEyes311]

Uhhh, MP's is Raw Dog.

[RoeDent]

On a DT studio album.

[Wim Kruithof]

The Count is exceptional. Tops this list by a mile.

[Dream Team]

I guess I'm the only vote for OAMOT so far.

[CharlesPL]

Trial of Tears

[bosk1]

Trial of Tears is my favorite, with View being a close second.  But 4 of those songs are fantastic. 

[Wim Kruithof]

Trial of Tears is my favorite, with View being a close second.  But 4 of those songs are fantastic.

Which of those you consider less?

[MirrorMask]

On a tangent, here's the "last words" of those member leaving:

Charlie Dominici: If spirit's a sign, then it's only a matter of time
Kevin Moore: And I'll never be open again
Derek Sherinian: It's raining deep in heaven
Mike Portnoy: Tell them about my brother, tell them about me, the count of Tuscany
Mike Mangini: Self belief will build a life of legacy

[OpenYourEyes311]

1. TCoT
2. OAMoT
3. SDV
4. ToT
5. AVFTToTW

[hefdaddy42]

no chance it's anything other than SDV

It is frickin fantastic but Trial of Tears is totally amazing

This

[HOF]

Voted Trial of Tears, though SDV is amazing too. Also really like OAMOT.

[pg1067]

TCOT > OAMOT > TOT > View > SDV

no chance it's anything other than SDV

Except not.

They're all really good/great songs, but SDV is the least of them for me.

I guess I'm the only vote for OAMOT so far.

I came real close.  The margin between TCOT and OAMOT is really slim.

[bosk1]

Trial of Tears is my favorite, with View being a close second.  But 4 of those songs are fantastic.

Which of those you consider less?

There are four pieces of music, and there is Space Dye Vest, which is a piece of...something different.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

it is the apex of DT's emotional height; it is art

[Indiscipline]

Space Dye Vest

[Wim Kruithof]

There are four pieces of music, and there is Space Dye Vest, which is a piece of...something different.

To each their own, but I love Space-Dye Vest. It's the emotional eruption of a man's weakness, it's vunerable and as the Sojourn mentioned, to me it's art as well. Music is sometimes beautiful in it's symplicity... as is the very case with Vacant. Such a strong emotional message, almost like any riff or drum would stand in the way.

[bosk1]

I fully support and defend everyone's right to be completely and unequivocally wrong about things.

[OpenYourEyes311]

I guess I'm the only vote for OAMOT so far.

I came real close.  The margin between TCOT and OAMOT is really slim.

I also almost voted for it. The version from Budokan is amazing.

[Wim Kruithof]

If that's what you need - to reject other people's views - to maintain your self-worth, I want to fully serve you too, as much as you accept my foolish sense of taste.

Not to be taken seriously as well, though.

[PMSummer]

I also like SDV.

I fully support and defend everyone's right to be completely and unequivocally wrong about things.

That's a bit of a mean thing to say. Rule three?

[Trav]

1. Trial of Tears
2. The Count of Tuscany
3. Space-Dye Vest
4. A View from the Top of the World
5. Only a Matter of Time

[HOF]

Oh we're ranking things.

1. Trial of Tears
2. Space Dye Vest
3. Only A Matter of Time
4. The Count of Tuscany
5. A View...

The fewer words the better (almost).

[hefdaddy42]

I fully support and defend everyone's right to be completely and unequivocally wrong about things.

That's a bit of a mean thing to say. Rule three?

It's absolutely not mean. His tongue is planted firmly in cheek.

Take a joke.

[bosk1]

I fully support and defend everyone's right to be completely and unequivocally wrong about things.

That's a bit of a mean thing to say. Rule three?

No

[KevShmev]

Space Dye Vest over Trial of Tears by a nose.  Both are awesome.

Only a Matter of Time is pretty awesome as well, but we are missing that one perfect version (unless there is a great boot out there of James doing it live when Kevin Moore was still in the band). 

A View from the Top of the World is very good.

The less said about Raw Dog, the actual farewell song from Portnoy's initial run, the better.

[deggs37]

Trial of Tears for me, with Tuscany a close second.

Trial is just so good. I miss this sound in the band. It's nostalgic and comforting like a warm blanket.

[deggs37]

oops double post - sorry

[Jamesman42]

The Count of Tuscany is one of DT's best songs.

Space-Dye Vest is really cool. Then Trial of Tears.

The other two are very meh.

[Architeuthis]

AVFTTOTW all the way!   

[The Great Zo]

1) Trial of Tears
2) SDV
3) Count of Tuscany

These three would all make my top-25 list. Maybe top 20.

4) View
5) Only a Matter of Time

Good songs too, but more mid-tier for me.

[Madman Shepherd]

All strong songs minus TCOT which is just goofy.

I'm struggling so I'll need to vote later but for this unique poll, I've kind of imposed my own parameter.

What was truly a farewell for the member.

OAMOT is a great song but nothing stands out about Charlie's performance other than it's a great performance.
SDV is by far the most out there thing DT had done up to that point and maybe after as well. It was Kevin's song for sure and it was an incredibly strong/moving/bold one to go out on.
ToT has one of Sherinian's finest moments which leads to one of the coolest, moodiest parts in DT's entire catalog.
TCOT is not good.
AVFTTOTW is excellent but I'd have to go back and see if there is anything about it where Mangini truly stands out.

[Sycsa]

AVFTTOTW is excellent but I'd have to go back and see if there is anything about it where Mangini truly stands out.

This outro section and the intro to the next part is pretty neat. Also love the way the drums are produced, so lively. It's the first MM-album that I really like drum production-wise. Just as they nailed it, he's gone. At least it was on a high note.
https://youtu.be/8DeiV0ryQDY?si=nLfRpmvcf1uSOYFO&t=837