Dream Theater Top 100 countdown - 2024 Version! (#01 Up!)

[Evermind]

Ytse Jam - not ranked - DT instrumentals have always been hit or miss (mostly miss) with me, and this one isn't an exception.

The Silent Man - #12 - top 5 DT ballad for me and one of the best songs on Awake. I know it's part of a suite but it works amazingly well as a standalone song. Beautiful, sad, introspective - I agree with whoever said they wish to see this side of DT more often. I always have goosebumps when this song is playing. In fact I just had goosebumps when I thought about it.

MirrorMask and SwedishGoose

Raise the Knife - this song is always welcome when it comes up on Score, but other than that, I don't listen to it at all.

Raising the Knife: didn't make the cut. A side of DT I can't appreciate much.

You mean, the bitter side? 
Or the ironic side. 

The B-side

[pg1067]

67. Ytse Jam

66. The Silent Man

65. Raise The Knife

With no instrumental on I&W, this was the first DT instrumental I heard.  They played it at the first three I&W shows I saw (followed by the MP mimics Neil Peart drum solo).  The song utterly blew me away.  It's since been eclipsed by a few other DT instrumentals, but I still love it every time I hear it.  I had it at #43, and it came in at 79 in the last countdown.

The Silent Man one of DT's better minor/transitional tracks.  I ranked it at #77 just because of the length (similar to what I did with WFS and Vacant), but I really enjoy it - particularly the harmony vocals.  I ranked at #80 in the prior countdown.

Raise the Knife is, IMO, easily the best of the FII reject song.  Frankly, the album would have been MUCH improved if they had included this over New Millennium.  I had originally included this among the songs I was going to consider when started ranking using the ranking engine.  However, I ended up not considering it in my hasty, eleventh-hour submission.  It came in at #72 in the prior countdown.



List                                                    Not Ranked         
100                                                   Never Enough (100), The Gift of Music (98), Our New World (93), A New Beginning (91), New Millennium (87), Sleeping Giant (85), Awaken the Master (81), The Best of Times (77), To Live Forever (75T)
99  I Walk Beside You (80)                  Answering the Call (75T), Lost Not Forgotten (73), Fall into the Light (72), Honor Thy Father (71), Raise the Knife (65)
98
97  This Is the Life (88)
96
95
94
93
92
91
90
89
88
87
86
85
84  Forsaken (95)
83
82
81
80
79  Vacant (97)
78
77  The Silent Man (66)
76
75  A Fortune in Lies (78)
74
73
72
71
70
69
68  The Shattered Fortress (79)
67  The Dark Eternal Night (70)
66
65  Transcending Time (90)
64
63
62
61
60
59  Afterlife (96)
58
57  Surrender to Reason (83T)
56
55  The Alien (69)
54
53
52
51
50
49
48
47
46  Behind the Veil (89)
45
44
43  Ytse Jam (67)
42
41  Through Her Eyes (74)
40
39  The Enemy Inside (83T)
38
37
36
35
34
33
32
31  The Looking Glass (92)
30
29
28  S2N (94)
27  Wither (99)
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18  Constant Motion (86) (high ranker)
17  Only a Matter of Time (82)
16
15  The Killing Hand (68)
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

[Evermind]

The Silent Man one of DT's better minor/transitional tracks.  I ranked it at #77 just because of the length (similar to what I did with WFS and Vacant)

Vacant is nice little a transitional song (along the lines of Wait for Sleep and The Silent Man).

[JiM-Xtreme]

70. The Dark Eternal Night - 24 for me. What can I say, this is an absolute classic. They go full-on metal, dark and evil purely for the sake of it but it's completely tongue-in-cheek. The guys are just having fun and looking to get as heavy and crazy as possible. I couldn't tell you of a single section of this song I don't like - and that ending solo! I had the pleasure of seeing this live in the CIM tour in '07, when JR rocked the keytar at the front of the stage... 

69. The Alien - not in my top 100 - although I do find myself listening to a lot lately, probably in virtue of it being a more recent song. The instrumental parts are killer but the melodies are not that strong and are surpassed by so many other songs they've made.

68. The Killing Hand - love this one, it made my 29. I can't think of any other song quite like it... it's sort of written like an epic, but not. More like a multi-part but shortish-for-DT song. But there's something captivating about it.

In fairness, a large factor in what elevated this song for me is JLB's take on the vocals. Pick any performance from the I&W tour and prepare to be blown away. This one is my personal favourite... to think that JLB sounded this good whilst being filmed on a camcorder with no production whatsoever is just mind-blowing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ep2vadeM9nY

What's also notable is the various arrangements they've done live over the years, starting with the addition of the "Another Hand" piece - which for the purposes of this countdown was listed as it's own song but was actually written to segue Another Day into The Killing Hand (which can be heard in full on the Japanese version of LATM), so personally I feel it's more appropriate to consider it part of TKH. Interesting how it morphed further over the years, culminating in the vastly different arrangement heard on WDADR with softer vocals from JLB towards the end. Definitely about time this made a comeback live, and would be super interesting to see what approach they decide to take with it in 2024.

67. Ytse Jam - this was only one place higher for me at 66 so I guess no need for me to justify this one. I love the fact that everyone gets a solo, including JM.

66. The Silent Man - again, only slightly higher for me at 64. I think I like the LSFNY version the best - the way the full band comes in on the final chorus and the higher vocals... wow.

65. Raise The Knife - this ended up quite a bit higher for me at 32. I think it's absolutely criminal that this gem got left off FII in favour of some of the garbage that ended up on the finished album! I love the song as a whole but in particular, the second verse - that whole section is amazing, how it transitions into a swing feel and those lyrics. Probably my favourite lyrical passage that MP has ever written, although in retrospect they come across as rather ironic considering... you know.

[pg1067]

It's time...

THE SCORE SO FAR
(The World Is Upside Down Edition)

1. When Dream and Day Unite (5 songs, 114 points):  Afterlife (96), Only a Matter of Time (82), A Fortune in Lies (78), The Killing Hand (68), Ytse Jam (67) - I suspect we may have seen the last entry from this album since none of the three remaining songs from this album made the last countdown.

2. A View from the Top of the World (5 songs, 105 points):  Transcending Time (90), Sleeping Giant (85), Awaken the Master (81), Answering the Call (75), The Alien (69)

3. Other (2 songs, 61 points):  To Live Forever (76), Raise the Knife (65)

4. Dream Theater (4 songs, 57 points):  The Looking Glass (92), Behind the Veil (89), The Enemy Inside (83T), Surrender to Reason (83T)

5. Systematic Chaos (3 songs, 52 points):  Forsaken (95), Constant Motion (86), The Dark Eternal Night (70)

6. Black Clouds & Silver Linings (3 songs, 48 points):  Wither (99), The Shattered Fortress (79), The Best of Times (77)

7. A Dramatic Turn of Events (2 songs, 41 points):  This Is the Life (88), Lost Not Forgotten (73)

8. Distance over Time (2 songs, 36 points):  S2N (94), Fall into the Light (72)

9. Awake (1 song, 35 points):  The Silent Man (66)

10. Train of Thought (2 songs, 34 points):  Vacant (97), Honor Thy Father (71)

11. Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory (1 song, 27 points):  Through Her Eyes (74)

12. Octavarium (2 songs, 22 points):  Never Enough (100), I Walk Beside You (80)

13. The Astonishing (3 songs, 21 points):  The Gift of Music (98), Our New World (93), A New Beginning (91)

14. Falling into Infinity (1 song, 14 points):  New Millennium (87)

15. Images and Words (0 songs)

16. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence (0 songs)

[Wim Kruithof]

interesting take pg1067... only A Dramatic Turn of Events isn't on your list yet.

[CharlesPL]

Ytse Jam was - 52
The Silent man - 41
Raise the knife - 60

[Wim Kruithof]

095: I Walk Beside You     #80 15
094: S2n     #94 spot on
093: Never Enough     #100 7
090: The Alien     #69 21
089: Only a Matter of Time     #82 7
088: Surrender to Reason     #83t 5
087: Forsaken     #95 8
086: Through Her Eyes     #74 12
085: The Silent Man     #66 19
084: Constant Motion     #86 2
083: Fall Into the Light     #72 11
082: The Best of Times     #77 5
078: Behind the Veil     #89 11
077: Afterlife     #96 19
068: The Enemy Inside     #83t 15
060: A Fortune in Lies     #78 18
054: The Looking Glass     #92 38
053: Raise the Knife     #65 12
050: Wither     #99 49
048: Transcending Time     #90 42
044: Ytse Jam     #67 23
042: The Killing Hand     #68 26
041: Sleeping Giant     #85 44
040: Answering the Call     #75 45
029: Awaken the Master     #81 52
027: Honor Thy Father     #71 44
016: The Shattered Fortress     #79 63

not rankend: 9 The Gift of Music / Vacant / Our New World / A New Beginning / This Is the Life / New Millennium / To Live Forever / Lost Not Forgotten / The Dark Eternal Night

[jammindude]

It's time...

THE SCORE SO FAR
(The World Is Upside Down Edition)

1. When Dream and Day Unite (5 songs, 114 points):  Afterlife (96), Only a Matter of Time (82), A Fortune in Lies (78), The Killing Hand (68), Ytse Jam (67) - I suspect we may have seen the last entry from this album since neither of the remaining songs from this album made the last coundown.

2. A View from the Top of the World (5 songs, 105 points):  Transcending Time (90), Sleeping Giant (85), Awaken the Master (81), Answering the Call (75), The Alien (69)

3. Other (2 songs, 61 points):  To Live Forever (76), The Silent Man (36)

4. Dream Theater (4 songs, 57 points):  The Looking Glass (92), Behind the Veil (89), The Enemy Inside (83T), Surrender to Reason (83T)

5. Systematic Chaos (3 songs, 52 points):  Forsaken (95), Constant Motion (86), The Dark Eternal Night (70)

6. Black Clouds & Silver Linings (3 songs, 48 points):  Wither (99), The Shattered Fortress (79), The Best of Times (77)

7. Distance over Time (2 songs, 36 points):  S2N (94), Fall into the Light (72)

8. Awake (1 song, 35 points):  The Silent Man (66)

9. Train of Thought (2 songs, 34 points):  Vacant (97), Honor Thy Father (71)

10. Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory (1 song, 27 points):  Through Her Eyes (74)

11. Octavarium (2 songs, 22 points):  Never Enough (100), I Walk Beside You (80)

12. The Astonishing (3 songs, 21 points):  The Gift of Music (98), Our New World (93), A New Beginning (91)

13. Falling into Infinity (1 song, 14 points):  New Millennium (87)

14. Images and Words (0 songs)

15. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence (0 songs)

In the "other" category you have The Silent Man listed and I think you meant Raise the Knife.

[Jamesman42]

100. Never Enough (17th) I don't get how this is at 100. This song has many cool parts, especially the instrumental break.
99. Wither (66th) Solid song, when it hits, it's great but it doesn't always warrant a listen.
98. The Gift Of Music (92nd) It's alright. Past entry 82 on my list is stuff that just had to be ranked.
97. Vacant (70th) This song is so awesome on its own and how it leads into SoC
96. Afterlife (98th) See: The Gift of Music
95. Forsaken (87th) It's alright, live is good.
94. S2N (NR) Honestly just not familiar enough with this song yet.
93. Our New World (NR) See: S2N
92. The Looking Glass (54th) This is one of the better tracks off of DT12. Great chorus, surprised it is this low.
91. A New Beginning (NR) Couldn't tell you what album it's from.
90. Transcending Time I really don't like DT12 View at this time, with about 5 listens since returning to the forum last year. But this song stuck out and was good enough to make the list.
89. Behind The Veil (NR) See: A New Beginning
88. This Is The Life (33rd) This song is very underrated. It has a huge atmosphere to it and a great buildup to that final chorus.
87. New Millennium (NR) Not much of a fan of FII, and this song was always skippable to me.
86. Constant Motion (35th) Sometimes you need a straightforward song, DT does it great here, and the instrumental section with the bass and piano is cool as hell.
85. Sleeping Giant (NR)
84. The Enemy Inside (36th) Great, straightforward song, and ranks right next to Constant Motion.
83. Surrender To Reason (64th) This was a mistake to place it at 64th, but by the time I was ranking stuff, I didn't care past a certain point. Relistening now and it's alright, should actually be in the 90s or off my list, so an oversight on my part.
82. Only A Matter Of Time (97th) Not bad, something had to be here.
81. Awaken The Master (NR)
80. I Walk Beside You (43rd) What a great song, when DT does more uplifting/major key stuff, it's really great, usually. Feels very underrated to me. This song has layers to it musically, stuff that feels more subtle than usual. Also fun to play on the bass.
79. The Shattered Fortress (22nd) A few clunky transitions aside, amazing song. Only TGP is the better song in the 12-step suite. And of course, that ending "I am RESPONSIBLE!"
78. A Fortune In Lies (86th) Pretty good song, chorus can stuck in your head. Charlie does a fantastic job, though the live version with JLB is stellar.
77. The Best Of Times (62nd) The intro and body of the song are a few minutes too long. The feel of the song is good, though, and that outro solo is top tier.
76. To Live Forever (NR) I do not remember this song.
75. Answering The Call (NR) Don't know it well enough.
74. Through Her Eyes (NR) It's alright, has a couple of nice moments. Maybe could have made my top 100 but not mad about it.
73. Lost Not Forgotten (75th) It's pretty okay. Some cool energy in the chorus.
72. Fall Into The Light (NR)
71. Honor Thy Father (78th) I enjoy this but is far and away the worst song on TOT as well.
70. The Dark Eternal Night (26th) WTF why is this song so low? Don't take it seriously. I did when it first came out and then realized that this is supposed to be a fun song. I love playing the intro riff on the keyboard.
69. The Alien (NR) I do know this song, and it's meh. Maybe more time would move it up.
68. The Killing Hand (96th) In my top 100 for "the killing haaaaaaaand"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
67. Ytse Jam (56th) A good instrumental. A highlight of WDADU.
66. The Silent Man (38th) DT on full acoustic mode. Tasteful song.
65. Raise The Knife (57th) Great unofficial song. Chorus is nice.

[twosuitsluke]

Only one today, and shockingly it's from WDADU (the only song from the album that made my list).

The other two landed right next to each other (so I got that right) at #110 & #111.

I really like Ytse Jam, but is it a coincidence that my favourite song from the album happens to be an instrumental? It's no coinkydink, the problem with the album is all in those vocals for me. Yea, it's got a lot of cool stuff going on and I was surprised how high it ranked for me.

As to the other two. I can kinda see the appeal of Silent Man, but I just find it too dull. I'm really quite shocked by Raise The Knife though. I don't mind it but didn't think it was generally so well loved.


My ranking so far:

13. Wither
18. The Dark Eternal Night
20. Never Enough
27. The Best of Times
29. Constant Motion
30. A New Beginning
31. The Shattered Fortress
35. The Enemy Inside
36. I Walk Beside You
44. Through Her Eyes
45. The Looking Glass
49. Forsaken
55. Behind the Veil
62. Surrender to Reason
64. Fall Into the Light
69. Ytse Jam
73. Honor Thy Father
80. To Live Forever
83. This is the Life
84. Lost Not Forgotten
86. Our New World
100. New Millennium

Not ranked:

109. Vacant
110. The Silent Man
111. Raise The Knife
112. Only a Matter of Time
113. Afterlife
114. A Fortune in Lies
115. The Killing Hand
119. Sleeping Giant
121. Awaken the Master
122. Answering the Call
123. Transcending Time
124. The Alien
125. S2N
140. The Gift of Music

[hefdaddy42]

BIG catching up post.

79 The Shattered Fortress - Not too far off the consensus, I have this ranked at # 69 (nice).  Not as good as I wanted it to be, but strangely satisfying.  The live version was even better.

78 A Fortune in Lies - I mean, this song rocks.  In general, I'm not crazy about WDADU, but this was my highest ranker from that album, at # 39.  Just great riffage.

77 The Best of Times - DNR.  Although the outro guitar solo is fantastic, the rest of this song is kind of a train wreck.  Musically, it doesn't seem to be able to decide what it wants to be, and the lyrics aren't very good.  I know where they are coming from emotionally, but they seem like a first draft, and could have done with 2 or 3 revisions/rewrites.

76 To Live Forever - Great song, that I apparently like much more than the consensus, ranking it at # 32.  My first exposure to this was the Live in Tokyo VHS, which I still own (signed by most of the band).  Good, good stuff.

75 Answering The Call - DNR.  I actually do like this song, but hey, you can't rank everything.

74 Through Her Eyes - Beautiful, no doubt, but I couldn't place it higher than # 90.

73 Lost Not Forgotten - I like this song a lot.  Pretty close to the consensus, I have it at # 70.

72 Fall Into The Light - Man, for a short song, this one is tasty.  I have it at # 60.  There is certainly cool riffage everywhere, but the thing that changes this song from rather ordinary to something more (IMO) is Jordan's keyboard voices and playing.  The choice of patch is just so tasteful, and I love his playing on this one.  Very nice.

71 Honor Thy Father - I have this one at # 85, but honestly, it could have been a LOT higher with just a couple of changes, notably without all of the sound clips from that awful film Magnolia.  I get why he used them, I just wish he wouldn't have.  WHY COULDN'T HE CATER TO MY TASTES SPECIFICALLY lol

70 The Dark Eternal Night - I like this one quite a bit more than the consensus, ranking it at # 36.  This one is just hella fun, and it's made better by the fact that both of my kids love it, and THAT was made better when we all got to see DT perform it live, and we totally rocked out.  One of my favorite concert memories.

69 The Alien - Just a tasty, tasty song.  I had it at # 44, and hey, it won a Grammy!  Fun to see live as well.  Looking forward to seeing how MP translates it in future live performances.

68 The Killing Hand - DNR.  It's OK, I guess, but again, you can't rank everything.

67 Ytse Jam - I have loved this song since the first time I heard it, again on the Live in Tokyo VHS.  I have it at # 47.  I love when the instruments take turns playing the main melodic line.  Super cool.

66 The Silent Man - I had this one at # 45.  Beautiful song, gloriously understated, wonderful either alone or played with the rest of the A Mind Beside Itself suite.

65 Raise The Knife - The one that I have ranked the highest thus far, at # 23.  I liked this one a lot for years after illegally downloading a copy of Cleaning Out The Closet, and to see it live at the SCORE show in 2006 was fantastic.  I just wish that they hadn't shoved it in the live performance closet after that night.  It's weird that they only played it live on that tour, and then never again (same for Speak to Me).  *shrugs*

[geeeemo]

70. The Dark Eternal Night - 77 for me. I don't always want to listen to it, but when I do..I really enjoy it!

69. The Alien - 34! - I like it ok at first, but with each listen, it gets better and better. When I get to the end, I feel like clapping and have a big smile on my face. DT can do a great ending to a song.

68. The Killing Hand - Not rated..WDaDU..

67. Ytse Jam - 98 - OK. So a diversion from the above..I am not usually one for instrumentals, but this one is quite enjoyable, and doesn't drag on like some others.

66. The Silent Man - 91 - Like I have said, slower song are typically rated lower for me. But I really love this song. I would love to hear more JP harmonizing!

65. Raise The Knife -  Not rated

[TAC]

67. Ytse Jam
Highest Finish: 8 (porcacultor)
Number of Lists appeared on: 48 (Adami, Animal, Awaken, axeman90210, Ben_Jamin, CanuckChum, CharlesPL, Cool Chris, Dave_Manchester, devieira73, DragonAttack, Dream Team, DTwwbwMP, Fonzie, geeeemo, hefdaddy42, Indiscipline, Jamesman42, jammindude, jeff_kinsley, JiM-Xtreme, jingle.boy, KevShmev, lightningbolt, lucasembarbosa, mariner, Metro, Mladen, MoraWintersoul, Mosh, MustActFastToCoverUp, OpenYourEyes311, pg1067, Podaar, porcacultor, ReaperKK, ReaPsTA, Revenge319, romdrums, Setlist Scotty, SwedishGoose, TAC, The Realm, Trav86, twosuitsluke, weirdo, Wim Kruithof, Zydar)

66. The Silent Man
Highest Finish: 12 (Evermind)
Number of Lists appeared on: 50 (Adami, Animal, Awaken, axeman90210, CharlesPL, Cool Chris, Dittomist, DTwwbwMP, energythief, Evermind, geeeemo, hefdaddy42, Indiscipline, Jamesman42, jammindude, jeff_kinsley, JiM-Xtreme, jingle.boy, jonny108, JPZealot, KevShmev, King Puppies and the Acid Guppies, Lethean, lightningbolt, mariner, Metro, MirrorMask, Mladen, MoraWintersoul, Mosh, MustActFastToCoverUp, nobloodyname, NoFred, OpenYourEyes311, pg1067, PixelDream, Podaar, ReaperKK, ReaPsTA, Revenge319, romdrums, Stadler, SwedishGoose, The Realm, Toro, Trav86, WardySI, weirdo, Wim Kruithof, Zydar)

65. Raise The Knife
Highest Finish: 13 (Adami)
Number of Lists appeared on: 45 (Adami, axeman90210, Ben_Jamin, bosk1, CanuckChum, CharlesPL, Cool Chris, devieira73, DragonAttack, Dream Team, DTwwbwMP, hefdaddy42, Jamesman42, jammindude, JiM-Xtreme, jingle.boy, jonny108, JPZealot, KevShmev, King Puppies and the Acid Guppies, Lethean, lightningbolt, lucasembarbosa, Metro, MirrorMask, Mladen, MoraWintersoul, Mosh, nobloodyname, NoFred, OpenYourEyes311, Peter Mc, PixelDream, porcacultor, ReaperKK, ReaPsTA, romdrums, Setlist Scotty, Stadler, TAC, The Realm, Toro, Trav86, WardySI, Wim Kruithof)

I had Ytse Jam at #31.
Still my favorite DT instrumental.

I had The Silent Man as Not Rated.
It's nice enough. To me, I'll always remember watching the Rhode Island Christmas telethon in 1993 when they debuted the song.

I had Raise The Knife at #24.

The FII version is definitely more interesting than a lot of the album, but the Score version is absolutely stellar. So glad they ran through it in Boston the night before NYC and we didn't get the sucky Speak To Me instead.





List                                                    Not Ranked         
100                                                      Wither
99                                                        Vacant
98                                                        Our New World
97                                                        The Looking Glass
96                                                        Transcending Time
95                                                        Behind The Veil
94                                                        New Milenium   
93                                                        Constant Motion
92                                                        The Shattered Fortress
91                                                        To Live Forever
90  Forsaken                                         Answering The Call
89                                                        Honor Thy Father
88                                                        The Silent Man
87
86
85
84
83
82
81
80  Awaken The Master
79
78
77
76  S2N
75
74  Afterlife
73  This Is The Life
72
71
70
69  Surrender Of Reason
68
67
66
65
64
63  Through Her Eyes
62
61  I Walk Beside You
60  Never Enough
59  A New Beginning
58
57
56
55
54
53
52
51
50
49
48
47
46
45
44
43
42
41  Sleeping Giant
40
39
38
37  Fall Into The Light
36
35  The Gift Of Music
34
33
32
31  Ytse Jam
30
29
28  The Enemy Inside
27
26  Only A Matter Of Time
25
24  Raise The Knife
23
22  The Dark Eternal Night
21
20
19
18  A Fortune In Lies
17
16  The Alien
15
14  The Best Of Times
13
12
11  Lost Not Forgotten.
10
9
8
7
6
5
4  The Killing Hand
3
2
1

[pg1067]

interesting take pg1067... only A Dramatic Turn of Events isn't on your list yet.

In the "other" category you have The Silent Man listed and I think you meant Raise the Knife.

Fixed.  Thanks.

[Dream Team]

  5 Only a Matter of Time
  6 The Killing Hand
20 Lost Not Forgotten
24 This is the Life
26 A New Beginning
28 Fall Into the Light
30 The Best of Times
31 Afterlife
35 S2N
38 Constant Motion
39 Behind the Veil
40 The Enemy Inside
48 A Fortune in Lies
51 Our New World
54 Wither
55 The Alien
57 Surrender to Reason
58 Raise the Knife
61 I Walk Beside You
63 Awaken the Master
64 The Looking Glass
68 Sleeping Giant
76 Transcending Time
78 Ytse Jam
81 The Gift of Music
84 Answering the Call
97 The Shattered Fortress

Missed the top 100: Never Enough, Vacant, Forsaken, New Millennium, Through Her Eyes, To Live Forever, Honor thy Father, The Dark Eternal Night, The Silent Man
Highest Ranker Of: Only a Matter of Time

I'm actually a little surprised YtseJam came in where it did, if I had massaged the rankings it might be higher. With RTK I kind of fell into the trap like with TKH and was thinking of a superior live version when I ranked it.

[The Realm]

3 out of 3 today!

Ytse Jam - always loved this instrumental, just a great song and the opening is killer. My rank 76.

The Silent Man - a really beautiful track, my rank 52.

Raise the Knife - I just got this song in the top 100 at number 98. The Score version is really good but apart from that I don't really listen to this song but that was enough to rank it.

[wolfking]

All 3 of these I didn't rank.  All decent tunes just not 100 worthy for me.



List                                                        Not Ranked         
100                                                    The Gift of Music
99 The Best of Times                          A New Beginning
98 Constant Motion                             New Millenium
97                                                     Sleeping Giant
96 A Fortune in Lies                            Awaken the Master
95 The Alien                                       To Live Forever
94 Our New World                               The Killing Hand
93 This is the Life                                Ytse Jam
92                                                      The Silent Man
91                                                      Raise the Knife
90
89 Only A Matter of Time
88 Vacant
87
86 Through Her Eyes
85
84
83
82 Transcending Time
81
80
79
78 Wither
77
76
75
74 The Enemy Inside
73
72
71 Forsaken
70 Lost Not Forgotten
69
68
67 S2N
66 Fall Into the Light
65
64 The Looking Glass
63
62
61
60 
59
58 Afterlife
57
56
55
54
53
52
51 Answering the Call
50
49
48 The Shattered Fortress
47
46
45
44 The Dark Eternal Night
43
42 Never Enough
41
40
39
38
37
36
35 
34
33
32 I Walk Beside You
31
30
29 Surrender to Reason
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
20 Behind the Veil
19 Honor Thy Father
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

[axeman90210]

Two days, six songs, all killer and no filler:

The Dark Eternal Night- I was right on track, #70 on my list. The lyrics are cheesy/straight up bad, but the instrumentation, both in the riffs and the solo sections are just so much fun. To my mind it (and really most of SC) is the dumb summer action movie of the DT catalog. There's little to no substance, but the style will absolutely keep you entertained in the moment.

The Alien- I had this a little lower, back at #92. It's a fine song, sort of DT paint by numbers. It might not have made my list if not for probably getting a boost just by virtue of getting the band a Grammy.

The Killing Hand- Up at #34 on my list. I'M IN THE VAAAAAAALLLLLLLLEEYYYY [/LatM] 'nuff said

Ytse Jame- Came in at #55 list. Dream Theater trying to write their La Villa Strangiato, with good results.

The Silent Man- I put this at #50. A great ballad and way to end the A Mind Beside Itself suite, with a wonderfully understated little acoustic lead from JP.

Raise the Knife- I had this at #41, entirely based on the Score version. I was unfamiliar with it before seeing it that night in Radio City, but it's one of the songs I listen to most from that live album.

[Puppies_On_Acid]

I'm falling behind  I'll get a few more in today and hopefully some more tomorrow.

Only a Matter of Time - I had this at #83, so close! This was another of the songs from WDaDU that has grown on me over the last few years. I used to really not like this song and was my least favorite from the album. I think it was the Budokan version that put it over the top for me with the much better keyboard patches.

Awaken the Master - This song just kept climbing the ranking for me as I was re-listening to AVftTotW and finally landed at #48. Is it just me or are songs where JM writes the lyrics much more interesting than other songs? He really has a way with words, in my opinion.

I Walk Beside You - This landed at #84 for me. This is just a great upbeat rocker. I don't hear the U2 comparisons, but I also don't like U2 and thus don't listen to them.

The Shattered Fortress - I had this at #63 and I find it a great closing track to the 12 Steps Suite. I love all the call backs to the earlier songs in the suite.

A Fortune In Lies - Weird, I had this at #62. It's a great song with some cool riffs. Revisiting a lot of these WDaDU tracks for this countdown has really brought about a new appreciation for some of those songs, this one included.

The Best of Times - #38 for me. Yes, the lyrics may be a little ham-fisted at times, but man do they speak to me, not that I can relate to them exactly, but the meaning behind them hits home. The music backing it up is also great, with wonderful moments of piano, guitar solos, and melodies.



143 - Vacant
111 - This is the Life
108 - Wither
107 - Never Enough
106 - Constant Motion
100 - A New Beginning
91   - Forsaken
88   - Behind the Veil
84   - I Walk Beside You
83   - Only a Matter of Time
81   - New Millenium
76   - Our New World
73   - Transcending Time
68   - S2N
63   - The Shattered Fortress
62   - A Fortune In Lies
58   - The Gift of Music
50   - The Looking Glass
48   - Awaken the Master
38   - The Best of Times
30   - Afterlife

[Deadeye21]

The gotta go back to work update

67. Ytse Jam
Highest Finish: 8 (porcacultor)

66. The Silent Man
Highest Finish: 12 (Evermind)

65. Raise The Knife
Highest Finish: 13 (Adami)

Ytse Jam at 65 for me. Excellent instrumental.

Silent Man was my 93. Judged solely on the album version, this feels right. If I'd been looking at the LSFNY version, it possibly could've been higher

Raise the aknife was my 16, so good to see someone has it even higher than me and so many people had it on their lists.

[Zydar]

Ytse Jam - #51 for me. One of their best instrumentals, I often find myself humming the main riff in my head, so that must be a good thing.

The Silent Man - I ranked it #34. A very good ballad with a beautiful melody. It was nice to see them start playing it live a few years ago.

Raise The Knife - missed my Top 100 sadly, had I been more acquainted with the song over the years I'd have it higher. I need to spin it more, I guess.

[ReaperKK]

Update!

64. Beneath The Surface
Highest Finish: 1 (Cool Chris)
Number of Lists appeared on: 51 (Adami, Animal, Awaken, axeman90210, Ben_Jamin, bosk1, CanuckChum, Cool Chris, Dave_Manchester, devieira73, Dittomist, DragonAttack, Dream Team, DTwwbwMP, energythief, Evermind, geeeemo, Indiscipline, Jamesman42, jammindude, jeff_kinsley, JiM-Xtreme, jingle.boy, jonny108, JPZealot, KevShmev, Lethean, lightningbolt, mariner, MirrorMask, Mladen, MoraWintersoul, Mosh, nobloodyname, OpenYourEyes311, pg1067, Podaar, porcacultor, ReaperKK, ReaPsTA, romdrums, Stadler, SwedishGoose, TAC, The Realm, Toro, twosuitsluke, Vmadera00, weirdo, Wim Kruithof, Zydar)

Near the bottom of my personal list. It's good, but that's all I think I can say about the song.

63. Sacrificed Sons
Highest Finish: 5 (DragonAttack)
Number of Lists appeared on: 49 (Adami, Animal, bosk1, CanuckChum, CharlesPL, Cool Chris, Dave_Manchester, devieira73, Dittomist, DragonAttack, Dream Team, DTwwbwMP, Evermind, Fonzie, geeeemo, hefdaddy42, Jamesman42, jammindude, jingle.boy, jonny108, JPZealot, KevShmev, King Puppies and the Acid Guppies, lightningbolt, lucasembarbosa, mariner, Metro, Mosh, MustActFastToCoverUp, nobloodyname, NoFred, OpenYourEyes311, pg1067, PixelDream, Podaar, porcacultor, Setlist Scotty, Stadler, SwedishGoose, TAC, The Realm, Toro, Trav86, twosuitsluke, Vmadera00, weirdo, Wim Kruithof, wolfking, Zydar)

This is another song that I liked when it first released but it just aged really poorly over the years.

62. Pale Blue Dot
Highest Finish: 7 (Lethean)
Number of Lists appeared on: 52 (Awaken, axeman90210, Ben_Jamin, bosk1, CanuckChum, Cool Chris, Dave_Manchester, devieira73, Dittomist, DragonAttack, Dream Team, DTwwbwMP, Fonzie, geeeemo, hefdaddy42, Indiscipline, jeff_kinsley, JiM-Xtreme, jingle.boy, jonny108, King Puppies and the Acid Guppies, Lethean, lightningbolt, lucasembarbosa, mariner, Metro, Mladen, MoraWintersoul, Mosh, MustActFastToCoverUp, nobloodyname, NoFred, Peter Mc, pg1067, PixelDream, Podaar, ReaperKK, Revenge319, romdrums, Setlist Scotty, Stadler, SwedishGoose, TAC, The Realm, Toro, Trav86, twosuitsluke, Vmadera00, WardySI, Wim Kruithof, wolfking, Zydar)

Fantastic epic. One of the main songs I go back to from DoT.

[nobloodyname]

Beneath the Surface making an appearance at number one?! That's intriguingly left-field.

[Evermind]

Beneath the Surface making an appearance at number one?! That's intriguingly left-field.

I had it at #5.

[Lonk]

64. Beneath The Surface: #78 for me. Really lovely piece. The only thing that drags it a bit down for me is Labrie's performance in the final chorus. I wished they would've stayed in the lower registrar because he nailed the mood of the song in the first 4 minutes of the song. Not that the final chorus is bad, just feels like it clashes with what they set up initially.

63. Sacrifice Sons: #90 for me. Yeah, I really liked this song when I first heard it but it didn't age well.

62. Pale Blue Dot: #87 for me. This was the song I was looking forward to the most from DoT. I guess my high expectations let to a slight disappointment. Enjoyable track for sure, but nothing I seek to listen to very often.

[nobloodyname]

@Evermind

That's not quite as intriguingly left-field as it being someone's number one but still intriguingly left-field

What I like most about it is where James sings one bit out of tune but not everyone hears it as such. There was a big old discussion about it here several years ago. Genuinely very interesting.

[Zydar]

Beneath The Surface - An okay song with a fine melody, but nothing to make me excited. Their recent ballads are often hit or miss for me. Jordan's Moog solo is cool though. I had it at #73.

Sacrificed Sons - Now here's a great song that became even better after I saw it live in 2009 on Progressive Nation. Great singalong chorus too. It ended up at #22 for me.

Pale Blue Dot - I barely remember this song, even after giving it a listen for the countdown. It ended up at #99.

[MirrorMask]

I had Beneath the Surface at 38. Fantastic song and lovely closure to a great album. I remember the first time I was hearing the song, it was all soft and quiet, and when the third and final chorus started I was like "eh, it could have been sang higher"... and then immediately James went high for the rest of chorus, I had such a big satisfied grin on my face. Congrats Cool Chris for loving this song!


Sacrificed Sons and Pale Blue Dot.... double blasphemy, I didn't rank them!

Sacrificed Sons is good and poignant but to me is dragged down by yet another random solo section that completely changes the mood of the song, I'm hearing a touching song about victims of a tragedy and I have to forget about it for five minutes to listen to Liquid Tension Experiment. No. Ended at 106 for me.

Pale Blue Dot is good but I'm not crazy about it and turns out I found other songs to rank better. Ended at 124 in my list.

[WilliamMunny]

Beneath the Surface making an appearance at number one?! That's intriguingly left-field.

I had it at #5.

Yeah, it's a top-20 song for me, and maybe even top 10 depending on the day. Fantastic lyric and beautiful performance.

[WilliamMunny]

@Evermind

That's not quite as intriguingly left-field as it being someone's number one but still intriguingly left-field

What I like most about it is where James sings one bit out of tune but not everyone hears it as such. There was a big old discussion about it here several years ago. Genuinely very interesting.

I have no recollection of this...care to share the details?

[hefdaddy42]

64 Beneath the Surface - DNR.  It's pleasant enough, with some tasty bits, but I just don't find enough there to rise to my Top 100.  And the fact that someone ranked it # 1 is one of the things I love about this place.

63 Sacrificed Sons - I have it at # 95.  Musically, there is a lot to like, and it was great to see it live with the orchestra in 2006, but the lyrical content date it too specifically for me, so I am RARELY in the mood to listen to it, and I rarely listen to that album either.

62 Pale Blue Dot - I like this one a lot.  It hit at # 75 for me, but I suspect the only reason it's that low is recency - most of the songs I have ranked higher, I've liked for a lot longer.  Wouldn't shock me for this one to rank higher in years to come.

What I like most about it is where James sings one bit out of tune but not everyone hears it as such. There was a big old discussion about it here several years ago. Genuinely very interesting.

No clue what you're talking about.  Please supply more info.

[devieira73]

When I say Ytse Jam (my # 47) on Live in Tokyo VHS for the first time, it immediately became my third favorite instrumental rock song, after La Villa Strangiato and YYZ.

If I'm not mistaken, I first listended to Raise the Knife (my #72) from some bootleg from the MP drum clinics at the time and I thought "cool, the band is in a good path, for the next album without Kevin Moore". And, for my surprise, like ACoS on Awake (I didn't know that ACoS was in fact a pre Images song), RTK didn't make onto the new album! (as it should, of course).

For the fans of Pale Blue Dot (my #48), I strongly recommend to listen to its demo version with Mangini still exploring, improvising a lot of the drum parts (BTW something you can hear in most of D/T demos), really cool!

[jingle.boy]

BTS... 58.  I'm torn as to whether JLB's performance is really good, or really mediocre.  It sounds a little over-produced, but I still like the song - better of the two ballads from ADTOE

Sacrificed Sons ... 21.  Excellent song from one of my more favorite albums.  Don't mind the lyrical content, really like the instrumental breakdown (and the SCORE version is simply *chef's kiss*).

Pale Blue Dot ... 72.  Mildly meh.  Not even close to my fave from DoT.  This almost got bumped.  Not the best closing track - for an album, or for a show.

[PixelDream]

I can't find back the list that I sent - I thought the inbox here had a sent folder? - but I suspect I have Sacrificed Sons quite high. I like it a lot and I actually give it frequent listens. No trouble with the subject matter / lyrical content either. I love the vibe and the solo section / climax of the song with that soaring JP + orchestra lead is amazing. I love how the song gets progressively more badass too.