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

[MirrorMask]

Actually, by now, I dare to say I am sure what the remaining 43 songs are. The trend I am seeing it this countdown is even stronger preference of the "golden era" (1993-2005, even though your mileage might vary in this regard)— MM era songs are dropping and Awake or ToT songs already ranking a lot higher than before. Which also shows that redoing this countdown was a worthwhile enterprise. Kudos to you, Reaper.

Me too, out of all the songs I didn't rank, there's only one I imagine can be featured, so 22 songs from my list won't be there (21 are already out) and I have identified 21 of them. I'm still not sure which 22th song of mine will have to make way.

[twosuitsluke]

A quick 3 before today's next ones are announced.

One Last Time was number 40 for me. What an emotionally beautiful piece and so integral to making Scenes From a Memory the flawless album it is. The melodies throughout this album are some of my favourites from DT. Just so perfect.

Peruvian Skies I had at #72. It's one of the better songs from FII, and a nice little ballad.

Wait for Sleep, like many, is the first I&W song to show up on my list at #66. It's fine for what it is, but it's place is basically secured because of the legendary album it features on.


My ranking so far:

11. A Nightmare To Remember
13. Wither
16. Panic Attack
18. The Dark Eternal Night
20. Never Enough
21. The Ministry of Lost Souls
23. Sacrificed Sons
27. The Best of Times
28. These Walls
29. Constant Motion
30. A New Beginning
31. The Shattered Fortress
35. The Enemy Inside
36. I Walk Beside You
40. One Last Time
44. Through Her Eyes
45. The Looking Glass
49. Forsaken
55. Behind the Veil
56. On the Backs of Angels
57. The Bigger Picture
62. Surrender to Reason
64. Fall Into the Light
65. The Great Debate
66. Wait For Sleep
69. Ytse Jam
72. Peruvian Skies
73. Honor Thy Father
75. Lie
76. This Dying Soul
77. A View from the Top of the World
80. To Live Forever
82. Barstool Warrior
83. This is the Life
84. Lost Not Forgotten
86. Our New World
91. Caught In a Web
93. Hollow Years
96. Beneath the Surface
99. Pale Blue Dot
100. New Millennium

Not ranked:

101. Outcry
104. Hell's Kitchen
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

[ReaperKK]

No ties today, but Cool Chris was worried about Disappear not making the list so I took out Blind Faith and put in Disappear...

43. As I Am
Highest Finish: 5 (lightningbolt)
Number of Lists appeared on: 59 (Adami, Animal, Awaken, axeman90210, CanuckChum, CharlesPL, Cool Chris, Dave_Manchester, devieira73, Dittomist, DragonAttack, DTwwbwMP, energythief, Evermind, Fonzie, geeeemo, hefdaddy42, Jamesman42, jammindude, jeff_kinsley, JiM-Xtreme, jingle.boy, jonny108, JPZealot, KevShmev, King Puppies and the Acid Guppies, Lethean, lightningbolt, lucasembarbosa, mariner, Metro, MirrorMask, Mladen, MoraWintersoul, Mosh, MustActFastToCoverUp, nobloodyname, NoFred, OpenYourEyes311, pg1067, PixelDream, Podaar, porcacultor, ReaperKK, ReaPsTA, Revenge319, romdrums, Stadler, SwedishGoose, The Realm, Toro, Trav86, twosuitsluke, Vmadera00, WardySI, weirdo, Wim Kruithof, wolfking, Zydar)

Good rocking tune from ToT. I remember hearing this for the first time and I immediately thought "I hope ToT is as heavy as this", I was not disappointed.

42. Innocence Faded
Highest Finish: 7 (Adami)
Number of Lists appeared on: 59 (Adami, Animal, axeman90210, Ben_Jamin, CharlesPL, Cool Chris, Dave_Manchester, devieira73, Dittomist, Dream Team, DTwwbwMP, energythief, Evermind, Fonzie, hefdaddy42, Indiscipline, Jamesman42, jammindude, jeff_kinsley, JiM-Xtreme, jingle.boy, jonny108, JPZealot, KevShmev, King Puppies and the Acid Guppies, lightningbolt, lucasembarbosa, mariner, Metro, MirrorMask, Mladen, MoraWintersoul, Mosh, MustActFastToCoverUp, nobloodyname, NoFred, OpenYourEyes311, Peter Mc, pg1067, PixelDream, Podaar, porcacultor, ReaperKK, ReaPsTA, Revenge319, romdrums, Stadler, SwedishGoose, TAC, The Realm, Toro, Trav86, twosuitsluke, Vmadera00, WardySI, weirdo, Wim Kruithof, wolfking, Zydar)

This used to be an automatic skip for me along with Surrounded but over the years the song really grew on me. I think seeing it live finally made me appreciate it more.

41. Disappear
Highest Finish: 3 (Cool Chris)
Number of Lists appeared on: 57 (Adami, Animal, Awaken, Ben_Jamin, bosk1, CanuckChum, CharlesPL, Cool Chris, Dave_Manchester, Dittomist, Dream Team, energythief, Evermind, Fonzie, geeeemo, hefdaddy42, Indiscipline, Jamesman42, jammindude, jeff_kinsley, JiM-Xtreme, jingle.boy, jonny108, JPZealot, KevShmev, King Puppies and the Acid Guppies, Lethean, lightningbolt, lucasembarbosa, mariner, Metro, MirrorMask, Mladen, MoraWintersoul, Mosh, MustActFastToCoverUp, nobloodyname, NoFred, OpenYourEyes311, PixelDream, Podaar, porcacultor, ReaPsTA, Revenge319, romdrums, Setlist Scotty, TAC, The Realm, Toro, Trav86, twosuitsluke, Vmadera00, WardySI, weirdo, Wim Kruithof, wolfking, Zydar)

I always thought this song was a little strange. While it's fairly short it didn't really pull me in, it felt more like a transitional track than anything else.

[NoFred]

I've noticed that except for one song, something like the last 30 have all had a top 1-9 personal ranking. Speaks to the variety and quality of the library.

The one was Outcry which had a top 20.

[Podaar]

DTF                                                            Me
52.   Barstool Warrior                                   39. One of the latter-day gems.
51.   Caught In A Web                                  65. Nostalgic tune.
50.   A Nightmare To Remember                    82. The good bits don't outweigh the cringe.
49.   A View From The Top Of The World         72. Grower, but not quite a favorite yet.
47t.  Lie                                                      28. 
47t.  This Dying Soul                                    44. DT metal done well.
46.   One Last Time                                      22. Many memorable JLB moments.
44t.  Peruvian Skies                                      29. Poor Vanessa
44t.  Wait For Sleep                                      DNR Lovely piano melody, but ultimately not my thing.
43.   As I Am                                                25. I dig the whole vibe of this one. JP rips it up and shits down its neck.
42.   Innocence Faded                                   48. The smooth is strong with this one
41.   Disappear                                             4.  Every moment is a treasure. JLB is the star. When I'm in the mood to listen to DT, this is often the first song I think of.

[Lonk]

43. As I Am
Highest Finish: 5 (lightningbolt)
Number of Lists appeared on: 59

42. Innocence Faded
Highest Finish: 7 (Adami)
Number of Lists appeared on: 59

41. Disappear
Highest Finish: 3 (Cool Chris)
Number of Lists appeared on: 57

As I am: #91 I look at this track the same way I look at my Metallica fandom, as a gateway. Loved this track when I first discovered the band and it helped in making me a fan of their music, but as I discovered more of their stuff the song dropped off my radar.

Innocence Faded: #28 This seems a bit high to me, and seeing the songs surrounding it on my list, I think I should've dropped it a bit more. It's a great song, with a really fun guitar solo.

Disappear: #22 Love this song. A really emotional performance by JLB here. The ending is 

[hefdaddy42]

43 As I Am - I have it a little lower than the consensus, at # 52, but I like this one a lot.  Good solid rocker, and it really kicks ass live.

42 Innocence Faded - Again, a bit lower than the consensus (which surprises me, because I thought I liked this one more than most other people) at # 50.  Great, great song, with nearly impossible to sing vocal passages, and the ending instrumental section really displays the influence of Steve Morse and the Dixie Dregs on JP.  Great to see this live at the SCORE show in 2006.

41 Disappear - Great, great song.  I had it at # 22.  Nothing else quite like it in DT's oeuvre.  I wish they would visit this headspace more often when writing.

[MirrorMask]

43. As I Am

32 for me, 11 positions higher. Not their best heavy song, but it's a damn fine catchy and badass tune. Live it's always a blast.

42. Innocence Faded

24 for me, which places it a whopping 18 positions higher than the average. Another great song from a masterpiece, I love the more uplifting feel, the insane vocals and all around the mood of the song. Awesome track.

41. Disappear

35 for me, just 6 positions higher than the average. On any other day it could probably crack the top 30. One of their most unique songs, heartfelt lyrics (I was surprised that James imagined the story, I was so sure that he was talking about his mother), and a haunting and delicate beauty. Truly a gem in DT's catalogue.

So far all is in line with my predictions, the possibly last song that I didn't rank but I know has to be there still has to come out. I'm losing hope for another passionate slow song from the Mangini era but hey, at least Disappear got it, congrats to those who have it in their top ten!

[SwedishGoose]

As I Am ranked at 73. Quite a cool rocking tune but ultimately not exactly what I want from DT.
Innocence Faded ranked at 38. Now this is more my DT.... cool arrangements and a song that breathes.
Disappear did not rank. Wow..... how did this happen? How could Disappear disappear? Should have made the cut with some 30 spaces to go.....




My ranking so far

8 One Last Time (46)
19 The Silent Man (66)
21 Caught In a Web (51)
27 Wait For Sleep (44t)
28 Through Her Eyes  (74)
32 Awaken the Master (81)
33 Sleeping Giant (85)
37 Our New World (93)
38 Innocence Faded (42)
41 A View from the Top of the World (49t)
44 The Great Debate (53)
45 To Live Forever (76)
47 Lie (47t)
50 Answering the Call (75)
54 Beneath the Surface (64)
57 Pale Blue Dot (62)
59 Transcending Time (90)
64 Sacrificed Sons (63)
65 The Looking Glass (92)
66 Hollow Years (59)
73 As I Am (43)
75 The Alien (69)
77 A Nightmare To Remember (49t)
81 Behind the Veil (89)
86 Peruvian Skies (44t)
87 Surrender To Reason (83)
88 Ytse Jam (67)
89 Forsaken (95)
91. The Gift of Music (98)
94. Never Enough (100)
99 These Walls (54)
100 Honor Thy Father (71)


Highest ranker of
8 One Last Time (46)

Not rated
Wither (99), Vacant (97), Afterlife (96), S2N (94), A New Beginning (91), This is the Life (88), New Millennium (87), Constant Motion (86), The Enemy Inside (84), Only a Matter of Time (82), I Walk Beside You (80), The Shattered Fortress (79), A Fortune In Lies (78), The Best Of Times (78), Lost Not Forgotten (73), Fall Into the Light (72), The Dark Eternal Night (70), The Killing Hand (68), Raise The Knife (65), The Ministry of Lost Souls (61), The Bigger Picture (60), Outcry (58),  Hell's Kitchen (57), On The Backs Of Angels (56), Panic Attack (55), Barstool Warrior (52), This Dying Soul (47t), Disappear (41)

Rated: 32
Not rated: 28

[Stadler]

157. The Dark Eternal Night
155. Hell's Kitchen
154. S2N
150. The Killing Hand
146. Disappear. Never quite connected with this one.
145. Vacant
143. Honor Thy Father
142. Ytsejam
139. Panic Attack
138. Wither
135. Only A Matter Of Time
132. Barstool Warrior
124. Through Her Eyes
123. Never Enough
122. The Alien
121. Afterlife
120. A Fortune In Lies
109. Outcry
105. Sleeping Giant
104. Surrender To Reason
----
97.  Awaken The Master
96.  Behind The Veil
95.  The Great Debate
90.  On The Backs Of Angels
85.  Constant Motion
84.  Beneath The Surface
82.  Peruvian Skies
80.  The Enemy Inside
78.  Hollow Years
76.  The Shattered Fortress
73.  Lie
68.  A Nightmare To Remember
67.  The Silent Man
62.  As I Am
61.  These Walls
59.  The Gift of Music
57.  The Bigger Picture
56.  One Last Time
55.  Pale Blue Dot
54.  Answering The Call
52.  Lost Not Forgotten
51.  Fall Into The Light
46.  A New Beginning
44.  Forsaken
43.  A View From The Top Of The World
41.  The Looking Glass
40.  The Ministry Of Lost Souls
36.  New Millenium
34.  Wait For Sleep
33.  Transcending Time
31.  The Best Of Times
28.  Our New World
25.  Raise The Knife
23.  I Walk Beside You
21.  Sacrificed Sons
19.  Caught In A Web
14.  To Live Forever
9.    Innocence Faded. A song with deep historical roots.  I loved this song when I first heard it, and I love it now just as much.
7.    This Dying Soul
5.    This Is The Life

[TAC]

43. As I Am
Highest Finish: 5 (lightningbolt)
Number of Lists appeared on: 59 (Adami, Animal, Awaken, axeman90210, CanuckChum, CharlesPL, Cool Chris, Dave_Manchester, devieira73, Dittomist, DragonAttack, DTwwbwMP, energythief, Evermind, Fonzie, geeeemo, hefdaddy42, Jamesman42, jammindude, jeff_kinsley, JiM-Xtreme, jingle.boy, jonny108, JPZealot, KevShmev, King Puppies and the Acid Guppies, Lethean, lightningbolt, lucasembarbosa, mariner, Metro, MirrorMask, Mladen, MoraWintersoul, Mosh, MustActFastToCoverUp, nobloodyname, NoFred, OpenYourEyes311, pg1067, PixelDream, Podaar, porcacultor, ReaperKK, ReaPsTA, Revenge319, romdrums, Stadler, SwedishGoose, The Realm, Toro, Trav86, twosuitsluke, Vmadera00, WardySI, weirdo, Wim Kruithof, wolfking, Zydar)

42. Innocence Faded
Highest Finish: 7 (Adami)
Number of Lists appeared on: 59 (Adami, Animal, axeman90210, Ben_Jamin, CharlesPL, Cool Chris, Dave_Manchester, devieira73, Dittomist, Dream Team, DTwwbwMP, energythief, Evermind, Fonzie, hefdaddy42, Indiscipline, Jamesman42, jammindude, jeff_kinsley, JiM-Xtreme, jingle.boy, jonny108, JPZealot, KevShmev, King Puppies and the Acid Guppies, lightningbolt, lucasembarbosa, mariner, Metro, MirrorMask, Mladen, MoraWintersoul, Mosh, MustActFastToCoverUp, nobloodyname, NoFred, OpenYourEyes311, Peter Mc, pg1067, PixelDream, Podaar, porcacultor, ReaperKK, ReaPsTA, Revenge319, romdrums, Stadler, SwedishGoose, TAC, The Realm, Toro, Trav86, twosuitsluke, Vmadera00, WardySI, weirdo, Wim Kruithof, wolfking, Zydar)

41. Disappear
Highest Finish: 3 (Cool Chris)
Number of Lists appeared on: 57 (Adami, Animal, Awaken, Ben_Jamin, bosk1, CanuckChum, CharlesPL, Cool Chris, Dave_Manchester, Dittomist, Dream Team, energythief, Evermind, Fonzie, geeeemo, hefdaddy42, Indiscipline, Jamesman42, jammindude, jeff_kinsley, JiM-Xtreme, jingle.boy, jonny108, JPZealot, KevShmev, King Puppies and the Acid Guppies, Lethean, lightningbolt, lucasembarbosa, mariner, Metro, MirrorMask, Mladen, MoraWintersoul, Mosh, MustActFastToCoverUp, nobloodyname, NoFred, OpenYourEyes311, PixelDream, Podaar, porcacultor, ReaPsTA, Revenge319, romdrums, Setlist Scotty, TAC, The Realm, Toro, Trav86, twosuitsluke, Vmadera00, WardySI, weirdo, Wim Kruithof, wolfking, Zydar)

I had As I Am as Not Rated.
I like the intro, but after that, I really don't care for As I Am. To me, there's nothing Dream Theaterable about it. It's kind of a lame song by any band really.

I had Innocence Faded at #43
When I got Awake, I always started it at Erotomania. I thought the first three songs were useless, except for the Innocence Faded outro. That said, Innocence faded has aged as well as any song in their catalog for me. Might be James' finest moment.

I had Disappear at #7.
A phenomenal and moving track. This actually climbed a couple of spots since the last ranking.


List                                                    Not Ranked         
100                                                      Wither
99                                                        Vacant
98                                                        Our New World
97                                                        The Looking Glass
96                                                        Transcending Time
95  Lie                                                  Behind The Veil
94                                                        New Millenium   
93  Caught In A Web                              Constant Motion
92                                                        The Shattered Fortress
91                                                        To Live Forever
90  Forsaken                                         Answering The Call
89                                                        Honor Thy Father
88                                                        The Silent Man
87                                                        Hell's Kitchen
86                                                        The Great Debate
85  Pale Blue Dot                                   As I Am
84
83
82
81
80  Awaken The Master
79  On The Backs Of Angels
78
77  A Nightmare To Remember
76  S2N
75  These Walls
74  Afterlife
73  This Is The Life
72
71
70  One Last Time
69  Surrender Of Reason
68
67
66
65  Sacrificed Sons
64  Beneath The Surface
63  Through Her Eyes
62  The Bigger Picture
61  I Walk Beside You
60  Never Enough
59  A New Beginning
58  Wait For Sleep
57
56
55
54  Barstool Warrior
53
52
51
50
49
48
47
46
45
44  Panic Attack
43  Innocence Faded
42  The Ministry Of Lost Souls
41  Sleeping Giant
40
39  A View From The Top Of The World
38
37  Fall Into The Light
36
35  The Gift Of Music
34
33  Peruvian Skies
32
31  Ytse Jam
30
29
28  The Enemy Inside
27
26  Only A Matter Of Time
25
24  Raise The Knife
23  Hollow Years
22  The Dark Eternal Night
21  Outcry
20  This Dying Soul
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  Disappear
6
5
4  The Killing Hand
3
2
1




44 -16

[Animal]

As I am (80)  The same like HTF or TDS - great as a part of ToT album experience (IMO, DT did dark/heavy best on Awake, but over the years, I have come to really like ToT and I think they came pretty close). I just do not seek it out on its own.

Innocence Faded (23)  Awake is my favorite DT album and this was one of my early favorites. Fun fact: Even James considers his studio performance in this song to be his "Freddie moment".

Disappear (42)  One of the many reasons why, after initial dislike, I came to really appreciate Six Degrees as one of the band's masterpieces

[Indiscipline]

As I Am: didn't make the cut. I love 492 things in DT and I dislike 4. This song miraculously manages to feature all of the latter and none of the former.

Innocence Faded: 70. Proof that epic has nothing to do with length. Now I need my wife to buy the concept ...

Disappear: 23. Only two other bands I know could have come up with such a song: The Beatles and Pink Floyd.



The Score so far:

21 - A New Beginning
23 - Disappear
27 - The Best of Times
28 - Outcry
33 - Surrender to Reason
36 - This Is the Life
38 - Hell's Kitchen
43 - One Last Time
45 - Vacant
46 - The Gift of Music
47 - Beneath the Surface
48 - The Silent Man
54 - Peruvian Skies
56 - The Bigger Picture
61 - Wait for Sleep
65 - Pale Blue Dot
68 - Our New World
70 - Innocence Faded
71 - Behind the Veil
72 - The Looking Glass
78 - Lie
79 - Hollow Years
87 - Ytse Jam
89 - Through Her Eyes
90 - Lost Not Forgotten
92 - The Killing Hand
95 - Barstool Warrior
96 - Fall Into the Light
97 - A Fortune in Lies

Not Ranked: 31

[HOF]

As I Am was a real grin and bear it moment for me as a fan. Why is my favorite band writing cheesy Metallica pastiches? Granted these had become more prevalent dating back to Peruvian Skies, but this one was kind of all out without any other more traditional DT/prog elements. I sort of liked it anyway at the time, but it's one I never listen to anymore.

Innocence Faded is one that has grown on me with time. It just seems to get better and better. Such a vibrant track with a great performance from James and John.

Disappear is a song that has never worked on any level for me. A SDV rehash but way less enjoyable.

[Mladen]

As I am was my #77. It's not the most original song melodically or even in terms of riffs, but boy, is it powerful. 

Innocence faded was my #25. It's right behind Caught in a web in terms of being the best Dream Theater song shorter than six minutes. LaBrie is brilliant on it.

Disappear was my #32. There was a time when I would put it even in my top ten, but it dropped slightly over the years. I still love it, though.

What a killer update, it will pretty much all be amazing stuff from now on.

[porcacultor]

43. As I Am

46 for me (pretty close!). Boy am I glad Mike Stone tried to give JP guitar tips    I still remember how juicy this sounded to me when I got the album (and still does). Very memorable JP solo as well. Now I hope they don't ever mash it up with Enter Sandman again 

42. Innocence Faded

31 for me. Beautiful. It's from Awake, what did you expect?

41. Disappear

34 for me. Such an exciting track to discover (even though it's all moody and gloomy, I mean, I dig that).

[pg1067]

(To add to Reapers amusement) I am basically certain that Awake, IaW and 6Degrees will be featured in their entirety. While Space Dye Vest will be left out from quite a few lists, it will rank extremely high on many (I have it in my Top 10 and I'd bet my ass I am not the highest ranker). I'm guessing it will be the 3rd or 4th most popular Awake song. And I agree with the prediction about Scenes - everything except the two "small" tracks will make the cut handily.

I won't go so far as to give the album-by-album breakdown of the remaining 43 (I haven't yet looked at the already revealed 41-43), but I&W, Awake, SDOIT and TOT will have all of their songs in the top 100 (as was the case in the prior countdown).  Space-Dye Vest ranked at #21 in the prior countdown and was the 4th highest ranked song from Awake.

[CharlesPL]

As I am - 82
Innocence Faded - 21
Disappear - 34

[pg1067]

43. As I Am

42. Innocence Faded

41. Disappear

As I Am is solid.  I had it pretty close to the consensus at #49.  It came in at #71 in the prior countdown, so it got a HUGE bump this time - 28 places is the biggest jump of any song so far (conversely, Fall into the Light had the biggest drop - from 43 to 72).

Innocence Faded is an odd duck for me.  I ranked it at #87.  It's got some good parts, but the chorus just does nothing for me.  It came in at #57 in the prior countdown, so a nice 15 place bum this time.

I used to rank Disappear in the junk drawer with The Great Debate.  I still usually skip it, but now I only think it's boring.  Did not rank.  Somehow, it came in at #31 in the prior countdown.



List                                                    Not Ranked         
100  This Dying Soul (47T)                  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), Peruvian Skies (44T), Disappear (41)
98
97  This Is the Life (88)
96
95
94
93
92  The Ministry of Lost Souls (61)
91
90
89
88
87  Innocence Faded (42)
86  Lie (47T)
85
84  Forsaken (95)
83
82
81
80
79  Vacant (97)
78  Wait for Sleep (44T)
77  The Silent Man (66)
76
75  A Fortune in Lies (78)
74
73  A Nightmare to Remember (50)
72
71
70
69
68  The Shattered Fortress (79)
67  The Dark Eternal Night (70)
66  Pale Blue Dot (62)
65  Transcending Time (90)
64
63
62
61  Beneath the Surface (64)
60  Hell's Kitchen (57)
59  Afterlife (96)
58
57  Surrender to Reason (83T)
56
55  The Alien (69)
54
53  The Bigger Picture (60)
52
51
50
49  As I Am (43)
48  A View from the Top of the World (49)
47
46  Behind the Veil (89)
45
44  On the Backs of Angels (56)
43  Ytse Jam (67)
42  One Last Time (46)
41  Through Her Eyes (74)
40
39  The Enemy Inside (83T)
38  Hollow Years (59)
37
36
35
34
33  Outcry (33)
32
31  The Looking Glass (92)
30
29
28  S2N (94)
27  Wither (99)
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19  Sacrificed Sons (63)
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

[nobloodyname]

41 Disappear - Great, great song.  I had it at # 22.  Nothing else quite like it in DT's oeuvre.  I wish they would visit this headspace more often when writing.

Yes! And I'd much rather they were in this headspace more often than their saccharine ballad territory.

I also love Misunderstood.

[Dream Team]

2/3. AiA didn't make it, not what I enjoy most about the band. Innocence Faded and especially Disappear are pretty great; as Stads pointed out last page this is what separates Dream Theater from the hordes of wannabees, writing a piece like Disappear on the same album as TGP and BF. 

  5 Only a Matter of Time
  6 The Killing Hand
  9 The Great Debate
11 Outcry
16 One Last Time
20 Lost Not Forgotten
22 A View From the Top of the World
24 This is the Life
25 Beneath the Surface
26 A New Beginning
28 Fall Into the Light
30 The Best of Times
31 Afterlife
33 Disappear
35 S2N
38 Constant Motion
39 Behind the Veil
40 The Enemy Inside
41 Pale Blue Dot
48 A Fortune in Lies
52 Barstool Warrior
51 Our New World
54 Wither
55 The Alien
57 Surrender to Reason
58 Raise the Knife
59 Innocence Faded
61 I Walk Beside You
63 Awaken the Master
64 The Looking Glass
65 Wait for Sleep
66 The Bigger Picture
67 A Nightmare to Remember
68 Sleeping Giant
70 The Ministry of Lost Souls
75 Panic Attack
76 Transcending Time
78 Ytse Jam
79 Sacrificed Sons
81 The Gift of Music
84 Answering the Call
95 On the Backs of Angels
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, Hollow Years, Hell's Kitchen, These Walls, Caught in a Web, Lie, This Dying Soul, Peruvian Skies, As I Am

Highest Ranker Of: Only a Matter of Time, Outcry

Looks like my 23,34,43,45,50 aren't making the top 100.

[Evermind]

Not my favourite batch but they all made it.

As I Am - #61 - that's a metal song alright. At least this is better than The Dying Soul.

Innocence Faded - #90 - as I said, the first three Awake tracks don't do much for me. The "something something God it's Sunday" bridge is fairly good though.

Disappear - #69 - a solid ballad and I should like it more on paper, but somehow I don't. Maybe because I don't listen to SDOIT often.

[Wim Kruithof]

Since Hollow Years from Budokan was the first Dream Theater song I ever heard, the As I Am intro was that dvd-intro that was constantly on the background, while my friend was talking me into this fenomenal band. And that intro is carved in my head forever.

I love Train of Thought and As I Am is the perfect opener for some rough metal to come.

095: I Walk Beside You     15
094: S2n     spot on
093: Never Enough     7
091: Caught In a Web     40
090: The Alien     21
089: Only a Matter of Time     7
088: Surrender to Reason     5
087: Forsaken     8
086: Through Her Eyes     12
085: The Silent Man     19
084: Constant Motion     2
083: Fall Into the Light     11
082: The Best of Times     5
080: Wait for Sleep     36
079: On the Backs of Angels     23
078: Behind the Veil     11
077: Afterlife     19
076: Hollow Years     17
074: Sacrified Sons     9
069: Innocence Faded     27
068: The Enemy Inside     15
067: Pale Blue Dot     3
063: Disappear     22
062: Peruvian Skies     18
060: A Fortune in Lies     18
059: Hell's Kitchen     2
056: A Nightmare to Remember     6
054: The Looking Glass     38
053: Raise the Knife     12
050: Wither     49
048: Transcending Time     42
046: Barstool Warrior     6
044: Ytse Jam     23
042: The Killing Hand     26
041: Sleeping Giant     44
040: Answering the Call     45
037: The Bigger Picture     23
034: As I Am     9
029: Awaken the Master     52
027: Honor Thy Father     44
025: Lie     22
024: One Last Time     22
018: Outcry     47
017: Beneath the Surface     49
016: The Shattered Fortress     63
014: This Dying Soul     33
010: The Ministry of Lost Souls     51
007: A View From the Top of the World     42

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

[PixelDream]

Wait For Sleep - Amazingly beautiful. If I could play the piano, that's a song I'd love to be able to play. I had it at #12.

When I was 18 I applied for Conservatory and I played this song for my application exam. I got a total blackout and failed.. I practiced my ass off, didn't sleep the night before.. but that song is not easy to play, lol.

[MirrorMask]

Wait For Sleep - Amazingly beautiful. If I could play the piano, that's a song I'd love to be able to play. I had it at #12.

When I was 18 I applied for Conservatory and I played this song for my application exam. I got a total blackout and failed.. I practiced my ass off, didn't sleep the night before.. but that song is not easy to play, lol.

So you were........ waiting for sleep?

[Lonk]

Wait For Sleep - Amazingly beautiful. If I could play the piano, that's a song I'd love to be able to play. I had it at #12.

When I was 18 I applied for Conservatory and I played this song for my application exam. I got a total blackout and failed.. I practiced my ass off, didn't sleep the night before.. but that song is not easy to play, lol.

So you were........ waiting for sleep?

[DragonAttack]

43.   As I Am (#31)  headbangers' delight at concerts
42.   Innocence Faded (NR) no hate, just my weak link of the album
41.   Disappear (NR) another oversight.  I grew up watching many a 'Dark Shadows' episode, so I can't escape the theme song.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSbCqp_a3iE

41/60 ***

[PixelDream]

Disappear is so unlike DT's usual style, really one of the most unique pieces they have. Six Degrees disc 1 had those weird production quirks that you usually might encounter on a Radiohead record.

[The Realm]

As I Am - I ranked this at 25.This song used to easily be my least favourite on the album but it has grown on me over time.

Innocence Faded - A good song on a great album. My rank 60.

Disappear -  I think up above in the thread somewhere there was some talk of this song not making it? Just a really great track and happy to see it here, my rank 34.

[Jamesman42]

49t. A View From The Top Of The World (NR) I gave this song 5 chances and I was never impressed. I do intend to give it more chances, maybe it'll click one day.
49t. A Nightmare To Remember (68th) Much of this song is pretty good, and then Beautiful Agony is many tiers above it. It's too long, though.
47t. Lie (72nd) Really cool song, maybe should be higher for me, and the instrumental rocks.
47t. This Dying Soul (34th) The moment that riff hits and the band comes in...come on! So good! Lots to like, a great part of the 12SS.
46. One Last Time (74th) Yeah, not a SFAM fan. I do plan to give it a spin to see if it finally clicks. Maybe!
44t. Peruvian Skies (95th) Meh, it's aight.
44t. Wait For Sleep (37th) Just beautiful, I still remember the first time hearing it. Really impressed then and just as much now.
43. As I Am (15th) I LOVE this song and I am pretty surprised it is this low. One of my first DT songs so maybe I am biased. The prechorus is one of the coolest parts and the chorus is really cool. The guitar solo ending on chords ringing out is such a little twist.
42. Innocence Faded (16th) This song has grown tremendously on me. It all flows so well, and the instrumental is killer.
41. Disappear (39th) Great song, I don't often go to listen but it's always a great and sad song.

[PMSummer]

Didn't send in a list but if I did I'd put Disappear on 1 with no hesitation. It might not be a 20min epic but it's easily their most moving song for me.

[lightningbolt]

43.   As I Am - 5 - Hey, a highest rated one for me!  I'm a bit surprised, but to each their own.  This is one of the songs that hooked me right when I first became a fan and I still love it.  Feels epic without being out of control (by DT's standards).  Along with the music, I dig the lyrics. 

42.   Innocence Faded - 78 - Decent, but not a favorite. 

41.   Disappear - 84 - See above.

[wolfking]

AIA came in at 46 for me.  I was surprised it came in top 50 but it's just a cool ballsy song I've always enjoyed.  Loved the insane shred here from JP too.

IF came in at 24.  Just a phenomenal, amazing and beautiful track.

Disappear came in at 92.  It's a fine song, I think I just like 91 other songs more.



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 Disappear                                       The Silent Man
91 Hollow Years                                   Raise the Knife
90 Sacrificed Sons                               Beneath the Surface
89 Only A Matter of Time
88 Vacant
87
86 Through Her Eyes
85
84
83
82 Transcending Time
81
80
79 Pale Blue Dot
78 Wither
77
76
75 The Ministry of Lost Souls
74 The Enemy Inside
73 One Last Time
72 Peruvian Skies
71 Forsaken
70 Lost Not Forgotten
69
68
67 S2N
66 Fall Into the Light
65
64 The Looking Glass
63 Panic Attack
62
61 On the Backs of Angels
60 
59
58 Afterlife
57 Caught In A Web
56
55
54 The Great Debate
53 A Nightmare to Remember
52
51 Answering the Call
50
49
48 The Shattered Fortress
47
46 As I Am
45
44 The Dark Eternal Night
43
42 Never Enough
41 Wait For Sleep
40
39
38
37 The Bigger Picture
36 Outcry
35 
34 Lie
33
32 I Walk Beside You
31
30 A View From the Top of the World
29 Surrender to Reason
28 Bartsool Warrior
27
26
25
24 Innocence Faded
23
22
21
20 Behind the Veil
19 Honor Thy Father
18
17
16
15
14
13 These Walls
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2 This Dying Soul.
1

[Cool Chris]

50.   A Nightmare To Remember NR Moderately excited for this album after SC had a few misses for me. The whole "a good x minute long song in a [x+(x*.6)] minutes" aspect that many DT songs have is nowhere better exemplified than here.
49.   A View From The Top Of The World 39 Surprised the ranker put it this high. Probably should have lowered it manually. IT left a sour taste in my mouth for their 20+ epics. This song restored my faith.
47t.  Lie 35
47t.  This Dying Soul NR
46.   One Last Time 55
44t.  Peruvian Skies 80
44t.  Wait For Sleep 46
43.   As I Am 53 First heard this on the radio driving. Odd that I remember that. I didn't know they had a new album out. Made a point to do that at my earliest possible convenience.
42.   Innocence Faded 14
41.   Disappear 3 Could have swapped this out with my #2. This is a brilliant song. I wouldn't want them to record a whole album of songs like this, but it is masterfully placed at the end of SToiT disc 1, which is where I stop listening.

[axeman90210]

Time to catch up!

A Nightmare to Remember- I was just off, having this at #56 on my list. The Beautiful Agony section is S tier Dream Theater, and while the rest of the song doesn't measure up to the quality of that, I'm not as down on it as some others.

A View from the Top of the World- Not rated. I usually love DT epics, and I was excited for the last album given how much I enjoyed DoT. That made it all the more sad when the record dropped and the title track did not a damn thing for me. Not even in consideration for the top 100.

This Dying Soul- I had this a bit further down at #90. Not a bad song, and the unison at the end is sick, but it's overall a bit bloated and overstays its welcome.

Lie- Right in the ballpark at #44. The main riff is heavy, the drums have groove, the solo rips, and JLB shines. Not much more you can ask for from this one.

One Last Time- I was just a smidge low at #67. A nice song that slots in well to an incredible album. Also, I *love* the reprise of this in Finally Free.

Peruvian Skies- I was surprised when I checked my list and had this all the way up at #25. It's a good rocking song though, with an underrated Petrucci solo. I also love when they have some fun with this live and splice in some Metallica.

Wait For Sleep- Almost nailed this one, #47 on my list. Just a stunning little piece with beautifully poetic lyrics. It stands apart in DT's catalog.

As I Am- Clocked in at #58 for me. It may benefit from being shorter than most of the other songs on Train of Thought, and the lyrics can be a bit childish, but JP and MP beast out all over this track.

Innocence Faded- I put this song at #36. Originally it was kind of a throwaway track on Awake for me, but as Hef mentioned, it was great seeing it live at the Score show and that really helped me connect with this song in a way I hadn't previously. And yeah, killer outro.

Disappear- Not rated, and this one feels like an oversight on my part. It's very well done, just a song I'm not often in the mood to listen to when I'm spinning DT.