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Dream Theater => Dream Theater => Topic started by: PC269 on February 27, 2010, 04:26:16 PM

Title: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: PC269 on February 27, 2010, 04:26:16 PM
Hey everyone:

Did DT ever come out and say what the meaning to "Wither" was? Is it about personal failings of some sort?

I am really starting to get into their lyrics, JP is a good songwriter as was Kevin Moore. Initially, it was their musicianship and sound(which is impeccable) but it has moved forward.

The reason I ask about Wither is that some people seem to think it's a mainstream ballad, but I can't really see that as much. As long as Portnoy is drumming like he does in odd times intervals, it just isn't appear that people(who listen to Nu-metal and Pop) will enjoy it very much.

Personally, I haven't really hated any DT song, it's always money. Some I like more than others however.
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: Bombardana on February 27, 2010, 04:28:36 PM
Wither is about writers block.
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: TheVoxyn on February 27, 2010, 06:41:26 PM
*cue the lame jokes* :p
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: robwebster on February 27, 2010, 07:23:02 PM
Writer's block is generalising it a bit. I think I remember JP being asked about it, and saying "that's not really what it's about."

It's essentially about that point just before you start writing a song or painting a watercolour or taking photos of old men's feet or whatever it is you do, when you have absolutely no idea how you're going to approach it. The point where you've almost got too many options and it's overwhelming, and the process of finding inspiration and a direction, and not really being sure where that comes from. "Right, what am I going to do this time?"

It's about trying to ignite that spark of creativity.
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: Plasmastrike on February 27, 2010, 07:27:10 PM
Really well said, Rob. You're a good writer.
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: robwebster on February 27, 2010, 07:33:25 PM
Haha, thank you! Never sure how to handle compliments, but I'm very glad you enjoyed my WORDS OF WISDOM. Not least because it means I get to inflate my ego like some kind of badass blimp.

...wait, even the bit about old men's feet?!
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: contest_sanity on February 27, 2010, 09:04:26 PM
Writer's block is generalising it a bit. I think I remember JP being asked about it, and saying "that's not really what it's about."

It's essentially about that point just before you start writing a song or painting a watercolour or taking photos of old men's feet or whatever it is you do, when you have absolutely no idea how you're going to approach it. The point where you've almost got too many options and it's overwhelming, and the process of finding inspiration and a direction, and not really being sure where that comes from. "Right, what am I going to do this time?"

It's about trying to ignite that spark of creativity.
I would add that it's about letting the creative spark take hold of you, rather than trying to force an artistic piece.  Notice that for JP it is a deliberate decision to give himself up to the inspiration: "I render myself helpless."
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: Plasmastrike on February 27, 2010, 10:19:25 PM
EVEN THE FEET PART
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: antigoon on February 27, 2010, 11:43:52 PM
I think Wither would have been a mainstream ballad in the 80s.
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: briang on February 28, 2010, 10:53:55 AM
I think Wither would have been a mainstream ballad in the 80s.
Do you consider this to be a good thing? A "Progressive" band writing a song that could be dated 30 years?
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: antigoon on February 28, 2010, 12:46:28 PM
I think Wither would have been a mainstream ballad in the 80s.
Do you consider this to be a good thing? A "Progressive" band writing a song that could be dated 30 years?

Not necessarily, but I like the song so I don't really care.
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: zmazar on February 28, 2010, 01:11:14 PM
I think Wither would have been a mainstream ballad in the 80s.
Do you consider this to be a good thing? A "Progressive" band writing a song that could be dated 30 years?

I guess I kind of see where you get the 80's feel.  But I always thought that Wither had a nice modern sound to it that people would really enjoy if it ever got the air time. 
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: emindead on February 28, 2010, 08:10:57 PM
Hey everyone:

Did DT ever come out and say what the meaning to "Wither" was? Is it about personal failings of some sort?
Welcome to the forums. I recommend you to read the rules and use the search feature so we won't have many repetitive threads: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=2349.0
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: hefdaddy42 on March 01, 2010, 09:36:47 AM
I think Wither would have been a mainstream ballad in the 80s.
I don't, because it isn't about sex.
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: bosk1 on March 01, 2010, 09:42:30 AM
I think Wither would have been a mainstream ballad in the 80s.
I don't, because it isn't about sex.
Well, then maybe it should be.
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: hefdaddy42 on March 01, 2010, 09:43:21 AM
I think Wither would have been a mainstream ballad in the 80s.
I don't, because it isn't about sex.
Well, then maybe it should be.
Perhaps, but that would border on thread derailment.  :biggrin:
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: contest_sanity on March 01, 2010, 09:49:48 AM
I think Wither would have been a mainstream ballad in the 80s.
I don't, because it isn't about sex.
Well, then maybe it should be.
Perhaps, but that would border on thread derailment.  :biggrin:

A song about sexual writer's block?  Interesting....
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: hefdaddy42 on March 01, 2010, 09:51:18 AM
Dean Koontz used to write porn fiction, it could be about him.

Of course, in that context, "Wither" takes on a whole new meaning...
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: contest_sanity on March 01, 2010, 10:05:04 AM
Dean Koontz used to write porn fiction, it could be about him.

Of course, in that context, "Wither" takes on a whole new meaning...

Self-inflicted erectile dysfunction?  I render myself helpless.  Why did you do it, JP? 
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: hefdaddy42 on March 01, 2010, 10:07:19 AM
Self-castration?
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: contest_sanity on March 01, 2010, 10:08:40 AM
Perhaps he was fathering too many bear cubs in the wild.
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: Gadough on March 01, 2010, 07:56:44 PM
The reason I ask about Wither is that some people seem to think it's a mainstream ballad, but I can't really see that as much.

I've had tons of people tell me this is why they don't like the song, which confuses me. Yeah, it's short (by their standards) and a little more cut and paste, but I don't see why that's necessarily a bad thing. It's kind of refreshing to have it in the middle of the album as it acts as a sort of "breather" song for the listener.
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: MrBoom_shack-a-lack on May 01, 2013, 04:43:22 AM
Even though this song is about writer's block i can't help feeling sad watching the video and how it somehow reflects the future events that we all know led to. It really feels like end of an era and also an unofficial good bye song for MP so i can't help feeling a bit sad!  :'(

Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: ? on May 01, 2013, 05:13:01 AM
Every time I see someone talk about the Wither video I am reminded of a certain gif... :lol
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: puppyonacid on May 01, 2013, 09:49:33 AM
Well I really hope that none of them get writres block this time so that they can hit us.......

Wither nother great album.
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: DebraKadabra on May 01, 2013, 11:41:17 AM
What a necrobump. :o
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: JayOctavarium on May 01, 2013, 11:54:49 AM
What a necrobump. :o


Holy crap... the thread has been around here longer than I have...
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: Jaq on May 01, 2013, 12:20:40 PM
What a necrobump. :o


Holy crap... the thread has been around here longer than I have...

This thread arrived eighteen months before I did.  :lol
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: DebraKadabra on May 01, 2013, 12:22:23 PM
Try about a year or so for me. :lol
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: ? on May 01, 2013, 12:26:53 PM
I had been here for 4 months when this thread was made - now I feel so old... :lol However, I had forgotten about this thread's existence. Maybe it's just my dementia?
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: MrBoom_shack-a-lack on May 01, 2013, 01:39:47 PM
Well I really hope that none of them get writres block this time so that they can hit us.......

Wither nother great album.
Say what?
Title: Re: Wither-Meaning and Review
Post by: puppyonacid on May 01, 2013, 02:24:17 PM
Well I really hope that none of them get writres block this time so that they can hit us.......

Wither nother great album.
Say what?

A ritres block of passage