Jarlaxle's Greatest DT Hit (...and 49 Other Pretty Cool Songs)

[Jarlaxle]

Good evening, welcome to DTF's latest installment of "Blob's Personal Drinking Game" with the next contestant, me, Jarlaxle. With my top 50 I hope to make some of you scratch their heads while making others give me internet high-fives for the awesomeness of my choices. I hope you all enjoy yourselves, please make yourselves comfortable, grab your drink of choice and pour those shots.

Let us begin.

50. A Change of Seasons

Before you all say it, shut up. I don't get the OHMYGODITSLIKETHEGREATESTTHINGEVER hype that this song gets, I mean, like its only okay. Up until I made this list I probably had this ranked in the bottom 10 of Dream Theater song, and the only reason I am putting it in the top 50 above a number of songs I enjoy more is because of the lyrics, which are very nice (I am considering getting a verse tattooed on myself in memory of my brother). But honestly, this song doesn't do much for me. I find many of the changes between sections jarring, and it goes on FAR too long. This might have been a great song had it been about 15 minutes, but it is probably the only Dream Theater song that I find that drags itself out. Suck it up fanboys/girls of this song, I don't like it much.

Favorite Moment:
21:07-the end

49. Eve

Not much to say about this song. It is beautiful, but I don't think it really suits Dream Theater and their sound all that much, which might have something to do with it never being on an official CD. But for me, if I want atmosphere I listen to Porcupine Tree, and I applaud DT's attempt at it, but like I said, it doesn't suit them much.

Favorite Moment:
When the keyboard melody kicks back in at 3:12

48. Take Away My Pain

Good, underrated song from FII. I love the drum intro, it is really soothing, and I like how the whole mood of the song is content/happy, which I'm sure was intentional to probably give the impression that despite everything, it was going to be okay. I wish the FII release had the saxophone like on Once In A LIVEtime, because it adds so much to the emotion of the song, but overall, I like this song.

Favorite Moments:
1) The drum intro
2) The saxophone

47. Breaking All Illusions

Honestly, I'm not sure what is holding this song back from being top 20 material, but I just can't justify placing it much higher right now. The energy in the song is fantastic, especially the first 2-3 minutes, and it was really awesome live, but while the instrumental section is indeed cool and all, I feel like it takes away from the feel of the song a bit, and it also dragged a bit live. But the outro makes up for it with the Far From Heaven reprisal. Good comeback from Myung to the lyrics department. I could see this song being a top 20-30 song in the future, just something that I cannot put my finger on is holding it back.

Favorite Moments:
1) The outro, SO ENERGY, POWAH
2) the quotes spoken behind the music

46. Forsaken

I like this song. I liked it more before, a lot more, but it has slipped significantly, not a bad thing though. I like the pop feel of the song, the creepy piano intro is awesome, the riff that kicks it off is awesome, and the transition to the chorus is fantastic. On second thought, this song should be higher, I still love it.

Favorite Moment:
Definitely the chorus, fantastic.

There's my first update, hopefully it stirs up enough interest to get some followers!

[robwebster]

I recently worked out my top fifty, (not the order, but which songs it'd be,) and A Change of Seasons came up at 51.

It's a cool song, I really like it, don't think I'd be as damning of the composition as you've been... but I really like Dream Theater, and they've written fifty songs I like even more than A Change of Seasons. No complaints, here.

[?]

Forsaken is underrated, but better than ACOS, Eve and BAI?

[Scorpion]

Well, if I read your ACOS write-up, I would have never guessed that it made your list! Also great to see some recognition for Eve, even though I'd place it far higher.

Forsaken is a fun song as well, just missed the cut for mine. Yeah, it's not super-serious, but why should DT always be?

[wolfking]

Great thread title.

[Dream Team]

Forsaken is underrated, but better than ACOS, Eve and BAI?

This, exactly. Huge WTF.

[Ruba]

Forsaken is better than BAI. Sue me.

[robwebster]

Well, if I read your ACOS write-up, I would have never guessed that it made your list! Also great to see some recognition for Eve, even though I'd place it far higher.

I think that's always going to be a hazard when you're placing ACoS so low, though. With Forsaken at #46, you're talking about what it did to earn its spot. When you're talking about a song as well-loved as ACoS, though, the focus becomes, "Why isn't this higher?" You're justifying how low it is, rather than how high it is. You're arguing in a different direction.

[wasteland]

Forsaken is underrated, but better than ACOS, Eve and BAI?

This last batch made MP, JP, KM and JM cry 

[DebraKadabra]

50. A Change of Seasons

Before you all say it, shut up. I don't get the OHMYGODITSLIKETHEGREATESTTHINGEVER hype that this song gets

While I agree wholeheartedly with it... I get why it's in your list (because of the lyrics) but... if you REALLY feel that way about it, why is it in your Top 50 at all?

Forsaken is underrated, but better than Eve and BAI?

Fixed quote for my thoughts.  Yeah, um... does not compute.

[Jarlaxle]

50. A Change of Seasons

Before you all say it, shut up. I don't get the OHMYGODITSLIKETHEGREATESTTHINGEVER hype that this song gets

While I agree wholeheartedly with it... I get why it's in your list (because of the lyrics) but... if you REALLY feel that way about it, why is it in your Top 50 at all?

Because it has it's moments that make me think it could be a great song, then some slog comes around the corner and pulls it down a few notches. One of the very few songs I've ever listened to that is like Jekyll and Hyde, and probably the only one that has lyrics that are the redeeming factor (I'm usually not too overly concerned with lyrics)

As for Forsaken, I get that that style of song, especially within the context of Dream Theater's discography isn't everybody's cup of tea, and it usually isn't mine either, but I just love the energy and the music, such a fun song.

Update coming shortly, just going to type it up.

[Jarlaxle]

Here we go for the next update. Thanks for the replies, I'm glad I've ruffled some people's feathers with my choices so far. Just a recap, yes, A Change of Seasons was #50, let that stew in the hearts of most of you for awhile. Onward we ride, towards the sun! Prepare yourself for ballads!

45. Far From Heaven

Beautiful, that about sums this song up. It is nice to see DT tone it down a little bit here and there, and utilizing Jordan's tasty playing, great lyrics and a wonderful delivery from James is a great way to do that. I really like the lyrical content, as with all of James' contributions I can really feel the emotion he's pouring into the mic. Nice song.

Favorite Moment:
 "You can't imagine the hell I'm going through, not asking you to save me, I'm too far from heaven."

44. Wait For Sleep

Another little gem here. Really similar to Far From Heaven (right Porntoy?). A little more uptempo playing by Kevin (and slightly more beautiful), and just a nicer voice by James. Not much else to say.

Favorite Moment:
The last note that James sings, beautiful.

43. Voices

Cool little intro by Myung. I can't really pinpoint exactly what I like about this song, much like how I can't explain what brings Breaking All Illusions down. The lyrics are nice, and I love the keyboard break/verse, it really sets the mood for the song. Now that I listen to it, the chorus is absolutely amazing, maybe that is what makes me like this song? SEX IS DEATH, DEATH IS SEX. That is all.

Favorite Moment:
1) The chorus, one of Dream Theater's best.
2) "Reality is immaterial"

42. To Live Forever

Another ballad-y song. I didn't discover this diamond in the rough until the greatest hit compilation, and it has steadily risen in my rankings of Dream Theater songs since. I like the lyrics, and of course James nails it. Petrucci plays very tasefully, as does Portnoy. This song just has a nice feel to it, kind of upbeat and happy, and I can definitely see this song climbing higher in my rankings in the future.

Favorite Moments:
1) Petrucci's solo
2) 4:10 until the end

41. A Nightmare To Remember

Like probably everybody else to rank this song before me, I think the first half of this song is top 10, if not top 5 material. For probably two months after the release of Black Clouds and Silver Linings, I legitimately thought this was the best song Dream Theater had ever wrote, but now it is has obviously dropped. What can I say to do justice to the first half of this song? It is simply fantastic. When I bought the CD and popped it into my car, I was blown away by the heaviness and huge-ness of the opening. And the Beautiful Agony section is improperly named, for it is simply Beautiful, the train wreck that ensues is the Agony (I'm looking at you trade-off, and trade-off, and trade-off, and trade-off solos, and especially at you Mr. Cookie Monster). I'm glad I survived the second half of this song (RAAAWWWWRRR), but the first half always brings me back for more.

Favorite Moments:
1) The creepy intro to the heaviness
2) Beautiful Agony. WOW.

There we go. Enjoy, and talk.

[DebraKadabra]

Because it has it's moments that make me think it could be a great song, then some slog comes around the corner and pulls it down a few notches. One of the very few songs I've ever listened to that is like Jekyll and Hyde, and probably the only one that has lyrics that are the redeeming factor (I'm usually not too overly concerned with lyrics)

See... here is where you and I disagree.  I think ACOS is overrated both in music AND lyrics - Octavarium slays it every day, and twice on Sundays IMO.  Oh well... opinions and all that rot.

[bosk1]

Good list so far.  I will comment.

50. A Change of Seasons

Okay.  I rank it much higher, as most fans do, but whatever. 

49. Eve

I don't have it ranked, but if I did, it would rank VERY low and wouldn't be anywhere near my top 50.  I have yet to ever read an explanation I could understand about why some people like this song. 

48. Take Away My Pain

I think you have this song close to where I have it ranked.  I really like it, and I would rank it higher.  But there are just so many other great songs. 

47. Breaking All Illusions

Favorite Moments: . . . the quotes spoken behind the music

Yeah, I rank it in the same general neighborhood as you do, although just a bit lower.  Instrumentally, it's great, but there are also lots of other DT songs that so similar things very well.  Lyrically, I just find that there are a LOT of other DT songs where the lyrics are more interesting, more fun, or more relatable to me, so this is where the song takes a bit of a hit.  Kind of along similar lines, the spoken word part is really cool in terms of the delivery of the lines.  But in terms of the actual content of those lines, meh.

46. Forsaken

Love it!

45. Far From Heaven

Yeah, okay.

44. Wait For Sleep

Another little gem here.

Yes!

43. Voices

Yeah, pretty strong song overall.  The intro is really unique and cool.  Granted, that is due in large part to the transition from Erotomania, but still...

42. To Live Forever

Like other non-album cuts, I don't rank it.  If I did, it would probably be a bit lower.  Not a bad song by any stretch.

41. A Nightmare To Remember

Love it.  As I've said repeatedly, I not only do not have a problem with Mike's vocals, but I affirmatively like them and feel they add to the song.  ...with the exception of the completely out of place "RAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRR!" at the end.  That and the fact that the blast beats are slightly off tempo are the only flaws in this otherwise magnificent song.

[robwebster]

Somehow, I was so focused on A Change of Seasons that I didn't notice Breaking All Illusions' placement until bosk commented on it.

I'm with both of you. Cool song, pleasant song, but I don't "get" the hype. It's not particularly unique, nor unusual, and they have done similar things better in the past. I might rank it a little higher than 47, but not much. It's pretty much the exact middle ground between Learning to Live and The Count of Tuscany. Better edited than TCoT, and a lot more straight-laced. Bit like what might happen if they exorcised the "metal" bits. Broader and more bombastic than LtL. I think the other two songs are a bit better, because they're more confident - they've got stronger identities. Fit their niches. It's a very cool song, but it doesn't really stand out on an album that's full of them.

[Polis]

I think the "RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAAA" is pretty cool and actually fits the place pretty well. It's a heavy, almost thrash-like riff with a brief descending little phrase and it gets me pumped.

[Scorpion]

The problem with that is that it doesn't actually fit the lyrics of what Portnoy is saying... how is "EVERYONE SURVIVED" a moment after which you ROOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR? It just doesn't really make sense.

[?]

The problem with that is that it doesn't actually fit the lyrics of what Portnoy is saying... how is "EVERYONE SURVIVED" a moment after which you ROOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR? It just doesn't really make sense.

This. The lyrics should've also been different - "By the grace of God above everyone survived" sounds so out of place in a metal song like that, with or without a roar after it. I still think this version (without MP's growls) would've been the best way to pull off that section, both vocally and lyrically.

[Jarlaxle]

40. Peruvian Skies

I've just recently gotten into this song after hearing the clip of DT playing it at High Voltage. Fantastic song, very chill and relaxing despite the lyrical content, and the chorus is really good. I like the build-up into the aggressiveness. Poor Vanessa.

Favorite Moment:
1) The chorus
2) JP's solo, just another beaut, really suits the song.

39. The Ministry of Lost Souls

This song either garners a lot of love or a lot of hate. I absolutely love the intro, sounds so majestic and makes me feel like I'm walking through a crowded street to accept my crown as king. Then it is toned down a notch, and it works perfectly as well. I know this song gets a lot of hate for the instrumental section. The section right after the second chrours (beginning of the instrumental section) is so wonderful and powerful, it gets my head bobbing every time. Yes, the the rest of the instrumental is a little out of place, but the musicality is impressive.

Favorite moment:
Beginning of instrumental section, very epic.

38. Metropolis Pt.1: The Miracle and the Sleeper

I'm basing this off the the album version, but if I was to go off of the Score version, the orchestra in the beginning probably makes this a top 10 song. Still a really good song, obviously, as DT has said themselves, probably the quintessential Dream Theater song, but I think there are many better songs. It feels a bit disjointed to me, as does The Dance of Eternity, but the lyrics are cool, James rocks, and that Myung solo, wow. I know I'll probably catch a lot of controversy for having this song so low, but I still love it, so ease up on me.

Favorite Moments:
1) The intro (especially on Score)
2) Myung's solo

37. Finally Free

I'm not exactly sure what to say about this one. It is a great way to wrap up Scenes From A Memory, and one of the few songs on that album that work outside of the context of SFAM (great album, but the songs are to interrelated to make some work individually). I like the foreboding feeling that this whole song brings, it just makes me feel gloomy, and as on every song on SFAM, Jordan is phenomenal. Mike's drumming at the end is jaw-dropping too.

Favorite Moments:
1) The outro
2) The feel of the whole song.

36. Under A Glass Moon

Cool intro, actually sounds very Derek-ish, although it obviously isn't. Once again, JP writes some cool lyrics,  and of course his solo, but this song flows really well, and it is just a straight up rocker. This song will never rise in my rankings, nor will it slip, it's pretty comfortable in the mid-30's, just a really solid tune.

[Ħ]

Peruvian Skies is great.

[Ruba]

I'm shocked about in how low regard is FF kept here. That's majestic song!

[Jarlaxle]

Starting to feel like it's not worth it to do my list if I'm only getting two comments, let me know what you think guys/gals!

[iamtheeviltwin]

Don't worry about the comments or lack thereof.  You could always slow your posting rate down a touch give people more time to digest.

As for the songs...I love Peruvian Skies it was actually the first song from FII that just jumped out and grabbed me.  The rest took a bit of time to fully appreciate.

[GasparXR]

Interesting list, following for sure. I was surprised to see ACOS that low, not because I would rank it top 10, but because most do.

[?]

I rank FF, UAGM and Metropolis higher and Peruvian Skies is a nice song too. TMOLS would never be in my top 50 though.

BTW, it's interesting how Metropolis has received lower rankings than ever before lately. I remember that it has often been in the top 10 for a lot of people, or at least top 20.

[Rodni Demental]

Nice Songs choices so far, most of them I'd rank much higher though. 

I love Eve, it reminds me of.. Spyro the Dragon, I know strange. But the music to me feels quite reminiscent of the atmospheric music in the first Spyro game.

To Live Forever I haven't been familiar with enough to rank it properly but's it's definitely been a grower for me. I love the delay effects of the guitar that I can't help comparing to the style of 'Lifting Shadows off a Dream' which is awesome, then again I'm probably comparing it the wrong way around because this probably came first. Love the Charlie D version of it in 'When Dream and Day Re-Unite' especially. Although there are some early 90s live shows where James just nails this song. I feel the old Demos and even the more polished/remastered versions of this song on the Awake Single and the Greatest Hit Album don't really do the song enough justice. Seems like it'll always be one of those live gems.

[Jarlaxle]

I'm back!

35. Fatal Tragedy

Another song from SFAM that doesn't really work good on it's own, but the content keeps this one this high on the list. Not sure about the bass solo, but the instrumental section is awesome, and another cool lyrical contribution from JMX. I think the song would be better if the piano intro had been "included" with Through My Words, but oh well, that's getting nit picky.

Favorite Moment:
When it kicks in after the piano.

34. Only A Matter of Time

That intro! That is epic, and fantastic, and just everything. Like all of WDADU, this song shows the immaturity of the young guys, and the lyrics aren't great (mostly the melodies, they are a mouthful), but the intro and intrumental section are awesome.

Favorite Moment:
Intro

33. Lines In The Sand

Great intro, really Trial of Tears-ish, oh ya, they are on the same album so that is probably why. This song has great flow, the chorus is a let down though, but I'll get over that. The second half is where this song slays so many others though, and that is why it is at 33rd.

Favorite Moment:
1) "Living comes much easier once we admit we're dying"
2) JP's solo. oh my god.

32. Beyond This Life

Well, we are now into the territory of songs that I just absolutely love, and that makes ranking from here until probably 15 so difficult. The riffage in this song is incredible, there is probably nothing else like it in DT's catalogue, it just never stops! It could possibly even be too much, but the choruses really break the song apart, which I like, a little breather.
 
Favorite Moment:
The choruses

31. Build Me Up, Break Me Down
Some more great riffing here, and heavy, real heavy. I love when the song kicks in, it has a lot of power. I really like the lyrics and the flow of the song, and I'm not sure why it gets so much hate. I love James screaming "build me up" and "break me down," it adds an extra dimension to the song.

Favorite Moment:
1) The second verse
2) The choir sounds.

[?]

  for Fatal Tragedy and LITS. BMUBMD deserves some appreciation as well, although I don't rank it nearly that high.

[Ruba]

#34 and #33  .

[Lolzeez]

BMU BMD above BTL. lulz

[nicmos]

BMU BMD above BTL. lulz

I can live with that, although it's arguable.  I don't agree with Lines in the Sand being below both of them though.

[Sycsa]

Fatal Tragedy has a bass solo?

[MoraWintersoul]

34. Only A Matter of Time

That intro! That is epic, and fantastic, and just everything. Like all of WDADU, this song shows the immaturity of the young guys, and the lyrics aren't great (mostly the melodies, they are a mouthful), but the intro and intrumental section are awesome.

You know, I was just thinking about this the other day, I watched the OAMOT performance at Budokan (and I think what I am about to say now can be applied to at least half of WDADU when performed live), they are obviously enjoying the song, and they're playing it, and James is singing it, more or less with enthusiasm (and he even does a bit of headbanging in the instrumental breaks even though the song is less Iron Maiden and more Rush, if you know what I mean).
But then, during some lines I think "you know, this melody really could have been less ridiculous/they should have went easier on Charlie" and then I look at James and the way he pauses a bit on stage and I feel like that's totally what he's feeling in those moments too

[Jarlaxle]

Fatal Tragedy has a bass solo?

at around 6:30. I would consider that bass solo enough.

[Pols Voice]

BMUBMD is 19 places higher than ACOS?

I do like BMU, though. And I love OAMOT's rambling quality. It gives it a sense of urgency.