DreamTheaterForums.org Dream Theater Fan Site

This is what I'm hearing. Feel free to correct and add.



Standing on the backs of angels
Destined to create
Mounting the attack
While heroes carry your weight

We spiral toward disaster
Survival fading faster

Riding out the wave
Content to feeding the machine
Leading us to death
The new American dream

You're blinded by your hunger
Beware, your days are numbered

Tears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

Blurring lines drawn in between
What is right and what is wrong
Victims on the radar
Straining us along

We're onto your agenda
The dead end road to nowhere

Tears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

[solo]

Tears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

Selfless are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

James Lebrie killed this song. His voice amazes me.

Sounds like JLB to me.

I'm thinking it was either LaBrie or Myung. Probably LaBrie, since his songs are always more current and modern lyrically.

The writing style is Petrucci, but the political bent feels very LaBrie.

I was a tad skeptical when they started the song with the title (a la "A Nightmare to Remember" and "The Count of Tuscany"), but it proved to be a very lyrically interesting song. I'm digging it. A lot.

Updated to emindead's interpretation.

My take on what I heard:

On the Backs of Angels - Track 01

Standing on the Backs of Angels
Destined to create
Mounting the attack
While heroes carry the weight
We spiral towards disaster
Survival fading faster

Riding off the wave
Content to feed off the machine
Leading us to the death
The new American Dream

You're blinded by your hunger
Beware, your days are numbered

[Chorus]
Tears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like the lamb to the slaughter

Blurring lines drawn in between
What is right and what is wrong
Victims on the radar
Straining us alone

We're on to your agenda
The dead end road nowhere

[Guitar solo]
:mrjazzguitar:

[Chorus]
Tears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like the lamb to the slaughter

Tears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like the lamb to the slaughter

Selfless are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like the lamb to the slaughter

Aniland, you got credit on MP's site for the lyrics  :lol

I wasn't expecting these lyrics from this song, I was expecting happy  :lol

Now I do feel like it was a LaBrie song

I think it's :

"content to feed off the machine"

Quote from: SystematicThought on June 29, 2011, 08:37:19 AM
Aniland, you got credit on MP's site for the lyrics  :lol

I wasn't expecting these lyrics from this song, I was expecting happy  :lol

Now I do feel like it was a LaBrie song

Whoa... link? xD  :omg:

Oh that was me Aniland...they were talking about lyrics so I posted them over there haha
https://www.mikeportnoy.com/forum/tm.aspx?high=&m=2666577&mpage=37#2684666 (https://www.mikeportnoy.com/forum/tm.aspx?high=&m=2666577&mpage=37#2684666)

Quote from: ReaPsTA on June 29, 2011, 08:30:28 AM
The writing style is Petrucci, but the political bent feels very LaBrie.

There are a couple of LaBrie stock phrases in there. He's always going on about taking people to the water on his solo albums, in particular. Pretty confident it's LaBrie.

An MP poster had an interesting take on the lyrics. Is it about the economic collapse?

Corrected: "Selfless are the righteous"

Well, damn. I just typed everything out by ear for Ytse Times. Could've just copied and pasted, lol.

Haha. :) Shoulda left it in your recent update.

I don't quite feel confident yet about "The dead are off to nowhere". Anyone got any ideas as to what it could alternatively be?

Also, is that "Burden me" instead of "Burning me"? And is it "Victims on parade are" or "Victims of the radar"?

Dude, you're trying to confuse me? :lol I'll give it another check tonight.

Blabbermouth published my initial post. LOL.

Sure it's not "Bloody lines drawn inbetween"...?

Quote from: Aniland on June 29, 2011, 09:03:08 AM
Blabbermouth published my initial post. LOL.

It's your fault Portnoy hates Blabbermouth.




:neverusethis:

I'm... I'm honored.  :'(

I hear "Burden me, bleed me like a lamb to the slaughter." But I only listened once so far.

I hear 'Burden me' as well now.

MY EDITS IN CAPS:

Standing on the Backs of Angels
Destined to create
Mounting the attack
While heroes carry YOUR weight
We spiral towards disaster
Survival fading faster

Riding off the wave
Content to feed off the machine
Leading us to death (DELETE "THE")
The new American Dream

You're blinded by your hunger
Beware, your days are numbered

[Chorus]
Tears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless are the righteous
BURDEN me, lead me like the lamb to the slaughter

Blurring lines DRAWN in between
What is right and what is wrong
Victims on the radar
Straining us alone

We're on to your agenda
The DEAD END ROAD TO NOWHERE


I agree with Robwebster that all signifiers point to JLB.  Strong and bold lyrics in any event.

Fantastic, I think it's complete. Only one I'm iffy on... is that "straining us along" or "stringing us along"? I hear stringing so much but others don't.

I still think this song is about the economic collapse

It's definitely about something political, but I wonder where you get the idea that it's specifically about economics.

Quote from: SystematicThought on June 29, 2011, 08:42:25 AM
An MP poster had an interesting take on the lyrics. Is it about the economic collapse?

That's what I thought when I first read them.

Quote from: Aniland on June 29, 2011, 10:07:35 AM
It's definitely about something political, but I wonder where you get the idea that it's specifically about economics.

Just how it was doing moderately well and than it 'spiraled toward disaster' and I think the economy has been referred to as a 'dead end to nowhere'

I'm just basing it off what a person on MP's forum said. I kind of sense it

I like the lyrics, interestingly not as light or happy as I think most people would have guessed from the title. I was sure this was Labrie when lsitening the first time, for reasons people have already said.

yeah, I think the lyric is "stringing" but James clearly mis-pronounces it as straining.  eh, Canadians.

The fact that the first line is the title really irks me.  :\

It kinda irked me at first, but now it doesn't. I just hope it's not a habit like it was on BC&SL. Like... I think that "Build Me Up, Break Me Down" might have that in a powerful chorus, as will a lot of these songs. I hope at least.

Quote from: bloop on June 29, 2011, 10:20:22 AM
The fact that the first line is the title really irks me.  :\

Why?

Probably because it's become a habit, between the opener and closer of the past album and "The Shattered Fortress" sorta.

I've added a good poll for the thread.

Quote from: Nick on June 29, 2011, 10:33:56 AM
I've added a good poll for the thread.

Who's Mike Mangin?

Quote from: Nick on June 29, 2011, 10:33:56 AM
I've added a good poll for the thread.

JLB.

Quote from: Nick on June 29, 2011, 10:33:56 AM
I've added a good poll for the thread.

I feel absolutely violated having my thread tampered like this.

:D

LaBrie fo' sho'.

Quote from: tri.ad on June 29, 2011, 10:27:11 AM

Quote from: bloop on June 29, 2011, 10:20:22 AM
The fact that the first line is the title really irks me.  :\

Why?

It's reminiscent of ANtR and TCoT, but not as bad I suppose. The problem with those two were that it was what the song was literally about. It's like saying "alright guys, this song...it's about this Count from a place called Tuscany!" I guess it's not as much of a problem with this track, but it still kind of feels weird. Also it's the only place where those lyrics pop up.

I'm about 70% sure it's JLB. 30% that it's JP.

Quote from: bloop on June 29, 2011, 10:36:34 AM

Quote from: tri.ad on June 29, 2011, 10:27:11 AM

Quote from: bloop on June 29, 2011, 10:20:22 AM
The fact that the first line is the title really irks me.  :\

Why?

It's reminiscent of ANtR and TCoT, but not as bad I suppose. The problem with those two were that it was what the song was literally about. It's like saying "alright guys, this song...it's about this Count from a place called Tuscany!" I guess it's not as much of a problem with this track, but it still kind of feels weird. Also it's the only place where those lyrics pop up.

I don't see any problem with this at all. *shrugs*

BTW, I think it is absolutely hilarious that the lyrics I posted at this thread's beginning, many errors and all, are being published on news sites. I know that a lot of them just take from Blabbermouth who did it, but LOL...

Aniland comes back to DTF-- He gets published on websites  :lol

It IS LaBrie or Petrucci, no doubt about that.

So yeah, what is this song about, guys? Economic collapse? If so, I could deal with that, but I was hoping for more uplifting lyrics based on the title and it being the first song in a new chapter of DT's history.

I do have to say, it's not exactly in line with what Petrucci was saying about it being thematic. The economic collapse was a sure thing coming.

yeah, but it was a wake-up call and there was a universal paradigm shift from that point on.  So I can identify the thematic relation.

The reference to water is a dead giveaway that it's James (see for example The Way it Used to Be).

Sounds like JLB to me.

I've never really been big on knowing who writes what, so I have no clue.

I am torn between JLB and JMX.  I voted for JMX though since at the time I voted apparantly no one else had.

Petrucci...

Tin

Lyrics are too angry to be JP.  JM has never written anything like this.  Has to be JLB.

Has to be Kevin Moore.

Watch it be a curveball and be Rudess.

Quote from: bloop on June 29, 2011, 10:20:22 AM
The fact that the first line is the title really irks me.  :\

I actually liked it.

It could have been worse

"ON THE BACKS ON ANGELS
WE SPREAD OUR WINGS
ON THE WINDS OF CHANGES
WE WILL FOREVER FLY"

LaBrie's vocals sound pretty much similar to his guest appearance in Eden's Curse

Thanks for posting these Aniland.  :tup

Quote from: dongringo on June 29, 2011, 11:18:22 AM
Sounds like JLB to me.

Me 2

Seems too dark/violent to be JLB, so I voted Petrucci.

JLB

Quote from: ReaPsTA on June 29, 2011, 11:44:06 AM
Lyrics are too angry to be JP.  JM has never written anything like this.  Has to be JLB.

I agree. Any chance these lyrics are pointed towards MP?

No chance. The context of the song points to another direction.

Really? How?

It's either Moore or LaBrie.





LaBrie it is.

Quote from: TAC on June 29, 2011, 12:44:35 PM

Quote from: ReaPsTA on June 29, 2011, 11:44:06 AM
Lyrics are too angry to be JP.  JM has never written anything like this.  Has to be JLB.

I agree. Any chance these lyrics are pointed towards MP?

I really don't think so.  It seems to evoke a broader context with lines about the American dream and such.  I think it's more about military and political leaders using those below them as a means to self-advancement while watching society crumble around them.

Quote from: ReaPsTA on June 29, 2011, 01:08:40 PM

Quote from: TAC on June 29, 2011, 12:44:35 PM

Quote from: ReaPsTA on June 29, 2011, 11:44:06 AM
Lyrics are too angry to be JP.  JM has never written anything like this.  Has to be JLB.

I agree. Any chance these lyrics are pointed towards MP?

I really don't think so.  It seems to evoke a broader context with lines about the American dream and such.  I think it's more about military and political leaders using those below them as a means to self-advancement while watching society crumble around them.

OK, perhaps another book JLB may have read, similar to prophets Of War.

Quote from: TAC on June 29, 2011, 01:11:31 PM
OK, perhaps another book JLB may have read, similar to prophets Of War.

Maybe, but I like these lyrics better.  More imagery/emotion.

Quote from: TAC on June 29, 2011, 12:52:57 PM
Really? How?

:facepalm:

Quote from: Pols Voice on June 29, 2011, 10:47:09 AM
So yeah, what is this song about, guys? Economic collapse? If so, I could deal with that, but I was hoping for more uplifting lyrics based on the title and it being the first song in a new chapter of DT's history.

Standing on the Backs of Angels RRROOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRR!!!!!!!!

Quote from: Aniland on June 29, 2011, 01:32:15 PM

Quote from: TAC on June 29, 2011, 12:52:57 PM
Really? How?

:facepalm:

I was asking because ED mentioned other context. I'm not sure what the hell the lyrics are about, other than it gives off an us aginst "him" or "them" type of feel.

To me, I feel that you could easily string the context as to what has happened to the band last fall.

JP or JLB.

Quote from: RaiseTheKnife on June 29, 2011, 01:41:34 PM

Quote from: Pols Voice on June 29, 2011, 10:47:09 AM
So yeah, what is this song about, guys? Economic collapse? If so, I could deal with that, but I was hoping for more uplifting lyrics based on the title and it being the first song in a new chapter of DT's history.

Standing on the Backs of Angels RRROOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRR!!!!!!!!

Standing On the Backs of Angels AAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!

I can see the economic bent to it.

It definitely sounds like JLB to me.  He writes about water too freaking much.

Feels like a LaBrie lyric to me, but the urge to vote for Kevin Moore was right there.  :rollin

As soon as  heard "The new American dream" I thought it must be LaBrie.

Incidentally, if this is about the economic collapse, he's expressed it absolutely gorgeously. Compare it to, say, Muse's Uprising.

Couple fixes (in caps):

Quote from: Aniland on June 29, 2011, 08:22:36 AM
Standing on the backs of angels
Destined to create
Mounting the attack
While heroes carry your weight

We spiral toward disaster
Survival fading faster

Riding out the wave
Content to FEED ON the machine
Leading us to death
The new American dream

You're blinded by your hunger
Beware, your days are numbered

Tears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

Blurring lines drawn in between
What is right and what is wrong
Victims on the radar
STRINGING us along

We're onto your agenda
The dead end road to nowhere

Tears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

[solo]

Tears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

Selfless are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

Quote from: Ħ on June 29, 2011, 03:12:02 PM
Couple fixes (in caps):

Quote from: Aniland on June 29, 2011, 08:22:36 AM
Standing on the backs of angels
Destined to create
Mounting the attack
While heroes carry your weight

We spiral toward disaster
Survival fading faster

Riding out the wave
Content to feed on the machine
BLEEDING us to death
The new American dream

You're blinded by your hunger
Beware, your days are numbered

Tears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

Blurring lines drawn in between
What is right and what is wrong
Victims on the radar
Stringing us along

We're onto your agenda
The dead end road to nowhere

Tears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

[solo]

Tears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

Selfless are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

I think it's actually "bleeding". This also fits better if this is actually about the economic crisis.

I really don't think so.  It seems to evoke a broader context with lines about the American dream and such.  I think it's more about military and political leaders using those below them as a means to self-advancement while watching society crumble around them.
[/quote]

I was ready to agree with you 100% man.  It all kind of adds up.  The "leading us to death, the new American dream" line really sounds like an explanation of how things have changed since the start of the current war.  So many people now in the U.S. seem very eager to enlist and go fight.  But then there's always that story on the news every other night about yet another been killed while fighting for their country.  With all of the recognition, award ceremonies, and memorials.  One could say to fight, die and have the bravery, service and sacrifice that you made for your country celebrated, is sort of the new American dream.  However, when I read the TAC's comment,

To me, I feel that you could easily string the context as to what has happened to the band last fall.
[/quote]

I started feeling that as weird as it may seem.  This could quite possibly be what this tune is about.  It sort of makes sense.  And considering that for the most part all of the guys in DT have been very tight lipped about the Portnoy situation, maybe this is a way that they can sort of express exactly how they feel.  I'm probably wrong though because I can't see the guys in DT referring to themselves as "Heroes" in a song.  Not to mention I don't think anyone can say that Mike was "carried" by the rest of the band.  The man is still and has always been quite talented.

Standing on the backs of angels
Destined to create
Mounting the attack
While heroes carry your weight

I seriously think it was Chris Collins who wrote the lyrics

Quote from: TAC on June 29, 2011, 01:11:31 PM

Quote from: ReaPsTA on June 29, 2011, 01:08:40 PM

Quote from: TAC on June 29, 2011, 12:44:35 PM

Quote from: ReaPsTA on June 29, 2011, 11:44:06 AM
Lyrics are too angry to be JP.  JM has never written anything like this.  Has to be JLB.

I agree. Any chance these lyrics are pointed towards MP?

I really don't think so.  It seems to evoke a broader context with lines about the American dream and such.  I think it's more about military and political leaders using those below them as a means to self-advancement while watching society crumble around them.

OK, perhaps another book JLB may have read, similar to prophets Of War.

Probably. But it seems like it.

only Labrie has the political ideas for this.... so, him

Sounds like James to me.  :smiley:

Instantly thought it was JLB, though now I could see JP writing this as well. Voted JLB

I dont think I appreciate DTs views on America.... but its still a amazing song so I can forgive them :biggrin:

"You're blinded by your hunger
Beware, your days are numbered"

I don't know exactly what the song is about yet obviously, but when I read these lyrics I immediately think of what my friends in other countries around the world believe. That America's hunger for oil/materialism/consumerism/etc. will eventually do us in. This is just what I think when hearing this song and it seems like a very realistic view to me.

JLB, hands down.

Quote from: dongringo on June 29, 2011, 02:12:14 PM

Quote from: RaiseTheKnife on June 29, 2011, 01:41:34 PM

Quote from: Pols Voice on June 29, 2011, 10:47:09 AM
So yeah, what is this song about, guys? Economic collapse? If so, I could deal with that, but I was hoping for more uplifting lyrics based on the title and it being the first song in a new chapter of DT's history.

Standing on the Backs of Angels RRROOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRR!!!!!!!!

Standing On the Backs of Angels AAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Standing On the Backs of Angels RAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWKKKKK!!!!!!!!!

Quote from: DTVT on June 29, 2011, 12:08:31 PM
Thanks for posting these Aniland.  :tup

I voted James. The way the lyrics fit, it makes sense, as well as these other 2 giveaways:

1) The man is obsessed with water
2) He always has some angst towards society--especially American society.

We know it's you, James  :laugh:

Obsessed with water? Interesting remark. I never thought about this, and would be interested in some elaboration why you think so. It brings The Way It Used to Be to my mind though...

QuoteBring me from the water
too cold to swim...
Bring me from the water
that I see within

"Carry me to the shoreline"

Oh wait, that's JP.

Sounds like JLB to me.

Quote from: Sixtease on June 30, 2011, 04:39:35 AM
Obsessed with water? Interesting remark. I never thought about this, and would be interested in some elaboration why you think so. It brings The Way It Used to Be to my mind though...

QuoteBring me from the water
too cold to swim...
Bring me from the water
that I see within

Well, I guess he isn't "obsessed" with it per se (I am the EPITOME of hyperbole!) but he seems to talk about it quite a bit.

its James, for sure...

Why hasn't a FB friend of James asked him yet?

Quote from: Aniland on June 29, 2011, 08:22:36 AM
Standing on the backs of angels
Destined to create
Mounting the attack
While heroes carry your weight

We spiral toward disaster
Survival fading faster

Riding out the wave
Content to feeding the machine (I heard "content to feed off the machine")
Leading us to death
The new American dream

You're blinded by your hunger
Beware, your days are numbered

Tears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless (I really hear the word "lost" in here but I can't for the life of me figure how it would fit) are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

Blurring lines drawn in between
What is right and what is wrong
Victims on the radar
Straining us along

We're onto your agenda
The dead end road to nowhere

Tears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless (again with the "lost" thing. Perhaps selfless is actually "so lost"?) are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

[solo]

Tears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless (maybe "self lost" I don't know! Selfless doesn't fit right to me) are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

Selfless are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

I put my corrections next to the lines I heard different. Just a little more input for the discussion. Also, this very much so sounds like JLB. I also feel like the song is about the current crisis in America with the economy in the shape it is, our wars, etc.

Actually, when it comes to the lyrics, I'm pretty sure it's, "Zealous are the righteous," not "Selfless". I thought it was Selfless at first too, but after listening to it over and over, I'm just not hearing that 'f' in there.

Zealous! That's it! I couldn't quite nail it, I just knew selfless sounded wrong.

Yeah I believe its supposed to read "content to feed off the machine"

I can't see it being anyone but Labrie. The approach the lyricists seem to take to anything political in their lyrics is:

JM: "I have no opinion, or if I do then I'm going to be completely abstract about it"
JP: "I have opinions but they're quite neutral. Let's have a look at both sides of the argument"
JLB: "Politicians, you're all dicks"

So yeah, it has to be JLB.

JLB for me.

Quote from: TheGreatPretender on June 30, 2011, 09:45:27 AM
Actually, when it comes to the lyrics, I'm pretty sure it's, "Zealous are the righteous," not "Selfless". I thought it was Selfless at first too, but after listening to it over and over, I'm just not hearing that 'f' in there.

For what it's worth, I definitely hear the 'f'.  Could be wrong, though.

I hear 'selfless' too.

I guess we'll find out when the album comes out. But my money's on Zealous.

Even though, yeah, it sounds like an "s" sound at the beginning, I keep listening to it and not hearing the F, it's like it just flows too well. If you say the letter "f" then you're not using your vocal cords, it's voiceless. But it doesn't sound like his voice breaks at all. Unless he's singing it like, "Selvless" which is a small possibility.

But like I said, my money's on Zealous.

Devin Townsend is not an option in the polll...
this is mandatory!...I can not vote now .....

I think it wil be JLB... the political lyric is mostly from him.

And i think the lyrics are about economy too.

Here is why
Content to feeding the machine: Feeding the machine (paying TAX)
Leading us to death
The new American dream : Think because of the bad economy and changes everybody has to pay the price... and pay more TAX leading a lot of people into financial problems.... the new amarican dream, because of the "sky is the limet" isnt there anymore.

You're blinded by your hunger
Beware, your days are numbered: can't realy place that one... only that it is from another perspective.... like the goverment is blinded by the hunger of getting more money... and the days are numbered, like they wont win the vote for president next time

Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter: When i translate that to my native language it tells me its about paying tax too... Lead me like a lamb... sound for me that we people are a herd (like animals) all doing what is told to us and leading us into financial problems.

We're onto your agenda: The political agenda

Just my 2 cents on the lyrics... but i could be very wrong on this one... because english is not my native language

Quote from: tgstk2 on July 01, 2011, 02:30:32 AM
Devin Townsend is not an option in the polll...
this is mandatory!...I can not vote now .....

devin doesnt write good lyric.s..

LaBrie does all the political lyrics. There is a slight chance for this to be JP, but I'm pretty sure it's JLB.

Also noticing "Survival fading faster", which reminds me of "Conscience fading fast..." from that part he wrote in Octavarium. And there's the water everyone talks about.

The song is also very critical to some part of the society, perhaps the American government, whitc reminds me a lot of the theme from Prophets of War, whitch he wrote.

I dunno, it just doesn't sound like JP overall. It doesn't seem like his style of writing.

JR just said on Vokle that it is a JP lyric.

According to an interview JR is doing on VOKLE, OTBOA was written by Petrucci....quite surprised I was sure it was a JLB track

and the answer is JP

Who would've thought. I guess JP is expanding his lyric writing style.

Quite surprising.

Quite.

WOW.  :omg: :tup well, I guess that "HISTORIAN" phase is over. Nice... now that I think about it, both "The Count of Tuscany" and "A Nightmare to Remember" started with the title in the first line; must be something he likes to do now.

I think someone bribed him to say that just so we'd all be wrong.

I like the lyrics of OTBOA better than anything he's written of Black clouds. Good job, John.  :tup

Well, I was thinking... I mean, the lyrics are good and all... But considering that everyone thought JLB wrote them, and they said, "Oh, it's all political. It's about the economy" etc. etc.

But in light of the fact that JP wrote them, is it at all possible that we've misunderstood the meaning behind them? I mean, just because there's one little part where it uses the term "American Dream" doesn't mean it has to be political. Heck, it says "The New American Dream" what's the NEW American Dream, and how's it different from the old?

I'm no expert at interpreting meanings behind lyrics, but it could very well be about something else entirely.

To me, the lyrics don't seem to hold any weight politically, so I'm not really surprised.  I think they were mostly just written to sound "cool" and there doesn't seem to be any kind of political undertone or overtone as far as I can tell.  Nothing wrong with that, of course, but I think calling them "political" is sort of reading into things that aren't there.

Quote from: ClairvoyantCat on July 02, 2011, 10:45:20 AM
To me, the lyrics don't seem to hold any weight politically, so I'm not really surprised.  I think they were mostly just written to sound "cool" and there doesn't seem to be any kind of political undertone or overtone as far as I can tell.  Nothing wrong with that, of course, but I think calling them "political" is sort of reading into things that aren't there.

How are the lines about the American dream and "we're on to your agenda" not political?

Quote from: ReaPsTA on July 02, 2011, 10:47:45 AMHow are the lines about the American dream and "we're on to your agenda" not political?

Any number of ways. For example, "I want to be a Rock Star, it's the American Dream!" There's nothing political about that.

JP was always poetic. The things that he says aren't necessarily the "obvious choice" of what they mean.

I could take the lyrics from Back of Angels, and reinterpret them as a shot at Mike Portnoy. I could, but I won't.

Quote from: TheGreatPretender on July 02, 2011, 10:40:13 AM
Well, I was thinking... I mean, the lyrics are good and all... But considering that everyone thought JLB wrote them, and they said, "Oh, it's all political. It's about the economy" etc. etc.

But in light of the fact that JP wrote them, is it at all possible that we've misunderstood the meaning behind them? I mean, just because there's one little part where it uses the term "American Dream" doesn't mean it has to be political. Heck, it says "The New American Dream" what's the NEW American Dream, and how's it different from the old?

I'm no expert at interpreting meanings behind lyrics, but it could very well be about something else entirely.

Quite simple. The old American Dream was becoming rich. The new American Dream is becoming rich by getting tons of stimulus from the government, thus bleeding the taxpayers to death.

I knew it was JP, it was far too dark to be a JLB song.

Also, I'm glad JP is writting good lyrics again. They aren't his best, but they are far better than anything he's written in a long time.

Quote from: Samara on July 02, 2011, 02:21:34 PM
I knew it was JP, it was far too dark to be a JLB song.

Also, I'm glad JP is writting good lyrics again. They aren't his best, but they are far better than anything he's written in a long time.

Nah, they're not as good as Wither. But they are pretty good though, and MUCH better than AROP.

Quote from: ariich on July 02, 2011, 05:36:09 PM

Quote from: Samara on July 02, 2011, 02:21:34 PM
I knew it was JP, it was far too dark to be a JLB song.

Also, I'm glad JP is writting good lyrics again. They aren't his best, but they are far better than anything he's written in a long time.

Nah, they're not as good as Wither. But they are pretty good though, and MUCH better than AROP.

Agreed, though I will extend it to say that from the last 3 albums, the only lyrics that compare or exceed OTBOA is These Walls, Someone Like Him, and Wither.

Quote from: ariich on July 02, 2011, 05:36:09 PM

Quote from: Samara on July 02, 2011, 02:21:34 PM
I knew it was JP, it was far too dark to be a JLB song.

Also, I'm glad JP is writting good lyrics again. They aren't his best, but they are far better than anything he's written in a long time.

Nah, they're not as good as Wither. But they are pretty good though, and MUCH better than AROP.

Wither (imo) has very weak lyrics once you know that it's just about, well, writting lyrics. There's not much depth going on in that song.

Wither (imo) has very weak lyrics once you know that it's just about, well, writting lyrics. There's not much depth going on in that song.
[/quote]

I think the "Wither" lyrics are amazing. I never took them in a literal sense, but more in a metaphorical one that can be applied to many things in life. I think that was John's intention and what makes them clever.

Quote from: Samara on July 02, 2011, 02:21:34 PM
I knew it was JP, it was far too dark to be a JLB song.

Also, I'm glad JP is writting good lyrics again. They aren't his best, but they are far better than anything he's written in a long time.

I knew it was JP just because of the lyric "lamb to the slaughter". It's definitely religious imagery, and JP's written semi-religiously themed lyrics before (Voices).

Quote from: Samara on July 02, 2011, 07:12:15 PM

Quote from: ariich on July 02, 2011, 05:36:09 PM

Quote from: Samara on July 02, 2011, 02:21:34 PM
I knew it was JP, it was far too dark to be a JLB song.

Also, I'm glad JP is writting good lyrics again. They aren't his best, but they are far better than anything he's written in a long time.

Nah, they're not as good as Wither. But they are pretty good though, and MUCH better than AROP.

Wither (imo) has very weak lyrics once you know that it's just about, well, writting lyrics. There's not much depth going on in that song.

The simple concept is precisely why they are so good.

Quote from: ariich on July 03, 2011, 03:00:32 AM

Quote from: Samara on July 02, 2011, 07:12:15 PM

Quote from: ariich on July 02, 2011, 05:36:09 PM

Quote from: Samara on July 02, 2011, 02:21:34 PM
I knew it was JP, it was far too dark to be a JLB song.

Also, I'm glad JP is writting good lyrics again. They aren't his best, but they are far better than anything he's written in a long time.

Nah, they're not as good as Wither. But they are pretty good though, and MUCH better than AROP.

Wither (imo) has very weak lyrics once you know that it's just about, well, writting lyrics. There's not much depth going on in that song.

The simple concept is precisely why they are so good.

This.

The more I listen to this, the more I think it's about MP, as others have stated.

I think there are some lines that could very pointedly be about the split....

The easy interpretation is economic/political/religious - but maybe just a little too easy -
after the 15th or so listen, I'm just feeling an anger towards one person (in the lyrics).

Quote from: Jamesman on July 03, 2011, 05:25:15 AM

Quote from: ariich on July 03, 2011, 03:00:32 AM

Quote from: Samara on July 02, 2011, 07:12:15 PM

Quote from: ariich on July 02, 2011, 05:36:09 PM

Quote from: Samara on July 02, 2011, 02:21:34 PM
I knew it was JP, it was far too dark to be a JLB song.

Also, I'm glad JP is writting good lyrics again. They aren't his best, but they are far better than anything he's written in a long time.

Nah, they're not as good as Wither. But they are pretty good though, and MUCH better than AROP.

Wither (imo) has very weak lyrics once you know that it's just about, well, writting lyrics. There's not much depth going on in that song.

The simple concept is precisely why they are so good.

This.

Yeah, not as good as Wither... but still very good. I was glad to hear there were no dark masters, no historians sucking on their pipes and no dark eternal nights - no cheesy lines at all.

Well yeah, indeed is it a good one. Lyrics aren't cheesy, and I'm proud of JP because with this lyrics we could hope more like this from on ODTOE, which means - good.

Quote from: zipporaid on July 03, 2011, 11:58:01 AM
The more I listen to this, the more I think it's about MP, as others have stated.

I think there are some lines that could very pointedly be about the split....

The easy interpretation is economic/political/religious - but maybe just a little too easy -
after the 15th or so listen, I'm just feeling an anger towards one person (in the lyrics).

(https://i.imgur.com/9W22T.png)

Did JR confirm in the video chat that JP was the lyricist?

Yeah.

Quote from: Aniland on July 03, 2011, 02:34:24 PM

Quote from: zipporaid on July 03, 2011, 11:58:01 AM
The more I listen to this, the more I think it's about MP, as others have stated.

I think there are some lines that could very pointedly be about the split....

The easy interpretation is economic/political/religious - but maybe just a little too easy -
after the 15th or so listen, I'm just feeling an anger towards one person (in the lyrics).

(https://i.imgur.com/9W22T.png)

The end of the live video of them playing OTBOA in Rome (July 4th) shows the video that they play along with flashing through various kinds of currency.  I think that may confirm that it's economic in nature at least partially.

Not to mention this:

Quote from: John PetrucciThe title of the album is a reference to the subject matter of the lyrics. The songs are all about different life-changing, sort of dramatic events, either in History or happening now in the world, politically, religiously or spiritually. It's all about events that have changed the world and changed people's lives.

What exactly DOES that line mean? "Standing on the back of angels, destined to create." I can't help but feel like it's just a line for the sake of sounding cool. How does it relate?

Quote from: Aniland on July 05, 2011, 11:27:50 AM
What exactly DOES that line mean? "Standing on the back of angels, destined to create." I can't help but feel like it's just a line for the sake of sounding cool. How does it relate?

while heroes carry our weight

angels = heroes

same thing said twice, i think

Perhaps it refers to the "God-like" / "Too Big to Fail" status of some of the people in power.  They're in control of so much of our world and have so many people below them that it's almost like they're a sort of God.

"Standing on the backs of angels
Destined to create
Mounting the attack
While heroes carry your weight"
^ This is about Portnoy, he was basically standing on the backs of the DT members while they created music. He forced the DT members to walk towards a different direction.

"Riding out the wave
Content to feeding the machine
Leading us to death
The new American dream" < This is about them making more commercial and generic sounding music. The new "American Dream" is like "The MTV Dream"

The rest is completely self explanatory.
NOW IT ALL MAKES SENSE  :P

I reckon it's about the Financial Crash of 2007-9. It could be about the wall st crash, but I don't think it is as it references the new American dream. This is my take on it, anyway.

QuoteStanding on the backs of angels
Destined to create
Mounting the attack
While heroes carry your weight

This verse is about bankers who go out and spend other people's money/take gambles on shares and markets with money that isn't theirs. This (in the UK, don't know about the US) was a major cause of the crash when banks and firms went under due to rogue traders.

QuoteRiding out the wave
Content to feeding the machine
Leading us to death
The new American dream

This references the boom and bust of recent economic times. In times of boom it was easy for bankers to take risks off it and get rich (the old american dream) but eventually they got it wrong and ruined innocent people (the new american dream).

QuoteTears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

When there were bad times, bankers deceived people that their money is secure (shelter me...) when people asked about it when it had been shamelessly gambled away and the bankers acted like it wasn't their fault at all. The public had to bear the cost of bailing out banks, hence "burden me".

QuoteBlurring lines drawn in between
What is right and what is wrong
Victims on the radar
Straining us along

They know at all times what the consequences will be if they mess up on the trading floor with other people's money (victims on the radar...). The first 2 lines are just a slight at the dubious actions of bankers that lead to the crash

QuoteWe're onto your agenda
The dead end road to nowhere

People have now realised that bankers were bleeding us dry for personal gain and the problem is now being dealt with.

Quote from: wammabe on July 05, 2011, 12:03:03 PM
"Standing on the backs of angels
Destined to create
Mounting the attack
While heroes carry your weight"
^ This is about Portnoy, he was basically standing on the backs of the DT members while they created music. He forced the DT members to walk towards a different direction.

"Riding out the wave
Content to feeding the machine
Leading us to death
The new American dream" < This is about them making more commercial and generic sounding music. The new "American Dream" is like "The MTV Dream"

The rest is completely self explanatory.
NOW IT ALL MAKES SENSE  :P

Leave Thuper.

Awesome work Chrissalix!

I think these lyrics are Petrucci's best in a long time. Quite creative if you ask me.

Quote from: Chrissalix on July 05, 2011, 01:21:54 PM
I reckon it's about the Financial Crash of 2007-9. It could be about the wall st crash, but I don't think it is as it references the new American dream. This is my take on it, anyway.

QuoteStanding on the backs of angels
Destined to create
Mounting the attack
While heroes carry your weight

This verse is about bankers who go out and spend other people's money/take gambles on shares and markets with money that isn't theirs. This (in the UK, don't know about the US) was a major cause of the crash when banks and firms went under due to rogue traders.

QuoteRiding out the wave
Content to feeding the machine
Leading us to death
The new American dream

This references the boom and bust of recent economic times. In times of boom it was easy for bankers to take risks off it and get rich (the old american dream) but eventually they got it wrong and ruined innocent people (the new american dream).

QuoteTears fall from the shameless
Shelter me, guide me to the edge of the water
Selfless are the righteous
Burden me, lead me like a lamb to the slaughter

When there were bad times, bankers deceived people that their money is secure (shelter me...) when people asked about it when it had been shamelessly gambled away and the bankers acted like it wasn't their fault at all. The public had to bear the cost of bailing out banks, hence "burden me".

QuoteBlurring lines drawn in between
What is right and what is wrong
Victims on the radar
Straining us along

They know at all times what the consequences will be if they mess up on the trading floor with other people's money (victims on the radar...). The first 2 lines are just a slight at the dubious actions of bankers that lead to the crash

QuoteWe're onto your agenda
The dead end road to nowhere

People have now realised that bankers were bleeding us dry for personal gain and the problem is now being dealt with.

The new American Dream refers to the government backed loans that Bush instituted after 9/11 as a way to boost the economy and give every American the opportunity to own a home, aka "The American Dream."  You can look at history to find out about that.

Quote from: TheOutlawXanadu on July 05, 2011, 05:33:39 PM
Awesome work Chrissalix!

I think these lyrics are Petrucci's best in a long time. Quite creative if you ask me.

I found Wither's lyrics quite good as well.
But yeah, no more disappearing down cellar stairs, sucking on pipes, distinguished accents and finest wines that improve with age.

During that sample thing before the actual song starts, the voice is saying...

"All things can be true"

/thread

So where do stand as far as the lyric meaning of this song goes.  I don't want this thread to die just yet (even though it was started to discuss who wrote the lyrics).  Does everyone still feel the same way?  There are a lot of different points of view as to what the true meaning of these lyrics are. :huh: