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Dream Theater => Dream Theater => Topic started by: icysk8r on September 06, 2009, 06:19:30 PM

Title: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: icysk8r on September 06, 2009, 06:19:30 PM
This song is an on and off song for me, but I am listening to a live version of it right now, and it is amazing.  So much emotion, you can really feel what John Petrucci was trying to say, and the raw emotion forom his fathers death.  I think the chorus change is so emotional.  At the beginning he was afraid, but then hye isn't afraid and he knows his father is better off now than he was and that he nees to cope and live on.  The music is also great, it reminds me of an african type song for some reason.  Anyways, discuss and appreciate.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: SystematicThought on September 06, 2009, 08:05:22 PM
I think its a great song and shows Petrucci's strength through troubling times.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: SeRoX on September 06, 2009, 08:10:33 PM
I don't know why but I couldn't get into it enough. Well, sure Petrucci wrote it with heavy emotional feellings but I guess something is missing and I can't find myself feel deeper for this song. I rank TAMP high on FII though.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: cygnusx1jg on September 06, 2009, 08:12:34 PM
The version on the Once in a LIVEtime CD is 1000% better than the version on FII, IMO.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: Secor on September 06, 2009, 09:44:33 PM
I love this song. It doesn't deserve all the hate it gets.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: ZBomber on September 06, 2009, 09:59:23 PM
The only turn off in this song for me is the music itself... the music doesn't do justice to the amazing lyrics.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: brodgers on September 06, 2009, 10:29:19 PM
I love this song. It doesn't deserve all the hate it gets.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: sonatafanica on September 06, 2009, 11:13:56 PM
This has always been one of my top Dream Theater songs. The fact that Petrucci's solo gets no recognition WHATSOEVER from this forum makes me want to drown all of you in your own blood.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: KevShmev on September 06, 2009, 11:20:32 PM
Damn good song, and, yes, I am talking about the FII version.  Some of Petrucci's best lyrics ever, some of Portnoy's best drumming ever, and JLB delivers a terrific vocal.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: BlobVanDam on September 06, 2009, 11:24:48 PM
Well I'll appreciate the killer guitar solo. That's about it.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: Dcrupi on September 06, 2009, 11:44:30 PM
I've always thought TAMP was a fantastic song.

Great music, catchy chorus, amazing lyrics and a killer guitar solo.  Short, but sweet.  What more do you want?
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: SilentFox on September 07, 2009, 12:28:37 AM
One thing I admire about DT is that they're always so dynamic in their style.  If I had heard TAMP without knowing who it was, I wouldn't have been able to identify it as DT except for JLB.

That being said, it's not one of their best songs, by DT standards.  However, it's still better than 99.99% of those non-DT songs out there.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: Zydar on September 07, 2009, 02:52:53 AM
Great song, and one of my favourites from FII. Can't understand the hate it gets.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: BlobVanDam on September 07, 2009, 03:42:28 AM
Great song, and one of my favourites from FII. Can't understand the hate it gets.

It's not too bad, but for me personally, I just don't like the basic vibe of the song. It's got this weird Carribean vibe going on. And compared to the rest of the album, it's one of the worse songs.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: Amoniz on September 07, 2009, 03:45:11 AM
I enjoy the "His final scene, the actor bows..." section both usically & lyrically.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: CountVoorhees on September 07, 2009, 04:05:15 AM
I was on my computer and I had my iTunes on shuffle a couple days after my Dad called me to tell me about my Grandfather's death and TAMP came on and fucking made me burst into tears... :( It's still one of my favorite DT songs though.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: tri.ad on September 07, 2009, 05:21:34 AM
The demo version is fantastic, it conveys the feeling of sorrow, loss and gratefulness perfectly. JP's solo got improved with the final version, but in the demo it's great as well, really emotional.
Also, the final verse is much better in the demo version; they're much more personal and emotional. On the album, it seems distant and clichéd imo.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: fsh3702 on September 07, 2009, 05:59:04 AM
the lyrics of this song is very humanizing, and intimate. the guitar accompaniment is excellent, actually when i heard it the first time i bacame interested in it immediately.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: True Death of Life on September 07, 2009, 11:07:30 AM
This really is a good song. Loved it the first time I heard it...
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: Icebear on September 09, 2009, 07:48:10 AM
While I wouldn't rank it as a favorite of mine, I think it's an excellent song. As someone said, it demonstrates just how diverse and dynamic DT can be in their musical expression. Maybe I'm colored by the fact that I came aboard the DT ship during the FII era, but I still feel like that album holds up remarkably well, even though I understand why it's not the best representation of the band. For better or worse, it's very song-oriented while retaining that unmistakable DT sound. And TAMP is a perfect example of that. The "Lion King" intro wouldn't normally be DT:s cup of tea, but in this instance it works. The whole sound of the song is, to me, quite open and airy, which contrasts nicely to the melancholy of the lyrics. And yes, that guitar solo does not get the appreciation it deserves. Come to think of it, quite a few of my favorite JP solos occur on FII. Back to the song, though. I don't know if they've played TAMP since the FII tour (doesn't seem like it, by the looks of Portnoys Tourography, but that might not be complete), but if they haven't they could easily rework it with an extended solo/outro-thing, like the Surrounded-07. I'd love to see that. 

It's also the only DT song I ever convinced my soul/funk band at school to try out (everyone else brought in James Brown and Stevie Wonder tunes, which is fine by me, but I decided to bring at least one DT song to balance it out...)  :D
Not that that version ever went down in the history books...
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: PlaysLikeMyung on September 09, 2009, 08:55:48 AM
I do love this song.

This whole album is really good, and totally underappreciated.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: Scard on September 09, 2009, 09:09:29 AM
Honestly, for FII I'd rank this song:
Lines in the Sand
Trial of Tears
Hell's Kitchen
Hollow Years
Take Away My Pain
Anna Lee
New Millennium
Peruvian Skies
Just Let Me Breath
Burning My Soul
You Not Me
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: setrataeso on September 09, 2009, 09:26:31 AM
A really underappreciated song. The drum lines are very creative, something that Mike Portnoy doesn't do enough of, these days. The lyrics are really nice, and the music is very minimalistic, clearly to put an emphasis on the lyrical side of the song.

*appreciates*
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: SnakeEyes on September 09, 2009, 10:28:39 AM
The version on the Once in a LIVEtime CD is 1000% better than the version on FII, IMO.

YUP.  Definitely.  LaBrie is phenominal on that version. 
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: DarkLord_Lalinc on September 09, 2009, 10:50:51 AM
I enjoy the "His final scene, the actor bows..." section both usically & lyrically.
That's a truly wonderful moment. One of the best moments of the song for sure.

The Demo version is magnificent. That should have been the final album version.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: KevShmev on May 21, 2010, 09:47:58 AM
bump for a great song.  And, yes, I am still talking about the FII version. :biggrin:

Note: The demo and OiiL versions are both pretty good, as well, but the FII version is where it's at. :hat
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: tri.ad on May 21, 2010, 09:54:01 AM
I'm still preferring the demo version to the album version. My guess is that it's going to stay that way, since I really dig the arrangement of the demo.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: ZKX-2099 on May 21, 2010, 09:55:04 AM
Yeah I gotta go with the demo version more. Mainly because of the high notes James does.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: Dublagent66 on May 21, 2010, 10:33:12 AM
I've always liked it even though it's not a fan favorite.  It has its subtle moments of brilliance.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: cfmoran13 on May 21, 2010, 10:53:18 AM
Funny, I'm  listening to this from the OIAL outtakes (6-25-1998).  It sounds great.  Yesterday, I was reading some sections from the Rich Wilson book and came across the section where MP is discussing just how much he hates the FII version of the song, still can't listen to it and, at the time, couldn't believe that JP rolled over and allowed Shirley to make such drastic changes to such a beautiful song.

It's a pretty good song.  But, much better in every version other than the FII finished product.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: LCArenas on May 21, 2010, 11:29:07 AM
The demo version is fantastic, it conveys the feeling of sorrow, loss and gratefulness perfectly. JP's solo got improved with the final version, but in the demo it's great as well, really emotional.
Also, the final verse is much better in the demo version; they're much more personal and emotional. On the album, it seems distant and clichéd imo.
That's exactly what I was going to say.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: Plasmastrike on May 21, 2010, 11:41:28 AM
Holy shit I'm listening to the demo version right now for the first time.

So much better!! :metal
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: antigoon on May 21, 2010, 12:03:58 PM
I like the final version. I know MP said it sounds like a Disney ride and all, but I think it works.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: Quadrochosis on May 21, 2010, 12:07:54 PM
This song is incredible. One of DT's most undeserved hated song.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: hefdaddy42 on May 21, 2010, 01:14:23 PM
I'm still preferring the demo version to the album version. My guess is that it's going to stay that way, since I really dig the arrangement of the demo.
This exactly.  I don't like the FII version very much, and I never did; I was pleasantly surprised once I heard the demo version.  Much more dynamic, and more fitting to the lyrics IMHO.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: AwakeFromOctavarium on May 22, 2010, 04:45:45 AM
The version on the Once in a LIVEtime CD is 1000% better than the version on FII, IMO.

I agree with this one. That version is what got me into this song.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: TAC on January 31, 2022, 04:23:37 PM
So I am working my way through the different DT Live Era and I am listening to a couple of Fix For '96 shows.

I never listen to Take Away My Pain. I don't know, there's just something incomplete about it.
Anyway, this lyric stands out..

She was standing by the edge of his bed
Staring at the message on their faces
He said, "what else can you do babe?
I guess I won't be coming home again."

They just took away all my promises
Make them take away my pain



That line.."They just took away my promises"..

Man, that kicks you in the gut. Phenomenal line.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: Trav86 on January 31, 2022, 04:52:56 PM
So I am working my way through the different DT Live Era and I am listening to a couple of Fix For '96 shows.

I never listen to Take Away My Pain. I don't know, there's just something incomplete about it.
Anyway, this lyric stands out..

She was standing by the edge of his bed
Staring at the message on their faces
He said, "what else can you do babe?
I guess I won't be coming home again."

They just took away all my promises
Make them take away my pain



That line.."They just took away my promises"..

Man, that kicks you in the gut. Phenomenal line.

Yes. The whole lyric is a great journey through loss. And, for me, musically wonderful.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: 425 on January 31, 2022, 05:21:56 PM
I think it's a beautiful song, especially lyrically. I agree that that's a very powerful verse.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: HOF on January 31, 2022, 05:33:14 PM
So I am working my way through the different DT Live Era and I am listening to a couple of Fix For '96 shows.

I never listen to Take Away My Pain. I don't know, there's just something incomplete about it.
Anyway, this lyric stands out..

She was standing by the edge of his bed
Staring at the message on their faces
He said, "what else can you do babe?
I guess I won't be coming home again."

They just took away all my promises
Make them take away my pain



That line.."They just took away my promises"..

Man, that kicks you in the gut. Phenomenal line.

It’s a great lyric, and yeah, it’s always gotten to me too.

I get how this song as recorded on FII is pretty outside the norm for DT, but I love everything about it. As I mentioned in the top 100 thread, it’s basically DT’s version of Genesis’ Follow You Follow Me or Peter Gabriel’s In Your Eyes (both great songs by definite influences on DT, so it shouldn’t be that weird). That said, the more rocky demo version is also really great. I also really like the version on OIALT with the sax. Basically it’s just a great song however it’s performed.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: 425 on January 31, 2022, 06:07:13 PM
I was the one you responded to who was a little down on the style they used on the album version, but I do actually like that this song has a great core (the main theme, the vocal melodies and the lyrics) that works with a number of different arrangements.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: Madman Shepherd on January 31, 2022, 08:18:18 PM
FII version is amazing.

When I got into DT, I struggled with a lot of it. Great riffs followed by crazy prog stuff. Cool melodies, the more noodling. Eventually I came around but I just wanted the metal parts without the prog...at first anyway.

When I got FII, TAMP really stood out. It was beautiful. It was heartfelt. It was sad. I loved it so much I kept going back to other DT songs that I loved parts of and finally started to become a DT fan and started to love ALL those parts. Well, most of them.

I still love TAMP. It really is unique. Then I heard the OIALT version and nearly puked. It's so bland. Add some Kenny G sax and...well, I feel like I'm watching an infomercial. I can't fathom how anybody can choose that verion of the FII version but ya know, opinions...
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: HOF on January 31, 2022, 09:10:33 PM
FII version is amazing.

When I got into DT, I struggled with a lot of it. Great riffs followed by crazy prog stuff. Cool melodies, the more noodling. Eventually I came around but I just wanted the metal parts without the prog...at first anyway.

When I got FII, TAMP really stood out. It was beautiful. It was heartfelt. It was sad. I loved it so much I kept going back to other DT songs that I loved parts of and finally started to become a DT fan and started to love ALL those parts. Well, most of them.

I still love TAMP. It really is unique. Then I heard the OIALT version and nearly puked. It's so bland. Add some Kenny G sax and...well, I feel like I'm watching an infomercial. I can't fathom how anybody can choose that verion of the FII version but ya know, opinions...

Not Kenny G, Jay … Beckenstein?  ;)
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: Madman Shepherd on February 01, 2022, 07:00:54 AM
FII version is amazing.

When I got into DT, I struggled with a lot of it. Great riffs followed by crazy prog stuff. Cool melodies, the more noodling. Eventually I came around but I just wanted the metal parts without the prog...at first anyway.

When I got FII, TAMP really stood out. It was beautiful. It was heartfelt. It was sad. I loved it so much I kept going back to other DT songs that I loved parts of and finally started to become a DT fan and started to love ALL those parts. Well, most of them.

I still love TAMP. It really is unique. Then I heard the OIALT version and nearly puked. It's so bland. Add some Kenny G sax and...well, I feel like I'm watching an infomercial. I can't fathom how anybody can choose that verion of the FII version but ya know, opinions...

Not Kenny G, Jay … Beckenstein?  ;)

Oh yeah. He played with....Spyro Grya?  :tup
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: WilliamMunny on February 01, 2022, 07:22:04 AM
Count me in as one (of the few???) who prefers the studio version to all others. And, I consider this song to be one of the hidden gems on FII.

—The song features one of my favorite JP solos (really wish he'd play in this style more often)
—The song is, in my humble opinion, on of JP's best lyrics to date

Someone mentioned 'Follow You, Follow Me," and that is a that is a fantastic observation.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: HOF on February 01, 2022, 08:10:40 AM
FII version is amazing.

When I got into DT, I struggled with a lot of it. Great riffs followed by crazy prog stuff. Cool melodies, the more noodling. Eventually I came around but I just wanted the metal parts without the prog...at first anyway.

When I got FII, TAMP really stood out. It was beautiful. It was heartfelt. It was sad. I loved it so much I kept going back to other DT songs that I loved parts of and finally started to become a DT fan and started to love ALL those parts. Well, most of them.

I still love TAMP. It really is unique. Then I heard the OIALT version and nearly puked. It's so bland. Add some Kenny G sax and...well, I feel like I'm watching an infomercial. I can't fathom how anybody can choose that verion of the FII version but ya know, opinions...

Not Kenny G, Jay … Beckenstein?  ;)

Oh yeah. He played with....Spyro Grya?  :tup

 :lol :rollin
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: ZirconBlue on February 01, 2022, 09:02:13 AM
I prefer the demo version, but the song is great in all its forms.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: gzarruk on February 01, 2022, 10:36:55 AM
Count me in as one (of the few???) who prefers the studio version to all others.

Same here. And I'd even say I prefer all the FII studio versions over the originals/demos.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: Madman Shepherd on February 01, 2022, 11:58:00 AM
Count me in as one (of the few???) who prefers the studio version to all others.

Same here. And I'd even say I prefer all the FII studio versions over the originals/demos.

*gasp* Even You Not Me?

But yeah, I agree with you two.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: Trav86 on February 01, 2022, 03:28:18 PM
Count me in as one (of the few???) who prefers the studio version to all others. And, I consider this song to be one of the hidden gems on FII.

—The song features one of my favorite JP solos (really wish he'd play in this style more often)
—The song is, in my humble opinion, on of JP's best lyrics to date

Someone mentioned 'Follow You, Follow Me," and that is a that is a fantastic observation.

All of this is correct.

Count me in as one (of the few???) who prefers the studio version to all others.

Same here. And I'd even say I prefer all the FII studio versions over the originals/demos.

Yes. I like the FII demos just for the songs that were left off. But as for the demo versions vs. studio versions…thank God for Kevin Shirley.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: TAC on February 01, 2022, 03:45:21 PM

Yes. I like the FII demos just for the songs that were left off. But as for the demo versions vs. studio versions…thank God for Kevin Shirley.

Oh, I agree.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: HOF on February 01, 2022, 06:59:32 PM

Yes. I like the FII demos just for the songs that were left off. But as for the demo versions vs. studio versions…thank God for Kevin Shirley.

Oh, I agree.

Yep. Aside from maybe Awake, I still think FII is DT’s best produced album. The only demo I prefer is You Not Me, and that is less because of what Shirley did with the production and more because of the re-write of the chorus. Rescuing Hell’s Kitchen from BMS was genius (it’s just too bad they didn’t scrap that track altogether and use The Way It Used to Be or Speak To Me. ).
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: TAC on February 01, 2022, 07:00:23 PM
FII is easily DT's best produced album. Too bad it has their weakest material.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: EPIC Outro on February 01, 2022, 07:42:42 PM

The part in the demo version where James goes high on "the curtain falls"... no other version touches that moment.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: DT1138 on February 07, 2022, 06:20:22 PM
I like it a lot, both the album and demo version.  I am a chronic pain sufferer, so it has special meaning to me besides what the lyrics spell out also.  The first time I heard JLB sing "Take Away My Paaaaaiiin!" I was like oh hell goddamn yes, please take it away forever.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: Deadeye21 on February 07, 2022, 07:34:37 PM
I often play this one in my acoustic sets. It’s a great track! I personally prefer the demo lyric and the higher note at the end of the bridge, as well as that extra “there’ll be no encore after all” after the solo. It’s an awesome song though!
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: svisser on February 09, 2022, 06:40:36 PM
Great song. Not their best nor the best from the album, but it is still a killer song.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: PetFish on February 09, 2022, 07:25:16 PM
Some of my favourite JP lyrics!

I love how they're ambiguous an not on-the-nose specific to his situation.  They work for anyone and not just himself.

The music in both versions is so different that they're almost two songs it's difficult to directly compare them and pick a favourite.  I think they're both great but if you water-boarded me I'd have to go with the demo version cuz of the guitar solo and "the curtain FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLSSSSSSSSSS" just before it.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: The Curious Orange on February 10, 2022, 06:17:37 AM
+1 for this song, even if like many others I do prefer the demo version.

But then I love FII, it's a great album.
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: Trav86 on February 10, 2022, 07:21:08 AM
I love how they're ambiguous an not on-the-nose specific to his situation.  They work for anyone and not just himself.

Compared to that other song…right… ;D
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: Madman Shepherd on February 10, 2022, 09:03:15 AM
Some of my favourite JP lyrics!

I love how they're ambiguous an not on-the-nose specific to his situation.  They work for anyone and not just himself.

The music in both versions is so different that they're almost two songs it's difficult to directly compare them and pick a favourite.  I think they're both great but if you water-boarded me I'd have to go with the demo version cuz of the guitar solo and "the curtain FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLSSSSSSSSSS" just before it.

I thought this one was pretty specific but it does work since it has a certain degree of ambiguity
Title: Re: Take Away My Pain appreciation thread.
Post by: PetFish on February 13, 2022, 10:00:33 PM
I love how they're ambiguous an not on-the-nose specific to his situation.  They work for anyone and not just himself.

Compared to that other song…right… ;D

 :angel: