Wither-Meaning and Review

[PC269]

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.

[Bombardana]

Wither is about writers block.

[TheVoxyn]

*cue the lame jokes*

[robwebster]

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.

[Plasmastrike]

Really well said, Rob. You're a good writer.

[robwebster]

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?!

[contest_sanity]

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."

[Plasmastrike]

EVEN THE FEET PART

[antigoon]

I think Wither would have been a mainstream ballad in the 80s.

[briang]

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?

[antigoon]

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.

[zmazar]

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. 

[emindead]

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

[hefdaddy42]

I think Wither would have been a mainstream ballad in the 80s.

I don't, because it isn't about sex.

[bosk1]

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.

[hefdaddy42]

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. 

[contest_sanity]

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. 

A song about sexual writer's block?  Interesting....

[hefdaddy42]

Dean Koontz used to write porn fiction, it could be about him.

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

[contest_sanity]

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? 

[hefdaddy42]

Self-castration?

[contest_sanity]

Perhaps he was fathering too many bear cubs in the wild.

[Gadough]

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.

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

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! 

[?]

Every time I see someone talk about the Wither video I am reminded of a certain gif...

[puppyonacid]

Well I really hope that none of them get writres block this time so that they can hit us.......

Wither nother great album.

[DebraKadabra]

What a necrobump.

[JayOctavarium]

What a necrobump.

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

[Jaq]

What a necrobump.

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

This thread arrived eighteen months before I did. 

[DebraKadabra]

Try about a year or so for me.

[?]

I had been here for 4 months when this thread was made - now I feel so old... However, I had forgotten about this thread's existence. Maybe it's just my dementia?

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

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?

[puppyonacid]

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