On a scale of 1-10, how sad is Disappear?

[predator13]

Just listened to this gem for the first time in a long time...I find it amazing.  It is so eerie yet everything seems to feel right.  And from "So I'm moving on" to "Let him come take you home" is just outstanding...I love the backup vocals, kind of spoken word (I don't know who is doing it, but it's great).

Also, does anyone know if this song was written for someone in particular?  I assume it was.

So how sad do you find this song.  Ever have tears?  Ever close to it?  What are your thoughts on this tune?

[Darkes7]

As far as I know, James LaBrie wrote it because once he saw a young couple and for some reason thought what would happen if one of them died. He takes the song very seriously and that's why they don't play it live anymore. I might be mistaken somewhere but I think that's how it was.

I voted for 8. It's very sad and also beautiful (one of my favourite DT songs in general), but I've heard songs which are even more sad (in case of DT itself, without doubt Vacant, but also for example Porcupine Tree "Don't Hate Me").

[Quadrochosis]

I voted 8, it's pretty sad, but I've heard sadder.

I do love the song though, I read the lyrics aloud to my Public Speaking class once, and as I was reading it in front of the class, I truly appreciated how beautiful the lyrics really are. I get teary eyed every time I hear it now.

[Fuzzboy]

I voted 8, it's pretty sad, but I've heard sadder.

[Adami]

6. Sad, but seriously, how sad can really fast arpegios be?

[hefdaddy42]

He takes the song very seriously and that's why they don't play it live anymore.

I'm certain he does, but that isn't why they don't play it live anymore.

I gave it a 6.  However, it's a fantastic song, one of my favorites from DT.

[Darkes7]

Any other reason? I thought it was the only one (meaning, that it felt too personal for him, forgot to add this).

[Adami]

Any other reason? I thought it was the only one (meaning, that it felt too personal for him, forgot to add this).

I dunno why they don't play it live, maybe it's too boring for Portnoy/Petrucci or something. However, I doubt LaBries personal feelings toward a song EVER come into the equation when Portnoy makes the set list. Call that a hunch.

[Darkes7]

They're a band, and one without an obvious leader. And even in very one-man-controlled bands I'm certain the person who has written the lyrics in a song, in this case very difficult, has something to say about doing it live. Especially if it's the vocalist.

[hefdaddy42]

They're a band, and one without an obvious leader. And even in very one-man-controlled bands I'm certain the person who has written the lyrics in a song, in this case very difficult, has something to say about doing it live. Especially if it's the vocalist.

MP is the obvious leader; I can't imagine why in the world you would say that the band doesn't have one.  And I suppose that JLB could press the issue on songs performed live, but he never has, so it's impossible to say.

The reason they don't play it live anymore is that MP wanted a song that would only be performed once.  It was performed at the NYC show on the Train of Thought tour (I think it was at The Theater at MSG).  That was supposed to be the one and only performance.  Then, when it came time to film the Budokan show, he decided to do it again, so that it could be filmed.  But that's it, no more.

[Darkes7]

He is probably the most obvious "voice" of the band, and also he apparently puts lots of time and effort into the band, he may also try to control things a bit, but he definitely isn't the obvious leader. JP and JR don't have any less importance than he has, and have just as much input into songwriting as MP.

Haven't heard about that before. I was certain the reason is like I said.

[hefdaddy42]

He is probably the most obvious "voice" of the band, and also he apparently puts lots of time and effort into the band, he may also try to control things a bit, but he definitely isn't the obvious leader.

What?

JP and JR don't have any less importance than he has, and have just as much input into songwriting as MP.

Songwriting is only one piece of the DT machine.

Haven't heard about that before. I was certain the reason is like I said.

Nope.

[Adami]

MP is the leader. He may not write the music, but he leads the band.

[Setlist Scotty]

I gave it a 6.  However, it's a fantastic song, one of my favorites from DT.

Totally agree, tho I gave it a 5.

[KevShmev]

Portnoy is definitely the leader of the band.  Not in the same way that Steven Wilson is for PT, for example, as he is not THE or even A dominant songwriter, but when it comes to direction, touring, set lists, CD/DVD releases, dealing with the record company, etc., I thought it went without saying that Portnoy was the unquestioned leader.  I think the control freak in him has to have it that way, and I am sure the others love not having to deal with all of that.

Anyway, to answer the question, I would say a 5/10.

[King Postwhore]

It's a two headed monster and one head has sleep depravation.  MP rules the roost and JP is his right hand man.  Darkes7 your off on this one by a mile............ and then some.

[antigoon]

I put 6. The weird noises and shit make it less sad than it should be. An acoustic version would be better.

[Adami]

I think the drum beats and the keyboard arpegios take away from the emotionality of it all. But that's DT. Keyboard arps above all.

[Quadrochosis]

MP is the leader. He may not write the music, but he leads the band.

[Jamesman42]

It's a pretty somber song to start off with, and then when the "So I'm moving on.." part comes in, it's really depressing, but also has some real closure to it. I'd give it a 5 as well.

[Perpetual Change]

8. That middle section gets me sometimes.

[yeshaberto]

I went with 6...and the mood of the song is great

[tri.ad]

6. I've heard songs that are way sadder. But I like the mood of this song.

[Zantera]

It's one of the saddest songs i know, at least in a top5.

[ZKX-2099]

It's a powerful song for sure... not sure about sad though... read the lyrics alone and they are kinda optimistic.

"Blue sky, I'll meet you in the end"

It will work out in the end.

"Turn, I'll turn this slowly round"

Take the tame (no pun) and work though the pain.


Thats my take at least...

[Mladen]

I'll give it a 9. It's definitely one of the saddest DT songs, I think only TMOLS beats it. To get a 10, it's supposed to make me cry, but it doesn't.

[ReaPsTA]

Definitely a nine. I'm sure something sadder is out there, but this is still in my top five or ten most sad songs ever.

The big thing is how the song hits you. Most of the song is more entrancing emotionally than anything else. It's when the end hits you that you realize you've been setup to feel its full impact the whole time, and it's pretty rough.

Even if you try to overthink it, you can't escape. There's this weird thing at the end where JP's backing vocals sound like they're carrying on a conversation with the lead vocals, and it only adds layers to the emotion.

[Slain]

It's a powerful song for sure... not sure about sad though... read the lyrics alone and they are kinda optimistic.

"Blue sky, I'll meet you in the end"

It will work out in the end.

"Turn, I'll turn this slowly round"

Take the tame (no pun) and work though the pain.


Thats my take at least...

I can see how some might think it's kind of optimistic at some points, but it's pretty bittersweet optimism. Very sad song  in my opinion, maybe just b/c it sort of hits me on a personal level.

[hefdaddy42]

It's a powerful song for sure... not sure about sad though... read the lyrics alone and they are kinda optimistic.

"Blue sky, I'll meet you in the end"

It will work out in the end.

"Turn, I'll turn this slowly round"

Take the tame (no pun) and work though the pain.


Thats my take at least...

Notice the emphasis on "the end."

[ZKX-2099]

Note the "Thats my take at least..." in my post.

[hefdaddy42]

Note the "Thats my take at least..." in my post.

Yeah, I saw that.

[Dimitrius]

I though JM was the unquestioned leader!

[Setlist Scotty]

MP is the leader. He may not write the music, but he leads the band.

Correction: MP is the leader. He may not write as much of the music as JP and JR, but he leads the band.

(For instance, don't forget the recent example where MP showed how he provided the primary guitar riff in ARoP)

[Quadrochosis]

MP is the leader. He may not write the music, but he leads the band.

Correction: MP is the leader. He may not write as much of the music as JP and JR, but he leads the band.

(For instance, don't forget the recent example where MP showed how he provided the primary guitar riff in ARoP)

I didn't know that he wrote that riff, at least now I don't have to blame my favorite guitar player in the world for my least favorite DT riff ever.

[Rafael Guerra]

Its really depressing, I remember once being on a bus and listening to it while looking in the window. Its one of the songs that remind you how powerful DT can be!
I rated 9, because if i rated 10 that would mean i cried or commited suicide...what didnīt actually happen.