Scorpion's Top 50 Dream Theater Songs

[MoraWintersoul]

He said it is difficult and that he just prefers not to, probably on the account that he prefers not screwing up either of the two things and it is always a possibility. I think JR could do it, but probably won't for the same reason, so they're basically leaving JLB and JP alone out there.

[wasteland]

He said it is difficult and that he just prefers not to, probably on the account that he prefers not screwing up either of the two things and it is always a possibility. I think JR could do it, but probably won't for the same reason, so they're basically leaving JLB and JP alone out there.

Plus, I don't really see JR's voice fitting the vocals of DLPM

I root for the tape solution. 

[MoraWintersoul]

I root for JP giving it a shot

I think the problem with some of the rare songs is... do they even care about those songs anymore? And are they likely to be played on a regular, non-Evening With tour, with the fact not a lot of people know them? I don't think so

[wasteland]

I root for JP giving it a shot

I think the problem with some of the rare songs is... do they even care about those songs anymore? And are they likely to be played on a regular, non-Evening With tour, with the fact not a lot of people know them? I don't think so

The fact is, if they never play them they will stay forever in the shadows. A song like DLPM has all the qualities to become a fan favourite just like Surrounded, and creating a fan favourite is always better than not doing it, if anything just to allow a wider rotation through tours.

I say they should give it a shot. Throwing a less know great song would both please the diehard fans and tingle the new ones with unknown material. I say it's a win-win.

[?]

On the other hand, if an album track like The Great Debate didn't get much of a reaction from the audiences, then unfortunately I guess there'd be even more people just standing still during the B-sides. However, I could see them playing some non-album tracks on special occasions, like they played To Live Forever during the 2nd night in Huntington last year.

[wasteland]

On the other hand, if an album track like The Great Debate didn't get much of a reaction from the audiences, then unfortunately I guess there'd be even more people just standing still during the B-sides. However, I could see them playing some non-album tracks on special occasions, like they played To Live Forever during the 2nd night in Huntington last year.

I don't honestly think it's the same. I absolutely and positively love TGD, but I can't understand it being somehow a luckluster piece in a live setting for some people. It was not the same for TLF. I have a lot of recordings of it and I can tell you that the song was always met with extremely positive live reactions from the fans. The same could happen for DLPM.

And besides, I'm sure that a re-release of Cleaning Out The Closet via official means or YtseJam Records would be of great help to have the fans come in touch with those relevant songs.

[Scorpion]

A few shorter write-ups today, because I don't really have that much to say on this batch.

20 – The Spirit Carries On – Scenes from a Memory
What I like most about this song is that it is very uplifting. The keys, Petrucci's guitars and James' soaring vocals all come together to create a positive sound that is a rarity in DT's catalogue. I also love how this song really lets Dream Theater's inspiration in Pink Floyd shine through (or should I say shine on? ), especially in the guitar solo. Great song, and I can fully understand why the band loves to play it so much during live concerts.

19 – Learning to Live – Images and Words
This will probably invoke some rage, but I don't care. Yes, this song is awesome from start to finish, with the F# being one of DT's most climatic moments, but there are simply 18 songs that I enjoy more. Sorry guys. The guitar solo here, however, is one of my favourites and also, from what I've observed, pretty underappreciated.

18 – Lifting Shadows Off a Dream – Awake
This is another laid-back song and it really works well. Myung is all over the place with his groovy bass and Petrucci's and Portnoy's restrained playing works very well and in favour of the song. The chorus is amazing, James' soaring vocals really make it.

[wasteland]

Oh, well, you invoked my rage 

[Prog Snob]

The Spirit Carries On and Learning to Live should be much higher.   

[senecadawg2]

Nice to see Lifting Shadows get such a high spot, but too bad it's in front of LtL.

[Cedar redaC]

Good choices!

I think it would be cool to see how John Myung sings. I know he won't, and I don't think any less of him because of it, but I can just imagine that he has a death growl that makes Mikeal Akerfeldt sound like a teenage boy with bronchitis.

[BlobVanDam]

It's funny that LTL will invoke rage in people for being ranked too low, but imo it's ranked way too high.
Same deal with Lifting Shadows. Part of that last half hour of Awake that completely kills the album for me.

But I'll give you a for TSCO.

[wasteland]

Same deal with Lifting Shadows. Part of that last half hour of Awake that completely kills the album for Blob.

But... But... Lifting Shadowa is my favourite DT song 

[?]

Same deal with Lifting Shadows. Part of that last half hour of Awake that completely kills the album for Blob.

But... But... Lifting Shadowa is my favourite DT song 

It isn't my favorite, but the last half hour of Awake does include 2 of my top 5 DT songs (not hard to guess which ones!), so you're not alone.

[Octavaripolis]

Same deal with Lifting Shadows. Part of that last half hour of Awake that completely kills the album for Blob.

But... But... Lifting Shadowa is my favourite DT song 

It isn't my favorite, but the last half hour of Awake does include 2 of my top 5 DT songs (not hard to guess which ones!), so you're not alone.

Awake is actually the only the album that contains as many songs on my top 50 as Images & Words. Damn special album.

[BlobVanDam]

Same deal with Lifting Shadows. Part of that last half hour of Awake that completely kills the album for Blob.

But... But... Lifting Shadowa is my favourite DT song 

.......Do you need a hug?

[GasparXR]

Same deal with Lifting Shadows. Part of that last half hour of Awake that completely kills the album for Blob.

But... But... Lifting Shadowa is my favourite DT song 

.......Do you need a hug?

I think he needs you to lift a shadow off of his dream. By hugging him.

[wasteland]

Oh, my, so many people presuming they know my needs

Gaspar, why did you stop selling pro-pain and propane accessories?

[Scorpion]

17 – Fatal Tragedy – Scenes from a Memory
This is, to me, the best individual song on SFAM. It has some awesome vocal melodies and a pretty groovy first half, but it's the second half that completely slays. The instrumental section here is really one of the best examples of all the guys showing their chops without detracting from the song. Especially Petrucci's final solo is gold.

16 – Goodnight Kiss – Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
I was a little sad that this one left rather early during the Six Degrees survivor, because it is, without doubt, my favourite movement of Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence. It features some very emotional lyrics by JLB, even though it is a little funny when he calls himself a poor girl. Jordan's little key solo after the first chorus is pretty underrated, I think, I rarely see it mentioned. Of course, the highlight is Petrucci's awesome solo at the end, it never fails to give me chills.

15 – Wait for Sleep – Images and Words
Wait, what? Yes, I rank Wait for Sleep this high, and higher than Learning to Live. It's short, that's true, but it's perfect. The main piano motif is very hypnotic and draws you in, and James' performance here is nothing but breathtaking. Not much more to say about this one, I guess, because it doesn't really offer that much, but I don't really care. Also, this is my second favourite on I&W.

[Prog Snob]

16 – Goodnight Kiss – Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
I was a little sad that this one left rather early during the Six Degrees survivor, because it is, without doubt, my favourite movement of Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence. It features some very emotional lyrics by JLB, even though it is a little funny when he calls himself a poor girl. Jordan's little key solo after the first chorus is pretty underrated, I think, I rarely see it mentioned. Of course, the highlight is Petrucci's awesome solo at the end, it never fails to give me chills.

Love this song!  This is one of my favorite JP solos.  The whole climax of the song is fucking brilliant.

[MoraWintersoul]

I thought MP wrote the lyrics to Goodnight Kiss? They are really beautiful and I don't have any problems with them; the ending solo is top notch, Wait For Sleep in the top 15 is badass and Fatal Tragedy rules.

[wasteland]

I thought MP wrote the lyrics to Goodnight Kiss? They are really beautiful and I don't have any problems with them; the ending solo is top notch, Wait For Sleep in the top 15 is badass and Fatal Tragedy rules.

Yep, the lyrics are definitely MP's, even though I agree that they kind of sound Jamesey.

[Prog Snob]

I thought MP wrote the lyrics to Goodnight Kiss? They are really beautiful and I don't have any problems with them; the ending solo is top notch, Wait For Sleep in the top 15 is badass and Fatal Tragedy rules.

I am pretty sure he did. 

[Scorpion]

I thought MP wrote the lyrics to Goodnight Kiss? They are really beautiful and I don't have any problems with them; the ending solo is top notch, Wait For Sleep in the top 15 is badass and Fatal Tragedy rules.

Yeah, MP wrote them, but James sings them, so that's what I meant.

[MoraWintersoul]

I thought MP wrote the lyrics to Goodnight Kiss? They are really beautiful and I don't have any problems with them; the ending solo is top notch, Wait For Sleep in the top 15 is badass and Fatal Tragedy rules.

Yeah, MP wrote them, but James sings them, so that's what I meant.

Ah okay sorry for being a jerk

[Scorpion]

Four today, because I want to do the Top 10 one each, 'cause I have some snazzy thread titles in mind for that.

14 – Space-Dye Vest – Awake
Everyone knew that this had to be here, somewhere. This is Kevin Moore's swan song for DT, and it's a great one. The haunting main melody, the samples that are both a little spooky and that draw you in like no others, and the desolate soundscape that is created when the distorted guitars enter, all of these come together to form a song that is unlike everything else that Dream Theater have recorded before or since this song, and it's damn good.

13 – Bridges in the Sky – A Dramatic Turn of Events
When I first heard the opening shaman drone, I was a little apprehensive, but once the main riff kicked in, I knew that everything was right again. Bridges in the Sky has Dream Theater doing what they do best and it works splendidly. What really stands out are James' awesome vocal melodies throughout and that goddamn powerful chorus. The instrumental section isn't too shabby either, but James really gives this song the edge. I bet that this completely slayed as a concert opener.

12 – Disappear – Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
It's close between Space-Dye Vest and this, but by a fraction of a hair, this is Dream Theater's most haunting song to date. The subtle keyboard work and the drumming, coupled with James' heartfelt vocals (along with some of his best lyrics) make this a masterpiece, which only picks up when the distorted guitars enter in the chorus ("So I move along..."). The live version isn't nearly as great, mainly because it's too sped-up, but the studio version is impeccable.

11 – Surrounded – Images and Words
This is one of Dream Theater's most uplifting songs ever, in my opinion. The way that Kevin layers the synths here is awesome, and I love how the song takes its time before the band enters. Again, we have a great vocal performance here (the second "Let the light surround you!", before the guitar solo, never fails to send chills down my spine, for example), which is further helped along by some of KM's best lyrics for DT. Interestingly enough, I'm one of the few people that I know of that also likes the '07 version of this song, even though the uber-long guitar solo and the Sugar Mice part could have been cut – the main solo, however, with the unison, is damn awesome and I won't listen to anyone who says anything different.

[BlobVanDam]

All great choices, except for SDV, which is a total snoozefest. But your nice write-up for Disappear makes up for that.

[MoraWintersoul]

Examples of prime Dream Theater songwriting

[wasteland]

Oh, well, we are entering the place where only the best of the best dwells! One of them is a bit too low for me, but they are all among the very best songs our favourite band has ever been able to write. Milestones.

[Scorpion]

Also, in case someone wants to guess for the Top 10, here's the list so far.

50. The Best of Times
49. Stream of Consciousness
48. In the Presence of Enemies
47. Pull Me Under
46. Lie
45. The Root of All Evil
44. Repentance
43. Solitary Shell
42. These Walls
41. Erotomania
40. On the Backs of Angels
39. Take the Time
38. Endless Sacrifice
37. The Test That Stumped Them All
36. Vacant
35. About to Crash
34. The Ministry of Lost Souls
33. Sacrificed Sons
32. Anna Lee
31. This Is The Life
30. Peruvian Skies
29. The Mirror
28. Overture 1928
27. Wither
26. The Great Debate
25. Home
24. The Killing Hand
23. The Count of Tuscany
22. Beneath the Surface
21. Don't Look Past Me
20. The Spirit Carries On
19. Learning to Live
18. Lifting Shadows Off a Dream
17. Fatal Tragedy
16. Goodnight Kiss
15. Wait for Sleep
14. Space-Dye Vest
13. Bridges in the Sky
12. Disappear
11. Surrounded

[Scorpion]

Alright, no guesses, so I'll just continue along. Also, I decided against snazzy thread titles, because they're not really all that creative or funny or anything.

10 – Breaking All Illusions – A Dramatic Turn of Events
One of the best songs that DT have written in the last decade, period. While Myung's lyrics here aren't really all that special (he's written quite a few better ones), the music more than makes up for it. My favourite parts of the song are probably "Life's biggest battles...", courtesy to the absolutely majestic vocals, and of course the guitar solo, which is a perfect example how a solo can build up from a simple basis to absolutely majestic and soaring heights.

09 – Voices – Awake
This song shows impressively that JP can write some pretty awesome lyrics when he wants to, which makes some of what I would consider lyrical missteps of his on later albums even more disappointing – Voices really shows that he can use imagery just as well as Myung or Moore at their respective lyrical peaks. Musically, this song is a powerhouse as well, going through several different musical styles without feeling disjointed. Also, the guitar solo here is noteworthy again and one of Petrucci's best.

[?]

Both songs are excellent! I'm pretty sure Metropolis, ACOS and Scarred will all appear on the list, and I also remember that you like Eve a lot

[Elite]

My guesses:

Metropolis Pt. 1
A Change of Seasons
Scarred
Eve
Finally Free
Misunderstood
Blind Faith
Trial of Tears

--

Yes, that's no Octavarium on your list.

[Prog Snob]

Alright, no guesses, so I'll just continue along. Also, I decided against snazzy thread titles, because they're not really all that creative or funny or anything.

10 – Breaking All Illusions – A Dramatic Turn of Events
One of the best songs that DT have written in the last decade, period. While Myung's lyrics here aren't really all that special (he's written quite a few better ones), the music more than makes up for it. My favourite parts of the song are probably "Life's biggest battles...", courtesy to the absolutely majestic vocals, and of course the guitar solo, which is a perfect example how a solo can build up from a simple basis to absolutely majestic and soaring heights.

09 – Voices – Awake
This song shows impressively that JP can write some pretty awesome lyrics when he wants to, which makes some of what I would consider lyrical missteps of his on later albums even more disappointing – Voices really shows that he can use imagery just as well as Myung or Moore at their respective lyrical peaks. Musically, this song is a powerhouse as well, going through several different musical styles without feeling disjointed. Also, the guitar solo here is noteworthy again and one of Petrucci's best.

Great choices!  Snob approved.   

[BlobVanDam]

Like most of ADTOE, I find BAI to be underwhelming, and very overrated. Not bad, but not a top 50 possibility for me.
Voices is a cool song though, and that JP solo is damn tasty. Very rockin'.