Your favorite off kilter, left of center deep cuts?

[zappafrank2112]

What are some songs that probably don't spring to mind in terms of a "best of" or "this is what the band is all about," but which you nevertheless hold near and dear?

For me, it's Status Seeker, easily.  There's something so haunting about it, almost mystical in the aura it conjures.  And I *love* MP's playing on it, especially the tom fills at the end of the 2nd verse, and the way he gets more aggressive with each iteration of "at the drop of a dime" in the chorus where by the final time, he's like a Keith Moon spazz out.

[TAC]

I love Prophets Of War. Always have since first listen.

[Herrick]

Pull Me Under.

[tjanuranus]

The killing hand
You Or Me
The way it used to be
Speak to Me

[Cool Chris]

I love Prophets Of War. Always have since first listen.

Same here. Other than the deep voice section I think its a fun song. Not James' best lyrics but they work fine. Better than half the other lyrics on SC.

[Phoenix87x]

Another won
The ones who help to set the sun - Dark, very atmospheric and eerie. A very cool and off beat kind of song
The Dark eternal night - Its infectiously addictive and fun.
Eve- simple and beautiful

I'm sure I have more. Those are first 3 that came to mind 

[DTA]

Speak To Me, Disappear, and You Not Me. I absolutely love these songs and wish they got more attention from the band and the fans. I'm not a huge fan of You Or Me oddly enough...I think shortening it and switching the chorus was a great improvement.

[Ruba]

For me, it's Status Seeker, easily.  There's something so haunting about it, almost mystical in the aura it conjures.  And I *love* MP's playing on it, especially the tom fills at the end of the 2nd verse, and the way he gets more aggressive with each iteration of "at the drop of a dime" in the chorus where by the final time, he's like a Keith Moon spazz out.

That one was a single, doesn't count as a deep cut.

OK maybe it does. I love it, like all of the WDADU.

[zappafrank2112]

For me, it's Status Seeker, easily.  There's something so haunting about it, almost mystical in the aura it conjures.  And I *love* MP's playing on it, especially the tom fills at the end of the 2nd verse, and the way he gets more aggressive with each iteration of "at the drop of a dime" in the chorus where by the final time, he's like a Keith Moon spazz out.

That one was a single, doesn't count as a deep cut.

OK maybe it does. I love it, like all of the WDADU.

Really?  Never knew that.  When I think the main songs from WDADU, I think A Fortune in Lies, The Ytse Jam, and The Killing Hand.

[Ruba]

For me, it's Status Seeker, easily.  There's something so haunting about it, almost mystical in the aura it conjures.  And I *love* MP's playing on it, especially the tom fills at the end of the 2nd verse, and the way he gets more aggressive with each iteration of "at the drop of a dime" in the chorus where by the final time, he's like a Keith Moon spazz out.

That one was a single, doesn't count as a deep cut.

OK maybe it does. I love it, like all of the WDADU.

Really?  Never knew that.  When I think the main songs from WDADU, I think A Fortune in Lies, The Ytse Jam, and The Killing Hand.

Oh, it was only a promo single. My bad.

https://www.discogs.com/Dream-Theater-Status-Seeker/release/4828480

[TheCountOfNYC]

Never Enough. I don’t care that it sounds like Muse’s Stockholm Syndrome. I don’t care that the lyrics are Mike Portnoy trashing his fans. It’s a fun song.

[DT1138]

Pull Me Under.

 

Awesome.


I'll say...

Fatal Tragedy
The Test that Stumped Them All
Take Away My Pain

[Madman Shepherd]

Prophets of War
Anna Lee
Take Away My Pain (album version, not the Kenny G version)
You Not Me
Light Fuse and Get Away
Build Me Up, Break Me Down
Beneath the Surface

[Setlist Scotty]

Never Enough. I don’t care that it sounds like Muse’s Stockholm Syndrome. I don’t care that the lyrics are Mike Portnoy trashing his fans. It’s a fun song.

Don't forget that instrumental section!
 
 

Take Away My Pain (album version, not the Kenny G version)

The Kenny G version being the one on Once in a LIVEtime?

For me, I would say:
Light Fuse and Get Away
The Ones Who Help to Set the Sun
Only a Matter of Time
Bombay Vindaloo
Barfbag
Raise the Knife
Speak to Me
The Great Debate
Disappear
Never Enough
Heaven's Cove

[Cool Chris]

Damn, didn't think about Disappear because I personally rank it so high.

I likewise like Never Enough reasonably well. It's not a 5* song but still a good album tune.

[Volante99]

I’ll second a couple picks here:

Another Won - Score version - the whole band plays the hell of out of this song live. I distinctly remember them playing this on the tour as well and getting a HUGE audience pop at the end. Not an easy thing to do with a relatively unknown song.

You Or Me - they basically took one of their best/catchiest choruses and turned it into one of their worst (You Not Me). Damn shame. Fits way better as a companion piece to New Millenium as well. Not to mention some really tasty guitar playing from Petrucci.

[JLa]

Not sure if I understand the question fully. 

Does either of "Blind Faith" or "These Walls" fit? I love those.

Also agree with "Another Won" from Score. I played that on repeat for weeks when Score came out. What an awesome tune, and totally unknown for the majority of people.

[erwinrafael]

What's a deep cut for a nonmainstream band like Dream Theater?

[MirrorMask]

Speak to me and I Walk Beside You.

Also, You Not Me is not near as bad as everyone and Mike Portnoy make it out to be.

[Architeuthis]

Never Enough, great riffs and vocals and it rocks! 
Honor Thy Father 
Behind the Veil 
Lost not Forgotten 
Viper King = fun.   
Raise The Knife. 
Scarred. 
 

[silentmac6]

Never Enough. I don’t care that it sounds like Muse’s Stockholm Syndrome. I don’t care that the lyrics are Mike Portnoy trashing his fans. It’s a fun song.

Don't forget that instrumental section!
 
Absolutely!!!

Also...
Only a Matter of Time
Voices
Just Let Me Breathe  (Once in a LIVETime version rocks)
Endless Scarifice

[Setlist Scotty]

What's a deep cut for a nonmainstream band like Dream Theater?

"Mike Thinks He's Dee Dee Ramone Introducing a Song Song"

 

[Trav86]

A Vision ‘89

[lovethedrake]

The Killing Hand and Anna Lee. 

[hefdaddy42]

For me, Eve is a Top 10 DT song.  I never see anyone else say that (other than bosk1, of course), so I guess that counts.

Speak to Me and Raise the Knife are both fantastic as well.

[Samsara]

Off the top of my head, Speak to Me and Eve are my favorite "deep cuts" from Dream Theater.

[Mladen]

I'll never get tired of singling out Cover my eyes as one of their best short songs. How this one didn't make it onto Falling into infinity is beyond me, it would have been perfect for that era. Such a fantastic tune.

As far as album songs go, The Ministry of lost souls and Disappear are top 10 songs for me, but I rarely see either making it to anyone else's top 10.

[Madman Shepherd]

Not sure if I understand the question fully. 

Does either of "Blind Faith" or "These Walls" fit? I love those.

I took the question meaning songs that are not well represented or spoken of that much, so both would count. However, I think Blind Faith gets a ton of love. I can't think of very many people that don't love it.

These Walls on the other hand very few people speak of. I always just thought the song was just kind of...."there." When they pulled it out on the ADTOE tour I was blown away. Translated much better live than on album. Similar to Shattered Fortress in that regard.

[Samsara]

I'll never get tired of singling out Cover my eyes as one of their best short songs. How this one didn't make it onto Falling into infinity is beyond me, it would have been perfect for that era. Such a fantastic tune.

Agreed. That was third on my list, actually.

In addition, I am a huge fan of Anna Lee. It doesn't get much love at all, either by the fans or the band, but I think that is an OUTSTANDING song, and has always been in my top songs from DT.

[Podaar]

If Disappear qualifies as a deep cut, then definitely Disappear. Easily a top 10 song for me!

[The Walrus]

Speak To Me

[RaiseTheKnife]

Agree with all of the above.  Same great deep cuts getting highlighted (You Or Me, A Vision '89) - but I'm not seeing any love for Raw Dog, so I'm here representin'!!

Raw Dog.

[TAC]

Agree with all of the above.  Same great deep cuts getting highlighted (You Or Me, A Vision '89) - but I'm not seeing any love for Raw Dog, so I'm here representin'!!

Raw Dog.

I almost posted that, but I didn't think it'd be taken seriously. I think Raw Dog is excellent, and I have NEVER understood the hate it gets.

[aglenn01]

Scarred. One of my very favorite DT tracks, when I feel that lineup of the band was at their creative peak.
The Great Debate and Raise the Knife are also very very good.

[JLa]

Scarred. One of my very favorite DT tracks, when I feel that lineup of the band was at their creative peak.
The Great Debate and Raise the Knife are also very very good.

Oh, Scarred!  Just amazing. I rate this so high it didn't even cross my mind for this thread.

Somewhat funny story: way back while in school, the teachers arranged a "music cafe". Idea was that the students would tell something about their favourite band or artist and play a song for the others to listen. I went with Scarred.

The look on their faces when the song hit five minutes... Seven.. Nine... "Oh god make it stop!" 

Probably should have gone with Pull Me Under!

A few people thought the song was nice though..