Dream Theater Top 100 countdown - 2024 Version! (#01 Up!)

[CanuckChum]

43. As I Am (70). This sets the tone well for the album, it's also very catchy and energetic.
42. Innocence Faded (Unranked). I don't listen to this outside of the album. It's cool that it's a more brighter sounding song on a darker sounding album though.
41. Disappear (33). I love Vacant, and this is almost an extended version of that song. Very haunting and beautiful sounds here. It reaches more of a climax at the end which helps it stand out more on its own.

[WardySI]

As I am #26
Innocence Faded #18
Disappear #52

Hectic week so catching up a little, and can I just say Stadler was spot on!  Beautiful best describes so many DT songs and as so many of you have already agreed, Wait For Sleep is exactly that.  Beautiful.  And I knew it would rank high for me although wasn't expecting it to be at #4 but I'll take it! 

Well deserved, what a song 

[ReaperKK]

Baby Friday update!

40. Erotomania
Highest Finish: 5 (KevShmev)
Number of Lists appeared on: 59 (Adami, Animal, Awaken, axeman90210, Ben_Jamin, bosk1, CanuckChum, CharlesPL, Cool Chris, Dave_Manchester, devieira73, DragonAttack, DTwwbwMP, energythief, Fonzie, hefdaddy42, Indiscipline, Jamesman42, jammindude, jeff_kinsley, JiM-Xtreme, jingle.boy, jonny108, JPZealot, KevShmev, King Puppies and the Acid Guppies, Lethean, lightningbolt, lucasembarbosa, Metro, MirrorMask, Mladen, MoraWintersoul, Mosh, MustActFastToCoverUp, nobloodyname, NoFred, OpenYourEyes311, pg1067, PixelDream, Podaar, porcacultor, ReaperKK, ReaPsTA, Revenge319, romdrums, Setlist Scotty, Stadler, SwedishGoose, TAC, The Realm, Toro, Trav86, twosuitsluke, WardySI, weirdo, Wim Kruithof, wolfking, Zydar)

I love this song, one of my favorite DT instrumentals. This song always reminds me of my mom. When I was 15 I got my first guitar after wanting one for years, a few months into playing I tried to learn this song. I got about as far the opening riff, and even that was horrendous but I played it over and over, full volume out of my little amp. Years later after I moved out I was visiting home, I was driving with my mp3 player going and this song came on with my mom in the passenger seat. She says to me "Oh I know this song", I said "really?" she is like "yeah, I've heard you play it non-stop when you lived at home". It dawned on me that I never considered she may not appreciate my sweet JP riffs at full blast in our tiny 2 bedroom apartment. Anyway, she then followed up saying while it was not the preferred noise she wanted to hear in the house she was just happy that I was doing something I love.

39. Stream Of Consciousness
Highest Finish: 2 (Podaar)
Number of Lists appeared on: 58 (Adami, Animal, Awaken, axeman90210, Ben_Jamin, bosk1, CanuckChum, CharlesPL, Cool Chris, Dave_Manchester, devieira73, DragonAttack, DTwwbwMP, energythief, Evermind, Fonzie, hefdaddy42, Indiscipline, Jamesman42, jammindude, jeff_kinsley, JiM-Xtreme, jingle.boy, jonny108, JPZealot, KevShmev, King Puppies and the Acid Guppies, lightningbolt, lucasembarbosa, mariner, Mladen, MoraWintersoul, Mosh, MustActFastToCoverUp, nobloodyname, NoFred, OpenYourEyes311, pg1067, PixelDream, Podaar, porcacultor, ReaperKK, ReaPsTA, Revenge319, romdrums, Setlist Scotty, SwedishGoose, TAC, The Realm, Toro, Trav86, twosuitsluke, Vmadera00, WardySI, weirdo, Wim Kruithof, wolfking, Zydar)

Another instrumental! This one was one point ahead of Erotomania. I'm a big fan of this one too.

38. Another Day (tied with Zydar)
Highest Finish: 3 (Zydar)
Number of Lists appeared on: 63 (Adami, Animal, Awaken, axeman90210, Ben_Jamin, CanuckChum, CharlesPL, Cool Chris, Dave_Manchester, devieira73, Dittomist, DragonAttack, Dream Team, DTwwbwMP, energythief, Evermind, Fonzie, geeeemo, hefdaddy42, Indiscipline, Jamesman42, jammindude, jeff_kinsley, JiM-Xtreme, jingle.boy, jonny108, JPZealot, KevShmev, King Puppies and the Acid Guppies, Lethean, lightningbolt, lucasembarbosa, mariner, Metro, MirrorMask, Mladen, MoraWintersoul, Mosh, MustActFastToCoverUp, nobloodyname, NoFred, OpenYourEyes311, Peter Mc, pg1067, PixelDream, porcacultor, ReaperKK, ReaPsTA, Revenge319, romdrums, Stadler, SwedishGoose, TAC, The Realm, Toro, Trav86, twosuitsluke, Vmadera00, WardySI, weirdo, Wim Kruithof, wolfking, Zydar)

Just three users shy of being on everyone's list! I really loved this song when I first heard it, and it's held up pretty good through the years but recently it has started to sound a bit more dated to my years.

[nobloodyname]

38. Zydar
Highest Finish: 3 (Zydar)
Number of Lists appeared on: 63 (Adami, Animal, Awaken, axeman90210, Ben_Jamin, CanuckChum, CharlesPL, Cool Chris, Dave_Manchester, devieira73, Dittomist, DragonAttack, Dream Team, DTwwbwMP, energythief, Evermind, Fonzie, geeeemo, hefdaddy42, Indiscipline, Jamesman42, jammindude, jeff_kinsley, JiM-Xtreme, jingle.boy, jonny108, JPZealot, KevShmev, King Puppies and the Acid Guppies, Lethean, lightningbolt, lucasembarbosa, mariner, Metro, MirrorMask, Mladen, MoraWintersoul, Mosh, MustActFastToCoverUp, nobloodyname, NoFred, OpenYourEyes311, Peter Mc, pg1067, PixelDream, porcacultor, ReaperKK, ReaPsTA, Revenge319, romdrums, Stadler, SwedishGoose, TAC, The Realm, Toro, Trav86, twosuitsluke, Vmadera00, WardySI, weirdo, Wim Kruithof, wolfking, Zydar)

Just three users shy of being on everyone's list! I really loved this song when I first heard it, and it's held up pretty good through the years but recently it has started to sound a bit more dated to my years.

Wow, go Zydar! In at number 38! Although you only rated yourself at number three. Disappointing.

[Evermind]

I forgot to rank Zydar

[Adami]

I’ve always loved Zydar. Glad I’m not alone.

[Lonk]

38. Zydar
Highest Finish: 3 (Zydar)
Number of Lists appeared on: 63 (Adami, Animal, Awaken, axeman90210, Ben_Jamin, CanuckChum, CharlesPL, Cool Chris, Dave_Manchester, devieira73, Dittomist, DragonAttack, Dream Team, DTwwbwMP, energythief, Evermind, Fonzie, geeeemo, hefdaddy42, Indiscipline, Jamesman42, jammindude, jeff_kinsley, JiM-Xtreme, jingle.boy, jonny108, JPZealot, KevShmev, King Puppies and the Acid Guppies, Lethean, lightningbolt, lucasembarbosa, mariner, Metro, MirrorMask, Mladen, MoraWintersoul, Mosh, MustActFastToCoverUp, nobloodyname, NoFred, OpenYourEyes311, Peter Mc, pg1067, PixelDream, porcacultor, ReaperKK, ReaPsTA, Revenge319, romdrums, Stadler, SwedishGoose, TAC, The Realm, Toro, Trav86, twosuitsluke, Vmadera00, WardySI, weirdo, Wim Kruithof, wolfking, Zydar)

Just three users shy of being on everyone's list! I really loved this song when I first heard it, and it's held up pretty good through the years but recently it has started to sound a bit more dated to my years.

How is this not #1? We messed up. Best song they ever made.

Also, are you calling Zydar old? Rude 

[Lonk]

40. Erotomania: NR.

39. Stream of Consciousness: #4. I thought I would be the highest ranker for this one, but Podaar. Love this piece. I even wrote an analysis essay during college about it (I wish I still had that paper).

#38: Another Day: #65. Yeah I agree. It sounds a bit dated to my ears as well. It's find and the solo is great, but not something to seek very often.

[ReaperKK]

sorry guys! It's still early

[Awaken]

Rank - Song - my rank
40 - Erotomania - 38 - one of my favorite instrumentals, and love it even more in the context of the album.  The first DT song I tried to learn on guitar, got a decent way through but was never going to be talented enough/able to spend the required time on the solos . . .
39 - Stream of Consciousness - 53 - another favorite, really got into this one all over again preparing for the countdown
38 - Another Day - 35 - one of my favorite JLB performances, great song on a great album

[MirrorMask]

40. Erotomania

While I have nothing against instrumentals, my personal preference for full songs with vocals will put them at a disadvantage. Praise Erotomania all you want, I won't stop you, it's wickedly cool how the themes of Awake are interpolated in the songs, but it finished "only" at 71, 31 positions lower.


39. Steam Of Consciousness

Yeah, about that "instrumentals are not doing generally well with me"... this song didn't rank for me. Gasp! I do like it, I strongly appreciated the mood and how it has a main riff and it's not mindless wankery, it brilliantly fits the dark atmospheres of Train of Thought.

However, this song ranked only 119 for me, way below the 100th mark. Dunno why, I like the song, but I trusted the ranker. Maybe next time around it will find its place in the top 100, the song is cool as I said.

And for the record - here it is. The song I didn't rank, but I KNEW would be there. Now I predict that all the remaining songs will be in my list as well, and that the 22 songs from my list that won't be there are all accounted for. I guess I can put to rest the hope that a slow song from the Mangini era will be there by now....

38. Another Day

Awesome song from a masterpiece album. Nothing much to add, we all know the song, it perfectly encapsules the contrast of the more mellow pieces of I&W with the more intricate and longer songs. Finished 47 for me, 9 positions lower, the competition is tough.

[Zydar]

Aw shucks, guys. Thanks for the love 

And yeah, Another Day is pure brilliance from start to finish.

[Stadler]

38. Zydar
Highest Finish: 3 (Zydar)
Number of Lists appeared on: 63 (Adami, Animal, Awaken, axeman90210, Ben_Jamin, CanuckChum, CharlesPL, Cool Chris, Dave_Manchester, devieira73, Dittomist, DragonAttack, Dream Team, DTwwbwMP, energythief, Evermind, Fonzie, geeeemo, hefdaddy42, Indiscipline, Jamesman42, jammindude, jeff_kinsley, JiM-Xtreme, jingle.boy, jonny108, JPZealot, KevShmev, King Puppies and the Acid Guppies, Lethean, lightningbolt, lucasembarbosa, mariner, Metro, MirrorMask, Mladen, MoraWintersoul, Mosh, MustActFastToCoverUp, nobloodyname, NoFred, OpenYourEyes311, Peter Mc, pg1067, PixelDream, porcacultor, ReaperKK, ReaPsTA, Revenge319, romdrums, Stadler, SwedishGoose, TAC, The Realm, Toro, Trav86, twosuitsluke, Vmadera00, WardySI, weirdo, Wim Kruithof, wolfking, Zydar)

Just three users shy of being on everyone's list! I really loved this song when I first heard it, and it's held up pretty good through the years but recently it has started to sound a bit more dated to my years.

Wow, go Zydar! In at number 38! Although you only rated yourself at number three. Disappointing.

He's a humble man.   It's why we love him.   Well, that and the gifs. 

[Stadler]

157. The Dark Eternal Night
155. Hell's Kitchen
154. S2N
150. The Killing Hand
146. Disappear
145. Vacant
143. Honor Thy Father
142. Ytsejam
139. Panic Attack
138. Wither
135. Only A Matter Of Time
132. Barstool Warrior
125. Stream Of Consciousness
124. Through Her Eyes
123. Never Enough
122. The Alien
121. Afterlife
120. A Fortune In Lies
109. Outcry
105. Sleeping Giant
104. Surrender To Reason
----
98.  Another Day
97.  Awaken The Master
96.  Behind The Veil
95.  The Great Debate
90.  On The Backs Of Angels
85.  Constant Motion
84.  Beneath The Surface
82.  Peruvian Skies
80.  The Enemy Inside
78.  Hollow Years
76.  The Shattered Fortress
73.  Lie
68.  A Nightmare To Remember
67.  The Silent Man
62.  As I Am
61.  These Walls
59.  The Gift of Music
57.  The Bigger Picture
56.  One Last Time
55.  Pale Blue Dot
54.  Answering The Call
52.  Lost Not Forgotten
51.  Fall Into The Light
46.  A New Beginning
44.  Forsaken
43.  A View From The Top Of The World
41.  The Looking Glass
40.  The Ministry Of Lost Souls
36.  New Millenium
34.  Wait For Sleep
33.  Transcending Time
31.  The Best Of Times
30.  Erotomania
28.  Our New World
25.  Raise The Knife
23.  I Walk Beside You
21.  Sacrificed Sons
19.  Caught In A Web
14.  To Live Forever
9.    Innocence Faded
7.    This Dying Soul
5.    This Is The Life

[Mladen]

Erotomania was my #45. Their third best instrumental.

Scream of consciousness was my #24. Their second best instrumental.

Another day is my #74. If I had to pick my least favorite song on Images and words, it would be this one. And I still love it.

[hefdaddy42]

40 Erotomania - I have loved this one since the first time I heard it, all those years ago.  I had it at # 26.

39 Stream of Consciousness - Wow, everyone else apparently likes this more than I do, since it clocked in at # 93 for me lol.  I do like it, but its repetitive nature makes it stand out in the wrong way for me.  I like it when I'm listening to it, but I am rarely in the mood to listen to it.

38 Another Day - A DT classic.  I had it at # 54.  Almost impossible to sing.


Hey, 35 of my top 50 are still in play for the top 39!  Of course, I'm pretty sure that some won't scratch this list.

[Indiscipline]

Erotomania: 31. An instrumental with a lot of singing. Not sung by voice, but still.

Stream of Consciousness: 14. A near perfect instrumental journey. The evolutionary Orion.

Another Day: 42. Is there a more fun ballad to play on a guitar? Plus, it contains my favourite DT fragment of lyrics: better to save the mystery than surrender to the secret.

Zydar: 1. Forum treasure.



The Score so far:

14 - Stream of Consciousness
21 - A New Beginning
23 - Disappear
27 - The Best of Times
28 - Outcry
31 - Erotomania
33 - Surrender to Reason
36 - This Is the Life
38 - Hell's Kitchen
42 - Another Day
43 - One Last Time
45 - Vacant
46 - The Gift of Music
47 - Beneath the Surface
48 - The Silent Man
54 - Peruvian Skies
56 - The Bigger Picture
61 - Wait for Sleep
65 - Pale Blue Dot
68 - Our New World
70 - Innocence Faded
71 - Behind the Veil
72 - The Looking Glass
78 - Lie
79 - Hollow Years
87 - Ytse Jam
89 - Through Her Eyes
90 - Lost Not Forgotten
92 - The Killing Hand
95 - Barstool Warrior
96 - Fall Into the Light
97 - A Fortune in Lies

Not Ranked: 31

[HOF]

Erotomania is a song that I've always kind of taken for granted. There's nothing wrong with it, it just kind of meanders a bit and doesn't have a big impact on me when I hear it. It's nice for what it is, but isn't my favorite moment on Awake.

Stream of Consciousness on the other hand is the main redeeming quality to Train of Thought. One of their top instrumental tracks for sure.

Even though Caught in a Web was the first DT song I remember hearing, Another Day is the first DT song that totally blew me away. My dad was a bit of a "smooth jazz" nut, so I heard a lot of that sort of music growing up and was always somewhat dismissive of it. This was a metal power ballad with a smooth jazz sax break. That kind of blew my mind. I loved it and still do. Great vocal performance, great solo, great sax.

[Evermind]

Erotomania - not ranked - just missed out my top 100. Not a big fan, and didn't expect it to appear once we were in Top 50.

Stream of Consciousness - #16 - absolutely amazing instrumental, my favourite from DT. Just glorious.

Another Day - #22 - this is a bit too low I think. This song once was in my Top 3, nowadays I'd say it should be around the 15th place. Still an amazing song.

[SwedishGoose]

Erotomania ranked at 48 for me. Very nice instrumental from a great album.
Stream of Consciousness at 62 in my ranking. Another nice instrumental. Middle of the road for DT.
Another Day..... now we are talking! My highest ranking so far at 6. Beautiful song with amazing vocals and saxophone....oh and that guitar... sending shivers down my spine.... You won't find it here......



My ranking so far

6 Another Day (38)
8 One Last Time (46)
19 The Silent Man (66)
21 Caught In a Web (51)
27 Wait For Sleep (44t)
28 Through Her Eyes  (74)
32 Awaken the Master (81)
33 Sleeping Giant (85)
37 Our New World (93)
38 Innocence Faded (42)
41 A View from the Top of the World (49t)
44 The Great Debate (53)
45 To Live Forever (76)
47 Lie (47t)
48 Erotomania (40)
50 Answering the Call (75)
54 Beneath the Surface (64)
57 Pale Blue Dot (62)
59 Transcending Time (90)
64 Sacrificed Sons (63)
65 The Looking Glass (92)
66 Hollow Years (59)
62 Stream of Consciousness  (39)
73 As I Am (43)
75 The Alien (69)
77 A Nightmare To Remember (49t)
81 Behind the Veil (89)
86 Peruvian Skies (44t)
87 Surrender To Reason (83)
88 Ytse Jam (67)
89 Forsaken (95)
91. The Gift of Music (98)
94. Never Enough (100)
99 These Walls (54)
100 Honor Thy Father (71)


Highest ranker of
8 One Last Time (46)

Not rated
Wither (99), Vacant (97), Afterlife (96), S2N (94), A New Beginning (91), This is the Life (88), New Millennium (87), Constant Motion (86), The Enemy Inside (84), Only a Matter of Time (82), I Walk Beside You (80), The Shattered Fortress (79), A Fortune In Lies (78), The Best Of Times (78), Lost Not Forgotten (73), Fall Into the Light (72), The Dark Eternal Night (70), The Killing Hand (68), Raise The Knife (65), The Ministry of Lost Souls (61), The Bigger Picture (60), Outcry (58),  Hell's Kitchen (57), On The Backs Of Angels (56), Panic Attack (55), Barstool Warrior (52), This Dying Soul (47t), Disappear (41)

Rated: 35
Not rated: 28

[pg1067]

40. Erotomania

39. Steam Of Consciousness

38. Another Day (tied with Zydar)

I like Erotomania, but there's something that keeps it from being up at the top of my favorite instrumentals list.  I had it at #82.  It finished at #52 in the prior countdown, so a decent jump this time.

Stream of Consciousness, on the other hand, is to DT what La Villas Strangiato is to Rush.  It's not just their best instrumental; it fights with "regular" songs for the uppermost echelons of the catalog.  I ranked LVS at #12 in the Rush countdown and had Stream at #11, so I'm disappointed that it's this low.  However, 39 is a jump from last time, where the song placed at #50.

I really liked Another Day when I first heard I&W, but now, it's just another song.  I had it at #88.  It finished at #44 in the prior countdown, so it got a slight bump.



List                                                    Not Ranked         
100  This Dying Soul (47T)                  Never Enough (100), The Gift of Music (98), Our New World (93), A New Beginning (91), New Millennium (87), Sleeping Giant (85), Awaken the Master (81), The Best of Times (77), To Live Forever (75T)
99  I Walk Beside You (80)                  Answering the Call (75T), Lost Not Forgotten (73), Fall into the Light (72), Honor Thy Father (71), Raise the Knife (65), Peruvian Skies (44T), Disappear (41)
98
97  This Is the Life (88)
96
95
94
93
92  The Ministry of Lost Souls (61)
91
90
89
88  Another Day (38)
87  Innocence Faded (42)
86  Lie (47T)
85
84  Forsaken (95)
83
82  Erotomania (40)
81
80
79  Vacant (97)
78  Wait for Sleep (44T)
77  The Silent Man (66)
76
75  A Fortune in Lies (78)
74
73  A Nightmare to Remember (50)
72
71
70
69
68  The Shattered Fortress (79)
67  The Dark Eternal Night (70)
66  Pale Blue Dot (62)
65  Transcending Time (90)
64
63
62
61  Beneath the Surface (64)
60  Hell's Kitchen (57)
59  Afterlife (96)
58
57  Surrender to Reason (83T)
56
55  The Alien (69)
54
53  The Bigger Picture (60)
52
51
50
49  As I Am (43)
48  A View from the Top of the World (49)
47
46  Behind the Veil (89)
45
44  On the Backs of Angels (56)
43  Ytse Jam (67)
42  One Last Time (46)
41  Through Her Eyes (74)
40
39  The Enemy Inside (83T)
38  Hollow Years (59)
37
36
35
34
33  Outcry (33)
32
31  The Looking Glass (92)
30
29
28  S2N (94)
27  Wither (99)
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19  Sacrificed Sons (63)
18  Constant Motion (86) (high ranker)
17  Only a Matter of Time (82)
16
15  The Killing Hand (68)
14
13
12
11  Stream of Consciousness (39)
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

[DragonAttack]

'Zydar' and 'Steam' ....somehow both fit for some odd reason

Karolis, you need more coffee in the AM.....

[Stadler]

Stream of Consciousness, on the other hand, is to DT what La Villas Strangiato is to Rush. 

As someone who ranked LVS as their number one Rush song not too long ago, I'm not sure I can agree with this. "Erotomania" is my highest ranking instrumental, but "The Dance Of Eternity" is in close proximity.  "Stream Of Consciousness" didn't even make my top 100.

[Dream Team]

 The 2 instrumentals didn't make the top 100 but Erotomania had the best chance for sure. The opening and closing riff kinda drags but that melodic section foreshadowing TSM is great. If the whole song was like that it would rank a lot higher. SoC is too long for me and their lowest ranked instrumental. Another Day is my lowest I&W song but could certainly rank higher; I didn't rework it after the ranker spit it out.

  5 Only a Matter of Time
  6 The Killing Hand
  9 The Great Debate
11 Outcry
16 One Last Time
20 Lost Not Forgotten
22 A View From the Top of the World
24 This is the Life
25 Beneath the Surface
26 A New Beginning
28 Fall Into the Light
30 The Best of Times
31 Afterlife
33 Disappear
35 S2N
38 Constant Motion
39 Behind the Veil
40 The Enemy Inside
41 Pale Blue Dot
48 A Fortune in Lies
52 Barstool Warrior
51 Our New World
54 Wither
55 The Alien
57 Surrender to Reason
58 Raise the Knife
59 Innocence Faded
61 I Walk Beside You
63 Awaken the Master
64 The Looking Glass
65 Wait for Sleep
66 The Bigger Picture
67 A Nightmare to Remember
68 Sleeping Giant
70 The Ministry of Lost Souls
75 Panic Attack
76 Transcending Time
78 Ytse Jam
79 Sacrificed Sons
81 The Gift of Music
84 Answering the Call
93 Another Day
95 On the Backs of Angels
97 The Shattered Fortress

Missed the top 100: Never Enough, Vacant, Forsaken, New Millennium, Through Her Eyes, To Live Forever, Honor thy Father, The Dark Eternal Night, The Silent Man, Hollow Years, Hell's Kitchen, These Walls, Caught in a Web, Lie, This Dying Soul, Peruvian Skies, As I Am, Erotomania, Stream of Consciousness

Highest Ranker Of: Only a Matter of Time, Outcry

[pg1067]

Stream of Consciousness, on the other hand, is to DT what La Villas Strangiato is to Rush. 

As someone who ranked LVS as their number one Rush song not too long ago, I'm not sure I can agree with this. "Erotomania" is my highest ranking instrumental, but "The Dance Of Eternity" is in close proximity.  "Stream Of Consciousness" didn't even make my top 100.

Goddamn people and their opinions!   

[Lonk]

Stream of Consciousness, on the other hand, is to DT what La Villas Strangiato is to Rush. 

As someone who ranked LVS as their number one Rush song not too long ago, I'm not sure I can agree with this. "Erotomania" is my highest ranking instrumental, but "The Dance Of Eternity" is in close proximity.  "Stream Of Consciousness" didn't even make my top 100.

Objectively speaking, you are wrong 

[SwedishGoose]

Dance is quite a bit higher than both Erotomania and Stream.... that is an old an well established fact

[pg1067]

Dance is quite a bit higher than both Erotomania and Stream.... that is an old an well established fact

FWIW, the instrumental rankings from the prior countdown:

38. Overture 1928
42. Hell's Kitchen (57 this time)
47. The Dance of Eternity
50. Stream of Consciousness (39 this time)
52. Erotomania (40 this time)
79. Ytse Jam (67 this time)

I wager that we'll see O1928 and TDOE before next Monday.

[Animal]

Erotomania (36) - Great on its own, even better as a prelude to the awesomeness that is Voices.

Stream of Consciousness  (29) - The song I used to introduce DT to my son (when he was about 4 months old).

Another Day (22) . My favorite power ballad. Can't sing it to save my life but it never stopped me from trying.

Zydar - As great as he is, he didn't make the cut. I was thinking about swapping him for some of the Astonishing songs, but in the end, put A Nightmare to Remember instead.

[HOF]

I do like Overture 1928, though I tend to think of it less as an instrumental and more as the intro to Strange Deja Vu. I'd probably rank the instrumentals I know like so:

1. Hell's Kitchen
2. Overture 1928
3. The Dance of Eternity
4. Stream of Consciousness 
5. Eve
6. Erotomania 
7. Ytse Jam
8. Whatever that nonsense at the beginning of SDOIT is called. 

[Stadler]

Stream of Consciousness, on the other hand, is to DT what La Villas Strangiato is to Rush. 

As someone who ranked LVS as their number one Rush song not too long ago, I'm not sure I can agree with this. "Erotomania" is my highest ranking instrumental, but "The Dance Of Eternity" is in close proximity.  "Stream Of Consciousness" didn't even make my top 100.

Goddamn people and their opinions!   

AND

Stream of Consciousness, on the other hand, is to DT what La Villas Strangiato is to Rush. 

As someone who ranked LVS as their number one Rush song not too long ago, I'm not sure I can agree with this. "Erotomania" is my highest ranking instrumental, but "The Dance Of Eternity" is in close proximity.  "Stream Of Consciousness" didn't even make my top 100.

Objectively speaking, you are wrong 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[CharlesPL]

Erotomania - 28
Stream of Consciousness - 92
Another Day - 7

[porcacultor]

40 Erotomania - Had it at #14. To me, the signature song of the Dream Theater instrument players (at least for those in the band at the time).

39 Stream of Consciousness - #41 for me, which is TOO LOW. But rankings are what they are. Fondly remember playing a few parts of it on drums in the Three of a Perfect Pair camp in 2011, bonding with strangers who were also bitten by the DT bug.

38 Zydar... I mean, Another Day - #55 for me. Very special atmosphere. Vocals going way high in the mountains. Dig the solo by Jay Beckenstein from... Spyro Gyra, right?

[Wim Kruithof]

Perhaps because English is not my native language, or because I have only known Dream Theater for a few years... it may also be that my cognitive capabilities are being challenged, but fuck... how long it takes for me to convert those freakin' abbreviations into songs!

095: I Walk Beside You     15
094: S2n     spot on
093: Never Enough     7
091: Caught In a Web     40
090: The Alien     21
089: Only a Matter of Time     7
088: Surrender to Reason     5
087: Forsaken     8
086: Through Her Eyes     12
085: The Silent Man     19
084: Constant Motion     2
083: Fall Into the Light     11
082: The Best of Times     5
080: Wait for Sleep     36
079: On the Backs of Angels     23
078: Behind the Veil     11
077: Afterlife     19
076: Hollow Years     17
074: Sacrified Sons     9
072: Erotomania     32
069: Innocence Faded     27
068: The Enemy Inside     15
067: Pale Blue Dot     3
065: Another Day     27
063: Disappear     22
062: Peruvian Skies     18
060: A Fortune in Lies     18
059: Hell's Kitchen     2
056: A Nightmare to Remember     6
054: The Looking Glass     38
053: Raise the Knife     12
050: Wither     49
048: Transcending Time     42
046: Barstool Warrior     6
044: Ytse Jam     23
042: The Killing Hand     26
041: Sleeping Giant     44
040: Answering the Call     45
037: The Bigger Picture     23
034: As I Am     9
029: Awaken the Master     52
028: Stream of Conciousness     11
027: Honor Thy Father     44
025: Lie     22
024: One Last Time     22
018: Outcry     47
017: Beneath the Surface     49
016: The Shattered Fortress     63
014: This Dying Soul     33
010: The Ministry of Lost Souls     51
007: A View From the Top of the World     42

not rankend: 9 The Gift of Music / Vacant / Our New World / A New Beginning / This Is the Life / New Millennium / To Live Forever / Lost Not Forgotten / The Dark Eternal Night

With a difference of 63 (16 versus 79) places, I would like to officially appoint myself as guardian of The Shattered Fortress.

[devieira73]

Despite all virtuosity displayed on Erotomania (my #39), that more melodic part from 2:38 to 3:41 is maybe my favorite part of the song. It's just gorgeous, specially that JP slow solo.

Stream of Counsciousness (my #85) is a very very good instrumental, despite dragging a bit in some places. Just a minor detail, but I love that King's X "Groove Machine" groove at 5:25.

Another Day (my #60) is a very good ballad that benefits a lot of I&W 80's production.