List of songs recorded by Dream Theater explained

See main article: article and Dream Theater discography. This is a complete list of songs by American progressive metal band Dream Theater. Dream Theater was formed in 1985 by guitarist John Petrucci, bassist John Myung, and drummer Mike Portnoy. The band's current line-up consists of Petrucci, Myung, Portnoy, keyboardist Jordan Rudess, and vocalist James LaBrie. As of 2021, Dream Theater has released fifteen studio albums.

List

TitleYearAlbumLyricistLengthNotes
"2285 Entr'acte" 2016 The Astonishing Instrumental 2:20
"6:00" 1994 Awake 5:31
"A Better Life" 2016 The Astonishing 4:39
"A Change of Seasons" 1995 A Change of Seasons 23:09Originally written in 1989 and supposed to appear on Images and Words, but cut due to the album already being too long. The song was re-worked and released on the EP A Change of Seasons. The original version was never officially released.
"A Crack in the Mirror" 1994 Instrumental1:05Extended intro added to "The Mirror". Only played live during the Waking Up the World Tour (1994–95) and never officially released.
"A Fortune in Lies" 1989 When Dream and Day Unite 5:12
"A Life Left Behind" 2016 The Astonishing 5:49
"A Mind Beside Itself: I. Erotomania" 1994 Awake Instrumental 6:44
"A Mind Beside Itself: II. Voices" 1994 Awake 9:53
"A Mind Beside Itself: III. The Silent Man" 1994 Awake 3:47Released as a single. A music video was made for the song.
"A New Beginning" 2016 The Astonishing 7:40
"A Nightmare to Remember" 2009 Black Clouds & Silver Linings 16:10
"A Rite of Passage" 2009 Black Clouds & Silver Linings 8:36Released as a single. A music video was made for the song.
"A Savior in the Square" 2016 The Astonishing 4:13
"A Tempting Offer" 2016 The Astonishing 4:19
"A View from the Top of the World" 2021A View from the Top of the World 20:24
"A Vision" 1986 Majesty Demos 11:24Two versions exist for this song:
  • The original version released on The Majesty Demos (11:24).
  • A reworked version with Charlie Dominici on vocals. It appears on the When Dream and Day Unite Demos released as "A Vision 89" (7:10).
"Act of Faythe" 2016 The Astonishing 5:00
"Afterlife" 1989 When Dream and Day Unite 5:26A remixed version was released as a promo single. This song was written while Chris Collins was in the band and originally featured his lyrics and a different vocal melody, although the song title was the same.
"Along for the Ride" 2013 Dream Theater 4:45Released as a single.
"Anna Lee" 1997 Falling Into Infinity 5:51
"Another Day" 1992 Images and Words 4:23Released as a single. A music video was made for the song.
"Another Hand" 1993 Live at the MarqueeInstrumental2:12Instrumental that connected "Another Day" and "The Killing Hand" when performed live in 1992 and 1993. Also was used as the intro to "The Killing Hand" on later tours.
"Another Won" 1986 Majesty Demos 5:27 Appears on the Score live album.
"Answering the Call" 2021A View from the Top of the World 7:35
"As I Am" 2003 Train of Thought 7:47Released as a single.
"Astonishing" 2016 The Astonishing 5:51
"At Wit's End" 2019 Distance over Time 9:20
"Awake Jam" 1994 Instrumental5:39Improvisation jam. Only played live during the Waking Up the World Tour (1994–95) and never officially released.
"Awaken the Master" 2021A View from the Top of the World 9:47
"Barfbag" 1993 InstrumentalImprovisation jam. Only played live in the autumn of 1993 and never officially released.
"Barstool Warrior" 2019 Distance over Time 6:43
"Begin Again" 2016 The Astonishing 3:54
"Behind the Veil" 2013 Dream Theater 6:52
"Beneath the Surface" 2011 A Dramatic Turn of Events 5:26
"Blind Faith" 2002 Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence 10:21
"Bombay Vindaloo" 1993 Live at the Marquee Instrumental 6:48Improvisation jam. Only played live.
"Breaking All Illusions" 2011 A Dramatic Turn of Events 12:25
"Bridges in the Sky" 2011 A Dramatic Turn of Events 11:01
"Brother, Can You Hear Me?" 2016 The Astonishing 5:11
"Build Me Up, Break Me Down" 2011 A Dramatic Turn of Events 6:59Released as a single.
"Burning My Soul" 1997 Falling into Infinity 5:29The original demo version is 9 minutes long and included a mellow introduction and most of what became Hell's Kitchen.
"Caught in a Web" 1994 Awake 5:28Released as a promo single.
"Chosen" 2016 The Astonishing 4:32
"Constant Motion" 2007 Systematic Chaos 6:55Released as a single. A music video was made for this song.
"Cover My Eyes" 1997 Falling into Infinity Demos 3:23Cut from the final album. A live acoustic version appears on Once in a LIVEtime.
"Cry for Freedom" 1986 When Dream and Day Unite Demos 6:46While this song had lyrics, and the song was performed live with Chris, the only "proper" recordings of this song that exist are instrumental demos.
"Descent of the NOMACS" 2016 The Astonishing NOMACS Instrumental 1:10
"Digital Discord" 2016 The Astonishing NOMACS Instrumental 0:47
"Disappear" 2002 Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence 6:46
"Don't Look Past Me" 1992 Images and Words Demos 6:25Cut from the final album. Never officially released. James LaBrie re-recorded vocals for this song in 1999 which were added to the original 1990 demo for a fanclub CD release.
"Dystopian Overture" 2016 The Astonishing Instrumental 4:50
"Endless Sacrifice" 2003 Train of Thought 11:24
"Enigma Machine" 2013 Dream Theater Instrumental 6:01
"Eve" 1992 The Silent Man, Awake (2-disc Japanese pressing) Instrumental 5:10Initially performed live in 1993. Recorded during the Awake sessions but cut from the final album. Appears as a B-side on The Silent Man single, as well as on a two-disc Japanese pressing of Awake.
"Fall into the Light" 2019 Distance over Time 7:04 Second single for Distance over Time
"False Awakening Suite" 2013 Dream Theater Instrumental 2:42
"Far from Heaven" 2011 A Dramatic Turn of Events 3:56
"Forsaken" 2007 Systematic Chaos 5:35Released as a single. A music video was made for the song.
"Heaven's Cove" 2016 The Astonishing 4:19
"Hell's Kitchen" 1997 Falling into Infinity Instrumental 4:16Most of this song was originally an instrumental part of "Burning My Soul".
"Hollow Years" 1997 Falling into Infinity 5:53Released as a single. A music video was made for the song
"Honor Thy Father" 2003 Train of Thought 10:14
"Hymn of a Thousand Voices" 2016 The Astonishing 3:38
"I Walk Beside You" 2005 Octavarium 4:29
"Illumination Theory" 2013 Dream Theater 22:17
"In the Name of God" 2003 Train of Thought 14:16
"In the Presence of Enemies" 2007 Systematic Chaos 25:38 Split in two parts:
  • Part 1: 9:00
  • Part 2: 16:38
"Invisible Monster" 2021A View from the Top of the World 6:31 Released as a promo single.
"Innocence Faded" 1994 Awake 5:42
"Just Let Me Breathe" 1997 Falling into Infinity 5:28
"Learning to Live" 1992 Images and Words 11:30
"Lie" 1994 Awake 6:33 A music video was made for the song
"Lifting Shadows Off a Dream" 1994 Awake 6:05
"Light Fuse and Get Away" 1989 When Dream and Day Unite 7:23
"Lines in the Sand" 1997 Falling into Infinity 12:05
"Lord Nafaryus" 2016 The Astonishing 3:28
"Losing Faythe" 2016 The Astonishing 4:13
"Lost Not Forgotten" 2011 A Dramatic Turn of Events 10:11
"Machine Chatter" 2016 The Astonishing NOMACS Instrumental 1:03
"March of the Tyrant" 1986 Majesty Demos 5:34
"Metropolis Pt. I: The Miracle and the Sleeper" 1992 Images and Words 9:32
"Metropolis Pt. II" 1996 Falling into Infinity Demos Instrumental (lyrics never written) 21:25Original epic sequel to Metropolis pt. I and intended for the Falling into Infinity album. Lyrics were never written and this version of the song was abandoned once they decided to expand it into a full album, which became
"Misunderstood" 2002 Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence 9:32
"Moment of Betrayal" 2016 The Astonishing 6:11Released as a promo single.
"Moon Bubbles" 1992 InstrumentalImprovisation jam on guitar and bass. Only played live and never officially released.
"My Last Farewell" 2016 The Astonishing 3:44
"Never Enough" 2005 Octavarium 6:46
"New Millennium" 1997 Falling into Infinity 8:20
"Octavarium" 2005 Octavarium 24:00
"Only a Matter of Time" 1989 When Dream and Day Unite 6:35
"On the Backs of Angels" 2011 A Dramatic Turn of Events 8:42Released as a single. A music video was made for the song.
"Our New World" 2016 The Astonishing 4:12Featuring Lizzy Hale on vocals. Released as a promo single. A music video was made for the song.
"Out of Reach" 2019 Distance over Time 4:04
"Outcry" 2011 A Dramatic Turn of Events 11:24
"Pale Blue Dot" 2019 Distance over Time 8:25
"Panic Attack" 2005 Octavarium 8:13
"Paralyzed" 2019 Distance over Time 4:17Third single for Distance over Time
"Peruvian Skies" 1997 Falling into Infinity 6:43
"Power Down" 2016 The Astonishing NOMACS Instrumental 1:25
"Prophets of War" 2007 Systematic Chaos 6:00
"Pull Me Under" 1992 Images and Words 8:14Released as a promo single. A music video was made for the song.
"Puppies on Acid" 1994 Awake sessionsInstrumental1:24Intro part of "The Mirror", and also the working title of this song. Appears on Once in a LIVEtime
"Raise the Knife" 1997 Falling into Infinity Demos, Score 11:40Cut from the final album. A live version appears on the Score live album.
"Ravenskill" 2016 The Astonishing 6:01
"Raw Dog" 2010 Instrumental 7:33Last song to be recorded with Mike Portnoy.
"Repentance" 2007 Systematic Chaos 10:43Part four of the Twelve-step Suite.
"Room 137" 2019 Distance over Time Mike Mangini4:23
"S2N" 2019 Distance over Time 6:21
"Sacrificed Sons" 2005 Octavarium 10:42
"Scarred" 1994 Awake 10:59
"Scene Eight: The Spirit Carries On" 1999 6:38
"Scene Five: Through Her Eyes" 1999 5:29Released as a single.
"Scene Four: Beyond This Life" 1999 11:22
"Scene Nine: Finally Free1999 11:59
"Scene One: Regression" 1999 2:06
"Scene Seven: I. The Dance of Eternity" 1999 Instrumental 6:13
"Scene Seven: II. One Last Time" 1999 3:46
"Scene Six: Home" 1999 12:53Released as a promo single.
"Scene Three: I. Through My Words1999 1:02
"Scene Three: II. Fatal Tragedy" 1999 6:49
"Scene Two: I. Overture 1928" 1999 Instrumental 3:37
"Scene Two: II. Strange Deja Vu" 1999 5:12
"Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence" 2002 Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence 42:02Divided into eight parts :
  • "I. Overture" (6:50)
  • "II. About to Crash" (5:50)
  • "III. War Inside My Head" (2:08)
  • "IV. The Test That Stumped Them All" (5:03)
  • "V. Goodnight Kiss" (6:17)
  • "VI. Solitary Shell" (5:47)
  • "VII. About to Crash (Reprise)" (4:04)
  • "VIII. Losing Time/Grand Finale" (5:59)
"Sleeping Giant" 2021A View from the Top of the World 10:05
"Slow Motion" 1993 InstrumentalImprovisation jam. Only played live in January 1993 and never officially released.
"Space-Dye Vest" 1994 Awake 7:29
"Speak to Me" 1997 Falling into Infinity Demos 6:256' MINI CD. Appears on Falling Into Infinity - Japanese version - EastWest Records America – AMCY-2315-S
"Status Seeker" 1989 When Dream and Day Unite 4:17A remixed version was released as a promo single.
"Stream of Consciousness" 2003Train of Thought Instrumental 11:16
"Surrender to Reason" 2013 Dream Theater 6:34
"Surrounded" 1992 Images and Words 5:30
"Take Away My Pain" 1997 Falling into Infinity 6:03
"Take the Time" 1992 Images and Words John Petrucci, Mike Portnoy, John Myung and Kevin Moore[1] 8:21Released as a promo single. A music video was made for the song.
"The Alien" 2021A View from the Top of the World 9:32Released as a promo single.
"The Answer" 2016 The Astonishing 1:52
"The Answer Lies Within" 2005 Octavarium 5:33
"The Best of Times" 2009 Black Clouds & Silver Linings 13:09
"The Bigger Picture" 2013 Dream Theater 7:40Released as a single.
"The Count of Tuscany" 2009 Black Clouds & Silver Linings 19:16
"The Dark Eternal Night" 2007 Systematic Chaos 8:53
"The Enemy Inside" 2013 Dream Theater 6:17Released as a single. A music video was made for the song.
"The Gift of Music" 2016 The Astonishing 4:00Released as a promo single. A music video was made for the song.
"The Glass Prison" 2002 Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence 13:53Part one of the Twelve-step Suite.
"The Great Debate" 2002 Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence 13:46
"The Holiday Spirit Carries On" 2020 The Holiday Spirit Carries On 5:14Released on December 1, 2020 for the help of the touring crew of Dream Theater because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The Hovering Sojourn" 2016 The Astonishing NOMACS Instrumental 0:27
"The Killing Hand" 1989 When Dream and Day Unite 8:41
"The Looking Glass" 2013 Dream Theater 4:53Released as a single. A music video was made for the song.
"The Ministry of Lost Souls" 2007 Systematic Chaos 14:57
"The Mirror" 1994 Awake 6:45
"The Path That Divides" 2016 The Astonishing 5:09
"The Ones Who Help to Set the Sun" 1989 When Dream and Day Unite 8:05
"The Road to Revolution" 2016 The Astonishing 3:35
"The Root of All Evil" 2005 Octavarium 8:25Part three of the Twelve-step Suite.
"The Shattered Fortress" 2009 Black Clouds & Silver Linings 12:49Part five of the Twelve-step Suite.
"The Walking Shadow" 2016 The Astonishing 2:58
"The Way It Used to Be" 1997 Hollow Years, Falling Into Infinity Demos 7:47Cut from the final album. Appears on the Hollow Years single.
"The X Aspect" 2016 The Astonishing 4:13
"The Ytse Jam" 1989 When Dream and Day Unite Instrumental 5:46
"These Walls" 2005 Octavarium 7:36
"This Dying Soul" 2003 Train of Thought 11:27Part two of the Twelve-step Suite.
"This Is the Life" 2011 A Dramatic Turn of Events 6:57
"Three Days" 2016 The Astonishing 3:44
"To Live Forever" 1992 Lie, Greatest Hit (...and 21 Other Pretty Cool Songs), Images and Words Demos 4:26Originally written in 1987. 4 versions exist :
  • A demo from 1988 with Charlie Dominici singing. Never officially released.
  • A demo recorded in 1990. Separate versions featuring the vocals of John Hendricks and Steve Stone (with the same backing track) were released on the Images and Words Demos official bootleg.
  • A high quality demo recorded before the Images and Words sessions in 1991. Released on the Images and Words Demos official bootleg.
  • A version recorded during the Awake sessions. Appears on the Lie single and on the Greatest Hit (...and 21 Other Pretty Cool Songs) compilation album.
"Trial of Tears" 1997 Falling into Infinity 13:06
"Two Far" 1986 Majesty Demos 5:25
"Transcending Time" 2021A View from the Top of the World 6:25
"Under a Glass Moon" 1992 Images and Words 7:03
"Untethered Angel" 2019 Distance over Time John Petrucci6:14 First single for Distance over Time
"Vacant" 2003 Train of Thought 2:57
"Viper King" 2019 Distance over Time James LaBrie4:00
"Vital Star" 1986 Majesty Demos 5:44
"Wait for Sleep" 1992 Images and Words 2:31
"When Your Time Has Come" 2016 The Astonishing 4:19
"Where Are You Now" 1997 Falling into Infinity Demos 7:27Cut from the final album. Never officially released.
"Whispers on the Wind" 2016 The Astonishing 1:37
"Wither" 2009 Black Clouds & Silver Linings 5:25Released as the Wither EP. A music video was made for the song. A version with John Petrucci singing (with the same album backing track) also exists, as does a completely separate version on piano and vocals only.
"You Not Me" 1997 Falling into Infinity 4:58Heavily re-worked version of "You Or Me".
"You Or Me" 1997 Hollow Years, Falling Into Infinity sessions 6:28Original version of "You Not Me". Appears on the Hollow Years single.
"Your Majesty" 1986 Majesty Demos 3:45

Medleys

TitleAppearancesNotes
"Caught in a New Millennium" Live Scenes from New York Mashup of "Caught in a Web" and "New Millennium". Played in 2000 during the Metropolis 2000 tour.
"Caught in Alice's Nine-Inch Tool Garden" Old Bridge, New Jersey – 12/14/96 (CD) official bootleg Not a true medley, but rather a reworked version of "Caught in a Web", influenced by Alice in Chains, Nine Inch Nails, Tool and Soundgarden. Played around December 1996, and April & September 1997. Served as the initial basis for what later became the song "New Millennium"
Unnamed medley, labeled by fans as "Falling Into a Change of Awake" Selections from the tracks "Puppies on Acid", "A Change of Seasons", "Just Let Me Breathe", Liquid Tension Experiment's "Acid Rain", "Caught in a Web" and "New Millenium". Played in 2000 during the Metropolis 2000 tour.
"Instrumedley" Live at Budokan Selections from the tracks "The Dance of Eternity", "Metropolis Pt. 1: The Miracle and the Sleeper", "Erotomania", "A Change of Seasons", "Ytse Jam", "Hell's Kitchen" and songs by Liquid Tension Experiment. Played during the World Tourbulence and Train of Thought tours.
"Schmedley Wilcox" Chaos in Motion 2007-2008 Selections from the tracks "Trial of Tears", "Finally Free", "Learning to Live", "In the Name of God" and "Octavarium". Played as an encore song for most of the shows of the Chaos in Motion tour.
"The Big Medley" A Change of Seasons Mashup of the following covers :

Played only at the uncovered fan club gig at the Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London (England), on January 31, 1995.

"When Images and Words Unite" Through Her Eyes single Selection from the tracks "Pull Me Under", "Under a Glass Moon", "A Fortune in Lies", "Only a Matter of Time" and "Take the Time". Played during the Scenes from a Memory and Metropolis 2000 tours.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Portnoy. Mike. MP Twitter Q&A - The Official Mike Portnoy Forums. 20 January 2013.