Top 10 Dream Theater Songs

Photo: Carlos Delgado [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Once again, as we dive into the world of progressive rock, we hesitate to utilize the word songs when describing the work of a progressive rock band like Dream Theater. Bands like Dream Theater compose works that defy the boundaries of pop or rock songs. Maybe it’s just a question of semantics, but we just wanted to be respectful to a band of such brilliant musicians and composers.

Dream Theater is in some ways a throwback to the progressive rock era. However, their sound was also a testament to the heavier sounds of bands like Metallica and Megadeath. No other band in history ever combined the sounds of metal and progressive rock with the virtuoso playing that is performed by the band. Dream Theater is an original-sounding band that stands alone in its own category. As bands like Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, Metallica and Renaissance probably inspired the members of Dream Theater, it stands now that bands like Muse and Mars Volta are probably heavily inspired by the songs of Dream Theater.

Our top 10 Dream Theater songs list is just a subjective viewpoint of our favorite Dream Theater songs. The article also serves as all our best songs articles serve as an introduction to the band for those who are not familiar with the band’s material. You can help us do that by letting us know your list of favorite Dream Theater songs in the comments section.

# 10 – Pull Me Under

We start out our Top 10 Dream Theater songs list with one of the band’s most popular songs. The great track “Pull Me Under,” was released on the band’s Images and Words album. The record was released in 1992. It was the band’s second album. “Pull Me Under,” was the album’s opening track. The album featured James LaBrie on lead vocals, John Petrucci on guitar, Kevin Moore on keyboards, Mike Portnoy on drums and John Myung on bass.

# 9 – Octavarium

The suite “Octavarium,” was the closing group of tracks on the band’s album Octavarium. The record was released in 2002. This one just gives us chills. The Octavarium. album featured James LaBrie on lead vocals, John Petrucci on guitar, Jordan Rudess on keyboards, Mike Portnoy on drums and John Myung on bass. The band released this album after touring with the legendary Progressive Rock band Yes.

# 8 – The Astonishing

In 2016, Dream Theater released a concept album that was simply a completely masterful work of art. We understand that this is a top 10 songs list, but in our number eight position, we nominate the entire album because every piece of music on the record is part of a whole work. This one brought me back to the 1970’s. Thank You Dream Theater. Below is just a snippet from the album. Please go out and buy this CD. Support the band so that they continue to make a living releasing great music.

# 7 – Peruvian Skies

The song’s great Metallica sounding opening greets the listener with musical clues that this one is going to be sweet. Nothing like a great moody power ballad to enlighten the senses. “Peruvian Skies,” was released on the band’s Falling Into Infinity album. The record was released in 1997.

# 6 – Illumination Theory

The opening segment of this wondrous track brings me to tears every time I hear it. The segue from the intro into the main theme smacks me in the face as John Petrucci tares it up. Can it get any better?

# 5 – Another Day

Just two words, John Petrucci. Once again, John Petrucci. The song “Another Day,” was released on the album Images and Words. The album was released in 1992 right in the heart of the grunge era. This was not grunge!

# 4 – The Enemy Inside

The killer track The Enemy Inside was released in the band’s 12th album entitled Dream Theater. The song demonstrates the influences bands like Queensryche, and Iron Maiden had on the band. Tell me this one does not raise your blood pressure. Wow!

# 3 – Metropolis, Pt. 1: The Miracle and The Sleeper

The musical composition and recording “Metropolis—Part I: ‘The Miracle and the Sleeper’ ” was released in the band’s Images and Words album. The great record was released in 1992. The album is a work of art in so many ways. It’s difficult to describe music like this just as it was challenging to define The Beatles Revolver, Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti, Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. You simply can’t define greatness, you can only sit back and enjoy it.

# 2 – Change Of Season

This work is simply stunning. It’s amazing that we live in a world where hip-hop and cheesy teen model-type bands garnish all media attention when there is music like this still being composed, recorded, and released. If anyone ever mentions that there is nothing good coming out anymore, tell them to buy a Dream Theater record.

# 1 – Constant Motion

This may not be the most progressive song the band Dream Theater ever released but the guitar and bass riff just knocked us out. While we love the riff, it’s the guitar solo that stands as one of the greatest moments in rock and roll history no matter what genre we are talking about. For that magical moment in this amazing track,we bow to the band and label this one as our number one selection on our top 10 Dream Theater songs list. The song was released on the band’s Systematic Chaos album in 2007.