6:00

Overview

6:00 is a song by Dream Theater. It is the 1st song off their 3rd album, Awake. The song is one of several by Moore from Awake that are about his desire to leave the band.

Personnel

• Mike Portnoy - Drums
• John Petrucci - Guitar
• John Myung - Bass
• Kevin Moore - Keyboard, lyrics
• James LaBrie - Vocals

Lyrics

[Samples from the film "The Dead", an adaptation of James Joyce's short story from his book]
"Six o'clock on a Christmas morning..."
"And for what?"
"Well, isn't it for the honor of God, Aunt Kate?"
"I know all about the honor of God, Mary Jane."

Six o'clock the siren kicks him from a dream
Tries to shake it off but it just won't stop
Can't find the strength but he's got promises to keep
And wood to chop before he sleeps

I may never get over
but never's better than now
I've got bases to cover

He's in the parking lot and he's just sitting in his car
It's nine o'clock but he can't get out
He lights a cigarette
and turns the music down
but just can't seem to shake that sound

Once I thought I'd get over
but it's too late for me now
I've got bases to cover

Melody walks through the door
and memory flies out the window
and nobody knows what they want
'til they finally let it all go

The pain inside
coming outside

So many ways to drown a man
So many ways to drag him down
Some are fast and some take years and years
Can't hear what he's saying when he's talking in his sleep
He finally found the sound but he's in too deep

I could never get over
Is it too late for me now?
Feel like blowing my cover

Melody walks through the door
and memory flies out the window
and nobody knows what they want
'til they finally let it all go

But don't cut your losses too soon
'cause you'll only be cutting your throat
And answer a call while you still hear at all
'cause nobody will if you won't

[Samples from the film "The Dead", an adaptation of James Joyce's short story from his book]
"Six o'clock on a Christmas morning..."
"I know all about the honor of God, Mary..."
"I know all about the honor of God, Mary Jane."

Analysis

The initial meaning of the song, according to Moore, was that it was about a man stuck in a situation, looking for a way out. Since Moore's departure, Portnoy has revealed that the song, along with the rest of Moore's lyrics for the album, is about his desire to leave the band.

Tone

6:00 is a rather heavy song, though it does pale in comparison to some of the other songs on Awake. It is also quite progressive, somewhat unusual for such a short song.

Notes

The samples used are from a "The Dead", an adaptation of a James Joyce short story. Because of the samples, some fans have been known to play the song at 6AM on December 25th as a reference to the line "6:00 on a Christmas morning". It is one of the very few Dream Theater songs never to appear on any officially released live album.

6:00 was originally known as "Beachhouse Reality".

Live Performances

Live performances of 6:00 are somewhat rare, being the second rarest song from the album that is actually played live. Performances are usually quite straightforward.

Appearances

• Awake - Original recorded version
• Awake Demos - Pre-production demo