| Barstool Warrior | |
| Distance Over Time | |
| Length | 6:43 |
| Working title | Song 7 |
| Release date | February 22nd, 2019 |
| Lyrics | John Petrucci |
| Music | Petrucci, John Myung, Jordan Rudess, Mike Mangini |
| First live performance | Balboa Theatre, San Diego, CA, USA, on Mar. 20, 2019 |
| Total live plays | 187 |
| Recorded | Yonderbarn |
| Other appearances | Distant Memories, Quarantième: Live à Paris |
| Previous song | Fall Into The Light |
| Next song | Room 137 |
Barstool Warrior is the fourth track off of Dream Theater's fourteenth studio album, Distance Over Time.
John Petrucci recorded this song using a 6-string guitar in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E).
Upon a lyrical analysis, it seems that this song is about wasting your life, regret and a feeling of unimportance, similar to I. Someone Like Him from Octavarium.
The song begins in 7/8 before playing the chorus riff which is in 6/8. The song mainly revolves around 6/4, and 4/4, using them for the chorus and first verse respectively, however, the second verse is in 7/8. Following the end of the second chorus, there is a reprise of the chorus motif before chords break the song into its second half. There is an emotional piano solo from Rudess before Petrucci plays one of his most melodic solos on the album, and by far the most emotional from Distance Over Time. Then the vocals continue and the song ends with a large chord, similar to the ending of The Bigger Picture, which uses a similar song structure, and Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence.
Lyrics[]
In a dark and lonely corner, of a time-worn dockside inn Sits the local barstool warrior, talking to his gin Tracing past decisions, he motions for a shot Is he doomed to be a man this world forgot? Just a prisoner of the monster on his back Call it bad luck, call it fate? Call it stuck here the rest of my days Serves me right, what went wrong? And where do I belong? In the glow of flashing lights, on the shoulder of the road Clutching at the bruises on her skin She tries to signal danger with anguish in her eyes Will he see the world of pain she's in? Or is it too late? Was it bad luck, was it fate? Or a past that she couldn't escape It's not right, something's wrong Just where do I belong? Promises made, crying in vain All empty, never accepting the blame And not letting go of the shame A river of tears, as months turn to years All wasted on someone not willing to change Now only a shadow remains No one can save you And there's no one to save It has been written You will become all you think All you feel All you dream Now I'm cutting the anchor away And I won't look back I'm starting a new life today Now I see where I belong