| Lifting Shadows Off a Dream | |
| Awake | |
| Length | 06:05 |
| Working title | |
| Release date | 4th October, 1994 |
| Lyrics | John Myung |
| Music | Dream Theater |
| First live performance | Foundations Forum 1994, on Sept. 9, 1994 |
| Total live plays | 235 |
| Recorded | One On One Studios and Devonshire Studios |
| Other appearances | Greatest Hit (...and 21 Other Pretty Cool Songs), Once in a LIVEtime Outtakes, Awake Demos, Tokyo, Japan 10/28/95, Breaking the Fourth Wall |
| Previous song | Lie |
| Next song | Scarred |
Lifting Shadows Off a Dream is the ninth song off Dream Theater's third album, Awake. It was based off two chords and a poem that John Myung brought to the studio. After an unsuccessful jam, they managed to make a song out of it.
John Petrucci recorded this song using a 6-string guitar in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E).
Personnel[]
- Mike Portnoy - Drums, Background Vocals
- John Petrucci - Guitar, Background Vocals
- John Myung - Bass, lyrics
- Kevin Moore - Keyboard
- James LaBrie - Vocals
Lyrics[]
He seems alone and silent thoughts remain without an answer Afraid and uninvited he slowly drifts away Moved by desire and fear Breaking delicate wings Lifting shadows off a Dream once broken She can turn a drop of water Into an ocean As the rain is pouring down Tears of sorrow wash his mind Drifting with the current This stream of life flows on He seems alone and silent waiting on his hands and knees The chill of winter's darkness sits quietly Moved by desire and fear he takes a few steps away Lifting shadows off a Dream once broken She can turn a drop of water Into an ocean And she listens openly He pours his soul into the water reflecting the mystery She carries him away and the winds die slowly And she listens openly And she listens openly Lifting shadows off a Dream once broken She can turn a drop of water Into an ocean Lifting Shadows off a Dream Lifting Shadows off a Dream
Analysis[]
Lifting Shadows Off a Dream's lyrics have defied conventional analysis since its release. According to Myung the song is about "The duality between a man and a woman and how they can compliment each other." When asked by Portnoy what the song was about at one point, Myung refused to explain it, saying it was "too personal".
Tone[]
Lifting Shadows Off a Dream is a progressive ballad, the tone being quite moody and somber.
Notes[]
Lifting Shadows Off a Dream is notable for lending its name to the Dream Theater biography, Lifting Shadows as well as the album of the same name that came with the book, though it ironically does not appear on the album.
Live Performances[]
Performances of Lifting Shadows Off a Dream are somewhat uncommon, though it was more commonly performed during the tour to support Awake. Generally live performances tend to be enhanced, specifically during the tour to support Falling Into Infinity where it was commonly opened with a bass solo by Myung.
Appearances[]
| Year | Recording Type | Release | Release Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Studio | Awake | Studio Album |
| 1998 | Live | 5 Years in a Livetime | Video Album |
| 1998 | Live | Once in a LIVEtime Outtakes | Fanclub |
| 2004 | Live | Tokyo, Japan 10/28/95 | Official Bootleg |
| 2006 | Demo | Awake Demos 1994 | Official Bootleg |
| 2007 | Live | Bucharest, Romania - 7/4/02 | Official Bootleg |
| 2008 | Studio | Greatest Hit (...And 21 Other Pretty Cool Songs) | Compilation Album |
| 2014 | Live | Breaking the Fourth Wall | Video Album |
| 2022 | Demo | Awake Demos (1994) | Official Bootleg |