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Surrounded
Images and Words
Length 5:28
Working title {{{Workingtitle}}}
Release date July 7, 1992
Lyrics Kevin Moore
Music Dream Theater
First live performance The Limelight, New York, NY, USA, on Sept. 27, 1992
Total live plays 524
Recorded Bear Tracks Studios
Other appearances
Previous song Take the Time
Next song Metropolis, Pt 1: "The Miracle and the Sleeper"

Surrounded is a song by Dream Theater. It is the fourth song from their second album, Images and Words.

Personnel[]

Lyrics[]

Morning comes too early
And night time falls too late
And sometimes all I want to do is wait
The shadow I've been hiding in has fled from me today

I know it's easier
To walk away than look it in the eye
But I will raise a shelter to the sky
And here beneath this star tonight I'll lie
She will slowly yield the light
As I awaken from the longest night

Dreams are shaking set sirens waking up tired eyes
With the light the memories all rush into his head
By a candle stands a mirror of his heart and soul she dances
She was dancing through the night above his bed
And walking to the window
He throws the shutters out against the wall
And from an ivory tower hears her call
'Let light surround you'

It's been a long, long time
He's had awhile to think it over
In the end he only sees the change
Light to dark
Dark to light
Light to dark
Dark to light

Heaven must be more than this
When angels waken with a kiss
Sacred hearts won't take the pain
But mine will never be the same
He stands before the window
His shadow slowly fading from the wall
And from an ivory tower hears her call
'Let the light surround you'

Once lost but I was found
When I heard the stained glass shatter all around me
I sent the spirits tumbling down the hill
But I will hold this one on high above me still
She whispers words to clear my mind
I once could see but now at last I'm blind

I know it's easier
To walk away than look it in the eye
But I had given all than I could take
And now I've only habits left to break
Tonight I'll still be lying here surrounded
In all the light

Analysis[]

Surrounded is one of Dream Theater's more abstract songs. The exact meaning of the lyrics has eluded fans since its release. The song at one time was dedicated to Arthur Ashe, a tennis player who died of AIDS. The general tone of the lyrics is spiritual, though no literal meaning can be ascertained.

Tone[]

Surrounded is an upbeat progressive ballad, with a focus on guitar and vocal melodies. The song never becomes heavy, though it is at times fast.

Live Performances[]

Compared to many of the songs on Images and Words, performances of Surrounded have been rare. Dream Theater performed the song very scarcely, though it has recently seen a rise in popularity. The reason the band hasn't played it often may be because it is a "Kevin Moore song" though they routinely play other songs he has penned such as Pull me Under. Live performances of the song may vary wildly from the album version, often with extended lengths and atmospheric solos. On occasion, alternate live versions have heavily quoted the song "Sugar Mice" by Marillion, to the point of LaBrie even singing some of the lyrics from that song, as well as quoting the guitar solo from the song "Mother" by Pink Floyd. Jordan Rudess is also known to play keytar during live performances of Surrounded. During the Chaos In Motion 2007-2008 tour, Dream Theater performed an extended version running at 15 minutes.

Appearances[]

Dream_Theater_-_Surrounded

Dream Theater - Surrounded

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