Octavarium
Dream Theater Lyrics

I never wanted to become someone like him so secure
The singer did not want to be like someone who was complacent and comfortable with their current life.

Content to live each day just like the last
The person who the singer did not want to be like was satisfied living each day repetitively.

I was sure I knew that
The singer was confident that they did not want to live an uneventful, monotonous life.

This was not for me
Living life without change and growth was not appealing to the artist.

And I wanted so much more
The artist had a strong desire to experience and achieve more than an unchanging routine.

Far beyond what I could see
The singer had aspirations that they could not yet envision.

So I swore that I'd Never be someone like him
The singer made a promise to themselves to avoid becoming unadventurous and content with stagnation.

So many years have passed Since I proclaimed My independence
The artist has gone a long time since they declared they would live an independent, purposeful life.

My mission My aim And my vision So secure
The artist felt confident and resolute in their goals, objectives, and plans.

Content to live each day like it's my last
The artist wants to live each day fully as they have a clear understanding that life is limited.

It's wonderful to know That I could be Something more than what I dreamed Far beyond what I could see
The singer is thrilled that they have achieved beyond their initial aspirations and imaginations.

Still I swear that I'm Missing out this time
The artist wants to acquire even more experiences and accomplishments and believes that they are currently not doing enough.

As far as I could tell There's nothing more I need But still I ask myself Could this be everything
Despite feeling satisfied with their life, the singer still contemplates if there's more to experience.

Then all I swore That I would never be was now So suddenly
Ironically, the singer realizes that they have become the person they promised not to be.

The only thing I wanted To become To be someone just like him
The singer finds themselves wanting to emulate the very person they had sworn off becoming.

A Doctor sitting next to me He asks me how I feel
The artist is talking to a medical professional about their state of mind.

Not sure I understand his questioning He says I've been away a while
The artist is unsure if they fully comprehend the doctor's questions as they are coming out of a dazed state.

But thinks he has cured me From a state of catatonic sleep
The doctor believes that he has brought the singer back from a state of mental lethargy.

For thirty years Where have I been Eyes open But not getting through to me
The singer has been in a state of mental fog for 30 years despite physically being awake.

Medicate me Infiltrate me Side effects appear As my conscience slips away
The artist is being given a powerful drug that comes with consequences as they begin to lose their sense of right and wrong.

Medicate me Science failing Conscience fading fast Can't you stop what's happening
The medication is not working as intended, and the artist is imploring the medical professional to help them.

A higher dosage he prescribes But there's no guarantee I feel it starting to take over me
The doctor prescribes even more powerful drugs, but the effectiveness is uncertain, and the side effects are beginning to take hold.

I tell him not to be ashamed There's no one who's to blame A second shot A brief awakening
The singer tries to relieve the doctor's guilt and shame for administering the medication as it did have a temporary positive effect on them.

I feel the relapse Can't break free Eyes open But not getting through to me
The medication's effect is wearing off, and the artist is beginning to slip back into their previous hazy state.

Sailing on the seven seize the day tripper diem's ready Jack the ripper Owens Wilson Phillips and my supper's ready Lucy in the sky with diamond Dave's not here I come to save the Day for nightmare cinema show me the way to get back home again
Nonsensical and vague phrases that represent a person disconnected from their reality.

Running forward Falling back Spinning round and round Looking outward Reaching in Scream without a sound
An expression of navigating through life's highs and lows while feeling voiceless and alone in their struggles.

Leaning over Crawling up Stumbling all around Losing my place Only to find I've come full circle
The singer is struggling to figure out the right course of action but keeps returning to where they started.

Our deadly sins feel his mortal wrath Remove all obstacles from our path
A religious allusion where the artist feels that their past mistakes have led them down this current negative path, and they are asking a higher power for guidance to remove future roadblocks.

Asking questions Search for clues The answer's been right in front of you
The artist is urging themselves to listen to their instincts as the answer has been apparent all long.

Try to break through Long to connect Fall on deaf ears and failed muted breath
The singer is attempting to connect with someone/something but is facing rejection.

Loyalty, trust, faith and desire Carries love through each darkest fire
The singer believes that love is sustained by loyalty, trust, faith, and desire even during the most challenging times.

Tortured Insanity A smothering hell Try to escape but no avail
The artist feels trapped and tortured inside their mind while unable to escape its confines.

The calls of admirers Who claim they adore Drain all your lifeblood while begging for more
The artist is describing the experience of people in their lives draining them while pretending to enjoy their attention.

Innocent victims of merciless crimes Fall prey to some madmen's impulsive designs
The artist is commenting on the reality of innocent people becoming victims of cruel intentions.

Step after step We try controlling our fate When we finally start living it has become too late
The singer is suggesting that people can try to control their destiny but often realize they've waited too late to start really living.

Trapped inside this Octavarium Trapped inside this Octavarium Trapped inside this Octavarium Trapped inside this Octavarium
The artist feels stuck and going in circles, much like the circular Octavarium.

We move in circles Balanced all the while On a gleaming razor's edge
The singer is describing the delicate balance between making progress and feeling stuck.

A perfect sphere Colliding with our fate This story ends where it began
The singer is acknowledging that life can be unpredictable; despite making progress and striving for success, the end result may be the same as the beginning.