The guitar solo of Under a Glass Moon is placed #98 on the List of 100 Greatest Guitar Solos in a Guitar Player magazine readers' poll.
Under a Glass Moon
Dream Theater Lyrics
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Remind me
Chase the water racing from the sky
Always
Beside me
Taste the memories running from my eyes
Nervous flashlights scan my dreams
I smile at the moon
Chasing water from the sky
I argue with the clouds
Stealing beauty from my eyes
Outside the soundness of your mind
Bathing your soul in silver tears
Beneath a blackened summer sky
Praying for time to disappear
Beneath a summer sky
Under glass moonlight
Night awaits the lamb's arrival
Liquid shadows crawl
Silver teardrops fall
The bride subsides to her survival
By your hand
I've awakened
Bear this honor in my name
Outside the soundness of your mind
Bathing your soul in silver tears
Beneath a blackened summer sky
Praying for time to disappear
Outside the soundness of your mind
Bathing your soul in silver tears
Beneath a blackened summer sky
Praying for time to disappear
The lyrics of Dream Theater's "Under a Glass Moon" suggest an introspective journey. The vocalist calls on someone to "remind" and "chase" them, as if they are lost in their own mind. The imagery of "water racing from the sky" and "memories running from my eyes" suggest an overwhelming feeling of emotion. However, in the chorus, the singer seems to find solace in the moon and clouds, even if they are arguing with them. They acknowledge a sense of nervousness and shadows in their dreams, but seem to have control over them.
The second verse starts with "outside the soundness of your mind", which could refer to the madness of the world outside of one's own thoughts. This person then "bathes their soul in silver tears" and "prays for time to disappear" again suggesting the emotional turmoil they are going through. The chorus continues with "beneath a summer sky", and the use of "glass moonlight" suggests an artificial or perhaps false sense of calm. There are "liquid shadows" and "silver teardrops" falling, perhaps indicating there is still an underlying sadness.
The final verse talks about the singer being "awakened" by someone else's hand and bearing this "honor" in their name. Maybe this is someone who has helped guide them before, or maybe it's just a reminder to be grateful for the people who support us through our struggles. The chorus repeats again, emphasizing the emotional tension present in the singer.
Overall, the lyrics of "Under a Glass Moon" seem to be about internal struggle and the eventual finding of peace through it, whether it be temporary or not.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me
I want to learn something
Remind me
Help me recall something
Chase the water racing from the sky
Pursue the fleeting beauty of a rainstorm
Always
Perpetually, without fail
Beside me
Next to me, supporting me
Taste the memories running from my eyes
Experience the emotions expressed through my tears
Nervous flashlights scan my dreams
Anxious thoughts invade my subconscious
Liquid shadows silence their screams
Darkness subdues my fears
I smile at the moon
I find comfort in the night sky
Chasing water from the sky
Pursuing the uncatchable, fleeting moments of beauty
I argue with the clouds
I resist the beauty of the moment
Stealing beauty from my eyes
Denying myself the pleasure of enjoying the moment
Beneath a blackened summer sky
Amidst darkness during a time typically associated with light
Praying for time to disappear
Wishing for the passage of time to end the current pain or discomfort
Beneath a summer sky
Experiencing the beauty of the natural world during a joyful season
Under glass moonlight
Lit by the glow of the moon through a translucent surface
Night awaits the lamb's arrival
The darkness will soon consume the innocent
Liquid shadows crawl
Darkness creeps forward
Silver teardrops fall
Tears of sadness trickle down
The bride subsides to her survival
The artist feels resigned to surviving alone
By your hand
With your help
I've awakened
I have become enlightened to something new
Bear this honor in my name
I will strive to live up to the respect I have earned
Outside the soundness of your mind
Beyond normal rational thinking
Bathing your soul in silver tears
Feeling deep emotions that cannot be expressed in words
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN MYUNG, JOHN PETRUCCI, JOHN RO MYUNG, KEVIN F. MOORE, KEVIN JAMES LABRIE, KEVIN JAMES LA BRIE, MICHAEL PORTNOY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind