Undaunted, he formed the quirkily-named Spock’s Beard with his brother, Alan. They recorded The Light with what money they could scrape together. Against all odds, it was a breakout success, sending shockwaves through the small genre’s community.
Over the next 10 years, Spock’s Beard released 10 critically acclaimed CDs and 2 DVDs, ascending to the top of the prog world. Neal also released 6 CDs and 3 DVDs with Transatlantic, the heralded prog supergroup comprised of the genre’s best musicians.
The proverbial wayward son, Neal had finally found the success he sought. On the outside he seemed to have it all. On the inside, however, something was missing.
Morse came to realize that for him, embracing the Christian faith was the fulfillment of his spiritual quest. His walk was at once gradual and sudden—and as with so many, completely unexpected. As he continued, his path increasingly revealed more of what his heart had sought all along. Yet he also began to find his career growing at odds with his faith. The rising spiritual tension and increasing commercial success finally came to a head with the release of Snow (2002), the group’s magnum opus...and swan song with Morse.
The extraordinary 2-CD rock opera, composed by Morse, was widely acclaimed as the group’s finest. But it was the end of the era. Neal felt God calling him out of his former musical life and into the unknown. He made the agonizing decision to leave both Spock’s Beard and Transatlantic. Despite having finally achieved the success he had long sought, Morse had to begin all over again; musically, emotionally and spiritually.
Neal then embarked upon the most ambitious musical project of his career. Entitled Testimony (2003), it chronicles his spiritual and musical journey in words and music. The 2 CD set spans over two hours as one continuous piece of music. Genre-wise, it ranges from a gospel choir to hard rock; from symphony orchestra to contemporary pop. Testimony was also Neal’s first of many albums with drummer Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater). A deftly woven musical tapestry, Testimony takes the listener on a fascinating journey as unique as the man behind it.
The ensuing world tour was captured on one unforgettable night for the 2-DVD set, Testimony Live (2004). Morse was recognized as a remarkably passionate and engaging performer by England’s Classic Rock Magazine, who included him in their “100 Greatest Frontmen of Rock” listing. The tour was awarded “Best Rock Tour” from the popular Dutch website, DPRP, besting nominees Peter Gabriel, Radiohead, RUSH and others.
Morse’s next studio album was a conceptual, progressive rock album entitled One. Mike Portnoy returned to perform on drums (in what is regarded as perhaps his finest performance), with up-and-coming bassist Randy George. They were joined by legendary guitarist Phil Keaggy. The result was a band-focused sound, harkening back to Neal’s Transatlantic work. Continuing in the tradition of Snow and Testimony, One proved epic in scope and sublime in nature.
For Morse’s third progressive rock album, he took a new approach, artistically. On Question (2005), Morse weaves a compelling storyline that owes as much to C.S. Lewis as Indiana Jones. His journey is a timeless quest—to find the biblical dwelling place of God. Joining Neal are more of prog’s brightest stars, including Mike Portnoy and Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), Roine Stolt (Flower Kings, Transatlantic) and Steve Hackett (Genesis).
Bringing Question to the stage required an outstanding tour band. Fusing technical wizardry with musical nuance, a young band of unknowns proved themselves in the fire of Question’s musical rollercoaster. The audience responded with energy and passion, with the experience captured on CD. Unrestrained, raw, and magnificent, the resulting 2 CD set Question: Live (2007) was to be further unveiled on the DVD, Sola Sciptura & Beyond.
Neal's next prog epic was his most daring, stirring passions and controversy. On Sola Scriptura (2007), Morse tells a compelling and sometimes macabre tale of the darkness that inevitably falls when humankind tries to elevate itself to God. Focusing on the Church in the Middle Ages, Morse is unflinching in his description of its abuses. Neal frames the issue as just one example of faith separated from its true foundations. The album closes not with an end but a beginning—for us to consider our world, and feel called to illuminate it.
Question and Sola Scriptura were received as Neal’s best to date, and the ensuing tours were captured on film. The ensuing release, Sola Scriptura & Beyond (2008) was an extraordinary live concert 2-DVD set that brought both albums to life. Also included were generous selections from One and Testimony, a Transatlantic section, five songs from Spock’s Beard, and an hour of behind-the-scenes tour footage.
Less than three months later, Neal completed Lifeline (2008), his next studio album. Unlike his other releases, Lifeline wasn't a concept album. Free from this constraint, Neal stretched out in all directions. He revisited early Spock’s Beard, Snow, Transatlantic, his solo releases, and launched into new territory. Joining him once again were Mike Portnoy and Randy George. It was the album that fans of Neal and progressive rock the world over had waited for. Press coverage of the album reached from some of Europe's biggest mainstream music publications, to Rolling Stone in Mexico.
Twelve years after The Light, Neal continues to blaze new creative trails. In 2009, he shines brighter than ever in the next remarkable chapter in Neal's musical journey.
In The Fire
Neal Morse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the darkness that we choose, lay it down it can't be used
Burn it in the fire
You can't offer up your guest you can't get by with second best
If you try to sneak away, the list is long the price you'll pay
Burn it in the fire
Burn it in the fire
Long before I came this way I thought the world would see my way
But I didn't see all the danger signs
Long ago and far away I missed the boat I went my way
And I turned into the other kind
Peter says don't wonder why when these fires come to life
Don't look down and don't think twice
You are now the sacrifice
Burning in the fire
Burning in the fire
The lyrics to "In the Fire" by Neal Morse carry a strong message about letting go of the negative aspects of our lives and sacrificing them to be able to move forward. The song starts with a warning that before entering a new phase of life, one must let go of all the darkness that has been chosen in the past. This darkness refers to the negative thoughts, actions, and habits that one might have consciously or unconsciously chosen. The lyrics encourage the listener to burn it all in the fire, letting go of all the negativity that might hinder progress.
The second verse talks about the regret of missed opportunities and taking the wrong path in life. Despite thinking that the world will see one's way, the singer didn't pay attention to the danger signs and missed the boat. This verse emphasizes the importance of being aware of the choices made and their consequences.
The third verse introduces the idea of sacrifice, referring to the Biblical story of Peter, who denied Jesus three times before the rooster crowed. The lyrics urge the listener to accept the fire as a form of sacrifice, not to look down or think twice about it, and face it head-on. By sacrificing the negative aspects of their lives, they can move on and enter a new phase.
Overall, "In the Fire" is a powerful song that encourages people to let go of the darkness, pay attention to their choices, and be willing to sacrifice to move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
But before you enter in nothing more can begin
Before you enter into the situation or experience, you have to leave certain things behind or you won't be successful in your endeavor.
All the darkness that we choose, lay it down it can't be used
Let go of all the negativity and bad choices you've made, as they cannot be used to contribute anything positive in your life moving forward.
Burn it in the fire
Release all the negativity through some form of destructive transformation, in this case, through burning it in the fire.
You can't offer up your guest you can't get by with second best
You have to prioritize what is truly valuable and not accept inferior substitutes along the way.
If you try to sneak away, the list is long the price you'll pay
If you try to avoid the things you need to let go of, the consequences will be severe.
Burn it in the fire
Reinforcing the need to discard the negativity and bad choices by burning them with fire.
Burn it in the fire
Further cementing the idea of ridding oneself of negativity through fire.
Burn it down
A call to action, urging one to burn down all the negativity and bad choices in their life.
Long before I came this way I thought the world would see my way
Before coming to this point, the desire for others to see things from one's own perspective was strong.
But I didn't see all the danger signs
However, in the past, the failure to pay attention to certain telltale danger signs led to missteps and setbacks.
Long ago and far away I missed the boat I went my way
In the distant past, a wayward decision led to significant losses in opportunities and experiences.
And I turned into the other kind
The consequences of that decision led to a shift in personality or identity, not necessarily for the better.
Peter says don't wonder why when these fires come to life
An idea presented by Peter, advising against questioning why hardships come about in life.
Don't look down and don't think twice
Don't waver in the face of hardship, and just keep moving forward.
You are now the sacrifice
Recognizing that sacrifices are part of the necessary journey toward success.
Burning in the fire
Repeating the idea of the transformative power of burning away negativity through fire.
Burning in the fire
Reiterating the thought of the cleansing nature of fire to rid oneself of negativity.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cartelesargentinos
Jordan Rudess se hace notar 🤘🏻🤘🏻
@ChristianCarrizales
That riff from 4:57 - 5:06 … you know this is a real prog song when you hear it!
@MrBenMcLean
@tal Halevi Thanks for telling us this. Mr. Morse has definitely acknowledged his Yes inspirations on many occasions.
@TheGoddessCaroline
I love the production on this too....wow. I'm going to check out a few more videos. :)
@TheGoddessCaroline
Very cool. Thanks for uploading this. Im grooving on this sound.
@MansightJoker
I think in thie Album, Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) play the keyboards, am I right?
@cartelesargentinos
Yes Sir
@gracefaith76
Megadeth used the guitar riff at 6:10 in there song How The Story ends around 3:40. I recognized it right away when I first listened to the Megadeth song 5 minutes ago
@gemsilica
nice piece of love
@daribenavidez
Excelente!!!