| Under a Glass Moon | |
| Images and Words | |
| Length | 7:03 |
| Working title | The Battle of Jimmy Cocoa and Fish-Face |
| Release date | July 7, 1992 |
| Lyrics | John Petrucci |
| Music | Dream Theater |
| First live performance | |
| Total live plays | |
| Recorded | |
| Other appearances | |
| Previous song | Metropolis |
| Next song | Wait for Sleep |
Under a Glass Moon is a song by Dream Theater. It is the sixth song on their second album, Images and Words. Despite never being released as a single, Under a Glass Moon is one of the band's more popular songs.
Personnel
- Mike Portnoy - Drums
- John Petrucci - Guitar, lyrics
- John Myung - Bass
- Kevin Moore - Keyboard
- James LaBrie - Vocals
Lyrics
Tell me Remind me Chase the water racing from the sky Always beside me Taste the memories running from my eyes Nervous flashlights scan my dreams Liquid shadows silence their screams 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 honour 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
Analysis
The exact meaning of the song is unknown, due in no small part to the heavy use of metaphor. It is believed that the song is spiritual in nature, perhaps even specifically religious.
Tone
Under a Glass Moon is one of the heavier songs on Images and Words, known for its signature opening and crunching riff. The song is mid-tempo, and contains one of Petrucci's more famous guitar solos.
Notes
In a testament to the strange titles Dream Theater songs can have before lyrics are written for them, Under a Glass Moon was originally known as "The Battle of Jimmy Cocoa and Fish-Face".
Live Performances
Under a Glass Moon is one of the most common songs played live from the album, other than Pull Me Under and Metropolis. Live performances are usually fairly straightforward, though Jordan Rudess has been known to expand on the keyboard parts, often adding small humorous solos.
Appearances
- Images and Words - Original recorded version
- Lifting Shadows (album) - Original recorded version
- Through Her Eyes - Live medley
- Score - Live version
- Taste the Memories - Live version
- Images and Words 15th Anniversary Performance - Live version
- Images and Words Demos - Instrumental demo and pre-production demo
- Tokyo, Japan 10/28/95 - Live version
- New York City 3/4/93 - Live version