The Spirit Carries On

Album: Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory (1999)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is "Scene Eight" in Dream Theater's concept album Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory. The album follows the character Nicholas, who goes under hypnosis and discovers a past life where he was a woman named Victoria. In this song, Nicholas is at peace, no longer frightened of dying, as he knows his spirit will live on. Victoria appears to affirm this, but makes a request: "never let your memory of me disappear."
  • Unusually for a concept album, different group members contributed lyrics to the various songs. Guitarist John Petrucci wrote the lyrics to this one, which follows "One Last Time," a lyric by lead singer James LaBrie.
  • The opening lyrics, "Where do we come from? Why are we here? Where do we go when we die?" are very similar to the title of a 1897 painting by French post-impressionist artist Paul Gauguin, Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Adrian - Malta
  • The Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory is a sequel to their 1992 song "Metropolis - Part I: "The Miracle And The Sleeper"." On that song, they added the "Part 1" as a lark, but when fans started asking about Part 2, they decided to deliver it. They wrote Part 2 and planned to released it as part of their 1997 album Falling Into Infinity, but that would have made it a double album, and Dream Theater's label wouldn't allow it. The band ended up reworking it in 1999, making Metropolis Pt. 2 the entire album.

Comments: 7

  • Reggev from Misgav, IsraelYou don't have to believe in reincarnation to like this song.
  • Adam from Northampton, United KingdomMy favourite song of all time, due to personal stuff.. but also because the whole concept album is amazing to the highest standard.
  • Tzali from Ramat Gan, IsraelThis is one song i give example of when people say that "DT are only technical and have no feel neither spirit".
    this is th eproof that those guys rock every corner of music they want to
  • David from Baden-baden, GermanyEspecially the Live Version from New York is one of the best songs I've ever heard live.
  • D from Melbourne, Australiasuch a beautiful song and it captures much of dream theater's range
  • Bill from Winnipeg, CanadaGood song, very emotional. Especially after listen to the other songs.
  • Steph from Tolland, Ctthis is my all-time favorite song =)
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")Song Writing

Nick made some of the biggest videos on MTV, including "The Final Countdown," "Heaven" and "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)."

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?Song Writing

A big list of musical marriages and family relations ranging from the simple to the truly dysfunctional.

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"They're Playing My Song

The first of Billy's five #1 hits was the song that propelled Madonna to stardom. You'd think that would get you a backstage pass, wouldn't you?

Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders

Chrissie Hynde of The PretendersSongwriter Interviews

The rock revolutionist on songwriting, quitting smoking, and what she thinks of Rush Limbaugh using her song.

Joe Elliott of Def Leppard

Joe Elliott of Def LeppardSongwriter Interviews

The Def Leppard frontman talks about their "lamentable" hit he never thought of as a single, and why he's juiced by his Mott The Hoople cover band.

La La Brooks of The Crystals

La La Brooks of The CrystalsSong Writing

The lead singer on "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Then He Kissed Me," La La explains how and why Phil Spector replaced The Crystals with Darlene Love on "He's A Rebel."