Build Me Up, Break Me Down

Album: A Dramatic Turn Of Events (2011)
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Songfacts®:

  • This track from American progressive metal band Dream Theater eleventh album, A Dramatic Turn Of Events is more of a straightforward rocker than most of the other tunes on the set. Guitarist John Petrucci told MusicRadar: "This song and 'Bridges In The Sky' were written pretty far into the album. We felt as though the record needed some balance to it, some songs that were more driving and in your face. There were many progressive elements happening already, so we wrote a couple of songs that were direct and full of attitude."
  • Petrucci explained to MusicRadar how the hook that crops up at the end of the chorus came about: "I sang an idea to James (LaBrie, vocals), but I didn't know how he would finally go about it. Basically, I shouted the words into a microphone and sent the demo to him. What James wound up doing was a three-layer hook, which I totally love. The chords were already written, but he picked up on the keyboard line that was there."

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