Take Away My Pain

Album: Falling Into Infinity (1997)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • John Petrucci wrote this song about his father, who passed away in 1996, the year before Falling Into Infinity was released. His dad had been sick with cancer for some time; in the song, John recalls the final days by his bedside as his father came to accept death, which would take away his pain.
  • Petrucci also wrote the lyric to the 1992 Dream Theater song "Another Day," which deals with his father's illness. In 2008, Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy lost his father to cancer; their song "The Best of Times" is about him.

Comments: 9

  • Ant1m4g3 from UkDream Theater is such a awesome band. Love you guys!
  • Satish Tamang from Darjeeling, Indiawhen i listened to dream theatre for the first time i was blown away by their music and lyrics.I wish i cud meets these guys.I wanna say thank you to them for taking me on an enchanting emotional trips.listening to dream theatre has been a life changing experience.Your music is an inspiration.SATISH,DARJEELING,INDIA.
  • Sarie Sechan from Magelang, United StatesSeveral time ago, i just a girl who didn't like a rock music. But, at the first time i know them and also all of the lyrisc, I just can say, It's really really amazing...
  • Edward from Deptford, NjI acutally only found out about DT when I met Mike Portnoy ata drum clinic right after 'Awake' was released. Mike played the drums live to the digital music track of 'Erotomania'. All I could do was stil there and drool. He was amazing. I got to meet the entire band at another drum clinic a year later. These guys were incedible. Not an ego among them. '6:00' is my all time favorite DT song.
  • Ryan from College Station, TxActually, Dream Theater started out as "Majesty," not "Mirage." It is also interesting to note that one of the songs on the "When Dream and Day Unite" album (Ytse Jam) is actually Majesty spelled backwards. Majesty had already been taken, so they had to change the name to Dream Theater based on the suggestion by Mike Portnoy's father, Howard Portnoy, based on the aforementioned California theater. But yes, I agree, DT is an incredible band, the best I have ever heard!
  • Sjoerd from Groningen, NorwayDream Theater started out as "Mirage", but when lead singer Chris Collins left the band they changed their name into Dream Theater, inspired by a now-demolished California movie theater. Charli Dominici became their frontman. He only lasted one album (When Dreams and Day unite) and fortunately Dream Theater came up with a bloke called James Labrie. Their second album "Images and Words" produced a small "hit", namely "Pull me under". Since then they are THE best Prog Rock band I have ever heard.
  • Charlie from Thomaston, Cteverybody loves Dream Theater!
  • Ashley from Moncton, CanadaI love dream theater and I don't know why nobody likes them, they rule.
  • Rick from Round Lake , IlI am a very big fan of dream theater and i dident know that this song was about that>
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")Songwriter Interviews

Holly Knight talks about some of the hit songs she wrote, including "The Warrior," "Never" and "The Best," and explains some songwriting philosophy, including how to think of a bridge.

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.

John Parr

John ParrSongwriter Interviews

John tells the "St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)" story and explains why he disappeared for so long.

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)Songwriter Interviews

Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai were two of Graham's co-writers for some '80s rock classics.

Wolfgang Van Halen

Wolfgang Van HalenSongwriter Interviews

Wolfgang Van Halen breaks down the songs on his debut album, Mammoth WVH, and names the definitive Van Halen songs from the Sammy and Dave eras.

Loreena McKennitt

Loreena McKennittSongwriter Interviews

The Celtic music maker Loreena McKennitt on finding musical inspiration, the "New Age" label, and working on the movie Tinker Bell.