| Dream Theater – The Test That Stumped Them All Lyrics | 10 years ago |
| After extensive research I found out that you are right. if you would've done some more digging you would've had every lyric analyzed. you helped me with my analysis above, thank you and good job. | |
| Dream Theater – The Test That Stumped Them All Lyrics | 10 years ago |
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I think I have it all, it's rather lengthy so bare with me I believe the song is about someone who is a schizophrenic. There are so many things that we still don't know about schizophrenia that would explain the title of the song "the test that stumped them all." I'll try to explain each part "Standing in the darkness Waiting for the light The smell of pure adrenaline Burning in the night" This shows how degree 3 (person 3, there are six people he is the third) Thinks that he is a star. Degree 3 thinks highly of himself and that all these tests that doctors are doing is for him because he is a star. When doctors did tests on schizophrenic patients they would often have them in the dark before testing. The bright light signals testing. Adrenaline could be used to keep degree 3 up through all hours of the night. "Random blinding flashes Aiming at the stage" Flashing lights were commonly used in testing, the stage is most likely a table he is strapped to while they are running tests. "Intro tape begins to roll Igniting sonic rage" Doctors would also use tapes of sound and most schizophrenic patients would respond with rage and violence. It's also shown that tapes with instructions, like killing, would be attempted by said patient. "Still they keep me between these hollow walls Hoping to find in me The answers to the test that stumped them all" Degree 3 is in an institution (the hallow walls) where doctors are hoping to find answers to Schizophrenia. "The boy is just simply crazy Suffering from delusions We honestly think that maybe He might need an institution He lives in a world of fiction And really could use some help We have just the place to fix him To save him from himself" This goes back to when they were first instituting degree 3. The doctors are not speaking directly to him but he is in the same room overhearing the conversation. The doctors suggested to maybe a parent or guardian that degree 3 should be put into a mental institution for testing. The "delusions" and "world of fiction" suggest schizophrenia. "Saving him from himself" refers to suicide. Some schizophrenic patients will commit suicide if told to. They don't realize what they are doing. "Random urine testing Pills red, pink and blue" Shows that the doctors are trying to fix him with medication. He is not getting better so they do urine tests to see if degree 3 is taking his meds. "Counseling and therapy Providing not a clue" Still can not find answers to schizophrenia or to degree 3 Chorus. "We can't seem to find the answers He seemed such a clear cut case We cannot just let him leave here And put all this work to waste" The doctors still can not cure degree 3 but do not want to let him go. The doctors want answers "Why don't we try shock treatment It really might do some help We have just the tools to fix him To save him from himself" Shock treatment was and still is used on schizophrenic patients. It seems here that this is the last resort but by the sound of everything degree 3 will most likely not be cured. And finally "deception of fame" from the grand finale means that degree 3 believes he is a star. The light tests are his spotlight. The mental institution his stage. Remember he lives in a world of fiction and fantasy. He can be whoever he chooses and he chose a life of fame in his world. |
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