Temptation,
Why won't you leave me alone ?
Lurking every corner-
Everywhere I go

Self Control,
Don't turn your back on me now
When I need you the most

Constant pressure tests my will
My will or my won't
My self control escapes from me still

Hypocrite,
How could you be so cruel ?
And expect my faith in return ?

Resistance,
Is not as hard as it seems
When you close the door

I spent so long trusting in you
I trust you forgot
Just when I thought I believed in you

("What're you doing ? What're you doing ?")

It's time for me to deal
Becoming all too real
Living in fear,
Why did you lie and pretend ?
This has come to an end
I'll never trust you again
It's time you made your amends
Look in the mirror my friend

("That I haven't behaved as I should")
("Everything you need is around you. The only danger is inside you.")
("I thought you could control life, but it's not like that. There are things you can't control.")

Let's stare the problem right in the eye
It's plagued me from coast to coast
Racing the clock to please everyone
All but the one who matters the most

Reflections of reality
Are slowly coming into view
How in the hell could you possibly forgive me ?
After all the hell I put you through

It's time for me to deal
Becoming all too real
Living in fear
Why'd I betray my friend ?
Lying until the end
Living life so pretend
It's time to make my amends
I'll never hurt you again


Lyrics submitted by Paradox

The Mirror Lyrics as written by John Petrucci John Myung

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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The Mirror song meanings
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17 Comments

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  • +1
    General CommentThe lyrics get even more interesting if you assume that he's the only one in the song, he's talking to himself in the mirror. What he was, the good; and what he now is, what he addiction has made him, seperated by the mirror. It makes sense if it's about realising an addiction.

    "How in the hell could you possibly forgive me? After all the hell I put you through"

    For example.
    o210non March 13, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Commentthere's a line "hello mirror, so glad to see you my friend, it's been a while" in two of the songs from the AA saga, which possibly links into The Mirror.
    ganpondorodfon November 26, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis song is about Mike Portnoy's addiction to alcohol
    Molon_ukon December 04, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentHmm... I never thought that would be what it meant, but it seems obvious now. =P
    Awesome song, to the say the least.
    Shadowbitchon July 10, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Commentone of my fav's (but then they all are) but all i wanna know, is why is the beginning of this (the intro) referred to as puppies on acid? they play it in the live in tokyo dvd, so it was obviously written before awake was written. so was it something they just decided to make an actual song out of?
    NightmareCinema75on June 27, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentMike Portnoy has said that it is about his addiction to alcohol, along with the AA series (which currently includes The Glass Prison, This Dying Soul, and The Root of all Evil).

    However, while it contains some musical ties with Lie (mainly the fact that it bleeds into it and the main riff was originally meant to be part of The Mirror), it contains no connection with Lie as far as lyrics are concerned.
    Mikachuon July 05, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentIt was called "Puppies On Acid" because they made up fake lyrics that go with the melody played at the beginning. "Puppies on acid, aren't they a lovely sight, puppies on acid, I would eat them if I might".
    Although the lyrical themes are similar, it's not really connected to "Lie", just the music is.
    Ironman621on September 07, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentIt seems to be about a struggle with an addiction. "how in the hell could you possibly forgive me, after all the hell I put you through?". This is the line that led me to this conclusion because to me it's talking about a second side of a person being shown (possibly anger) via drugs, alcohol etc.. Good song.
    Lateralus518on February 14, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentIn a line closely after the Meryl Streep Sample, it says "This has come to an end", but actually it is "This has TO come to an end"

    Freakin' genius song, I especially like how the keyboard fits in so good.
    pwon March 11, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentIs it me or right after the final line of the song, is there the Space-Dye Vest riff? Is there another hidden Dream Theater nugget anyone know about here?
    Fade 2 blackon April 03, 2007   Link

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