Dream Theater – The Count of Tuscany

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  General Comment:Here's my analysis, Petrucci (who is Italian too) thought that Niccoli Capponi is the Monster of Florence, or related to Pietro Pacciani himself. I guess The Count of Tuscany (Niccoli) just telling the story about Monster of Florence since he is a historian. With all the dark story in Italy John just freaked him self out by listening to it by giving the impression that the Count was related to the Monster or the Monster himself. in fact he just a noble person and historian with a rich background and family line who also the giver of the information about Hannibal.

  Flag TheRioton January 11, 2012   Link

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  My Interpretation:I think the count of tuscany is used as a metaphor, he probably didn't really meet a count but maybe a member of the Italian Mafia or similar. Its quite possible, and Jon obviously can't publicly admit this song is about a member of the mafia.
  
  But the true meaning of the song is that we are so quick to judge people based on appearances and reputation and also that we fear people who are different from us.
  
  As for the song itself, wow!! the acoustic bit in the end is so sad, so sad that it actually brings joy to my heart. Thank you dream theater, I am so previliged to have come across Dream theater. My life would be incomplete without Dream theater and Rush!!!

  Flag crimsonidol910on July 09, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:The count of tuscany sounds like a real perv...
  
  Anyway it's such a clever light hearted story that was made into such an epic 19 minute song with some dark parts and wow, that ending is so soothing and warm hearted. I also agree with hihey there is plenty of Edgar Allen Poe in it. The cask of amontillato was the Mardi Gras story right?

  Flag corerulezon June 17, 2011   Link

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  Song Meaning:Aside from nomad and the person who posted about the interview statement, I think everyone is taking the wrong track with this song. Even if it was loosely based upon an actual incident that occurred to him, as according to the interview, it's not impossible that he added in some further meaning when turning it into a song. If there is any, then, along the lines of nomad, what occurred to me almost immediately upon listening to it is that it (the count) is a parable for life. A person goes through life scared and afraid, thinking that life is out to get him, trying to 'take him for a ride', but in the end, life isn't trying to hurt you, its just happenstance. He may have drawn on personal experience and history for creating stories to illustrate this, but thats what seems to be the overall meaning to me.
  
  
  And yeah, that last six minutes is awesome, I keep coming back to it.

  Flagged JohnnyLemonon November 30, 2010   Link

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  My Interpretation:This is a far stretch, and I'm almost certain they didn't intend it to be so, but I see the ending as a metaphor for someone going through the stages of dying, with a few imperfections.
  
  "
  
  
  "
  
  "Could this be the end?
  Is this the way I die?
  Sitting here alone
  No one by my side
  
  I don't understand
  I don't feel that I deserve this
  What did I do wrong?
  I just don't understand"
  
  At first they're afraid, in denial, and slightly angry. They're presented with the idea that they're dying in the first stanza, and then they show denial by saying that they don't understand, and anger with the fact that they feel like they don't deserve to die.
  
  "Give me one more chance
  Let me please explain
  It's all been circumstance
  I'll tell you once again
  
  You took me for a ride
  Promising a vast adventure
  Next thing that I know
  I'm frightened for my life"
  
  Then they're clearly bargaining. Being frightened for their life could be spun as to saying they're feeling depressed. But other than this far stretch, depression is missing from the stages, though it could be seen somewhat in the first two stanzas, or just in the somewhat depressing tone of the lyrics in the first 4 stanzas.
  
  "Now wait a minute man
  That's not how it is
  You must be confused
  That isn't who I am
  
  Please don't be afraid
  I would never try to hurt you
  This is how we live
  Strange although it seems
  Please try to forgive
  
  The chapel and the saint
  The soldiers and the wine
  The fables and the tales
  All handed down through time
  
  Of course you're free to go
  Go and tell the world my story
  Tell about my brother
  Tell them about me
  
  The Count of Tuscany"
  
  Then the very end is clearly acceptance, but you have to read it as if it's all being said by the same person, rather than the second half of the ending be the Count talking to Petrucci. You can also see the fact that they're satisfied with their life when they say that's just how they live and reminiscing about aspects of the past and encouraging people to tell his story, signifying that he is happily and ungregrettably allowing it to end.
  Obviously, it's a really far stretch, but you could sorta get that out of the song. It sure matches the music a lot better when you imagine that it's about someone coming to terms with their impending death.
  
  

  Flag nomad806on December 09, 2009   Link

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  My Opinion:This song reminds me alot of The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allen Poe. However, referencing someone else's post, it's about John Petrucci's experience.
  
  The end of this song is 6 minutes of musical GENIUS!!! This song is like a movie. Amazing song, and by far the longest I've kept on repeat.

  Flag Hihey9989on December 03, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:One line in the lyrics is wrong: It is not "like the Angel's share" it is "Like the English here,"
  The one part that is easier to figure out is the soldiers and the wine. At some point in World War II, a whole bunch of English soldiers got trapped or abandoned and fled into Italy and were hiding from the German soldiers. The stories alluded to in the song are probably about how the English soldiers hid in the vats of wine from German soldiers. The German soldiers allegedly committed many atrocities against the Italian people who helped harbor and hide the British soldiers, including gunning down priests.
  The line about "Like the English here, the end is near!" is a alluding to JP's sense of winding up like the English soldiers - dead.

  Flagged msorenzon December 03, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:Hi there, I like the comments posted, but I'd like to take a different approach. Because DT is so incredibly talented with their music and lyrics, is it possible that this song is completely fictional? John Petrucci is very imaginative, musically and lyrically, that this story could be completely made up. I think everyone is making more of this than it needs to be. This is my favorite song off of the album. Someone else posted that the ending gave them the goosebumps. I totally agree. In fact, the last song of almost every one of their albums is very emotional and dramatic. They are the best band in the world. No one else comes close. They try to duplicate, but fail. thank you for reading!

  Flag chinasplash0709on October 08, 2009   Link

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    Actually John has confirmed that it is based on a real event that took place in his life.

    Flag Consanguinityon October 28, 2009  
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  General Comment:i guess probably this song is connecting history with the time being...how cruelness and wars between tribes, nations, and people is actually changing to global peace and unification of mankind:
  
  The chapel and the saint
  The soldiers and the wine
  The fables and the tales
  All handed down through time
  
  Freedom is brought more and more with the fact that gradually no count or landlord will exist forever, and history remains a lesson for everyone to read about it:
  
  Of course you're free to go
  Go and tell the world my story
  Tell about my brother
  Tell them about me
  
  anyway i like the lyrics.
  

  Flag rimastratocasteron September 23, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:I agree with enderwggn. A Nightmare To Remember is great musically, but the lyrics really make me cringe.
  
  This one actually isn't so bad, but I'm sure without all the dramatic license, the story was REALLY lame.

  Flag priest_of_syrinxon September 13, 2009   Link

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