Someone already nailed, it's about how everything moves in circles. From what I've heard and determined the first section is Petrucci, writing about how he wanted to be his own person, and not a musician, but was inspired to become one, and now has become an inspiration for others, bringing everything full circle.
The second part is by LaBrie, it's just a fictional story, but the man starts out in a state of catatonic sleep, awakens, then ultimately falls back into his state of catatonic sleep. AKA it ended like it began, with him in a state of catatonic sleep.
The Third part is by Portnoy, similar to the first one about how they didn't want to be like their idols and role models. Ultimately they couldn't help it and no matter how much they tried they did become like them and he mentions at the end how they've come full circle.
The fourth, also by Portnoy emphasizes how every song on the album was all part of one big theme. Every song on the album goes up a note in key, and Octavarium, being the eighth song, is the Octave, which is the same note as the root (Root of All Evil). Then ends with LaBrie saying "Trapped inside this Octavarium" which is about how they're trapped in the cycle.
The Fifth part, which is written by Petrucci, who also wrote the first in order to emphasize how the song is ending like it began, is just blatantly saying we move in circles and that everything is cyclic.
There's much more to it, but it would be even longer to type out.
Someone already nailed, it's about how everything moves in circles. From what I've heard and determined the first section is Petrucci, writing about how he wanted to be his own person, and not a musician, but was inspired to become one, and now has become an inspiration for others, bringing everything full circle.
The second part is by LaBrie, it's just a fictional story, but the man starts out in a state of catatonic sleep, awakens, then ultimately falls back into his state of catatonic sleep. AKA it ended like it began, with him in a state of catatonic sleep.
The Third part is by Portnoy, similar to the first one about how they didn't want to be like their idols and role models. Ultimately they couldn't help it and no matter how much they tried they did become like them and he mentions at the end how they've come full circle.
The fourth, also by Portnoy emphasizes how every song on the album was all part of one big theme. Every song on the album goes up a note in key, and Octavarium, being the eighth song, is the Octave, which is the same note as the root (Root of All Evil). Then ends with LaBrie saying "Trapped inside this Octavarium" which is about how they're trapped in the cycle.
The Fifth part, which is written by Petrucci, who also wrote the first in order to emphasize how the song is ending like it began, is just blatantly saying we move in circles and that everything is cyclic.
There's much more to it, but it would be even longer to type out.
Part II. Medicate (Awakening) - is based heavily on the movie "Awakenings" starring Robert DeNiro and Robin Williams, which is based on a true story.
Part II. Medicate (Awakening) - is based heavily on the movie "Awakenings" starring Robert DeNiro and Robin Williams, which is based on a true story.
It's well worth a rental if you've never seen it. I can't listen to this song without recalling the movie and vice-versa.
It's well worth a rental if you've never seen it. I can't listen to this song without recalling the movie and vice-versa.