“Where images and words are running deep”

I wouldn’t exactly say Wait For Sleep is a standout track on Dream Theater’s 1992 album Images And Words. It’s just a wee piano/vocal ballad sandwiched between two prog metal powerhouses, Under A Glass Moon and Learning To Live, and works like a theatrical segue between them. But it’s a wonderful song that stands out all the same. Its lyrics provide a lot of inspiration for the album’s artwork as well as providing its title and it seems like a central track thematically with its pondering on life, death and grief. But, most importantly, Wait For Sleep is just bloody lovely. A cosy winter warmer that adds a crucial dash of tender humanity amidst the fearsome technical prowess either side and contributes to the total experience that only truly great albums have.