--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A Dream Theater without me was never in…" description: "\"A Dream Theater without me was never in the plan; I never expected that.\" — Mike Portnoy" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed9/mike-portnoy-5256_dream_a-dream-theater-without-me-was-never-in_2840940.jpg" --- # A Dream Theater without me was never in the plan; I never… ![“A Dream Theater without me was never in the plan; I never expected that.” quote by Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed9/mike-portnoy-5256_dream_a-dream-theater-without-me-was-never-in_2840940.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed9/mike-portnoy-5256_dream_a-dream-theater-without-me-was-never-in_2840940.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed9/mike-portnoy-5256_dream_a-dream-theater-without-me-was-never-in_2840940.jpg) > “A Dream Theater without me was never in the plan; I never expected that.” [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker expresses that his absence was never considered in the band's future plans, highlighting his unexpected role. **In simple terms:** His presence was always assumed. Key Takeaway Recognize the impact of each member. Themes teamwork expectations identity Mood reflective determined Type personal professional When to use this quote - band planning - career decisions - personal reflection Key Concepts group dynamics role importance Questions to Reflect On - How does your presence shape group outcomes? - Do you consider others' expectations? A Different Perspective Assumes others share his view; may overlook collective input. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) [Dream theater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream-theater/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/me/) [Never](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never/) [Plan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plan/) [Plan Expected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plan-expected-3724703/) [Strategy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strategy/) [Theater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theater/) [Theater Plan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theater-plan-3724702/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [We can't rush things up . . . Because when we do, what we expected might turn into bad . . . So just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-delacruz/we-can-t-rush-things-up-because-when-we-do-what-we-expected-might/) [Nicolas Delacruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-delacruz/) > [Usually we trust that nature has a master plan. But what was it she expected us to do with tobacco?.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-vaughan/usually-we-trust-that-nature-has-a-master-plan-but-what-was-it-she/) [Bill Vaughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-vaughan/) > [I love the Dream Theater guys dearly and have a long history, friendship, and bond that runs incredibly deep with them - it's just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-love-the-dream-theater-guys-dearly-and-have-a-long-history/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I spent my life's work doing what I did in Dream Theater for 25 years, so I'm proud of that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-spent-my-life-s-work-doing-what-i-did-in-dream-theater-for-25-years/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I remember waking up Tuesday, September 11th, 2001, to my wife telling me to put on the TV because I wasn't going to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-remember-waking-up-tuesday-september-11th-2001-to-my-wife-telling/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [Any time I say anything about Dream Theater... Honestly, I'd rather not talk about it. Because no matter what I say, it will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/any-time-i-say-anything-about-dream-theater-honestly-i-d-rather-not/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [With the Neal Morse Band, we're doing progressive music with a harder edge; it's a little more in Dream Theater territory for me. Flying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/with-the-neal-morse-band-we-re-doing-progressive-music-with-a-harder/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [My time and my legacy with Dream Theater will always be a part of me. It's something I'll always be proud of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/my-time-and-my-legacy-with-dream-theater-will-always-be-a-part-of-me/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [With Dream Theater, every creative aspect of the group went through me. I oversaw it all from top to bottom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/with-dream-theater-every-creative-aspect-of-the-group-went-through-me/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [We kind of established in Sons of Apollo right from the get go that it would be a very collaborative process musically, but after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/we-kind-of-established-in-sons-of-apollo-right-from-the-get-go-that/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I've been asked to write a book several times; I've had several publishers come to me and offer me book deals. Especially right after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-ve-been-asked-to-write-a-book-several-times-i-ve-had-several/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I see the headlines on Blabbermouth, and the fans are saying, 'Why is he always talking about Dream Theater?' I'm not talking about Dream…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-see-the-headlines-on-blabbermouth-and-the-fans-are-saying-why-is-he/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [One of the reasons I needed to leave Dream Theater was because I didn't want to end my career as just the drummer in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/one-of-the-reasons-i-needed-to-leave-dream-theater-was-because-i-didn/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I am looking forward to working with the great staff of Loud & Proud Records, some of whom I worked very closely with during…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-am-looking-forward-to-working-with-the-great-staff-of-loud-proud/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [One of the biggest misconceptions was, after I left Dream Theater, I went off and did, like, five different bands and side projects. Everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/one-of-the-biggest-misconceptions-was-after-i-left-dream-theater-i/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) ## More by Mike Portnoy > [My lesson would be to not sell yourself to anybody else and stay true to yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/my-lesson-would-be-to-not-sell-yourself-to-anybody-else-and-stay-true/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I love playing drums and helping out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-love-playing-drums-and-helping-out/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [One of the biggest misconceptions was, after I left Dream Theater, I went off and did, like, five different bands and side projects. Everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/one-of-the-biggest-misconceptions-was-after-i-left-dream-theater-i/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I don't even like doing drum solos live; to me, it's like, 'Ehhh.' It doesn't really interest me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-don-t-even-like-doing-drum-solos-live-to-me-it-s-like-ehhh-it-doesn/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [Every band goes through breakups or splits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/every-band-goes-through-breakups-or-splits/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I am looking forward to working with the great staff of Loud & Proud Records, some of whom I worked very closely with during…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-am-looking-forward-to-working-with-the-great-staff-of-loud-proud/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I'm a music fan first and foremost. I can find the beauty in Jellyfish and U2 just as much as Opeth and Lamb of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-m-a-music-fan-first-and-foremost-i-can-find-the-beauty-in-jellyfish/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I'm a very sentimental guy; I'm a very nostalgic guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-m-a-very-sentimental-guy-i-m-a-very-nostalgic-guy/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [It's all about the music, and I work as hard as I do strictly because of the music. It's not a money thing; it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/it-s-all-about-the-music-and-i-work-as-hard-as-i-do-strictly-because/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [One of the reasons I needed to leave Dream Theater was because I didn't want to end my career as just the drummer in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/one-of-the-reasons-i-needed-to-leave-dream-theater-was-because-i-didn/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I have no interest in playing 'perfect.' To me, it's more about being an entertainer. Having a connection with the audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-have-no-interest-in-playing-perfect-to-me-it-s-more-about-being-an/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I am - you know, I'm getting to do everything I've ever wanted to do, anything my imagination can think up. I'm getting to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-am-you-know-i-m-getting-to-do-everything-i-ve-ever-wanted-to-do/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I could be just as happy playing a Beatles song as I am when I'm thrashing out the double bass stuff with Adrenaline Mob.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-could-be-just-as-happy-playing-a-beatles-song-as-i-am-when-i-m/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I see the headlines on Blabbermouth, and the fans are saying, 'Why is he always talking about Dream Theater?' I'm not talking about Dream…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-see-the-headlines-on-blabbermouth-and-the-fans-are-saying-why-is-he/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [Flying Colors is more alternative pop with a prog edge. Think the Beatles meets U2 meets Muse and Foo Fighters. It is the opposite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/flying-colors-is-more-alternative-pop-with-a-prog-edge-think-the/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) [Explore all 102 Mike Portnoy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) ## More Dream quotes > [“Once we become sensitive to dreams, we discover that every dynamic in a dream is manifesting itself in some way in our practical lives”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-johnson/once-we-become-sensitive-to-dreams-we-discover-that-every-dynamic-in/) [Robert A. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-johnson/) > [A thing of beauty is a joy for ever;It's loveliness increase;it will never pass into nothingness;but still will keep a bower quiet for us,and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-keats/a-thing-of-beauty-is-a-joy-for-ever-it-s-loveliness-increase-it-will/) [John Keats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-keats/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [“Not that it matters, when you dream, there's no outside or in. Your mind is an unimaginable bloom. A willow catkin as big as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-shapero/not-that-it-matters-when-you-dream-there-s-no-outside-or-in-your-mind/) [Rich Shapero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-shapero/) > [Academically, I was never that interested. I skipped classes. My biggest dream was to have a coffee shop, but I had no idea how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-espinosa/academically-i-was-never-that-interested-i-skipped-classes-my-biggest/) [Daniel Espinosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-espinosa/) > [“As dreams are the healing songs from the wilderness of our unconscious - So wild animals, wild plants, wild landscapes are the healing dreams…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-pendell/as-dreams-are-the-healing-songs-from-the-wilderness-of-our/) [Dale Pendell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-pendell/) > [Alone in a world, With millions of souls Walking in circles Trapped in their dreams unhealthy, unclean walking in circles, now do not disturb…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-bennington/alone-in-a-world-with-millions-of-souls-walking-in-circles-trapped-in/) [Chester Bennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-bennington/) > [“Doing the work to transform your dreams into reality is like walking across the earth. It can be that hard, and it can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dragos-bratasanu/doing-the-work-to-transform-your-dreams-into-reality-is-like-walking/) [Dragos Bratasanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dragos-bratasanu/) > [As far as Im concerned, I didnt dream - ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-sturgeon/as-far-as-im-concerned-i-didnt-dream-ever/) [Theodore Sturgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-sturgeon/) > [I have long felt that the way to keep children out of trouble is to keep them interested in things. Lecturing to children is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/i-have-long-felt-that-the-way-to-keep-children-out-of-trouble-is-to/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [I guess, it's a father's dream for his daughter to be known around the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liza-soberano/i-guess-it-s-a-father-s-dream-for-his-daughter-to-be-known-around-the/) [Liza Soberano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liza-soberano/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [Sometimes life seems like a dream, especially when I look down and see that I forgot to put on my pants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/sometimes-life-seems-like-a-dream-especially-when-i-look-down-and-see/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [“I had a dream. I had an awesome dream.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-had-a-dream-i-had-an-awesome-dream/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“His dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/his-dream-must-have-seemed-so-close-that-he-could-hardly-fail-to/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) [Browse all 26,527 Dream quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A Dream Theater without me was never in the plan; I never expected that.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mike Portnoy" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/a-dream-theater-without-me-was-never-in-the-plan-i-never-expected-that/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Dream" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/a-dream-theater-without-me-was-never-in-the-plan-i-never-expected-that/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed9/mike-portnoy-5256_dream_a-dream-theater-without-me-was-never-in_2840940.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed9/mike-portnoy-5256_dream_a-dream-theater-without-me-was-never-in_2840940.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed9/mike-portnoy-5256_dream_a-dream-theater-without-me-was-never-in_2840940.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A Dream Theater without me was never in the plan; I never expected that.” — Mike Portnoy", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Mike Portnoy", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "A Dream Theater without me was...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/a-dream-theater-without-me-was-never-in-the-plan-i-never-expected-that/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/a-dream-theater-without-me-was-never-in-the-plan-i-never-expected-that/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```