Boston – McDiggles

Boston – Foreplay / Long Time (Audio)

redrover61 — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 05:09:05 +0000

[Verse 1]
It’s been such a long time
I think I should be goin’, yeah
And time doesn’t wait for me, it keeps on rollin’
Sail on, on a distant highway
I’ve got to keep on chasin’ a dream
I’ve gotta be on my way
Wish there was something I could say

[Hook]
Well I’m takin’ my time, I’m just movin’ along
You’ll forget about me after I’ve been gone
And I take what I find, I don’t want no more
It’s just outside of your front door

It’s been such a long time. It’s been such a long time

[Verse 2]
Well I get so lonely when I am without you
But in my mind, deep in my mind
I can’t forget about you
Good times, and faces that remind me
I’m tryin’ to forget your name and leave it all behind me
You’re comin’ back to find me

[Hook]

It’s been such a long time. It’s been such a long time

[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 3]
Yeah. It’s been such a long time, I think I should be goin’, yeah
And time doesn’t wait for me, it keeps on rollin’
There’s a long road, I’ve gotta stay in time with
I’ve got to keep on chasin’ that dream, though I may never find it
I’m always just behind it

Well I’m takin’ my time, I’m just movin’ along
Takin’ my time, just movin’ along
Takin’ my time, yeah I’m takin’ my time…

Foreplay/Long Time

“Foreplay/Long Time” is a song written by Tom Scholz and first performed by the rock band Boston on the band’s eponymous debut album, and as their second single, on Epic Records in 1976. It combines an instrumental introduction, “Foreplay”, to the main song “Long Time”, generally played as one on the radio and listed as one track on the album. “Long Time” peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 the week ending March 5, 1977.^[1] It reached the Top 10 in Canada, peaking at No. 9.^[2] The standalone “Foreplay” was released as the B-side of Boston’s next single “Peace of Mind“, which was released in April.^[3]In an interview for the Best of Boston CD, Scholz said that “Foreplay” was the first song he ever recorded, and he did this on a two-track machine in his basement.^[4] Scholz also stated that it was the first piece of music he ever wrote, and that he wrote it as far back as 1969.^[5]^[6]^[7]

An alternate mix of the song is available on the Epic Records Promo LP It’s a Knockout. It was a sampler LP of artists that had releases coming up in 1976. This version has various differences in the mix and effects and also includes extra lyrics towards the end of the song. This version has never been available officially anywhere else.

Content

“Foreplay” is a progressive instrumental prelude, primarily consisting of rapid triplet arpeggios on a Hammond M-3 organ (contrary to popular belief, the song was not recorded on a B-3, as Tom Scholz had a limited budget at the time and was unable to afford one) with a bass part doubled by a clavinet, and drums, with lead guitar joining at the end. According to Scholz, leader and producer of Boston, the synthesizer-like swoops were produced by scraping a pick across the strings of an electric guitar in conjunction with distortion and delay.

The three guitar solos on “Long Time” are played by Barry Goudreau, rather than Scholz, who played most of the guitar parts on Boston. Goudreau also plays the solo in “Let Me Take You Home Tonight”.^[7] Scholz played the solos in “More Than a Feeling”, “Peace of Mind”, “Rock & Roll Band”, and “Something About You”.

Rolling Stone described “Foreplay/Long Time” as “a perfect marriage of Led Zeppelin and Yes that plays musical chairs with electric and acoustic sounds.”^[8]

In popular culture

In 2004, “Long Time” was used as the background music for a series of television commercials, titled “Timeless”, for NASCAR, featuring a hypothetical race between drivers and cars of all eras of NASCAR competition. It was featured on YouTube on a Best of NASCAR 2013 video.

In 2006, “Foreplay” is featured near the end of The Sopranos episode “The Fleshy Part of the Thigh” (Season 6, Episode 4). Tony Soprano is playing it to obscure a conversation in case a room is bugged.

“Foreplay/Long Time” is featured as a playable track in the video game Rock Band. It is the final song in the Vocal Solo Tour. The track was played during Part 1 of the Season 2 finale of the television show Supernatural.

“Foreplay/Long Time” was featured in an episode of the television series 24/7 Penguins/Capitals: Road to the NHL Winter Classic in 2010.

“Foreplay/Long Time” was heard before a commercial break during NBC‘s coverage of Super Bowl XLVI on February 5, 2012.

Chart performance

Weekly charts[edit]

Chart (1977)	Peak position
Canada RPM^[2]	9
Germany	39
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	22
U.S. Cashbox Top 100^[9]	12

Year-end charts

Chart (1977)	Position
Canada^[10]	95
U.S. Cash Box Top 100^[11]	99

Personnel

Foreplay

Tom Scholz – Hammond organ, clavinet, lead guitar including space pedal effects
Sib Hashian – drums
Barry Goudreau – rhythm guitars
Fran Sheehan – bass

Long Time

Tom Scholz – acoustic rhythm guitar, organ, clavinet, bass
Brad Delp – vocals
Sib Hashian – drums
Barry Goudreau – lead guitar and electric rhythm guitar

Cover versions

Rascal Flatts played a cover version of “Foreplay/Long Time” in concert, which was released on the album Rascal Flatts LIVE.^[12]^[13]
Phish celebrated their first concert at Great Woods in Mansfield, Massachusetts by opening with “Foreplay/Long Time”. They had covered a bluegrass arrangement earlier in their careers, but this was the first time they played the full electric version that is heard on the album.^[13]

http://vevo.ly/t7TgHv

End

Boston – Peace of Mind (Audio)

redrover61 — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 04:03:08 +0000

Lyrics:

[Verse 1]
Now if your feelin’ kinda low ’bout the dues you’ve been payin’
Future’s comin’ much too slow
And you wanna run but somehow you just keep on stayin’
Can’t decide on which way to go

[Hook]
I understand about indecision
But I don’t care if I get behind
People living in competition
All I want is to have my peace of mind

[Verse 2]
Now you’re climbing to the top of the company ladder
Hope it doesn’t take too long
Can’t you see there’ll come a day when it won’t matter
Come a day when you’ll be gone

[Hook]
I understand about indecision
But I don’t care if I get behind
People living in competition
All I want is to have my peace of mind

Take a look ahead
Take a look ahead
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

[Verse 3]
Well everybody’s got advice they just keep on givin’
Doesn’t mean too much to me
Lots of people have to make believe they’re livin’
Can’t decide who they should be

[Hook]
I understand about indecision
But I don’t care if I get behind
People living in competition
All I want is to have my peace of mind

Take a look ahead
Take a look ahead
Look ahead!

Peace of Mind (Boston song)

“Peace of Mind” is a song written by Tom Scholz and originally released by Boston on their debut 1976 self-titled album. It was released the next year as the third and final single from the album and peaked at number 38 on the U.S. BillboardHot 100 in 1977,^[1] as well as number 33 on the Cash Box Top 100.^[2] It received substantial radio airplay, both upon the initial release of the Boston album and subsequently, and has been described as a “rock-radio staple.”

Writing and recording

“Peace of Mind” is one of six songs, five of which eventually appeared on the Boston album, that Scholz worked on in his basement in 1974 and 1975, before Boston got its record contract. The demo was specifically finished in 1974.^[3] The drum parts were originally developed by Jim Masdea, although Sib Hashian played the drums on the official release.^[3]According to Ultimate Classic Rock critic Michael Gallucci, the demo version was “fully formed” and so the album version didn’t change much except for “[amping] up the guitars and production.”^[4]

Lyrics and music

The song is about the people Scholz worked with at Polaroid Corporation before getting his recording contract, and about Scholz’s lack of interest in climbing the corporate ladder into company management.^[5]^[6] According to music journalist Chuck Eddy, the lyrics argue that it is unhealthy for people to compete with each other.^[7] Paul Elliott commented on the lyrics’ “positivity,” exhorting people to look past their mundane life to “find deeper meaning.”^[8] He also noted the song’s “uplifting quality,” expressed through “its freewheeling riff, its rich melody and dazzling vocal harmonies.”^[8] AXS contributor Craig James describes the theme as being that it is better to make music and being at peace with yourself is better than corporate aspirations.^[9] Vanyaland’s Daniel Brockman found irony in the refrain, “I understand about indecision, and I don’t care if I get behind/People living in competition, all I want is to have my peace of my mind,” noting that this was a hit single premised on lyrics stating that one shouldn’t take their career too seriously.^[6] Mojo magazine cited the lyrics as presenting an alternate view of the American Dream to that described in another song from the Bostonalbum, “Hitch a Ride.”^[10]

The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Rock History described it as being “built around soaring guitars, tight vocal harmonies, and huge hooks,” which were part of the band’s appeal.^[11] Boston lead singer Brad Delp cited “Peace of Mind” as an example of how Scholz was able to combine the vocal harmonies of the Beach Boys with the heavy guitar sound of Led Zeppelin.^[12] Rolling Stone Magazine commented on how the guitars “feel epic” but also “delicate and intimate.”^[13] Tom Moon cited “Peace of Mind” and “Long Time” as examples to illustrate how Scholz varied his guitar effects for each Boston song, stating that “Peace of Mind” has a “grittier, less airbrushed attack.”^[14]

Reception

Rolling Stone Album Guide critic Paul Evans called “Peace of Mind” a “satisfying, if similar, followup” to “More Than a Feeling”.^[15] Scott Tady of Beaver County Timesdescribed “Peace of Mind” as one of the songs that “helped set the foundation for classic-rock radio.”^[16] Eric Deggans wrote that “Bouncy, slick tracks such as ‘More Than a Feeling’ and ‘Peace of Mind’ defined new parameters for rock radio during the 70s, with soaring vocals searing guitars and trite lyrics.”^[17] Jamie Reno of San Diego magazine described it as an “infectious flick-your Bic staple.”^[18] MTV‘s Gil Kaufman similarly described the song as a “rock-radio staple.”^[19] Brockman called it “one of the most overplayed songs in rock history” but praised Delp’s singing, particularly his vulnerability and sincerity, making Brockman believe that Delp really believed the words of the refrain.^[6] Gallucci rated it Boston’s 5th greatest song, particularly praising the “fuzzy guitar riff” and noting that it has remained a classic rock radio staple.^[4] Elliott and Craig both rated it even higher, as Boston’s second greatest song behind only “More Than a Feeling.”^[8]^[9] Guitar World magazine selected “Peace of Mind” as one of their 50 greatest rock songs of all time.^[20]^[21]^[22]

Personnel

Tom Scholz – acoustic and electric rhythm guitar, lead guitar, bass guitar
Sib Hashian – drums
Brad Delp – vocals

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Chart (1977)	Peak position
Canada RPM	41
U.S. Billboard Hot 100^[1]	38
U.S. Cash Box Top 100^[2]	33

Covers

“Peace of Mind” was covered by Stryper on their 2009 Murder by Pride album.^[23] Tom Scholz also played guitar on that track.^[23] Allmusic critic James Christopher Monger described Stryper’s version as “as a choice cover of the Boston classic.”^[23]

http://vevo.ly/kle1O9

End

Boston-Rock and Roll band

redrover61 — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 15:40:30 +0000

Lyrics:

[Verse 1]
Well, we were just another band out of Boston
On the road to try to make ends meet
Playin’ all the bars, sleepin’ in our cars
And we practiced right on out in the street
No, we didn’t have much money
We barely made enough to survive
But when we got up on stage and got ready to play
People came alive

[Hook]
Rock and roll band, everybody’s waitin’
Gettin’ crazy, anticipating love and music
Play, play, play
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

[Verse 2]
Dancin’ in the streets of Hyannis
We were getting pretty good at the game
People stood in line and didn’t seem to mind
You know everybody knew our name
Livin’ on rock-n-roll music
Never worry ’bout the things we were missing
When we got up on the stage and got ready to play
Everybody’d listen

[Hook]

[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 3]
Playin’ for a week in Rhode Island
A man came to the stage one night
He smoked a big cigar
Drove a Cadillac car
And said “Boys, I think this band’s outta sight”
Sign a record company contract
You know I’ve got great expectations
When I hear you on the car radio
You’re goin’ to be a sensation!”

[Hook]

“Rock & Roll Band” is a song written by Tom Scholz and first released by the rock band Boston on the band’s eponymous debut album. It is one of six songs Scholz worked on in his basement in 1974 and 1975 before Boston got its record contract, five of which eventually appeared on the Boston album. The “Rock and Roll Band” demo was finished in 1974, along with three of the six.^[1] However, Scholz had begun writing the song years earlier, in the early 1970s.^[2] The drum parts of this and other early Boston songs were developed by Jim Masdea, but this is the only song on the Boston album on which Masdea plays drums.^[1]^[3] Scholz plays clavinet and all the guitar parts, including bass guitar, and Brad Delp sings the vocals.^[3] Boston consistently open with “Rock and Roll Band” while playing at live concerts.

History

“Rock & Roll Band” is the song that Paul Ahern played for Charlie McKenzie to interest him in the yet unnamed band that was to become Boston.^[2] Shortly after, Ahern and McKenzie signed on as the band’s managers.^[2]

“”Rock and Roll Band” is one of several Boston songs with the theme of making music and how music makes them feel.^[4] According to Allmusic critic Vik Iyengar, it” is about the band’s “rise from a bar band.”^[5] In The Rough Guide to Rock, Charles Bottomley calls the song Boston’s “self-description.”^[6] Lyrics supporting this statement include:

Well we were just another band out of Boston

On the road to try to make ends meet

Playin’ all the bars, sleepin’ in our cars

And we practiced right on out in the street.

However, the song’s lyrics do exaggerate the band’s story, as they spent years of work and rejection to get their recording contract, rather than being suddenly discovered by a record executive who happened to catch a show.^[7] Boston’s official website acknowledges that the song is “a charming bit of group self-mythology.”^[8] Scholz himself admits that the song is “pure fantasy” since the band never played live or toured at the time the song was written.^[9] According to Scholz, the song was inspired by Masdea telling him of playing in bands in Hyannis, Massachusetts and dreaming of being discovered.^[10] Scholz decided to write a song “about everybody who dreams about that,” even though “that’s not what happened with Boston.”^[10] Todd Maternowski claims that the band “set a precedent when they wrote the song “Rock and Roll Band,” about the gritty life of an up-and-coming musician, despite never actually having experienced anything of the sort and getting a major record contract before their first live gig.”^[11]

Critical reception

Billy Baker of the Boston Globe called “Rock and Roll Band” “one of the biggest rock anthems of the 1970s.”^[12] Scott Tady of Beaver County Times described “Rock and Roll Band,” “Smokin’” and Boston’s first four singles as having “helped set the foundation for classic-rock radio.”^[13] Boston Globe’s Sarah Rodman credited “Rock and Roll Band” as one of the songs that helped drive sales of Boston to over 17 million copies.^[14] The New Rolling Stone Album Guide called “Rock and Roll Band” a “cleaned-up boogey [sic] crowd pleaser…”^[15] Jamie Reno of San Diego magazine described it as an “infectious flick-your Bic staple.”^[16] MTV‘s Gil Kaufman noted that the song is a “rock-radio staple.”^[17] Guitar World states that when the radio plays “Rock and Roll Band” “few can resist indulging in fits of fleet-fingered air guitar and a spirited falsetto sing-along.”^[18] In describing “the absolute perfection of every song” on Boston’s debut album, Brian Thorpe Ferris claimed that “even the fake, cheering crowd on ‘Rock & Roll Band’ sounds authentic”^[19] Entertainment Weekly writer Chris Willman noted that, like all the other songs from Boston, “Rock and Roll Band” “received sizable FM radio airplay” upon its release, and that as of 2007 the song is “still all over the [radio] bandwidth.”^[20] Willman did claim that he considers the song’s lyrics to be cringe-worthy.^[20] Writing in 2008, Kevin Smith of the Arizona Daily Star described it as a “radio standard.”^[21] In 2011, the radio station Q107 rated “Rock and Roll Band” as the #439 song of all time.^[22] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Michael Gallucci rated it Boston’s 6th best song, praising the band’s playing like they are “seasoned vets.”^[4]

Other appearances

The New Duncan Imperials covered “Rock and Roll Band” on their 1993 EP “We’re a Band.”^[23] A downloadable version of the song is available for the video game Rock Band.^[24] It is also available for Guitar Hero World Tour.^[25]

Personnel

Tom Scholz – rhythm guitar, lead guitar, bass guitar, clavinet
Jim Masdea – drums
Brad Delp – vocals

End

Boston – Rock And Roll Band – 6/17/1979 – Giants Stadium (Official)

redrover61 — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 15:40:28 +0000

Lyrics:

[Hook]
Rock and roll band, everybody’s waitin’
Gettin’ crazy, anticipating love and music
Play, play, play
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

[Hook]

[Guitar Solo]

[Hook]

History

Well we were just another band out of Boston

On the road to try to make ends meet

Playin’ all the bars, sleepin’ in our cars

And we practiced right on out in the street.

Critical reception

Other appearances

Personnel

Tom Scholz – rhythm guitar, lead guitar, bass guitar, clavinet
Jim Masdea – drums
Brad Delp – vocals

Boston – Rock And Roll Band
Recorded Live: 6/17/1979 – Giants Stadium – East Rutherford, NJ
More Boston at Music Vault: http://www.musicvault.com
Subscribe to Music Vault on YouTube: http://goo.gl/DUzpUF

End

Boston – Peace of Mind (Boston) HQ

redrover61 — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 15:40:25 +0000

Lyrics:

[Hook]
I understand about indecision
But I don’t care if I get behind
People living in competition
All I want is to have my peace of mind

[Verse 2]
Now you’re climbing to the top of the company ladder
Hope it doesn’t take too long
Can’t you see there’ll come a day when it won’t matter
Come a day when you’ll be gone

[Hook]
I understand about indecision
But I don’t care if I get behind
People living in competition
All I want is to have my peace of mind

Take a look ahead
Take a look ahead
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

[Verse 3]
Well everybody’s got advice they just keep on givin’
Doesn’t mean too much to me
Lots of people have to make believe they’re livin’
Can’t decide who they should be

[Hook]
I understand about indecision
But I don’t care if I get behind
People living in competition
All I want is to have my peace of mind

Take a look ahead
Take a look ahead
Look ahead!

“Peace of Mind” is a song written by Tom Scholz and originally released by Boston on their debut 1976 self-titled album. It was released the next year as the third and final single from the album and peaked at number 38 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1977,^[1] as well as number 33 on the Cash Box Top 100.^[2] It received substantial radio airplay, both upon the initial release of the Boston album and subsequently, and has been described as a “rock-radio staple.”

Writing and recording

“Peace of Mind” is one of six songs, five of which eventually appeared on the Boston album, that Scholz worked on in his basement in 1974 and 1975, before Boston got its record contract. The demo was specifically finished in 1974.^[3] The drum parts were originally developed by Jim Masdea, although Sib Hashian played the drums on the official release.^[3] According to Ultimate Classic Rock critic Michael Gallucci, the demo version was “fully formed” and so the album version didn’t change much except for “[amping] up the guitars and production.”^[4]

Lyrics and music

Reception

Rolling Stone Album Guide critic Paul Evans called “Peace of Mind” a “satisfying, if similar, followup” to “More Than a Feeling”.^[15] Scott Tady of Beaver County Times described “Peace of Mind” as one of the songs that “helped set the foundation for classic-rock radio.”^[16] Eric Deggans wrote that “Bouncy, slick tracks such as ‘More Than a Feeling’ and ‘Peace of Mind’ defined new parameters for rock radio during the 70s, with soaring vocals searing guitars and trite lyrics.”^[17] Jamie Reno of San Diego magazine described it as an “infectious flick-your Bic staple.”^[18] MTV‘s Gil Kaufman similarly described the song as a “rock-radio staple.”^[19] Brockman called it “one of the most overplayed songs in rock history” but praised Delp’s singing, particularly his vulnerability and sincerity, making Brockman believe that Delp really believed the words of the refrain.^[6] Gallucci rated it Boston’s 5th greatest song, particularly praising the “fuzzy guitar riff” and noting that it has remained a classic rock radio staple.^[4] Elliott and Craig both rated it even higher, as Boston’s second greatest song behind only “More Than a Feeling.”^[8]^[9] Guitar World magazine selected “Peace of Mind” as one of their 50 greatest rock songs of all time.^[20]^[21]^[22]

Personnel

Tom Scholz – acoustic and electric rhythm guitar, lead guitar, bass guitar
Sib Hashian – drums
Brad Delp – vocals

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Chart (1977)	Peak position
Canada RPM	41
U.S. Billboard Hot 100^[1]	38
U.S. Cash Box Top 100^[2]	33

Covers

The song Peace of Mind played by Boston from their debut album “Boston”

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End

Boston – Peace Of Mind – 6/17/1979 – Giants Stadium (Official)

redrover61 — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 15:40:22 +0000

Lyrics:

[Hook]
I understand about indecision
But I don’t care if I get behind
People living in competition
All I want is to have my peace of mind

[Verse 2]
Now you’re climbing to the top of the company ladder
Hope it doesn’t take too long
Can’t you see there’ll come a day when it won’t matter
Come a day when you’ll be gone

[Hook]
I understand about indecision
But I don’t care if I get behind
People living in competition
All I want is to have my peace of mind

Take a look ahead
Take a look ahead
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

[Verse 3]
Well everybody’s got advice they just keep on givin’
Doesn’t mean too much to me
Lots of people have to make believe they’re livin’
Can’t decide who they should be

[Hook]
I understand about indecision
But I don’t care if I get behind
People living in competition
All I want is to have my peace of mind

Take a look ahead
Take a look ahead
Look ahead!

“Peace of Mind” is a song written by Tom Scholz and originally released by Boston on their debut 1976 self-titled album. It was released the next year as the third and final single from the album and peaked at number 38 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1977,^[1] as well as number 33 on the Cash Box Top 100.^[2] It received substantial radio airplay, both upon the initial release of the Boston album and subsequently, and has been described as a “rock-radio staple.”

Writing and recording

“Peace of Mind” is one of six songs, five of which eventually appeared on the Boston album, that Scholz worked on in his basement in 1974 and 1975, before Boston got its record contract. The demo was specifically finished in 1974.^[3] The drum parts were originally developed by Jim Masdea, although Sib Hashian played the drums on the official release.^[3] According to Ultimate Classic Rock critic Michael Gallucci, the demo version was “fully formed” and so the album version didn’t change much except for “[amping] up the guitars and production.”^[4]

Lyrics and music

Reception

Rolling Stone Album Guide critic Paul Evans called “Peace of Mind” a “satisfying, if similar, followup” to “More Than a Feeling”.^[15] Scott Tady of Beaver County Times described “Peace of Mind” as one of the songs that “helped set the foundation for classic-rock radio.”^[16] Eric Deggans wrote that “Bouncy, slick tracks such as ‘More Than a Feeling’ and ‘Peace of Mind’ defined new parameters for rock radio during the 70s, with soaring vocals searing guitars and trite lyrics.”^[17] Jamie Reno of San Diego magazine described it as an “infectious flick-your Bic staple.”^[18] MTV‘s Gil Kaufman similarly described the song as a “rock-radio staple.”^[19] Brockman called it “one of the most overplayed songs in rock history” but praised Delp’s singing, particularly his vulnerability and sincerity, making Brockman believe that Delp really believed the words of the refrain.^[6] Gallucci rated it Boston’s 5th greatest song, particularly praising the “fuzzy guitar riff” and noting that it has remained a classic rock radio staple.^[4] Elliott and Craig both rated it even higher, as Boston’s second greatest song behind only “More Than a Feeling.”^[8]^[9] Guitar World magazine selected “Peace of Mind” as one of their 50 greatest rock songs of all time.^[20]^[21]^[22]

Personnel

Tom Scholz – acoustic and electric rhythm guitar, lead guitar, bass guitar
Sib Hashian – drums
Brad Delp – vocals

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Chart (1977)	Peak position
Canada RPM	41
U.S. Billboard Hot 100^[1]	38
U.S. Cash Box Top 100^[2]	33

Covers

Boston – Peace Of Mind
Recorded Live: 6/17/1979 – Giants Stadium – East Rutherford, NJ
More Boston at Music Vault: http://www.musicvault.com
Subscribe to Music Vault on YouTube: http://goo.gl/DUzpUF

End

Boston – More Than A Feeling – 6/17/1979 – Giants Stadium (Official)

redrover61 — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 02:08:07 +0000

Lyrics:

[Verse 1]
I looked out this morning and the sun was gone
Turned on some music to start my day
I lost myself in a familiar song
I closed my eyes and I slipped away

[Chorus]
It’s more than a feeling (more than a feeling)
When I hear that old song they used to play (more than a feeling)
I begin dreaming (more than a feeling)
‘Till I see Marianne walk away
I see my Marianne walkin’ away

[Verse 2]
So many people have come and gone
Their faces fade as the years go by
Yet I still recall as I wander on
As clear as the sun in the summer sky

[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 3]
When I’m tired and thinking cold
I hide in my music, forget the day
And dream of a girl I used to know
I closed my eyes and she slipped away

She slipped away

“More Than a Feeling” is a song written by Tom Scholz and first released by American rock band Boston as the lead single from their self-titled debut album on Epic Records in September 1976, with “Smokin’” on the flipside. The single peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100. The track is now a staple of classic rock and in 1999 it was named the 39th best hard rock song of all time by VH1.^[1]

Content

His biggest hit, “More Than a Feeling” took writer Tom Scholz five years to complete.^[3]^[4] It is one of six songs, five of which eventually appeared on the Boston album,^[5] Scholz worked on in his basement in 1974 and 1975, before Boston got its record contract.^[4] The drum parts were originally developed by Jim Masdea, although Sib Hashian played the drums on the official release.^[5] The verses are in the key of D major while the chorus is in G major. The song is in compound AABA form.^[6]

The Book of Rock Lists suggests that the chorus riff may itself be a subtle homage to the Kingsmen‘s classic, “Louie Louie.” Scholz credits “Walk Away Renee” by The Left Banke as the song’s main inspiration.^[7]^[8]

Boston’s website says the song is about “the power an old song can have in your life,”^[9] with Tom Scholz elaborating that “it was sort of a bittersweet ballad.”^[10] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Michael Gallucci points out that this is a common theme in Boston songs.^[11] The lyrics express the author’s discontent with the present and his yearning for a former love named Marianne, whose memory is strongly evoked by an old familiar song. In an interview Scholz was asked, “Who is Marianne?” He replied, “There actually is a Marianne. She wasn’t my girlfriend.” He explained that when he was 8 or 9 years old he had a much older cousin who he thought was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen and that he was “secretly in love” with her (laughs).^[12] But he has also stated that the lyrics were inspired by his emotions after a school love affair ended, and were influenced by the lyrics of the Left Banke song “Walk Away Renee.”^[4] Maximum Guitar author Andy Aledort pointed out that the guitar chord progression of G-D/F#-Em7-D that follows the line “I see my Marianne walking away” also comes from “Walk Away Renee.”^[4] Aledort also explains that the guitar solo is unusual in that it incorporates mordents and inverted mordents, which are more typically used in baroque music.^[4]

Guitar World states that when the radio plays “More Than a Feeling”, “few can resist indulging in fits of fleet-fingered air guitar and a spirited falsetto sing-along.”^[13] Rolling Stone Album Guide critic Paul Evans states that “as slick as it sounds, ‘More Than a Feeling’ strikes an uncommonly resonant emotional note.”^[14] Gallucci rated it Boston’s greatest song.^[11] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Dave Swanson rated it the #28 all-time classic rock song.^[15]

When performed live, the power ballad^[16] is occasionally played after “The Journey“, since “It’s Easy” has rarely been played live.

Single version

Epic released an edited version of the song for the single with the first chorus and second verse removed, clocking in at 3:30 versus the album track at 4:45. That single edit can be found on the Rock installment of Sony’s Soundtrack for a Century box set from 1999.

Covers and samples

Several artists have covered “More Than a Feeling”, including Ingram Hill, Nirvana (the similarities between the song’s main riff and that of Nirvana’s breakout hit “Smells Like Teen Spirit” have often been noted, including by Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain),^[17] No Mercy, *NSYNC, and Sleater-Kinney.^[18]
Comedy band Ninja Sex Party covered the song on their 2017 album Under the Covers, Vol. II. Coincidentally, the album also features a song called “Something About You”, which shares a title with another Boston song.
Australian group The Stafford Brothers covered and released the track in 2006. It peaked at number 90 on the ARIA Chart.^[19]
The song was sampled in “Totally Hooked” by DJ Peter Presta in 2005.

2008 U.S. presidential race

In 2008 Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee used the song “More Than a Feeling” to promote his campaign. Former Boston band member Barry Goudreau made appearances with Huckabee both live and on YouTube stating that he was then of the band Boston, though he had been out of the band for over two decades. In February 2008, Scholz wrote to Huckabee requesting that he stop using the song, stating:

While I’m flattered that you are fond of my song, I’m shocked that you would use it and the name Boston to promote yourself without my consent.

Your campaign’s use of “More Than a Feeling”, coupled with the representation of one of your supporters as a member “of Boston” clearly implies that the band Boston, and specifically one of its members, has endorsed your candidacy, neither of which is true.^[20]

Huckabee complied with Scholz’s request, and videos featuring Barry Goudreau and the song were subsequently removed by the Huckabee Campaign.

Personnel

Tom Scholz – acoustic and electric rhythm guitar, lead guitar, bass
Brad Delp – vocals
Sib Hashian – drums

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Chart (1976–77)	Peak position
Australian Kent Music Report^[21]	11
Belgian VRT Top 30^[22]	14
Canadian RPM Top Singles^[23]	4
Dutch Top 40^[24]	11
German Singles Chart^[25]	15
New Zealand^[26]	15
Swiss Singles Chart^[26]	9
UK Singles Chart^[27]	22
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	5
U.S. Cash Box Top 100^[28]	4

Year-end charts

Chart (1977)	Rank
Australian KMR	95
Canadian RPM ^[29]	58
Germany ^[30]	76
U.S. Cash Box ^[31]	83

Downloadable content for rhythm and music games

The song is a part of the soundtrack for the original Guitar Hero (video game) series released in 2005.^[32]

The song was made available to download on March 1, 2011, for use in the Rock Band music video game series.^[33]

The song is also available as downloadable content (DLC) for the Rocksmith guitar learning game. The song is available individually or as part of the ‘Rock Hits 70s’ Song Pack along with “Jessica” by The Allman Brothers Band and Deep Purple‘s “Smoke on the Water.”^[34]

Boston – More Than A Feeling
Recorded Live: 6/17/1979 – Giants Stadium – East Rutherford, NJ
More Boston at Music Vault: http://www.musicvault.com
Subscribe to Music Vault on YouTube: http://goo.gl/DUzpUF

End

Boston – A Man I’ll Never Be

redrover61 — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 02:08:03 +0000

Lyrics:

[Verse 1]
If I said what’s on my mind
You’d turn and walk away
Disappearing way back in your dreams
It’s so hard to be unkind
So easy just to say
That everything is just the way it seems

[Chorus]
You look up at me
And somewhere in your mind you see
A man I’ll never be
If only I could find a way
I’d feel like I’m the man you believe I am
And it’s getting harder every day for me
To hide behind this dream you see
A man I’ll never be

[Verse 2]
I can’t get any stronger
I can’t climb any higher
You’ll never know just how hard I’ve tried
Cry a little longer
And hold a little tighter
Emotions can’t be satisfied

[Chorus]

“A Man I’ll Never Be” is a song written by Tom Scholz and first released on Boston‘s 1978 album Don’t Look Back. It was also released as a single and reached No. 31 on the Billboard Hot 100, spending five weeks on the chart.^[1]^[2] It also reached No. 27 in Canada.^[3]

Writing and recording

According to Scholz, the lyrics for “A Man I’ll Never Be” came to him quickly after he completed the music.^[4] Brad Delp sang the lead and backing vocals and Scholz played lead and rhythm guitar, organ and piano.^[5]^[6]^[7] The only other musician on the recording was drummer Sib Hashian^[6]^[7] The song was mostly recorded at Scholz’s Hideaway Studio, although the piano part was recorded by engineer Dave Butler at Northern Studio in Maynard, Massachusetts,^[8] allegedly because Hideaway was too small to fit the piano.^[5]^[9]^[10]

Lyrics and music

“A Man I’ll Never Be” is a change of pace from the songs on Boston’s debut album and some of the other songs on Don’t Look Back. AllMusic critic Tim Sendra claimed that the song reveals “a reflective side that was nowhere to be found on Boston“.^[11]^[12] Paul Grein of Billboard commented on the song’s “religious feel”, describing it as “the softest cut on the album” and noting that “it may well be a strong single.”^[13] Grein also commented on the song’s “moody organ solo” and “ponderous ballad sound”.^[13] Pete Prown and Harvey P. Newquist described Scholz’s guitar solo as long and dramatic.^[14] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Michael Gallucci described the song as “an introspective ballad”, unlike the band’s typical material.^[15] Rolling Stone critic Ken Emerson compared “A Man I’ll Never Be” to Led Zeppelin‘s lengthy classic song “Stairway to Heaven“.^[5]^[16] On Boston’s official site, David Wild described the song as “a slowburning power ballad reflecting real grown-up concerns and lived-in reality”.^[5] Craig Rosen of Billboard also described the song as a power ballad.^[9]

Greil Marcus, writing in New West magazine, described the song’s subject as “how hard it is to live up to a girl’s image of a boy”.^[17] Marcus cited the bravery of the lyrics, in which the singer acknowledges his inadequacy, and described the theme of the song as “the wimp redeemed”.^[17]^[18] He further explained that the singer sounds “trivial” and “insufferable” at first, but as the guitars in the background build, he achieves a measure of glory in his suffering with the lines “You look up at me/And somewhere in your mind you see/A man I’ll never be”.^[17]^[18] Marcus concluded that although the singer never achieves the peace of mind he is seeking, “he is allowed a sense of self, of justification, and one comes away convinced that existence, no matter how miserable, is not meaningless”.^[17]^[18]

Emerson similarly saw the theme of the song to be apprehension “with failing to be a man.”^[19] He noted that the lyrics sometimes contradict the lyrics of other songs on Don’t Look Back. For example, a line in the title track says “I’m much too strong not to compromise”, but one from “A Man I’ll Never Be” says “I can’t get any stronger”.^[19] “A Man I’ll Never Be” also has a line stating that “Emotions can’t be satisfied”, which contradicts the title of its follow-up single, “Feelin’ Satisfied“.^[19] Emerson concluded that the song “both distills and expands upon this not of despair, which contrasts with the architectural magnificence of the song’s musical accomplishments”.^[19]

Release

“Man I’ll Never Be” was released in late 1978 as the follow-up single to “Don’t Look Back,” which had reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single did not perform as well as its predecessor, peaking at No. 31 in January 1979.^[20] It performed slightly better in Canada, peaking at No. 27.^[3]

“A Man I’ll Never Be” was later included on Boston’s Greatest Hits (1997).^[21]

Reception

Marcus rated the song as one of three masterpieces on Don’t Look Back, along with the title track and “Used to Bad News”.^[17]^[18] Billboard similarly rated the song as one of the best cuts on Don’t Look Back.^[22] Gallucci and Craig each rated it as Boston’s 10th greatest song.^[15]^[23] Los Angeles Times critic Jon Matsumoto called the song “a grandiose guilty pleasure”.^[24] According to Paul Elliot, the song is a favorite of Def Leppard bass guitarist Rick Savage.^[25] On the other hand, Milo Miles of Boston Phoenix called it a long stretch “of immaculate self-abuse”.^[26]

Live performances

Boston played “A Man I’ll Never Be” live on the tour supporting their first album before recording it for Don’t Look Back.^[27]^[28] Delp played the keyboards for these performances.^[29] Ottawa Journal critic Mike Volsin stated that the song’s slow melody showed that Boston “can settle into the slower mood without any difficulty”.^[29] Referring to a live performance of the song prior to its release, Peter Robb stated that Delp’s voice “stood out like a shining light”.^[30]

Cover versions

DGM covered the song on their 2007 album Different Shapes.^[31] Extreme covered the song live.^[32] After Delp’s death, Tommy DeCarlo used the tune to record a song “A Man I’ll Always Be” as a tribute to Delp.^[33]^[34] That recording and several Boston covers he recorded separately led to his getting the job as Boston’s new lead singer.^[33]^[34]

End

Boston – Foreplay/longtime – 6/17/1979 – Giants Stadium (Official)

redrover61 — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 02:08:02 +0000

Lyrics:

[Foreplay Instrumentation]

[Long Time]

[Hook]
Well I’m takin’ my time, I’m just movin’ along
You’ll forget about me after I’ve been gone
And I take what I find, I don’t want no more
It’s just outside of your front door

It’s been such a long time. It’s been such a long time

[Hook]

It’s been such a long time. It’s been such a long time

[Guitar Solo]

Well I’m takin’ my time, I’m just movin’ along
Takin’ my time, just movin’ along
Takin’ my time, yeah I’m takin’ my time…

In an interview for the Best of Boston CD, Scholz said that “Foreplay” was the first song he ever recorded, and he did this on a two-track machine in his basement.^[4] Scholz also stated that it was the first piece of music he ever wrote, and that he wrote it as far back as 1969.^[5]^[6]^[7]

Content

Rolling Stone described “Foreplay/Long Time” as “a perfect marriage of Led Zeppelin and Yes that plays musical chairs with electric and acoustic sounds.”^[8]

In popular culture

In 2006, “Foreplay” is featured near the end of The Sopranos episode The Fleshy Part of the Thigh (Season 6, Episode 4). Tony Soprano is playing it to obscure a conversation in case a room is bugged.

“Foreplay/Long Time” was featured in an episode of the television series 24/7 Penguins/Capitals: Road to the NHL Winter Classic in 2010.

“Foreplay/Long Time” was heard before a commercial break during NBC‘s coverage of Super Bowl XLVI on February 5, 2012.

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Chart (1977)	Peak position
Canada RPM^[2]	9
Germany	39
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	22
U.S. Cashbox Top 100^[9]	12

Year-end charts

Chart (1977)	Position
Canada^[10]	95
U.S. Cash Box Top 100^[11]	99

Personnel

Foreplay

Tom Scholz – Hammond organ, clavinet, lead guitar including space pedal effects
Sib Hashian – drums
Barry Goudreau – rhythm guitars
Fran Sheehan – bass

Long Time

Tom Scholz – acoustic rhythm guitar, organ, clavinet, bass
Brad Delp – vocals
Sib Hashian – drums
Barry Goudreau – lead guitar and electric rhythm guitar

Cover versions

Rascal Flatts played a cover version of “Foreplay/Long Time” in concert, which was released on the album Rascal Flatts LIVE.^[12]^[13]
Phish celebrated their first concert at Great Woods in Mansfield, Massachusetts by opening with “Foreplay/Long Time”. They had covered a bluegrass arrangement earlier in their careers, but this was the first time they played the full electric version that is heard on the album.^[13]

End

Boston – Don’t Look Back

redrover61 — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 02:07:58 +0000

Lyrics:

Don’t look back, ooh a new day is breakin’
It’s been too long since I felt this way
I don’t mind ooh where I get taken
The road is callin’, today is the day

I can see, it took so long just to realize
I’m much too strong not to compromise
Now I see what I am is holding me down
I’ll turn it around, oh yes I will

I finally see the dawn arrivin’
I see beyond the road I’m drivin’

It’s a bright horizon and I’m awakin’ now
Oh I see myself in a brand new way
The sun is shinin’ ooh the clouds are breakin’
Cause I can’t lose now, there’s no game to play

I can tell there’s no more time left to criticize
I’ve seen what I could not recognize
Everything in my life was leading me on
But I can be strong, oh yes I can

I finally see the dawn arrivin’
I see beyond the road I’m drivin’
Far away and left behind, left behind

Oh the sun is shinin’
And I’m on my road

Don’t look back, ooh a new day is breakin’
It’s been so long since I felt this way
I don’t mind ooh where I get taken
The road is callin’, today is the day

I can see, it took so long just to realize
I’m much too strong not to compromise
Now I see what I am is holding me down
I’ll turn it around, oh yes I will

I finally see the dawn arriving
I see beyond the road I’m driving
Far away and left behind

Don’t look back
Don’t look back
Don’t look back
Don’t look back

“Don’t Look Back” is a song written by Tom Scholz that was first released by Boston in 1978 as the title track to their second album, Don’t Look Back. It reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100.^[1]

Writing and recording

Although the first song on the album, “Don’t Look Back” was its final song to be written and recorded.^[2] According to Scholz “It was one of those things where everything clicked. I didn’t even record a demo for that song. I came up with chord changes, melody, and the arrangement and put it right on the master tape.”^[2] Brad Delp sang all the vocals, both lead and backing.^[3]^[4] According to Scholz, Fran Sheehan only played a few bass notes on the song and Barry Goudreau played the solo guitar parts in the intro and outro.^[3]^[4]^[5] Scholz praised Goudreau’s lead guitar playing at the end of the song.^[3] Scholz also stated that he made more than 60 edits to Sib Hashian‘s drum track in order to get the performance he wanted.^[3]

Lyrics and music

Paul Grein of Billboard cited “Don’t Look Back” as an example of Boston’s skill at changing tempos, stating that it “actually stops midway through and then rebuilds gradually to its peak of intensity.”^[6] Rolling Stone Magazine critic Tim Emerson described the lyrics as “optimistic about the road that lies ahead.”^[7] But Emerson also states that some of the optimism in the lyrics is contradicted in other songs, specifically comparing the use of the line “I’m much too strong not to compromise” in this song with the much more pessimistic line “I can’t get any stronger” in its follow up single “A Man I’ll Never Be.”^[7] In the liner notes to the 2006 reissue of Don’t Look Back, David Wild described the title song as a “beautiful barnburner in the proud tradition of Boston’s classic “More Than A Feeling.”^[8] AXS contributor Bill Craig stated that it contained all the components people expected from Boston: “buzzing guitars, towering vocals, and lyrics that connected with young listeners.”^[9]

Reception

Billboard Magazine rated the song one of the best cuts on Don’t Look Back.^[10] Greil Marcus rated the song as one of three masterpieces on Don’t Look Back, along with “A Man I’ll Never Be” and “Used to Bad News.”^[11]^[12] Allmusic critic Tim Sendra described its riff as “killer,” saying that it was similar to that in “More Than a Feeling.”^[13]^[14] The New Rolling Stone Album Guide critic Paul Evans felt that “Don’t Look Back” was the one song on its album that could “hold its own” on Boston’s first album.^[15] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Eduardo Rivadavia similarly stated that it “met every expectation set by Boston’s nearly perfect debut.”^[16] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Michael Gallucci rated it the band’s 4th all time best song.^[17] AXS contributor Bill Craig similarly rated it Boston’s 3rd greatest song, describing it as an “arena rock style sonic blast.”^[9] Philip Booth of the Lakeland Ledger called it one “of the most-played-by-garage-band rockers of the ’70s.”^[18] Pete Prown and Harvey P. Newquist praised the “layers of guitar harmonies” as well as Barry Goudreau‘s slide guitar playing and rideout guitar solo.^[19] Ottawa Journal critic Mike Voslin rated the song as a live performance highlight.^[20]

CBS Records reported that the “Don’t Look Back” single sold more than a million copies in the first two weeks or so following its release.^[21] The single peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1978.^[22] It also reached the Top 10 in Canada, peaking at #6.^[23] It reached #14 in the Netherlands but only reached #43 in the UK.^[24]^[25] “Don’t Look Back” was released on Boston’s Greatest Hits in 1997.^[26]

In popular culture

The song was used in the pilot episode of the ABC drama series October Road, which aired on March 15, 2007, around a week after the death of Boston’s lead singer, Brad Delp.^[27]^[28]

The song was performed by the remaining original members of Boston on August 19, 2007 at the Bank of America Pavilion in Boston, Mass. for the tribute concert to Delp. It was the last song of the concert.^[29]

End