Boston: The Top 10

Boston has sold more than 75 million records worldwide, including 31 million units in the U.S. – with 17 million copies of the band’s self-titled debut album and seven million of their second studio album, “Don’t Look Back.” 

10. Cool The Engines (Third Stage, 1986)

In the liner notes for “Third Stage” Scholz described the song as “a rocket ride at red line.” ‘If we don’t take it easy now, we can kiss it all goodbye.”

Scholz, vocalist Brad Delp and bassist Fran Sheehan composed the song.

9. A Man I’ll Never Be (Don’t Look Back, 1978)

Written by Tom Scholz, who played guitar, organ and piano, the song spent five weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 peaking at #31. Only vocalist Brad Delp and drummer Sid Hashain worked with Scholz on the track.

8. Hitch A Ride (Boston, 1976)

The song was originally titled “San Francisco Day” with lyrics starting in New York City and then planning to hitch a ride to “head for the other side.”

To create the special effect of a bent note on the track’s organ solo, Scholz slowed down one of the recording reels with his finger.

7. Rock And Roll Band (Boston, 1976)

It was one of many songs Scholz worked on in his basement in 1974 and 1975. The “Rock and Roll Band” demo was finished in 1974. However, Scholz had begun writing the song in the early 1970s.

The drum parts of were developed by Jim Masdea and it was the only song on the “Boston” album on which Masdea played drums.

 Boston consistently opened concerts with “Rock and Roll Band.”

6. Smokin’ (Boston, 1976)

The song was a collaborative effort between Scholz and Delp. The B-side to “More Than A Feeling” was one of only two songs on Boston’s debut album not written by Scholz alone. 

5. Amanda (Third Stage, 1986)

The power ballad written by Scholz was the lead single off “Third Stage” and became the band’s only #1 on Billboard Hot 100 (for two weeks). It also reached #1 for three consecutive weeks on the Mainstream Rock chart.

Scholz said “Amanda” was not a real woman. Instead, the name was chosen because it flowed well with the lyrics.”

4. Foreplay/Longtime (Boston. 1976)

“Foreplay,” the extensive introduction to “Long Time,” was composed in 1972. “Foreplay” (a sexual reference) was based on a Hammond B3 organ riff. The two tracks were merged for a 7:47 epic.

Of course, a shorter single version of just “Long Time” was released. It was the second single from Boston’s debut album following “More Than A Feeling.”

3. Don’t Look Back (Don’t Look Back, 1978)

“It was one of those things where everything clicked,” recalled Scholz. “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. Peace Of Mind (Boston, 1976)

The song was written by Scholz who had been working at the Polaroid Corporation before getting his recording deal. It’s about his lack of interest in climbing the corporate ladder into company management.

1. More Than A Feeling (Boston, 1976)

“More than a Feeling” took Scholz five years to complete. He credited The Left Banke’s hit “Walk Away Renee” as the song’s main inspiration, including the line “I see my Marianne walking away” which also comes from “Walk Away Renee,” though Marianne was the name Scholz’s cousin.

The song, which peaked at #5 on Billboard‘s Hot 200 became a Classic Rock radio staple.

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