The group first formed in the mind of Tom Scholz, who had long expressed interest in melodic rock and the fine particulars of recording technology. Even as a child, he tinkered with just about anything mechanical or electronic that he could get his hands on. Prior to his musical career, Scholz received both a bachelor's degree, in 1969, and a master's degree, in 1970, in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He then began working for the Polaroid Corporation as a senior product design engineer. Scholz would then reside in Boston.
Creating demos in his own home, inspired by contemporary 70s progressive rock and what came to be known as "album oriented rock" ("aor"), Scholz attracted the interest of Epic Records, who signed Scholz to a recording contract. Vocalist Brad Delp, who was born in Peabody, Massachusetts in 1951 (Scholz is about four years older) to French-Canadian immigrants and was inspired to sing after seeing The Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, served as a sort of not-so secret weapon for Scholz's project. Delp's "golden voice" has inspired numerous later rock artists to take up the microphone.
Scholz believed that his demos were good enough to be the released album but Epic told him to rerecord them. Most of the guitar, bass, and keyboards were performed by Scholz, although other players were involved sporadically throughout the recording of the album. Epic did not want the album recorded entirely in Scholz's home as Scholz intended (they suggested using a recording studio), but most of what ended up on the album was ultimately recorded by Scholz in his basement.
'Boston' was first released by Epic Records on August 25, 1976. Few industry insiders thought a guitar-heavy rock record could make much of a dent in the charts as disco ruled the airwaves at the time. The album broke out of Cleveland first, and the following week it had been added at 392 stations. Scholz, then 29, still worked at Polaroid during the first few weeks of the record's success and felt wary, changing his mind when the album quickly sold 200,000 copies. Critical praise also came to the band; for example, Rolling Stone wrote that Boston's "affinity for heavy rock & roll provides a sense of dynamics that coheres magnetically with sophisticated progressive structures."
The album was certified gold just two months after its release, and it sold another 500,000 copies within 30 days, going platinum for the first time in November 1976. With songs that became rock anthems such as the evergreen "More Than a Feeling", 'Boston' is the second best-selling debut album of all time in the United States, falling just short of Guns N' Roses' 'Appetite for Destruction'. Many critics have named it as one of the best American albums of all time. Its popularity was not only huge, but also durable: into the 2000s it was believed to be the only 1970s album that still had every single track in regular rotation on classic rock radio.
With a touring unit coming together around the line-up of Barry Goudreau, Tom Scholz, Sib Hashian, Brad Delp, and Fran Sheehan, the band played to a wide variety of crowds big and small, receiving strong fan support. Feeling an essentially unbearable amount of pressure to come up with another commercial mega-hit, Scholz still desired to experiment with his sound and had a growing sense of perfectionism. 'Don't Look Back' came out on August 2, 1978, viewed by Scholz as a hurried effort but picking up widespread success. It's been certified as multi-platinum, and its title track has become a classic rock staple.
Acrimonious fighting with label Epic Records, which soon became a long, drawn-out legal fight, left the future of the band stalled. Their next work, 'Third Stage' , came out in September 23, 1986, quite a while after their sophomore work. Bad luck and ill-will seemed to trail the group, with floods and power failures halting many studio sessions. Still, the album went to #1 on the Billboard 200, where it stayed for four weeks.
In addition, 'Third Stage' was only the second album to ever be certified triple-platinum in its first month of release, in November of 1986. As stated before, the first was Lionel Richie's 'Dancing On The Ceiling', which did it one month earlier. Nonetheless, Boston seemed to have gotten stuck.
On March 9th, 2007, Brad Delp (vocals) committed suicide at his home in Atkinson, New Hampshire. He was 55. Delp sang all the lead and harmony vocals on Boston's first three albums. Though well known for his "golden" voice with soaring vocals and range, Delp was also a multi-instrumentalist, playing guitar, harmonica and keyboards. Additionally he wrote or co-wrote several songs for Boston and many other artists.
More than 10 years in the making, Boston came out with a new studio album, "Life, Love & Hope" in 2013. Founding member, Tom Scholz stated, "These are songs from the heart, each of them taking many months of effort to write, arrange, perform and record, always up to the demands of Boston's harshest critic, me. They have all been meticulously recorded to analog tape on the same machines and equipment used for Boston's hits for the past 35 years."
The band, with Scholz and a new lineup, toured extensively in 2016-2017.
Boston's web site is at www.bandboston.com
Party
Boston Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to have some fun while I'm here
I play the game when it's goin' my way
And there's nothin' like a party when it's kickin' into gear
I'm gettin' ready for a party tonight
Yes I'm gettin' ready to cruise
And if you've got somethin' for me
I've got somethin' for you
Baby
It's a party and nobody cares
What we're doin' there
Baby, it's a party as long as you're there
It's a party, party, party!
I can't believe it when some people say
That it's a sin that way we live to die
You know, there's never been a more natural thing
Yea there's a brand new story, but it's the same old lie
So come on
Get ready for the time of your life
'Cause I'm gettin' right in the groove
And if you've got somethin' for me
I've got somethin' for you
Baby
It's a party and nobody cares
What we're doin' there
Baby, it's a party as long as you're there
It's a party, party, party!
So come on
Oh come on let's party down
Oh oh oh
Get down and party if you need a cue
You're sure to find one in the crowd
Just meet some friends and have a toke or two
In a place where they can never play the music too loud
Get ready for a party tonight
'Cause I'm gettin' right in the groove
And if you've got somethin' for me
I've got somethin' for you
Baby
It's a party and nobody cares
What we're doin' there
Baby, it's a party as long as you're there
It's a party, party, party!
Now a man doesn't live on bread alone
He's got to have some lovin' each and every night
And a woman's got to have it if the truth be known
Let's get together honey, it's alright [Repeat: x3]
The song Party by Boston is a celebration of the joys of life, and encourages listeners to let loose and have fun. The song rejects the notion of working day after day, and emphasizes the importance of enjoying oneself while one is still alive. The singer of the song is preparing for a party, and says that there is nothing like a party when it's kicking into gear. The song encourages listeners to prepare for the time of their lives and not worry about what others say or think.
The song also touches on societal norms and expectations that can be limiting. The singer suggests that it is a sin that society dictates how we are supposed to live and die, and as long as everyone is having fun, it should not matter. The song is a call for people to let go of their fears and embrace the moment. It urges people to get down and party if they need a cue and not be afraid to meet new friends and have a toke or two.
Overall, Party is a song that celebrates life and encourages people to have fun and not worry about societal norms. It is a song about living in the moment and making memories that will last a lifetime.
Line by Line Meaning
Well you know I don't get off on workin' day after day
I don't enjoy just working all the time.
I want to have some fun while I'm here
I want to enjoy my time while I'm alive.
I play the game when it's goin' my way
I try to make the most of things when they're going well.
And there's nothin' like a party when it's kickin' into gear
There's nothing better than a party that's just getting started.
I'm gettin' ready for a party tonight
I'm preparing to go to a party later.
Yes I'm gettin' ready to cruise
I'm getting ready to relax and have fun.
And if you've got somethin' for me
If you have something to offer me.
I've got somethin' for you
I have something to offer you in return.
Baby
A term of affection.
It's a party and nobody cares
People are enjoying themselves and not judging one another.
What we're doin' there
The specific activities at the party are not important.
Baby, it's a party as long as you're there
As long as you are present, it will be a party.
It's a party, party, party!
The atmosphere is festive and celebratory.
I can't believe it when some people say
I find it hard to accept when some people criticize our lifestyle.
That it's a sin that way we live to die
Some people view our way of life as sinful and wasteful.
You know, there's never been a more natural thing
Living life to the fullest is the most natural thing to do.
Yea there's a brand new story, but it's the same old lie
People have been criticizing hedonism for ages, but it's just the same old story.
So come on
Encouragement to participate and enjoy the party.
Get ready for the time of your life
Prepare to have the best time ever.
'Cause I'm gettin' right in the groove
The party is just starting to pick up pace.
Oh come on let's party down
Let's have a great time and let loose.
Get down and party if you need a cue
If you're not sure how to enjoy yourself, just start partying.
You're sure to find one in the crowd
There will be others at the party who can show you a good time.
Just meet some friends and have a toke or two
Make some new friends and enjoy smoking a joint or two.
In a place where they can never play the music too loud
The party is being held in a venue where there are no restrictions on the volume of the music.
Now a man doesn't live on bread alone
A person needs more than just the basic necessities of life to be happy.
He's got to have some lovin' each and every night
A person needs love and physical intimacy to be truly fulfilled.
And a woman's got to have it if the truth be known
Women also have the same desires and needs as men.
Let's get together honey, it's alright
Let's come together and enjoy ourselves, without worrying about what others may think.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRAD DELP, TOM SCHOLZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ron Ditchen
RIP Brad You definitely had one of the greatest rock and roll voices of all time that's a fact.......
Bud Miller
#2 behind only Freddie IMO
Vincent Berte
That's definitely a fact Ron, I sat forth row center stage when I was 16 years old, Boston live at Boston Garden, ten minutes from my house, Foghat opened for them, great show great night, from what I can remember lol you take care Ron, you got great taste in music.
Deborah 888
@Vincent Berte What an experience that must have been.
Vincent Berte
@Deborah 888 It sure was Deborah, been to a ton of shows, went to a Foreigner concert and Billy Squeir opened up for them and he just blew everyone away, he just about stole the night but Foreigner was really good too, you have a great night and weekend now, my very best to you and your loved ones
Deborah 888
@Vincent Berte Great concerts to see! And a great weekend to you and yours as well.
MFT Machining
Saw them in 1980 in Frankfurt/Germany....They opend up with Rock n Roll Band an i thought my ears will fall off,loud as hell. Damn that was a Hell of a Night,they brutally kicked ass. One of my most beloved Band of all Time. Remembering this still sends shivers down my spine after 36 Years.....
Lars Mårtensson
Brad Delp. Probably the best rock & roll voice ever! Still send shivers done my spine everytime I hear his voice!
Luis E. Liendo
#2 behind only Freddie
Richard Mineer
The best