Studio Album · No. 1
Boston Songwriting Credits by Boston
Produced by Tom Scholz, John Boylan · Engineered by Warren Dewey
Holds writing credit on 8 of 8 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 8 / 8 documented
Scored across the 8 tracks with documented writers, by whether Boston carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 8 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
Boston is essentially a Tom Scholz solo project dressed as a band record. Scholz wrote or co-wrote all eight songs, produced them alongside John Boylan, and played most of the instruments himself, including guitars, bass, and keyboards, mostly from tapes he built in his basement. Brad Delp sang every lead and wrote 'Let Me Take You Home Tonight' and co-wrote 'Smokin'' with Scholz, the only songs where Scholz is not the sole writer. The full lineup of Delp, Barry Goudreau, Fran Sheehan, and Sib Hashian appears on the credits and toured the album, but on record Scholz's layered playing dominates. The composer column shows his legal name, Donald Thomas Scholz, on nearly every track.
Boston is the self-titled debut studio album by the American rock band Boston, released on August 25, 1976 on Epic Records. It began as a set of demos that guitarist and MIT-trained engineer Tom Scholz recorded in his basement studio, and Scholz reworked most of those tapes into the finished record while the label believed a full band was cutting it in California. Built around Brad Delp's soaring multi-tracked vocals and Scholz's layered guitars, it produced the singles 'More Than a Feeling,' 'Long Time,' and 'Peace of Mind.' The record moved roughly 20 million copies worldwide and is certified 17-times platinum in the United States, one of the best-selling debut albums ever made. Its sound set the template for arena rock and kept Boston on classic-rock radio for decades.
Track Listing & Credits 8 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
More Than a Feeling
#5
|
Tom Scholz | Donald Thomas Scholz | Tom ScholzJohn Boylan | Tom Scholz (Guitars, Bass, Keyboards)Brad Delp (Lead Vocals)Barry Goudreau (Guitar)Fran Sheehan (Bass)Sib Hashian (Drums) |
| 2 |
Peace of Mind
#38
|
Tom Scholz | Donald Thomas Scholz | Tom ScholzJohn Boylan | Tom Scholz (Guitars, Bass, Keyboards)Brad Delp (Lead Vocals)Barry Goudreau (Guitar)Fran Sheehan (Bass)Sib Hashian (Drums) |
| 3 |
Foreplay/Long Time
|
Tom Scholz | Donald Thomas Scholz | Tom ScholzJohn Boylan | Tom Scholz (Guitars, Bass, Keyboards)Brad Delp (Lead Vocals)Barry Goudreau (Guitar)Fran Sheehan (Bass)Sib Hashian (Drums) |
| 4 |
Rock & Roll Band
|
Tom Scholz | Donald Thomas Scholz | Tom ScholzJohn Boylan | Tom Scholz (Guitars, Bass, Keyboards)Brad Delp (Lead Vocals)Barry Goudreau (Guitar)Jim Masdea (Drums) |
| 5 |
Smokin'
|
Tom ScholzBrad Delp | Donald Thomas ScholzBradley Edward Delp | Tom ScholzJohn Boylan | Tom Scholz (Guitars, Bass, Organ)Brad Delp (Lead Vocals)Barry Goudreau (Guitar)Fran Sheehan (Bass)Sib Hashian (Drums) |
| 6 |
Hitch a Ride
|
Tom Scholz | Donald Thomas Scholz | Tom ScholzJohn Boylan | Tom Scholz (Guitars, Bass, Keyboards)Brad Delp (Lead Vocals)Barry Goudreau (Guitar)Fran Sheehan (Bass)Sib Hashian (Drums) |
| 7 |
Something About You
|
Tom Scholz | Donald Thomas Scholz | Tom ScholzJohn Boylan | Tom Scholz (Guitars, Bass, Keyboards)Brad Delp (Lead Vocals)Barry Goudreau (Guitar)Fran Sheehan (Bass)Sib Hashian (Drums) |
| 8 |
Let Me Take You Home Tonight
|
Brad Delp | Bradley Edward Delp | Tom ScholzJohn Boylan | Tom Scholz (Guitars, Bass, Keyboards)Brad Delp (Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar)Barry Goudreau (Guitar)Fran Sheehan (Bass)Sib Hashian (Drums) |