Studio Album · No. 3
Third Stage Songwriting Credits by Boston
Produced by Tom Scholz · Engineered by Tom Scholz, Gragg Lunsford, Bob Ludwig
Holds writing credit on 10 of 10 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 10 / 10 documented
Scored across the 10 tracks with documented writers, by whether Boston carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 10 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
Third Stage is a Tom Scholz solo project in all but name. Scholz wrote or co-wrote every track, produced and engineered the entire record himself, and played guitar, bass, and all keyboards, leaving Brad Delp to handle lead vocals. That authorship shows in the credits: the common name Tom Scholz carries the lyricist line, while the composer line uses his legal name, Donald Thomas Scholz, and does the same for co-writers where their legal names differ, Bradley Edward Delp for Brad Delp. Drums were split between Jim Masdea, whose short instrumental 'A New World' is the one song Scholz did not write, and returning drummer Sib Hashian on three tracks, with Gary Pihl adding co-lead guitar to 'I Think I Like It.' Fran Sheehan, fired midway through the sessions, kept a songwriting credit on 'Cool the Engines' but did not play on the album.
Third Stage is the third studio album by Boston, released on September 23, 1986 through MCA Records after an eight-year gap and a protracted legal fight with the band's former label. Built almost entirely by Tom Scholz over years at his home Hideaway Studio, it pared the group down to Scholz and lead singer Brad Delp, with Scholz writing or co-writing every song, producing and engineering the record, and playing guitar, bass, and every keyboard part. It topped the Billboard 200 for four weeks and hit number one in Canada. The lead single 'Amanda' spent two weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, followed by 'We're Ready' at number nine and the rock-radio staple 'Cool the Engines.' The album was certified four-times platinum by the RIAA and was the first CD-format release to earn an RIAA gold certification.
Track Listing & Credits 10 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Amanda
#1
|
Tom Scholz | Donald Thomas Scholz | Tom Scholz | Brad Delp (Lead Vocals)Tom Scholz (Guitar, Bass, Keyboards)Sib Hashian (Drums) |
| 2 |
We're Ready
#9
|
Tom Scholz | Donald Thomas Scholz | Tom Scholz | Brad Delp (Lead Vocals)Tom Scholz (Guitar, Bass, Keyboards)Sib Hashian (Drums) |
| 3 |
The Launch
|
Tom Scholz | Donald Thomas Scholz | Tom Scholz | Tom Scholz (Guitar, Bass, Keyboards)Jim Masdea (Drums) |
| 4 |
Cool the Engines
#4
|
Tom ScholzFran SheehanBrad Delp | Donald Thomas ScholzFran SheehanBradley Edward Delp | Tom Scholz | Brad Delp (Lead Vocals)Tom Scholz (Guitar, Bass, Keyboards)Sib Hashian (Drums) |
| 5 |
My Destination
|
Tom Scholz | Donald Thomas Scholz | Tom Scholz | Brad Delp (Lead Vocals)Tom Scholz (Keyboards, Guitar, Bass)Jim Masdea (Drums) |
| 6 |
A New World
|
Jim Masdea | Jim Masdea | Tom Scholz | Tom Scholz (Guitar, Keyboards)Jim Masdea (Drums) |
| 7 |
To Be a Man
|
Tom Scholz | Donald Thomas Scholz | Tom Scholz | Brad Delp (Lead Vocals)Tom Scholz (Keyboards, Guitar)Jim Masdea (Drums) |
| 8 |
I Think I Like It
|
Tom ScholzJohn English | Donald Thomas ScholzJon DeBrigard | Tom Scholz | Brad Delp (Lead Vocals)Tom Scholz (Guitar, Bass, Keyboards)Gary Pihl (Guitar)Jim Masdea (Drums) |
| 9 |
Can'tcha Say (You Believe in Me)/Still in Love
#20
|
Gerry GreenTom ScholzBrad Delp | Gerry GreenDonald Thomas ScholzBradley Edward Delp | Tom Scholz | Brad Delp (Lead Vocals)Tom Scholz (Guitar, Bass, Keyboards)Jim Masdea (Drums) |
| 10 |
Hollyann
|
Tom Scholz | Donald Thomas Scholz | Tom Scholz | Brad Delp (Lead Vocals)Tom Scholz (Guitar, Bass, Keyboards)Jim Masdea (Drums) |