Boston was, in an age where the quality of the recording studios and ability of band members was vital, the culmination of a DIY vision. Initially the one-man project of the highly inventive guitarist Tom Scholz, Boston’s songs, eventually, became radio staples. Boston is rightfully considered one of the greatest rock bands of all-time.

But, just like other groups of the era, record sales never translated into critical respect. Let’s do something about it! Today I am celebrating Boston’s 10 greatest songs, and shining a spotlight on Tom Scholz’s clear, brilliant vision.

The 10 Greatest Songs by Boston

10. “Hitch a Ride”

Don’t give up your day job, kids! Don’t give up on your dreams, though, either! Tom Scholz, wisely, held on to both. A Polaroid technical engineer by day, Scholz spent the majority of his nights crafting demos in his basement.

“Hitch a Ride” was one of the first tracks that Scholz ever wrote. According to the musician, he was dissatisfied with the reaction the song received when played live in local bars. Instead, he re-recorded it by himself to perfection. When it was finally released, “Hitch a Ride” was part of one of the most successful debut albums ever released.

Wait, wait! I hear you! The contribution of the musicians who ended up on the album and on the tours was important as well. Barry Goudreau, Sib Hashian, Fran Sheehan, and, especially, singer Brad Delp contributed to the band’s eventual success.

9. “It’s Easy”

“It’s Easy” must’ve been the phrase that amateur musicians across the U.S. and the world uttered when they heard the real story of Boston. The band’s monumentally successful album had been a DYI, self-financed project, in its early stages. Maybe others could do the same.

But, realistically, it was songs like “It’s Easy,” which was released on the band’s second record, that proved one thing – It had taken years to sharpen the formula of Boston’s radio-ready sound. For the bands looking to do the same, “It’s So Easy” was the benchmark that they needed to reach.

8. “Amanda”

It took Boston nearly eight years to come up with a third album. By this stage, the 1980s had rolled along with numerous groups that sounded an awful lot like Scholz’s group. REO Speedwagon, Journey or Styx all enjoyed big hits during this time. Unhappy critics called the recipe “corporate rock.”

But Scholz and Delp had the original formula. And they saw no reason to change it. Yes, “Amanda” was a power ballad that featured a sound that was very similar to the band’s debut. Still, what it did prove was that many of the rock studio musicians were still just playing catch up.

7. “Rock & Roll Band”

“Rock & Roll Band” was the song that finally convinced record execs at Epic to sign Boston. But the name of the song was certainly a little bit deceiving. The pristine demos that the record label folks heard were, in fact, not the result of a band jamming out. Instead, it was the work of one man toiling away on the whole arrangement – Tom Scholz.

Regardless, Boston had crafted a sound that, soon, radio programmers would deem perfect for their stations. It was also a fantasy, and “Rock & Roll Band” is part of that myth and of the thrill.

6. “Feelin’ Satisfied”

Boston wasn’t out to change the world, or start a riot! It’s no wonder that the punk bands had such an initial aversion to the group.

However, Boston did want to rock out. Despite the title, “Feelin’ Satisfied” contains a devilish-sounding rhythm guitar played by Scholz, and Delp’s gritty, but melodic vocals.

Yes, it’s a song about finding peace of mind. But Scholz was no hypocrite. If anything, he was a man who had found a rock & roll heaven and was ready to tell the world about it.

5. “Don’t Look Back”

Could lightning strike twice? After all, Boston’s debut album was an incredible anomaly in the music business – it had been demoed and largely recorded by just one studio wiz.

In many ways, the miracle did occur twice. But that’s partly due to the band (they were now one in most respects) making a record that resembled the debut as much as possible.

“Don’t Look Back” was the opening track off the group’s sophomore record and proved that they had what it took to be around for a while yet.

4. “Something About You”

Scholz was a man obsessed with details. How else would he have been able to spend so much time woodshedding his few demos?

But that insistence on achieving recorded perfection paid off, especially when it came to the guitar sound. “Something About You” is a dynamic, powerful-sounding track which proves that Tom Scholz may just be one of the most underrated guitar heroes of the 1970s. Give the man his due!

3. “Foreplay/Long Time”

This was the first song written by Tom Scholz for Boston’s eventual debut. And on the suite, you can easily trace his musical influences. Clearly, Scholz is a man inspired by the early dawn of rock n’ roll, by guitars that sound big enough to fill out the room, and by strong, memorable melodies.

Scholz, originally, recorded all of the music on the song, including the lead vocals. His friend and former bandmate, Brad Delp was eventually invited to provide the singing. It was a smart choice which lead to one of the biggest radio singles of the era.

2. “Peace of Mind”

It was madness! It was never going to work! And, certainly, it was a gigantic waste of time! Those were all things that must’ve been going through Scholz’s mind when he blew his life’s savings on record equipment and started tracking the first Boston album by himself.

By Spring of 1976, one miracle had come true – the album had been released by Epic. Next, the band had a big hit. And, finally, “Peace of Mind,” the third single off of the album, proved that this project was bound to have legs. Don’t stop believing, as one of Boston’s contemporaries, Journey might say.

1. “More Than a Feeling”

You cannot get cynical about “More Than a Feeling”, regardless of the fact that you should’ve heard it a million times by now! And you cannot start believing rumours about this group being a corporate-rock entity designed to maximize profit.

No, there’s magic to be found in the recording of “More Than a Feeling.” And that charm is accessible still, each time that you play the song.

It’s no wonder that Nirvana ripped off the chord sequence for “Smells Like Teen Spirit” or that the characters in “The Men Who Stare at Goats” are provided near supernatural powers when they play and focus in on the song.

“More Than a Feeling” made Tom Scholz’s dreams come true. But it was no fluke! It just took countless hours spent in a basement, alone, to record one of the greatest songs of all time.