More Than a Feeling is a song by the American rock band Boston. It was written by Tom Scholz and released as the lead single on their hugely successful debut album in September 1976, reaching number five on the Billboard Hot 100.
Songwriter: Tom Scholz
Producers: John Boylan, Tom Scholz, Rodney C. Thompson
Label: Epic
SOME INTERESTING FACTS
Tom Scholz spent five years writing, composing, playing, recording and editing six songs (five of which are on Boston’s debut album), including More Than a Feeling, in his Watertown, Massachusetts basement studio from 1970 and 1975, before Boston got its record contract. Scholz’s basement was fully set-up with instruments and studio equipment he had bought with his income from working at Polaroid.
Once Boston signed their record contract, to satisfy union rules, all of the songs had to be redone in a proper studio. Scholz was able to recreate most of the music in his basement, while vocalist, Brad Delp, went to Epic’s Los Angeles studio to record the vocals. Sadly, Brad Delp took his own life in 2007. Sib Hashian played drums on More Than a Feeling, but all of the other instruments are played by Tom Scholz.
Scholz claims that his original inspiration for the music of More Than a Feeling came from the “heart tugging-mood” in the 1967 song “Walk Away Renee” by the Lefte Banke, noting “the power an old song can have in your life” such as this “bittersweet ballad”.
The lyrics were written by Scholz based on the concept of someone reflecting on their feelings and memories of someone close who is no longer with them. Scholz has been quoted in several interviews stating that the girl Marianne, in the song, is based on a real person, saying “she was my oldest first cousin, who I had a crush on when I was 10”. Scholz also claims that some years later, he had met with his cousin Marianne, who was apparently very annoyed at his public declaration.
While this was only Boston’s first single, which normally means that the band’s and record company’s managers need to put a lot of work into pitching the record to radio station, the incredible quality of the music and the recording had many stations broadcasting the single almost immediately. Very soon, this unknown band with songs recorded in a basement, became rock stars with a debut album selling over 17 million copies.
More Than a feeling has been featured in a wide range of TV shows and movies, including -
SONG LYRICS
[Verse 1]I looked out this morning and the sun was gone
Turned on some music to start my day
I lost myself in a familiar song
I closed my eyes and I slipped away
[Chorus]
It's more than a feeling (more than a feeling)
When I hear that old song they used to play (more than a feeling)
And I begin dreaming (more than a feeling)
'Til I see Marianne walk away
I see my Marianne walking away
[Verse 2]
So many people have come and gone
Their faces fade as the years go by
Yet, I still recall as I wander on
As clear as the sun in the summer sky
[Chorus]
It's more than a feeling (more than a feeling)
When I hear that old song they used to play (more than a feeling)
And I begin dreaming (more than a feeling)
'Til I see Marianne walk away
I see my Marianne walking away
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 3]When I'm tired and thinking cold
I hide in my music, forget the day
And dream of a girl I used to know
I closed my eyes and she slipped away
She slipped away
[Chorus]
It's more than a feeling (more than a feeling)
When I hear that old song they used to play (more than a feeling)
And I begin dreaming (more than a feeling)
'Til I see Marianne walk away
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