Boston (song)
"Boston" is a song by American rock band Augustana, from their debut album All the Stars and Boulevards (2005). The song was released as the second single on January 17, 2006.[2] It was originally produced in 2003 by Jon King for their demo, Midwest Skies and Sleepless Mondays, and was later re-recorded with producer Brendan O'Brien for All the Stars and Boulevards.[3]
| "Boston" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Augustana | ||||
| from the album All the Stars and Boulevards | ||||
| Released | January 17, 2006 | |||
| Studio | The Apple Store, Los Angeles, California[1] | |||
| Genre | Pop rock | |||
| Length | 4:06 | |||
| Label | Epic | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Dan Layus, Jared Palomar, Justin South, Josiah Rosen | |||
| Producer(s) | Brendan O'Brien, Jon King | |||
| Augustana singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background and release edit
In May 2005, the band announced the release date for their debut stuido album, All the Stars and Boulevards, as well as releasing "Boston" for download on their website along with two other tracks.[4] The song was released as the second single in 2006 and soon gained radio airplay.[5]
Composition edit
The sheet music for "Boston" is published in the key of C major, and is set in time signature of common time with a tempo of 147 beats per minute.[6] Dan Layus's vocal range spans from A3 to G5.[6]
Augustana bassist Jared Palomar has stated that the song is loosely based on one of Layus' high school classmates who left to attend Duke University. Palomar said, "It's more the idea of getting away from everything and starting over."[7] Asked about the meaning of "Boston" in the song, Layus replied: "You know, growing up, I had extended family on the outskirts of Boston, and we’d fly out there for the holidays fairly often, and I always loved it out there, in my mind it always seemed like the farthest point away from California that you could go.... I must have been tapping into that when I was writing that song 'Boston' ...."[8]
Music video edit
The music video for "Boston" was released on February 6, 2006, and was directed by Paul Fedor.[9] It starts with lead singer Dan Layus playing a piano on a beach's shoreline at low tide initially, later showing numerous other abandoned pianos standing still on the shoreline. As the video progresses, other band members appear.[10] Soon after, high tide comes up and the entire band continues to play as they are submerged in water over and over. Band members have been shown to be struggling to keep up with their musical instruments, but they do not seem to give up playing even in such adverse conditions. Some of the abandoned pianos are now partially underwater, tipped over, and/or partially sunken to the sand while seagulls flock on them. The video ends with the camera viewing the sea, but focused on a buoy. The video was filmed in California at Zuma Beach.[10]
Use in popular media edit
"Boston" was used in the third season finale of One Tree Hill, "The Show Must Go On", when Brooke Davis and Lucas Scott have their last dance as a couple. Nathan and Haley drive away to their honeymoon meanwhile Lucas confesses to Peyton that he told Brooke about their kiss in the library.[11] It was also featured in Scrubs, 19th episode of the fifth season, "His Story 3", in The Big Bang Theory, 3rd episode of the first season ("The Fuzzy Boots Corollary"), in "Here Comes the Judge", the 15th episode of season one of Shark,[12] and in the season finale of the first season of Boston's Finest. It's also heard in the film A Warrior's Heart.
Track listing edit
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Boston" | 4:05 |
| 2. | "Boston" (music video) | 4:03 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Boston" (album version) | 4:07 |
| 2. | "Boston" (Live From The Grove) | 4:13 |
| 3. | "Mayfield" (live) | 6:51 |
| 4. | "Ringtone" | |
| Total length: | 14:40 | |
Charts edit
Weekly charts edit
| Year-end charts edit
|
Release history edit
| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | January 17, 2006 | Contemporary hit radio | Epic | [2] |
| Various | August 8, 2006 | Digital download | Sony Music Entertainment | [20] |
| United States | October 23, 2007 | CD | Epic | [1] |
Owl City version edit
| "Boston" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Owl City | ||||
| from the album Coco Moon | ||||
| Released | February 9, 2024 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:04 | |||
| Label | Sky Harbor | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Dan Layus | |||
| Producer(s) | Adam Young | |||
| Owl City singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
American electronica project Owl City released a cover of the song on February 9, 2024, from the deluxe edition of his seventh studio album, Coco Moon.[22]
Background edit
On January 25, 2024, Young teased a cover of "Boston" via Instagram.[23] It was officially released on February 9, and was produced by Young.[22]
Critical reception edit
Peter Källman of Music Talkers gave a positive review of the track. He stated, "The song 'Boston' sort of starts in a 'classic' Owl City fashion, from what I can remember, with the cute synths modified to perfection and an overall bubbly feeling [...] We introduce distorted guitars, rebellious pop-punk vocals, and much more. I would say this switch-up makes sense, and it is appreciated that someone put so much thought into their song."[21] He described the first half of the song as "modern and in line with the Owl City sound." He also noted how the punk rock elements becomes "nostalgic."[21]
References edit
- ^ a b "Boston - Augustana (CD - Epic #8869717688)". AllMusic. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ a b . FMQB. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ . Ping Pong Music. 2013-01-30. Archived from the original on 2013-09-27. Retrieved 2013-08-29.
- ^ Kaj Roth (May 27, 2005). "Augustana Releases Their Debut In July". Melodic. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ Shana Leonard (July 25, 2006). "Ashley Parker Angel, Augustana Might Make You Regret Skipping Tour Openers". MTV. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ a b Justin, South; Josiah, Rozencwajg; Jared, Palomar; Daniel, Layus; Augustana (2008-03-13). "Boston". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
- ^ Wu, Baishi (2008-02-07). "Drop outs Augustana reveal "Boston"'s secret". dukechronicle.com. Retrieved 2022-01-05.
- ^ Skope (2011-04-15). "Stoli finally gets to ask Augustana about "Boston"". skopemag.com. Retrieved 2022-01-05. Standard punctuation added.
- ^ "Boston (2006) by Augustana". IMVDb. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ a b Steven Gottlieb (March 6, 2006). "New Release: Augustana 'Boston'". Video Static. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ Default. "One Tree Hill Music". www.oth-music.com. Retrieved 2013-08-29.
- ^ "Shark Music - Season 1: "Here Comes The Judge"". TuneFind. 2007-02-15. Retrieved 2013-08-29.
- ^ "Augustana Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Augustana Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard.
- ^ "Augustana Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard.
- ^ "Augustana Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Augustana Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Augustana Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "2007 Year-End Chart: Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ "Boston - Single by Augustana". Apple Music. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ a b c Peter Källman (February 14, 2024). "Owl City - Boston (Review)". Music Talkers. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ a b Toshio Maeoka (February 10, 2024). "Owl City Covers Augustana's 'Boston'". PM Studio. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ @owlcityofficial (January 25, 2024). "Tour + New Music = Deluxe. Click the link in the bio to hear a clip of "Boston" (out February 9)" – via Instagram.