Foreplay / Long Time by Boston

Album: Boston (1976)

Charted: 22

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The musical ingenuity overshadows the lyric to this song, which finds lead singer Brad Delp hitting the road. Details are few, but we know he's chasing a dream and a bit conflicted about the person he's leaving behind.
"Foreplay" and "Long Time" make up one track on the album. "Foreplay" (the title is a sexual reference) is based around a Hammond B3 organ riff, and is the instrumental intro to "Long Time." The full track runs 7:47, and many radio stations play this version. For stations that have listeners with shorter attention spans, "Long Time" was issued as a single on its own running 3:03.
"Foreplay" is the first song Tom Scholz recorded for what was to become Boston. He wrote it in 1969 when he ws studying at MIT, and recorded it in 1971 with drummer Jim Masdea in Masdea's basement studio. Over the next few years, Scholz made various demo recordings with Masdea supplying drums. When Boston finally got a record deal in 1976, Masdea was replaced by Sib Hashian.
This is part of Boston's debut album, which was written, produced, and mostly performed by Tom Scholz. He used vocalist Brad Delp to record vocals on his demos, but didn't assemble a full band until he got a deal with Epic Records. Along with Delp, the other members were culled from local bands in the Boston area, some of whom Scholz had played with before. Epic wanted the band to play on all the tracks, but Scholz balked because his demos were just how he wanted them. Sib Hashian played drums on the tracks (except for "Rock & Roll Band," which as Jim Masdea), but Scholz needed to get the other two band members - guitarist Barry Goudreau and bass player Fran Sheehan - on the album, so he had Sheehan play on "Foreplay" and Goudreau on "Long Time."
"Long Time" was Boston's second single, following "More Than a Feeling." It did not take a "long time" for the band to get noticed: their smooth, space-age rock caught on right away, and just months after they formed, they were playing arenas. By the time "Long Time" peaked at #22 in March 1977, their debut album had been certified Platinum.
An alternate version called "Foreplay/Fiveplay/Long Time" was released on a 1976 promotional album called It's A Knockout. It was a little longer than the original version and contained some alternate lyrics.
Phish performed this at some of their concerts in the '90s.

Comments: 25

Peach from Deep SouthIt's interesting to see so many comments about having this played at their funeral.
My husband was a HUGE Boston fan... From what felt like the moment we began to get serious, I was told that he wanted "Don't Look Back" played at his graveside. However,he didn't want it DURING the service. I was given verbal AND written instructions that once everyone was gone, I was to play this at his graveside. I lost my best friend, guardian angel, and life partner to a heart attack in 2023, but 2 days before his birthday, and 3 wks before our 40th wedding anniversary. I make a point to play this each and every time I visit with him at his graveside...
I talk with him, think about our memories together, and then just before I leave I play his song.
Glenn from Huntington BeachDoes anyone remember “Long Time” used in an animated radio station commercial in the 1970’s, featuring two cats? They were at a drive-in restaurant, and the cat in the car was whistling at the server in roller-skates, who flirted with him and swayed her hips while holding the serving tray. This was the first time I heard the song, and then later my older sister bought the album. Masterful and timeless music!
AnonymousThe song’s main narrator is trying to get a point across to an old friend and he just wants to leave him behind.
David Nance from Clinton, Iowa Oh my goodness I absolutely don't know where to begin. I must say that out of every song ever made (Foreplay/Longtime) is and will be my most favorite song of all time!! 2nd) My wife thinks that I'm nuts, because if something happens to me this song is going to be my main "FUNERAL SONG" and she's discouraged with the long introduction and she's always saying that she hopes that she goes before me, so she's not having to sit through my 2 hour Church Service and Hymns I want to be Sung too!!!! So thanks for creating this great Dream Song Of Mine I'll Be Taking To Heaven With Me Forever!!!! <3 Sincerely, David Nance!!!! <3
Anonymous Camille from Toronto, get lost and don't look back!
Big Boy from New YorkWhat an instant classic thanks Mr. M!!!!
Jir from London, United KingdomMan I've got 40 days until my exams are over and I've had no TV, no music, no youtube. For some reason this song just keeps resonating up in my head and I know it will be the first thing I play as soon as this whole revision thing is over. It's such a long time
Larry from Detroit, MiMy favorite tune(s) from Boston...on the greatest debut LP ever...never get tired of hearing any song from that album...some call Boston's debut album thier "Greatest Hits" album as well....
Camille from Toronto, OhBack in the day, uh, that'd be 1976, I thought this song was incredible. It would come on the car radio and immediately transport me out of my teenage doldrums into a better place in my mind. Nowadays, Boston's music, including these two songs, don't do much for me. But I do remember what a sensation the entire album was when it was released.
Ryan from Anahola, HiThis song is in the game, Rock Band.
Dylan from Euclid, Ohcoolest intro EVER!
Joann from Portsmouth, Vaback in the day when I drove a school bus & was not allowed to play music cause i drove for a christian school well guess what? all the kids knew & none ever told on me, but this one of our favorite songs. Along with Kansas and other artists so when I hear this song & others it reminds me of those days, so all those kids are grown now & I hope they think of me every once in awile.
Tyler from Indio, Cadoes Tom Scholz sing this or their other singer?
Curtis from Lubbock, TxThis is the song I want played at my funeral. The words are perfect for someone saying goodbye from the grave. Start with the last few seconds of Foreplay, and rock in right into Long Time.
Alli from Arvada, Codefinitely my fav band ever!!!
and this song wins best song ever from them
FOR SURE
Floyd from Ottawa, OnGreat song. Like the build-up, change of pace, and especially the high pitch guitar drifting in and out of the vocals. Great song.
Taylor from Las Vegas, NeAnother fact about this song: Foreplay was Tom's first piece of music and he wrote it a year after learning to play guitar at 21.
Speedwell from Austin, Tx"Foreplay" may be a sly nod to sex, but the word is actually a literal translation into English of the classical music term "Prelude." "Praeludium," in the original Latin, means something you "play before" something else. The instrumental piece is extremely classical in both its structure and its execution.
Mooler from Detroit, MiI love playing it on Rock Band. Great bass, great guitar...if only they had a virtual organ...
Sheeberson from Wrightsville Beach, Ncnot a huge fan of this song, its decent, but i gotta admit the electric guitar part 6:58 sounds awesome and caught me by surprise the first time
Baz from Johnson, VtI would not call this corporate rock, but so many others borrowed this sound, and the fact Bostom never had a better song than the worst cut on this disc leads some folks to bust their chops. Great song, great album.
Nick from Cleveland, OhThis song is great, the instrumental is way underrated,i hate how people would label this band "corporate rock"
Scott from Honolulu, HiAnother magnificient work of art by Tom and Brad. The genius and talent of Tom is evident in this song. The song writing, arrangement, and production was way ahead of it's time. Tom was ahead of his time musically; and his work can bring tears to my eyes when I m in the right mood. I mean that when a person senses true genius and brilliance in a work of art, he or she will recognize it and feel it deep inside.
Sam from Thompsons, TxI love this song, I listen to it over and over and over again, the guitar pieces blend in nicely, and I love the little riffs throughout the song... so very catchy, its become one of my favorite things to play on guitar.
Dee from Indianapolis, InGreat tune, but then Boston puts out music like none other. Many puristdon't care for anything after "Don't look back", but I still enjoy everything they put out. Grant it, you have to wait almost ten years for each release, but it gives me something to look forward to. I want to know when this influential band is going to be inducted to the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame?

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