Foreplay/Long Time

"Foreplay/Long Time" is a song written by Tom Scholz and first performed by the rock band Boston on the band's eponymous debut album, and as their second single, on Epic Records in 1976. It combines an instrumental introduction, "Foreplay", to the main song "Long Time", generally played as one on the radio and listed as one track on the album. "Long Time" peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 the week ending March 5, 1977.[1] It reached the Top 10 in Canada, peaking at No. 9.[2] The standalone "Foreplay" was released as the B-side of Boston's next single "Peace of Mind", which was released in April.[3]

"Foreplay/Long Time"
Song by Boston
from the album Boston
Released1976
Recorded1975–1976
GenreHard rock, progressive rock
Length7:47 (2:25 for intro "Foreplay")
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)Tom Scholz
Producer(s)John Boylan & Tom Scholz
"Long Time"
Single by Boston
from the album Boston
B-side"Let Me Take You Home Tonight"
ReleasedJanuary 7, 1977
Format7" vinyl
Length3:05
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)Tom Scholz
Producer(s)John Boylan & Tom Scholz
Boston singles chronology
"More Than a Feeling"
(1976)		 "Long Time"
(1977)		 "Peace of Mind"
(1977)

In an interview for the Best of Boston CD, Scholz said that "Foreplay" was the first song he ever recorded, and he did this on a two-track machine in his basement.[4] Scholz also stated that it was the first piece of music he ever wrote, and that he wrote it as far back as 1969.[5][6][7]

An alternate mix of the song is available on the Epic Records Promo LP It's a Knockout. It was a sampler LP of artists that had releases coming up in 1976. This version has various differences in the mix and effects and also includes extra lyrics towards the end of the song. This version has never been available officially anywhere else.

Content

"Foreplay" is a progressive instrumental prelude, primarily consisting of rapid triplet arpeggios on a Hammond M-3 organ (contrary to popular belief, the song was not recorded on a B-3, as Tom Scholz had a limited budget at the time and was unable to afford one) with a bass part doubled by a clavinet, and drums, with lead guitar joining at the end. According to Scholz, leader and producer of Boston, the synthesizer-like swoops were produced by scraping a pick across the strings of an electric guitar in conjunction with distortion and delay.

The three guitar solos on "Long Time" are played by Barry Goudreau, rather than Scholz, who played most of the guitar parts on Boston. Goudreau also plays the solo in "Let Me Take You Home Tonight".[7] Scholz played the solos in "More Than a Feeling", "Peace of Mind", "Rock & Roll Band", and "Something About You".

Reception

Rolling Stone described "Foreplay/Long Time" as "a perfect marriage of Led Zeppelin and Yes that plays musical chairs with electric and acoustic sounds."[8] Billboard Magazine said it had similar catchiness to its predecessor Boston single "More Than a Feeling" due to its "spacey electronic fills and soaring, full bodied vocal harmonies."[9]

Chart performance

Personnel

Foreplay

Long Time

Cover versions
  • Rascal Flatts played a cover version of "Foreplay/Long Time" in concert, which was released on the album Rascal Flatts LIVE.[14][15]
  • Phish celebrated their concert at Great Woods in Mansfield, Massachusetts by opening with "Foreplay/Long Time". They had covered a bluegrass arrangement earlier in their careers, but this was the first time they played the full electric version that is heard on the album.[15]

References
  1. Rock Movers & Shakers by Dafydd Rees & Luke Crampton, 1991 Billboard Books.
  2. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2016-10-12.
  3. "Peace of Mind". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2012-06-04.
  4. "Boston History". Boston. Archived from the original on 2012-06-01. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
  5. "Boston Musicians: Tom Scholz". Boston. Retrieved 2017-05-16.
  6. Koziowski, J. (January 1, 1977). "Boston: Of Basements, Beer and Bread". Retrieved 2012-06-13.
  7. Crowe, C. (August 10, 1978). "Boston: The Band from the Platinum Basement". Rolling Stone. pp. 37–42.
  8. Nicholson, K. (October 7, 1976). "Boston". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 17, 2007. Retrieved 2012-06-13.
  9. "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. January 22, 1977. p. 114. Retrieved 2020-06-12.
  10. "Boston Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
  11. "Top 100 1977-03-19". Cashbox Magazine. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
  12. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2016-10-12.
  13. "Top 100 Year End Charts: 1977". Cashbox Magazine. Retrieved 2016-07-26.
  15. Craig, Bill (February 18, 2017). "Top 10 best Boston songs". AXS. Retrieved 2017-05-03.
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