About the song
“More Than a Feeling,” a song by the American rock band Boston, is an iconic piece of rock history. Released in September 1976 by Epic Records, it was the lead single and opening track from Boston’s debut album. The song was written entirely by Tom Scholz and quickly became a classic, peaking at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100. Its enduring popularity is evident, as it remains a staple on classic rock radio and was named the 39th-best hard rock song of all time by VH1 in 2008. Additionally, it is included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s list of the “500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll” and is ranked number 212 on Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time,” an improvement from its previous position of number 500 in the 2004 version.
The creation of “More Than a Feeling” was a labor of love for Scholz, taking him five years to complete. He wrote the lyrics with the idea of losing someone close and the power of music to connect one to past memories. Although not based on any specific event in Scholz’s life, he did take the name Marianne from his cousin. The song is one of six tracks he worked on in his basement from 1968 to 1975 before Boston secured a record contract. Jim Masdea initially developed the drum parts, though Sib Hashian played the drums on the official release. The song follows a compound AABA form and features a chorus riff that some suggest may be a subtle homage to the Kingsmen’s classic, “Louie Louie.” Scholz has expressed his admiration for the James Gang, particularly their 1970 album, “James Gang Rides Again,” and the signature riff of “More Than a Feeling” bears a resemblance to Joe Walsh’s “Tend My Garden” from the same album. The main inspiration for the song, however, was “Walk Away Renee” by The Left Banke.
Boston’s website describes “More Than a Feeling” as about “the power an old song can have in your life,” with Scholz elaborating that it is “sort of a bittersweet ballad.” This theme of nostalgia and longing is common in Boston’s songs, as noted by Ultimate Classic Rock critic Michael Gallucci. The lyrics express a longing for a past love named Marianne, whose memory is strongly evoked by an old familiar song. Scholz has mentioned in interviews that Marianne was a real person, his much older cousin whom he admired as a child, though the lyrics were also influenced by his emotions after a school love affair ended and by the lyrics of “Walk Away Renee.”
The song’s musical composition is notable for its sophisticated melody, use of minor chords, and intricate guitar work, incorporating techniques typically found in baroque music. Critics have praised “More Than a Feeling” for its accessible beat, smooth vocals, and dynamic tension. It has been described as a “marvelously appealing pop-rock single” and is often compared to Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” for its impact. Rolling Stone Album Guide critic Paul Evans noted that “as slick as it sounds, ‘More Than a Feeling’ strikes an uncommonly resonant emotional note.” The song has consistently been rated as Boston’s greatest song by critics and continues to be a beloved classic rock anthem, inspiring air guitar and sing-alongs whenever it plays on the radio.
Video
Lyrics
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
It’s more than a feeling
(More than a feeling)
When I hear that old song they used to play
(More than a feeling)
I begin dreaming
(More than a feeling)
‘Til I see Marianne walk away
I see my Marianne walkin’ away
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
It’s more than a feeling
(More than a feeling)
When I hear that old song they used to play
(More than a feeling)
I begin dreaming
(More than a feeling)
‘Til I see Marianne walk away
I see my Marianne walkin’ away
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
It’s more than a feeling
(More than a feeling)
When I hear that old song they used to play
(More than a feeling)
I begin dreaming
(More than a feeling)
‘Til I see Marianne walk away