Boston – Greatest Hits (1997)
Release Date: November 11, 1997
Label: MCA Records
Type: Compilation / Greatest Hits
Genre: Rock / Arena Rock / Hard Rock
Length: 77:14
Producer: Tom Scholz
Overview
Greatest Hits is Boston’s first official compilation album, bringing together the band’s most iconic tracks from their 1976 debut through Walk On (1994). The album captures the signature layered guitars, soaring vocals, and arena-ready melodies that made Boston one of rock’s most enduring acts.
The collection includes classic hits like “More Than a Feeling,” “Amanda,” “Don’t Look Back,” and “I Need Your Love,” alongside two newly recorded tracks, “Tell Me” and “Higher Power,” which give fans something fresh while celebrating the band’s legacy.
The album was designed for both longtime fans and newcomers, offering a comprehensive overview of Boston’s career and highlighting the band’s consistent sound and production excellence.
Tracklist
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More Than a Feeling – 4:46
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Amanda – 4:30
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Don’t Look Back – 5:09
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Foreplay/Long Time – 7:51
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Rock & Roll Band – 4:15
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Smokin’ – 4:22
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Hitch a Ride – 3:52
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Cool the Engines – 4:02
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We’re Ready – 5:32
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Can’tcha Say (You Believe in Me) / Still in Love – 7:48
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Livin’ for You – 3:54
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Walk On – 4:24
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I Need Your Love – 4:20
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Higher Power – 4:34 (new track)
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Tell Me – 4:05 (new track)
Fun Facts & Trivia
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New Tracks: The album features two previously unreleased songs, “Higher Power” and “Tell Me,” recorded specifically for this compilation.
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Career-Spanning: Covers hits from all four studio albums up to that point, providing a perfect summary of Boston’s career for casual and dedicated fans.
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Production Perfection: Tom Scholz personally remixed and remastered many of the older tracks, ensuring consistent sound quality across the compilation.
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Did You Know? “Higher Power” was Boston’s first recording with drummer Curly Smith, though Sib Hashian plays on earlier tracks.
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Artwork: The cover features Boston’s iconic guitar-shaped spaceship, reinforcing the band’s recognizable branding.
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Chart Performance: The album was a commercial success, reaching #23 on the Billboard 200 and going Platinum in multiple countries.
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Fan Favorite Inclusion: Tracks like “Foreplay/Long Time” and “Can’tcha Say (You Believe in Me)” were included due to fan popularity, despite not being chart-topping singles.
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Legacy: This compilation helped cement Boston’s status as a classic rock staple in the 1990s, bridging their 70s and 90s work.
Album Credits
Boston:
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Brad Delp: Lead vocals, backing vocals
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Tom Scholz: Guitar, bass, keyboards, backing vocals, producer, engineer
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Barry Goudreau: Guitar, backing vocals (select tracks)
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Fran Sheehan: Bass (select tracks)
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Sib Hashian: Drums, percussion (select tracks)
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Phil X: Guitar (new tracks)
Production Team:
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Producer & Engineer: Tom Scholz
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Mixing & Remastering: Tom Scholz
Mini Review
Greatest Hits is a definitive Boston collection, perfectly balancing the band’s 1970s arena-rock anthems with 1980s and 1990s hits. Classics like “More Than a Feeling” and “Amanda” remind listeners of Boston’s soaring vocals, intricate guitar harmonies, and melodic genius, while new tracks like “Higher Power” and “Tell Me” showcase continued musical relevance. For both longtime fans and newcomers, this compilation is a timeless celebration of Boston’s enduring rock legacy.
