Peace of Mind (Boston song)
"Peace of Mind" | ||||
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Los Angeles, California (album version)/ April 1976 (single version) | ||||
Genre | Hard rock | |||
Length | 5:02 (album version) 3:38 (single version) 5:31 (full version) | |||
Label | Epic | |||
Songwriter(s) | Tom Scholz | |||
Producer(s) | John Boylan, Tom Scholz | |||
Boston singles chronology | ||||
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Audio | ||||
"Peace of Mind" (Album version) on YouTube |
"Peace of Mind" is a song by American rock band Boston, written by Tom Scholz. It was on their 1976 self-titled debut, and was released the next year as the third and final single from the album. It peaked at number 38 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1977,[1] as well as number 33 on the Cash Box Top 100.[2] It received substantial radio airplay, both upon the initial release of the Boston album and subsequently, and has been described as a "rock-radio staple".
Writing and recording
"Peace of Mind" is one of six songs, five of which eventually appeared on the Boston album, that Scholz worked on in his basement in 1974 and 1975, before Boston got its record contract. The demo was finished in 1974.
Lyrics and music
The song is about the people Scholz worked with at the Polaroid Corporation before getting his recording contract, and about Scholz's lack of interest in climbing the corporate ladder into company management.[5][6] Dick Nusser of Billboard described the theme of the song being that "Competition and a corporate slot aren't the only choices. Better to turn on, tune in and seek 'Peace Of Mind.'"[7] According to music journalist Chuck Eddy, the lyrics argue that it is unhealthy for people to compete with each other.[8] Paul Elliott commented on the lyrics' "positivity," exhorting people to look past their mundane life to "find deeper meaning".[9] He also noted the song's "uplifting quality," expressed through "its freewheeling riff, its rich melody and dazzling vocal harmonies".[9] AXS contributor Craig James describes the theme as being "that it is better to make music and being at peace with yourself is better than corporate aspirations."[10] Vanyaland's Daniel Brockman found irony in the refrain, "I understand about indecision, and I don't care if I get behind/People living in competition, all I want is to have my peace of mind," noting that this was a hit single premised on lyrics stating that one shouldn't take their career too seriously.[6] Mojo magazine cited the lyrics as presenting an alternate view of the American Dream to that described in another song from the Boston album, "Hitch a Ride".[11]
The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Rock History described the song as being "built around soaring guitars, tight vocal harmonies, and huge
The song is among the earliest ones in popular music to use vi–IV–I–V chord progression, a variant of I–V–vi–IV progression, widely popular in modern Western music.
Reception
Gallucci rated it Boston's fifth greatest song, particularly praising the "fuzzy guitar
Personnel
Boston
- Tom Scholz – acoustic and electric rhythm guitar, lead guitar, bass
- Sib Hashian – drums
- Brad Delp – vocals
In popular culture
- The song is featured in the enhanced versions of the 2013 game Grand Theft Auto V on the in-game radio station, Los Santos Rock Radio.[29]
- The song is used in first seasonepisode "Hook Man" at the end of the episode.
Covers
"Peace of Mind" was covered by
Charts
Chart (1977) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[31] | 41 |
US Billboard Hot 100[32] | 38 |
U.S. Cash Box Top 100[2] | 33 |
References
- ^ "Billboard - Hot 100". Billboard. June 18, 1977.
- ^ a b "Cash Box Top 100". July 2, 1977.
- ^ a b Wright, J. (2008). "Feelin' Satisfied: An Interview with Tom Scholz of Boston". thirdstage.ca. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
- ^ a b Gallucci, Michael (10 March 2013). "Top 10 Boston songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2017-03-23.
- ^ Miller, Chuck. "Boston: Heaven is a Reel-to-Reel Tape". Goldmine. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
- ^ a b c Brockman, Daniel (March 9, 2017). "Peace Of Mind: On the 10th anniversary of his death, Brad Delp's legacy with Boston remains in the music". Vanyaland. Retrieved 2017-04-24.
- ^ Nusser, Dick (May 7, 1977). "Talent in Action" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. pp. 34, 41. Retrieved 2020-06-12.
- ISBN 9780306807411.
- ^ a b c Elliott, Paul (March 10, 2016). "The 10 Greatest Boston Songs Ever". Future plc. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
- ^ a b Craig, Bill (February 18, 2017). "Top 10 best Boston songs". AXS. Retrieved 2017-05-03.
- ISBN 9781847676436.
- ISBN 9780313336119.
- ISBN 9781627883757.
- ^ "100 Best Debut Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. March 22, 2013. Retrieved 2017-04-24.
- ISBN 9780761149415.
- ^ "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. May 7, 1977. p. 22. Retrieved 2021-12-26.
- ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. May 7, 1977. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
- ISBN 0743201698.
- Beaver County Times. Retrieved 2017-04-24.
- ISBN 0825672562.
- ^ Reno, Jamie (August 2004). "Boston Rocks". San Diego. p. 203. Retrieved 2017-04-24.
- ^ "Brad Delp, Singer For '70s Rock Icons Boston, Died Virtually Anonymous". MTV. March 12, 2007. Retrieved 2017-04-24.
- ^ Hilburn, Robert (September 28, 1976). "Debuts: Discs with a Difference". Los Angeles Times. p. 52. Retrieved 2023-01-04 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Kachejian, Brian (23 May 2018). "Top 10 Boston Songs". Classic Rock History. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
- ^ Tomlin, Edward (March 19, 2023). "10 Best Boston Songs of All Time". SingersRoom. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
- ISBN 9781480348271.
- ^ "Guitar World's 50 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time". Hal Leonard. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
- ^ "Learn Guitar World's '50 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time'". Guitar World. June 2, 2015. Retrieved 2015-04-25.
- ^ "Here's all 162 new songs in the refreshed GTA 5 soundtrack". VG247. 2014-11-18. Retrieved 2021-08-16.
- ^ Allmusic. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 5274a." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
- ^ "Boston Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 December 2022.