More Than a Feeling
Encyclopedia
"More Than a Feeling" is a song by the rock band Boston
, released as the lead single from their self-titled debut album
on Epic Records
in September 1976, with "Smokin'
" on the flipside. The single peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100
. The track is now a staple of classic rock
and in 2009 it was named the 39th best hard rock song of all time by VH1
.
five years to complete. The verses are in the key of D major
while the chorus is in G major
. The track achieves a majestic sound quality, blending acoustic and electric guitar work, soaring vocals and ethereal harmonies. The lyrics express the author's discontent with the present and his yearning for a former love, whose memory is strongly evoked by an old familiar song.
The Book of Rock Lists suggests that the chorus riff
may itself be a subtle homage to the Kingsmen
's classic, "Louie Louie
". Scholz credits "Walk Away Renee
" by The Left Banke
as the song's main inspiration. It is also very much similar (same descending pattern) to the opening riff of Elton John
's "Screw You (Young Man's Blues)". Other critics have noted that this song's main riff is referenced in the Nirvana single "Smells Like Teen Spirit
". The descending verse riff is also similar to the hook from "Badge
" by Cream
. The song's instrumental guitar bridge is heavily inspired by the instrumental hooks of The Tornados
' 1962 instrumental hit "Telstar
", but also sounds like the riff from the song "Tend My Garden" by Joe Walsh
.
Epic released an edited version of the song for the single, clocking in at 3:30 versus the album track at 4:45. That single edit can be found on the Rock installment of Sony's
Soundtrack for a Century box set from 1999.
presidential candidate Mike Huckabee
, requesting him to stop performing the song at public appearances. Huckabee, an amateur bassist, was reported to have been regularly playing the song, sometimes with former Boston band member Barry Goudreau
who held himself out on YouTube
(it was subsequently yanked by the Huckabee Campaign) and on stage to be "of Boston" implying he was currently of the band Boston even though he had been out of the band for over two decades. In his letter, Scholz wrote:
Boston (band)
Boston is an American rock band from Boston, Massachusetts that achieved its most notable successes during the 1970s and 1980s. Centered on guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter, and producer Tom Scholz, the band is a staple of classic rock radio playlists...
, released as the lead single from their self-titled debut album
Boston (album)
The album soared, with three singles becoming Top 40 hits. All eight of the songs on the album still receive regular airplay on classic rock radio to this day, across the country...
on Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
in September 1976, with "Smokin'
Smokin' (Boston song)
"Smokin" is a rock song by the American rock band Boston, released as the b-side to the band's first single,"More Than A Feeling." Like most of the tracks from the group's debut album, it has become a staple on classic rock radio.-History:...
" on the flipside. The single peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. The track is now a staple of classic rock
Classic rock
Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
and in 2009 it was named the 39th best hard rock song of all time by VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
.
Content
His biggest hit, "More Than a Feeling" took writer Tom ScholzTom Scholz
Donald Thomas "Tom" Scholz is an American rock musician, songwriter, guitarist, pianist, inventor, and mechanical engineer, best known as the founder of the hard rock band Boston. He is also the inventor of the Rockman guitar amplifier...
five years to complete. The verses are in the key of D major
D major
D major is a major scale based on D, consisting of the pitches D, E, F, G, A, B, and C. Its key signature consists of two sharps. Its relative minor is B minor and its parallel minor is D minor....
while the chorus is in G major
G major
G major is a major scale based on G, with the pitches G, A, B, C, D, E, and F. Its key signature has one sharp, F; in treble-clef key signatures, the sharp-symbol for F is usually placed on the first line from the top, though in some Baroque music it is placed on the first space from the bottom...
. The track achieves a majestic sound quality, blending acoustic and electric guitar work, soaring vocals and ethereal harmonies. The lyrics express the author's discontent with the present and his yearning for a former love, whose memory is strongly evoked by an old familiar song.
The Book of Rock Lists suggests that the chorus riff
RIFF
The Resource Interchange File Format is a generic file container format for storing data in tagged chunks. It is primarily used to store multimedia such as sound and video, though it may also be used to store any arbitrary data....
may itself be a subtle homage to the Kingsmen
The Kingsmen
The Kingsmen is a 1960s garage rock band from Portland, Oregon, United States. They are best known for their 1963 recording of Richard Berry's "Louie Louie", which held the #2 spot on the Billboard charts for six weeks...
's classic, "Louie Louie
Louie Louie
"Louie Louie" is an American rock 'n' roll song written by Richard Berry in 1955. It has become a standard in pop and rock, with hundreds of versions recorded by different artists...
". Scholz credits "Walk Away Renee
Walk Away Renee
"Walk Away Renée" is a song made popular by the band The Left Banke in 1966 , composed by the group's then 16-year-old keyboard player Michael Brown and Tony Sansone...
" by The Left Banke
The Left Banke
The Left Banke is an American baroque pop band that formed in New York City in 1965 and disbanded in 1969. They are best remembered for their two U.S. hit singles, "Walk Away Renée" and "Pretty Ballerina"...
as the song's main inspiration. It is also very much similar (same descending pattern) to the opening riff of Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
's "Screw You (Young Man's Blues)". Other critics have noted that this song's main riff is referenced in the Nirvana single "Smells Like Teen Spirit
Smells Like Teen Spirit
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a song by the American grunge band Nirvana. It is the opening track and lead single from the band's second album, Nevermind , released on DGC Records...
". The descending verse riff is also similar to the hook from "Badge
Badge (song)
"Badge" is a song performed by Cream, written by Eric Clapton and George Harrison. It was included as a track on Cream's final album, Goodbye. Peaking at number 60 on Billboard's Hot 100, "Badge" was a minor hit after its release as a single in April 1969...
" by Cream
Cream (band)
Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup consisting of bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, guitarist/vocalist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker...
. The song's instrumental guitar bridge is heavily inspired by the instrumental hooks of The Tornados
The Tornados
The Tornados were an English instrumental group of the 1960s that acted as backing group for many of record producer Joe Meek's productions and also for singer Billy Fury. They enjoyed several chart hits in their own right, including the UK and U.S. Number One "Telstar" , the first U.S...
' 1962 instrumental hit "Telstar
Telstar (song)
"Telstar" is a 1962 instrumental record performed by The Tornados. It was the first single by a British band to reach number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and was also a number one hit in the UK. The record was named after the AT&T communications satellite Telstar, which went into orbit in...
", but also sounds like the riff from the song "Tend My Garden" by Joe Walsh
Joe Walsh
Joseph Fidler "Joe" Walsh is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He has been a member of three commercially successful bands, the James Gang, Barnstorm, and the Eagles, and has experienced notable success as a solo artist and prolific session musician, especially with B.B...
.
Epic released an edited version of the song for the single, clocking in at 3:30 versus the album track at 4:45. That single edit can be found on the Rock installment of Sony's
Sony Music Entertainment
Sony Music Entertainment ' is the second-largest global recorded music company of the "big four" record companies and is controlled by Sony Corporation of America, the United States subsidiary of Japan's Sony Corporation....
Soundtrack for a Century box set from 1999.
Campaign of 2008
In February 2008, Scholz wrote to RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
presidential candidate Mike Huckabee
Mike Huckabee
Michael "Mike" Dale Huckabee is an American politician who served as the 44th Governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. He was a candidate in the 2008 United States Republican presidential primaries, finishing second in delegate count and third in both popular vote and number of states won . He won...
, requesting him to stop performing the song at public appearances. Huckabee, an amateur bassist, was reported to have been regularly playing the song, sometimes with former Boston band member Barry Goudreau
Barry Goudreau
Barry Goudreau is a musician, best known as one of the original guitarists for the rock band Boston.- Before Boston :Goudreau had developed a musical interest at an early age and got his first guitar, an acoustic which he borrowed from a friend, at age 11. He began taking lessons and by age 13,...
who held himself out on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
(it was subsequently yanked by the Huckabee Campaign) and on stage to be "of Boston" implying he was currently of the band Boston even though he had been out of the band for over two decades. In his letter, Scholz wrote:
While I’m flattered that you are fond of my song, I’m shocked that you would use it and the name Boston to promote yourself without my consent. Your campaign’s use of "More Than a Feeling", coupled with the representation of one of your supporters as a member "of Boston", clearly implies that the band Boston, and specifically one of its members, has endorsed your candidacy, neither of which is true.
Personnel
- Tom ScholzTom ScholzDonald Thomas "Tom" Scholz is an American rock musician, songwriter, guitarist, pianist, inventor, and mechanical engineer, best known as the founder of the hard rock band Boston. He is also the inventor of the Rockman guitar amplifier...
- acoustic guitarAcoustic guitarAn acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
, lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
, bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Brad DelpBrad DelpBradley E. Delp was an American musician, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Boston. Delp was known for his vocal histrionics, and especially his high range.-Early life:...
- vocals - Sib HashianSib HashianJohn "Sib" Hashian is a drummer who was a member of the rock band Boston during their first and most successful lineup. Hashian currently lives in Lynnfield, Massachusetts. Sib is of Armenian descent.-Boston years:...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Cover versions
- Pop group *NSYNC covered the song on the international version of their European debut album, *NSYNC.
- In 1989, the Swedish Metal band, Bad Habit, covered it with a more "pop" sound added to it with keyboard playing in the background.
- In the 1992 Reading Festival, American grunge band Nirvana briefly covered a part of the song's chorus before playing their hit song "Smells Like Teen Spirit".
- In her 1994 album "Language", NZ female singer Annie Crummer covered this song.
- Japanese female pop singers Nav KatzeNav KatzeNav Katze is a female music duo from Tokyo, Japan consisting of Naoko Iimura and Miwako Yamaguchi . The band was formed in 1984 with a third member, Shino Furutachi . After having released two records on the SWITCH label, they made their major debut on Victor Music Industries with the album...
covered the song on their 1994 album Uwa No Sora. - Pacific Northwest band Sleater-KinneySleater-KinneySleater-Kinney was an alternative rock band from Portland, Oregon that formed in 1994. Originally formed in Olympia, Washington, the group's name is derived from Sleater-Kinney Road, Interstate 5 off ramp #108 in Lacey, Washington, the location of one of their early practice spaces. They were a...
covered "More Than A Feeling" for 1996 compilation Move into the Villa Villakula (Villa Villakula Records). - The American band No MercyNo Mercy (band)No Mercy is an American pop and dance music group formed by Frank Farian in Florida in 1995, consisting of Marty Cintron , and twin brothers, Ariel and Gabriel Hernández , from Miami, Florida.-Career:In 1996, No Mercy released their debut album titled No Mercy, later re-released in Europe retitled My...
released a version of the song as a single in 1999. - Canadian singer Sylvain CossetteSylvain CossetteSylvain Cossette is a French-Canadian singer-songwriter from Grand-Mère, Quebec . Sylvain was a founding member of the Quebec-based English language band Paradox in 1984, before becoming a French language solo artist by 1994...
did a cover of this song on his album 70's. - Rock band Ingram HillIngram HillIngram Hill is a rock band from Memphis, Tennessee.In the summer of 2000, after attending the University of Memphis childhood friends Justin Moore and Phil Bogard joined with Shea Sowell and Matt Chambless to form the band. They spent much of the next year and a half touring throughout the...
performed a cover of this song for the soundtrack of the 2005 film Herbie: Fully LoadedHerbie: Fully LoadedHerbie: Fully Loaded is a 2005 American comedy film directed by Angela Robinson and produced by Robert Simonds for Walt Disney Pictures. It stars Lindsay Lohan as the youngest member of an automobile-racing family, Michael Keaton as her father, Matt Dillon as a competing racer, Breckin Meyer as...
. - Hit the Lights made the cover for the compilation Punk Goes Classic RockPunk Goes Classic RockPunk Goes Classic Rock is the ninth album in the Punk Goes... series, released by Fearless Records. It was released on April 27, 2010. This also features Your Love by The Outfield for the second time to be covered. And also has a Bonus Sampler CD with it...
in 2010 - 2010: Les FradkinLes FradkinLes Fradkin is a guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter, composer and record producer. He is best known for being a member of the original cast of the hit Broadway show Beatlemania...
(On his solo Ztar album Hyper MIDI Guitar) - American all girl punk band The Lunachicks did a cover in 1993.
- ShineheadShineheadShinehead is an English-born Jamaican reggae singer/toaster/rapper.-Career:He began his music career by performing for different New York reggae dancehall sound systems in the 1980s, most notably Tony Screw's Downbeat The Ruler, based in The Bronx.His recording debut was in 1986 on the African...
covered the song in 1994 on his album, Troddin' - German dance act Topmodelz (alias PulsedriverPulsedriverSlobodan Petrovic Jr. is a Yugoslavian-German electronic dance music DJ, producer and is the founder of Aqualoop Records in 2000. He is best known by his alias, Pulsedriver.-Early life & career:...
) covered the song in 2011 on the album Best Of Topmodelz
Use in popular culture
"More Than A Feeling" has been featured in a number of films and serials, including:Film
- When the single was originally released in 1976, a promotion performance video was filmed for the song. The video occasionally plays on The VH1 Classic Network.
- The song was featured in the 19881988 in film-Top grossing films :- Awards :Academy Awards:* Act of Piracy* Action Jackson, starring Carl Weathers, Craig T. Nelson, Vanity, Sharon Stone* The Adventures of Baron Munchausen* Akira* Alice...
film She's Having a BabyShe's Having a BabyShe's Having a Baby is a 1988 American romance film directed by John Hughes.The film portrays a young newlywed couple, Kristy and Jake Briggs played by Elizabeth McGovern and Kevin Bacon, who try to cope with being married and what is expected of them by their parents. Jake must also deal with the...
. - The song was featured in the 20082008 in filmThis is a list of all major films made in 2008.-Highest-grossing films:Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top grossing films that were first released in the USA in 2008...
film Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. - The song was featured in the 1998 film Babe: Pig in the CityBabe: Pig in the CityBabe: Pig in the City is a 1998 sequel to the 1995 film Babe. It occurs in the fictional city of Metropolis. Due to the unexpected darker and more mature subject matter , the film was not received as well as the first Babe film was, as it flopped at the box office and reviews were generally...
. - The song can be heard in the 1977 film Close Encounters of the Third KindClose Encounters of the Third KindClose Encounters of the Third Kind is a 1977 science fiction film written and directed by Steven Spielberg. The film stars Richard Dreyfuss, François Truffaut, Melinda Dillon, Teri Garr, Bob Balaban, and Cary Guffey...
. - The song can be heard in the 1980 Foxes (film)
- The song can be heard in the 2004 film "What the Bleep Do We Know!?What the Bleep Do We Know!?What the Bleep Do We Know!? is a 2004 film that combines documentary-style interviews, computer-animated graphics, and a narrative that describes the spiritual connection between quantum physics and consciousness...
" - The song can be heard in the trailer for and is played in the 2009 film The Men Who Stare at GoatsThe Men Who Stare at Goats (film)The Men Who Stare at Goats is a 2009 comedy war film directed by Grant Heslov and written by Peter Straughan and released in theaters on November 6, 2009...
. - The song can be heard in the 2010 film BurlesqueBurlesqueBurlesque is a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects...
. - The song can be heard in the 2011 Zookeeper (film)Zookeeper (film)Zookeeper is a 2011 comedy film starring Kevin James, and featuring the voices of Adam Sandler, Sylvester Stallone, Nick Nolte, Don Rickles, Judd Apatow, Jon Favreau, Cher and Faizon Love. The film contains computer animation, is produced by Sandler's production company, Happy Madison, and is...
.
Television
- The song has appeared in TV commercials, including on a 1980s ad for Schlitz beer in the UK and a cover version on an Australian Just JeansJust JeansJust Jeans is an Australian apparel chain store, owned and operated by the Just Group. The Just Group owns and operates Portmans, Jaquie E, Jay Jays, Just Jeans, Peter Alexander, Smiggle and Dotti store brands, and currently has over 950 stores throughout Australia and New Zealand.-Profile:Just...
ad in 2007. It can be seen on Mediaset PremiumMediaset PremiumMediaset Premium is an Italian digital terrestrial television service provided by Mediaset. It provides pay tv and pay-per-view services through use of a smart card.-History:...
pay TV. - The song is featured in the episode "My Half-Acre" (season 5 episode 9) of the American sitcom ScrubsScrubs (TV series)Scrubs is an American medical comedy-drama television series created in 2001 by Bill Lawrence and produced by ABC Studios. The show follows the lives of several employees of the fictional Sacred Heart, a teaching hospital. It features fast-paced screenplay, slapstick, and surreal vignettes...
, when the Janitor's Air Band "The Cool Cats" performs it at the end of the episode (although Turk can be seen lip syncing the incorrect lyrics). - "More Than A Feeling" appears in The WireThe WIREthe WIRE is the student-run College radio station at the University of Oklahoma, broadcasting in a freeform format. The WIRE serves the University of Oklahoma and surrounding communities, and is staffed by student DJs. The WIRE broadcasts at 1710 kHz AM in Norman, Oklahoma...
, in the second episode of Season 5 as Jimmy McNulty gets into his car with a flat tire. - Used in Canada for a "Boston Pizza" commercial, with the waitress playing 'Marianne'.
- While not actually used in the program, Carl BrutananadilewskiCarl BrutananadilewskiCarl Brutananadilewski is a fictional character on the Adult Swim animated television series Aqua Unit Patrol Squad 1, which was originally titled Aqua Teen Hunger Force from its premiere in 2000 until 2011...
, from the show Aqua Teen Hunger ForceAqua Teen Hunger ForceAqua Teen Hunger Force , retitled Aqua Unit Patrol Squad 1 in 2011, is an American animated television series on Cartoon Network late night programing block, Adult Swim, as well as Teletoon's Teletoon at Night block and later G4 Canada's ADd block in Canada...
, references the song, calling it "The Ultimate Song" in the season 3 episode "eDork". - The song is featured during a scene of the 1st season finale of Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory
- It was also the background song for a broadcast episode of That 70s Show in which Eric and Donna dance together at their prom.
- The song is used in The SopranosThe SopranosThe Sopranos is an American television drama series created by David Chase that revolves around the New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano and the difficulties he faces as he tries to balance the often conflicting requirements of his home life and the criminal organization he heads...
, in the episode House ArrestHouse Arrest (The Sopranos episode)"House Arrest" is the twenty-fourth episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos and was the eleventh of the show's second season. It was written by Terence Winter, directed by Tim Van Patten and originally aired on Sunday March 26, 2000.-Starring:...
. The lyric "I closed my eyes and I slipped away" can be heard just before Tony passes out due to an anxiety attack. - It was used in a Castle Lager advert in South Africa, in reference to the Rugby World Cup in South Africa.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcKMkC7LpJE
- It was also used in TV adverts for Pechanga Resort and CasinoPechanga Resort and CasinoPechanga Resort and Casino is an Indian Casino on the Pechanga Indian Reservation in Temecula, California. Pechanga Resort and Casino is the largest casino in the state of California, with 3,400 slot machines and approximately of gaming space.-History:...
in Temecula, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. - The song was used in Dane Cook's documentary, Tourgasm, which aired on HBO in June 2006.
- The song is used in a 2010 BarclaycardBarclaycardBarclaycard, part of Barclays Retail and Business Banking, is a global payment business. The Barclaycard was the first credit card introduced in the UK, coming into service in 1966. It enjoyed a monopoly until the introduction of the Access card in 1972....
advert in the UK. - The song is used in the US in an advert for Mega MillionsMega MillionsMega Millions is a US multi-jurisdictional $1 lottery game. Since it replaced The Big Game in May 2002 , Mega Millions' advertised jackpots have started at $12 million, paid in 26 yearly installments , increasing when there is no jackpot winner...
and PowerballPowerballPowerball is an American lottery game sold in 44 jurisdictions as a shared jackpot game. It is coordinated by the Multi-State Lottery Association , a non-profit organization formed by an agreement with lotteries. Powerball is a game whose advertised jackpot starts at $20 million and can roll into...
lottery games in 2010. - The song is heard in the opening scenes in the first episode of Cold Case.
- Used in promos for CarpoolersCarpoolersCarpoolers is an American single-camera comedy series, which ran on ABC from October 2, 2007 to March 4, 2008. The show was created by Bruce McCulloch, who also executive produced alongside Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank, David Miner, Marsh McCall, Joe Russo and Anthony Russo . Joe and Anthony Russo...
on Fox LifeFox LifeFox Life is a television network, launched by the Fox Broadcasting Company, which airs across Latin America, Europe and Japan . Its basic programming include numerous television series, sitcoms and movies, among others, which includes some original programming in certain regions...
. - The song is performed by Shelby DresselShelby DresselShelby Kathleen Dressel is an American Country Singer-Songwriter from Avon Park, Florida, who made the top 50 on the ninth season of American Idol. In describing Dressel's ambitions, Rachel Pleasant Chambliss of Lakeland, Florida's "The Ledger" wrote, "At 19, Shelby Dressel still has a lot of...
in Season 9 of American Idol. - The song is heard in the episode Open Season in the second season of Criminal Minds (episode 21)
- The song featured during the closing moments of the BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
's coverage of the 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix2010 Abu Dhabi Grand PrixThe 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 14 November 2010 at the Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island, an island on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. It was the 19th and last round of the 2010 Formula One season...
, the final race of the 2010 F1 season2010 Formula One seasonThe 2010 Formula One season was the 61st Formula One season of World Championship motor racing competition. Red Bull Racing won its maiden Constructors' Championship with a one-two finish in Brazil, while Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel won the Drivers' Championship after winning the final race...
. - The instrumental version of this song was briefly heard on Cartoon NetworkCartoon NetworkCartoon Network is a name of television channels worldwide created by Turner Broadcasting which used to primarily show animated programming. The channel began broadcasting on October 1, 1992 in the United States....
's "Regular ShowRegular ShowRegular Show is an American animated television series created by J. G. Quintel...
" Season 2 episode: "Benson Be Gone".
Music
- The song "Maryanne" by RiotRiot (band)Riot is an American heavy metal band founded in New York City in 1975 by guitarist Mark Reale. Reaching a peak in popularity in the early 80s, the band has continued a long-running successful career....
sounds very similar to "More Than a Feeling". The title is also the name of the person in Boston's song. - Comparisons between the song have been made to NirvanaNirvana (band)Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
's 1991 hit "Smells Like Teen SpiritSmells Like Teen Spirit"Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a song by the American grunge band Nirvana. It is the opening track and lead single from the band's second album, Nevermind , released on DGC Records...
". Nirvana frontman Kurt CobainKurt CobainKurt Donald Cobain was an American singer-songwriter, musician and artist, best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the grunge band Nirvana...
even noted the similarity. And during a live performance of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" at the Reading Festival in 1992, Cobain played the riff to "More Than a Feeling" while bassist Krist NovoselicKrist NovoselicKrist Anthony Novoselic II is a Croatian-American rock musician, best known for being the bassist and co-founder of the grunge band Nirvana. After Nirvana ended, Novoselic formed Sweet 75 and then Eyes Adrift, releasing one album with each band...
sang before playing "Teen Spirit". - Funeral for a FriendFuneral for a FriendFuneral for a Friend are a Welsh post-hardcore band, from Bridgend. Formed 2001, they have released five studio albums, seven EPs, sixteen singles, one DVD, and one compilation album.-Formation and Early Years:...
placed the song on their compilation albumCompilation albumA compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
Back to the Bus, with Matt citing it as a "benchmark...in regards to song writing". - The Presidents of the United States of AmericaPresidents of the United States of America (band)The Presidents of the United States of America, commonly referred to as Pot USA or "PUSA" or The Presidents, are a twice Grammy-nominated American alternative rock band. The band formed in Seattle, USA, in 1993. The three-piece group currently comprises vocalist and "basitarist" Chris Ballew,...
have been known to perform a cover of the song live at their concerts, and once had "Weird Al" Yankovic"Weird Al" YankovicAlfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, accordionist, actor, comedian, writer, satirist, and parodist. Yankovic is known for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts...
perform the song with them, singing lead vocals and playing the accordion. - While not an actual cover, the main riff for the song "Holy GrailHoly Grail (song)Holy Grail is a song performed by the Australian band Hunters & Collectors on their 1992 album Cut. With lyrics referring to popular Holy Grail mythology, the song is an anthemic single inspired by Napoleon's march to Russia in 1812, but also referencing the Hunters and Collectors' flagging...
", by Hunters & CollectorsHunters & CollectorsHunters & Collectors were an Australian rock music band formed in Melbourne in 1981, fronted by singer-songwriter and guitarist Mark Seymour, they developed a blend of pub rock and art-funk...
is the same as "More Than a Feeling"'s chorus riff, except in a different key. - The dance track "Totally Hooked" by DJ Peter Presta contains a sample of "More Than a Feeling".
- In the song "Carl's Theme" by Nine Pound HammerNine Pound HammerNine Pound Hammer is an American cowpunk band formed in 1985 by vocalist Scott Luallen and guitarist Blaine Cartwright in their hometown of Owensboro, Kentucky...
off the Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters Colon the SoundtrackAqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters Colon the SoundtrackAqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters Colon the Soundtrack is a soundtrack album for the movie Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters, and was released on April 10, 2007. It features many previously unreleased songs, some recorded for the purpose of this album...
the song is referenced in the line "More Than a Feeling is the world's greatest song." - The song Trading My SorrowsTrading My SorrowsTrading My Sorrows: The Best of Darrell Evans is a compilation of Christian worship music by Darrell Evans released in 2002.- Track listing :#"Fields of Grace " - from All I Want is You#"Freedom" - from Freedom...
is more or less the riff in the chorus. - In 1994, Australian Rock group Hoodoo GurusHoodoo GurusHoodoo Gurus are an Australian rock band, formed in Sydney in 1981, by the mainstay Dave Faulkner and later joined by Richard Grossman , Mark Kingsmill , and Brad Shepherd...
recorded a tribute titled "Less Than a Feeling" (from their album CrankCrank (Hoodoo Gurus album)Crank was iconic Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus' sixth studio album. The album was produced by Ed Stasium , who had mixed Hoodoo Gurus last studio album, Kinky in 1991. It was the band's first release on Zoo Records...
), which featured a similar riff and guitar solo. - It is also mentioned in Brad DelpBrad DelpBradley E. Delp was an American musician, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Boston. Delp was known for his vocal histrionics, and especially his high range.-Early life:...
's and Barry GoudreauBarry GoudreauBarry Goudreau is a musician, best known as one of the original guitarists for the rock band Boston.- Before Boston :Goudreau had developed a musical interest at an early age and got his first guitar, an acoustic which he borrowed from a friend, at age 11. He began taking lessons and by age 13,...
's single Rockin' Away. It was Delp's last new release. - In 2011, an adapted version, re-dubbed "More Than A Freezer," was used in a video advertisement for Thermo Scientific ultra-low temperature freezers.
Video games
- In November 2005, a cover of "More Than a Feeling" was included as one of the playable songs in the PlayStation 2PlayStation 2The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
game Guitar Hero and was revisited as a master recording on Guitar Hero: Smash Hits in June 2009, as it was voted as one of the best tracks of original Guitar Hero. - In September 2007, a shorter version the song was featured as a playable track in "SingStar Rock Ballads".
- On March 25, 2008, it was released for the game Rock Band as a part of a Boston-themed 6-track downloadable pack that included all of the tracks from their first studio album, except for "Foreplay/Longtime", which was already on disk, and "Let Me Take You Home Tonight". It is available in Rock Band UnpluggedRock Band UnpluggedRock Band Unplugged is an expansion of the Rock Band series of music video games released for the PlayStation Portable. The game is developed by Backbone Entertainment in conjunction with Harmonix Music Systems and is distributed by MTV Games and Electronic Arts...
as well. - A cover version of "More Than a Feeling" is included in Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol EncoreKaraoke RevolutionKaraoke Revolution and its many sequels are video games for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Nintendo GameCube, Wii, Xbox, and Xbox 360, developed by Harmonix Music Systems and Blitz Games and published by Konami in its Bemani line of music games. The Original Concept for Karaoke Revolution was...
as the first unlockable track.