Hollyann

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Hollyann" by Boston from their 1986 album Third Stage, and the Zoo Freaks are vibing to its nostalgic, soaring melodies. This track, the closing song on the album, is a love letter to the 1960s, evoking memories of Woodstock and the hippie movement. According to liner notes from the album, Tom Scholz, Boston’s mastermind, wrote "Hollyann" as a tribute to a "brief moment in history of real human beauty," celebrating those who lived for freedom and never compromised their ideals. Fans on Songfacts speculate it’s about a couple’s experience at Woodstock, with lyrics like “I still hear guitars in the air as we sat in the sand” painting a vivid picture of that era. One fan on SongMeanings corrected a lyric misprint, noting “past decay” should be “past decade,” tying it firmly to the 1960s. The song’s organ solo and acoustic strums add a dreamy, reflective quality, making it a favorite for fans like Mark from Nashville, who’s played it weekly since 1986, as shared on Songfacts.

Another tidbit comes from the album’s production. "Hollyann" was crafted over several years (1980-1985), as Scholz meticulously recorded at his Hideaway Studio, battling floods and power failures, per Wikipedia. Unlike Boston’s earlier hits, "Hollyann" didn’t chart as a single in 1987, but its emotional depth resonated with fans, many named after the song. On Songfacts, Hollyann from Pennsylvania shared she was named after the track, and Hollie Anne from Tennessee, born in 1986, echoed the sentiment. A post on X from user @RoehrbornX in April 2025 raved about Brad Delp’s vocals, quoting the line “I can still hear guitars in the air as we sat in the sand,” showing the song’s enduring fan love. Scholz chose the name “Hollyann” for its singable quality, avoiding less melodic names like Lenore, as noted on Songfacts.

Boston, formed in 1975 in Boston, Massachusetts, was the brainchild of Tom Scholz, a multi-instrumentalist and MIT-trained mechanical engineer. Scholz began writing music in 1969 while at MIT, crafting the instrumental “Foreplay” and joining a band called Freehold, where he met drummer Jim Masdea and later vocalist Brad Delp, according to Wikipedia. After graduating, Scholz worked at Polaroid, using his salary to build a basement recording studio. He spent years perfecting demo tapes, playing most instruments himself, which led to Boston’s 1976 debut album. That album, featuring hits like “More Than a Feeling,” sold 17 million copies in the U.S. alone, per Wikipedia. Scholz’s innovative use of the Rockman guitar processor and multi-tracked harmonies gave Boston its signature “violin-like” sound without synthesizers, influencing bands like Journey and Def Leppard.

Stay connected with Boston through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts for updates on tours and music. Fans can dive deeper at sites like The Band Boston Fan Site or thirdstage.ca, which offer lyrics, discographies, and tour info. For community vibes, check out the Boston Fan Group on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can share their love for “Hollyann” and more. The tribute band Third Stage: A Tribute to Boston also keeps the spirit alive with live performances in Washington State.