Used to Bad News

The song "Used to Bad News" from Boston's 1978 album Don't Look Back carries the band's signature blend of hard rock and melodic hooks, but it stands out for its raw emotional edge. Written by lead singer Brad Delp, the track is one of the few on the album not penned by band founder Tom Scholz. In a 1978 interview with Creem magazine, Delp shared that the song came from a personal place, reflecting his frustration with life's setbacks and a tongue-in-cheek acceptance of constant bad luck. He noted, "It's me poking fun at how things always seem to go wrong, but you just keep rolling with it." Fans on Boston Fan Club on Facebook have echoed this, often citing the song's relatable lyrics and gritty guitar riffs as a highlight of the album. A post on X from a fan account in 2023 called it "the underdog anthem of Don't Look Back," pointing out how Delp's vocal delivery swings between resignation and defiance.

Another tidbit about "Used to Bad News" surfaced in a 2006 fan Q&A hosted on Boston.org, a dedicated fan site. Tom Scholz revealed that the song's recording was almost scrapped because of a studio mishap where a tape reel was damaged during mixing. Scholz, known for his perfectionism, spent days salvaging the track, which he said gave it a "grittier, more human feel" than the polished sound of other songs on the album. Fans have also speculated on Boston's Instagram comments that the song's looser, less-produced vibe might reflect Delp's influence, as Scholz typically favored meticulous arrangements. The track's enduring appeal is evident in fan discussions on Boston's official Facebook page, where Zoo Freaks and other listeners praise its raw energy as a perfect fit for Don't Look Back's eclectic tracklist.

Boston began as the brainchild of Tom Scholz, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering. In the early 1970s, Scholz was working at Polaroid by day and tinkering with music in his basement studio by night. His obsession with blending rock with orchestral elements led him to create demo tapes, which he recorded almost entirely solo, playing multiple instruments. As detailed in a biography on Boston.org, Scholz's demos caught the attention of Epic Records in 1975, but the label insisted he form a proper band for live performances. Scholz recruited vocalist Brad Delp, whose soaring voice became the heart of Boston's sound, along with guitarist Barry Goudreau, drummer Sib Hashian, and bassist Fran Sheehan. Their self-titled debut album in 1976, featuring hits like "More Than a Feeling," skyrocketed to success, selling over 17 million copies and establishing Boston as a rock powerhouse.

The band's journey wasn't without challenges. Scholz's perfectionist approach, as noted in a 1986 Rolling Stone interview, led to long gaps between albums, with Don't Look Back taking two years to complete due to his hands-on production style. Fans on X often share stories of Scholz's innovative recording techniques, like building his own studio gear to achieve Boston's distinctive sound. Despite lineup changes and Delp's tragic passing in 2007, Boston continues to tour and record, with Scholz leading the charge. You can follow the band on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. For deeper fan engagement, check out the Boston Fan Club on Facebook or the fan-run Boston.org, where Zoo Freaks and other devotees share memories, rare photos, and tour updates.