We’re Ready / Something About You

The Zoo Crew is spinning the classic track "We’re Ready / Something About You" by Boston from their 1986 album Third Stage, and the Zoo Freaks are loving it! "We’re Ready," written by Boston’s mastermind Tom Scholz, is a standout from the album, hitting #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. Critics, like Jon Pareles from the New York Times, called it a "rock ballad" with an exhilarating vocal hook, while Mark Madden of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette praised its catchy pop fun, blending children’s choir-style harmonies with Boston’s signature whomp. The song’s dual lead guitar work by Scholz and Gary Pihl was highlighted by Lakeland Ledger critic Phillip Booth for its powerful impact. Fun fact: "We’re Ready" was written as early as 1981, making it one of the older tracks on Third Stage, second only to the #1 hit "Amanda." Its recording process was grueling, with Scholz famously operating as a one-man band, overdubbing instruments himself to avoid directing others, which he admitted to the New York Times added significant time to the six-year production.

Not much is documented specifically about "Something About You" as a standalone track, but it’s part of the Third Stage tapestry, an album known for its darker, more somber tone compared to Boston’s earlier work. The album’s creation was a saga, as Scholz shared in a New York Times interview, noting he worked 50-60 hours a week in his basement studio, burning through 175 light bulbs and pushing the record button nearly a million times. A quirky anecdote from the fan site Gonna Hitch a Ride reveals the chaotic studio environment: Scholz once punched tape deck controls with his foot while blasting power chords through a tiny amplifier. The album also marked the debut of Scholz’s Rockman guitar processor, giving tracks like "We’re Ready" their distinctive sound, and featured electronic drum samples, a first for Boston.

Boston’s journey began with Tom Scholz, a Polaroid engineer with a master’s degree from MIT, who turned his passion for music into a rock phenomenon. In the early 1970s, Scholz started recording demos in his basement studio in Watertown, Massachusetts, playing nearly every instrument himself. His meticulous approach caught the attention of Epic Records after he sent out demo tapes, leading to a deal in 1975. With vocalist Brad Delp, whose soaring voice became Boston’s hallmark, the band released their self-titled debut in 1976, which became one of the best-selling debut albums in history. Scholz’s perfectionism, evident in the six-year gap between albums, stemmed from his engineering mindset, as he told the New York Times, “I get picky about the details in anything I’m making.” Despite lineup changes, Scholz and Delp remained the core, with Delp’s harmonies shining on Third Stage.

Fans can connect with Boston through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates, throwback photos, and fan interactions. The fan site Gonna Hitch a Ride is a treasure trove for Zoo Freaks, offering lyrics, tour info, and forums to discuss tracks like "We’re Ready." There’s also a vibrant Boston Fan Group on Facebook, where fans swap stories, rare photos, and memories of epic live shows. Whether you’re grooving to the vinyl spin or diving into the band’s history, Boston’s legacy keeps the Zoo Crew and their listeners ready for more!