"But tomorrow
We'll run a little bit faster
Tomorrow
We're gonna find what we're after at last
Feelings that we left in the past
There's romance in the sunset
We're boats against the current to the end"
A couple of weeks ago, I received an Express Mail package from Eric. Inside, was an old manilla folder containing a dozen or so carefully preserved sheets of paper, some haphazardly torn from an old school composition tablet, others neatly removed from a three-ring binder. Together, they represent the birth of a song. Not just any song, mind you, but THE song—"Boats Against The Current."
This is the song that started it for me. It's not a rocker, but it certainly rocked my world! "Boats Against The Current" without hesitation, is my TOP song of all-time. Not just Raspberries or Eric solo, but throw in every other masterpiece that makes lists—from "Hey Jude" to "Good Vibrations"—and it still comes in at #1 on my list!
Over the next several weeks, using Eric's original notes and lyric sheets, I will be delving into the song verse by verse. You'll also be able to hear some rare demos of songs that ultimately appeared on the Boats album, along with some others that didn't make the grade. There will be other contributors posting here, including Eric himself. And the best thing of all is that you can join in as well—not just as a reader, buit as an active participant, sharing your own thoughts and comments.
So hang onto your hats as we kick off this celebration for the 30th Anniversary of Boats Against The Current. It should be quite an extraordinary journey.
10 comments:
I'm so thrilled that you are doing this Bernie (and the other contributers as well!). I'm looking forward to a thrilling ride.
Wow Bernie...This is going to be great...really seeing up close and personal...how some of my favorite music came to be.
This IS going to be interesting! Even for me! ec
This will be sooooo cool! I can't wait!
The opening of that file folder is anxiously anticipated for what it will reveal, like an old treasure chest. Thank you so much Eric, for this rare treat!
(I'll keep the tissues handy)
All The Best,
SSLittleD
This will definitely be a cool trip. The day after hearing "She Did It" for the first time, I picked up the album (I was 13 then). I was amazed that there was only ONE real rocker on the album (Take It or Leave It), but every song was well-written and well-produced. You can tell Eric gave this project 200%.
My favorite song on the album: Marathon Man, though Boats is defintely his best-ever ballad.
BMP
Do I, perhaps smell a book cooking in the near future?
One can only hope... :D
Where is "SOMEDAY?" (the little known b-side of "SHE DID IT"?) - i bought the single when it FIRST CAME OUT ....THEN i bought the LP and was quickly disapointed ----
honestly - i am a musician/artist and ya know what???
TOO MUCH THOUGHT into one's work doesn't make anything a masterpiece - it makes it only a point of reference...your strengths were on pertinent things like "SOMEDAY" , "Go ALL THE WAY", "That ROCK n ROLL" and "MY GIRL" Dude! - that 1st LP of Eric Carmen was perfection!!! YOUR ballads were phenom as really nobody but Rich Carpenter was creating timeless melodies around then.... and lord knows - the first LP - well, you didn't do it all by yourself! but YOU DID write all those marvelous friggin songs and they sent SHIVERS down the knape of my neck ---get over "Boats!" and do us a big fave and get "SOMEDAY" out on ITUNES! xxx hhapy bday - i really am a BIG BIG fan! kevin in san diego...
Kevin Seven Heaven,
"Someday" ended up on 1978's Change of Heart album, which was recently released on CD in the U.S. as a two-fer with your favorite album, Boats Against the Current. I think you can find it for around $15; try Amazon.
As for your chilly reception to Boats, well, to each his own. No question it's not as immediate as the songs you mention from the first album, but IMHO, it's a masterpiece....
Best wishes,
Larry
PS: I just checked Amazon: The Boats/Change of Heart two-fer is $13.98, although the posting says there are "new and used copies available from $9.24." The disc was released by American Beat Records:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000P46PEQ/ref=s9_flash_asin_image_1-1966_p/105-3560738-1633249?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=0DBGRYVQTT6V929HZ1BX&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=292858901&pf_rd_i=507846
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