The #1 song the week of November 8, 1986, belonged to Boston. ‘Amanda’ was the band’s first single in six years, and it kicked off the promotion of their third album, Third Stage, with a bang.
While Third Stage didn’t ultimately reach the heights of the band’s first two smash albums, it did go 4X Platinum, and ‘Amanda’ became Boston’s only #1 hit. That’s right, ‘More Than a Feeling,’ ‘Peace of Mind,’ ‘Don’t Look Back,’ and other popular Boston songs never managed to top the Hot 100.
‘Amanda’ was written between 1980-1981 and kicked around as a demo for years. In 1984, a radio station played a leaked raw version and ended up getting a deluge of calls requesting it. Two more years would pass before fans got to hear an official recording of the power ballad.
Old songs. Great memories.
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Babe, tomorrow’s so far away, there’s something I just have to say
I don’t think I can hide what I’m feelin’ inside another day, knowin’ I love you
And I, I’m getting too close again, I don’t want to see it end
If I tell you tonight, would you turn out the light and walk away, knowing I love you?
[Chorus]
I’m going to take you by surprise and make you realize, Amanda
I’m going to tell you right away, I can’t wait another day, Amanda
I’m going to say it like a man and make you understand, Amanda
I love you
[Verse 2]
And I feel like today’s the day, I’m lookin’ for the words to say
Do you wanna be free, are you ready for me to feel this way? I don’t wanna lose you
So, it may be too soon, I know, the feeling takes so long to grow
If I tell you today, will you turn me away and let me go? I don’t want to lose you
[Chorus]
I’m going to take you by surprise and make you realize, Amanda
I’m going to tell you right away, I can’t wait another day, Amanda
I’m going to say it like a man and make you understand, Amanda
Oh, girl
[Bridge]
You and I, I know that we can’t wait
And I swear, I swear it’s not a lie, girl, tomorrow may be too late
You, you and I, girl, we can share a life together
It’s now or never, and tomorrow may be too late
Oh-woah-woah
[Outro]
And, feeling the way I do, I don’t wanna wait my whole life through
To say I’m in love with you
