Let Me Take You Home Tonight

Album: Boston (1976)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Pickup lines were big in the '70s, and this one gets right to the point: "Let me take you home tonight."

    We don't find out if this very direct approach worked, but we know this guy is really persistent, as he repeats the line over and over in the fadeout.
  • "Let Me Take You Home Tonight" is the only song on Boston's self-titled debut album written by their vocalist, Brad Delp. All the others were written by group mastermind Tom Scholz.

    It was also recorded without Scholz, who was working on the other tracks in his home studio in Watertown, Massachusetts. When the band was signed to Epic Records, it was on the strength of the demos Scholz made in his studio with drummer Jim Masdea. Per convention, the label arranged sessions to record proper versions of the songs with the full band at a studio in Los Angeles with producer John Boylan. But Scholz had worked for years to perfect those songs on his own turf, so there was no way he could improve them with a new producer in Los Angeles. To appease the label, he let Boylan and the band record "Let Me Take You Home Tonight" while he re-recorded the other songs himself. As a result, it's the only track on the album with contributions from every band member.
  • This was released as the B-side of "Long Time," Boston's second single.
  • The album eventually sold 17 million copies in America, many through catalog sales. For a while it was second only to Michael Jackson's Thriller, and from 1994-2008 is was certified as the top-selling debut of all time (overtaken by Appetite For Destruction from Guns N' Roses).

Comments: 10

  • Kurt from UsaHave been listening to Boston for 40+ years never get tired of it stereo cannot go loud enough while playing Boston brings me back to the days of my Youth and Friends I used And hang out with
  • Camille from Toronto, OhProbably the most likable song from this group that I used to love so much as a teen, but nowadays don't feel their music has much relevance to my life.
  • Catherine from Chicago, IlLove the lyrics.
  • Mark from Concord, Nhhere are some numbers I found for
    The Best Selling Debut Albums of All Time:

    1. Boston (Boston) 17 million
    2. Jagged Little Pill (Morisette) 16 million
    3. Cracked Rear View (Hootie and the Blowfish) 16 million
    4. Appetite for Destruction (Guns N' Roses 15 million
    tied with 14 million each
    Bat Out of Hell (MeatLoaf)
    Baby One More Time (Brittany Spears)
    Backstreet Boys (Backstreet Boys)
  • Steven from Chesapeake, VaGreat song if delp can write this well he shouldve done it more often boston is defineately one of my top 5 fav bands and Brad Delp will truely be missed
  • Mary from Phoenix, AzRest in Peace Brad. You'll be missed.
  • Josh from New York, NyHow can Hootie & the blowfish have knocked them out of first, when APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION is still the #1 best selling debut ever. Feel free to explain.
  • Paul Miller from Keizer, OrI love riding to this song.
  • Dee from Indianapolis, InIt's sad to think Hootie and the Blowfish knocked Boston out of 1st place. They arn't even close to being in the same league as Boston, for that matter, neither is Michael Jackson. No one has or ever will be able to create the sound that Boston does. It may take years for albums to come out, but it gives me something to look forward to. This is my all time favorite band, so maybe I'm a little biased.
  • Ben from West Lafayette, In"This was the only song on the album written by vocalist Brad Delp. All the others were written by Tom Scholz." Not quite correct. The song "Smokin'" has a Scholz/Delp credit.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Sam Hollander

Sam HollanderSongwriter Interviews

The hitmaking songwriter/producer Sam Hollander with stories about songs for Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Train, Pentatonix, and Fitz And The Tantrums.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went Mainstream

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.

Divided Souls: Musical Alter Egos

Divided Souls: Musical Alter EgosSong Writing

Long before Eminem, Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj created alternate personas, David Bowie, Bono, Joni Mitchell and even Hank Williams took on characters.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Rupert Hine

Rupert HineSongwriter Interviews

Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.