Sunday, November 4, 2012

Story Songs: Please Come to Boston

Dave Loggins wrote about the struggle of being a performer and trying to have a relationship in "Please Come to Boston." As we learn from the lyrics, it's next to impossible if neither side will compromise. 


In the song, the narrator makes stops in Boston, Denver and Los Angeles, and pleads with his significant other to join him on the road.

Boston:

"Please come to Boston for the spring time
I'm stayin' here with some friends
And they've got lots of room.
You can sell your paintings on the sidewalk
By a cafe where I hope to be workin' soon."

Denver:

"Please come to Denver with the snow fall.
We'll move up into the mountains so far
That we can't be found.
And throw 'I love you' echoes down the canyon
And then lie awake at night until they come back around."

And L.A.:

"Please come to L.A. to live forever
California life alone is just too hard to build.
I live in a house that looks out over the ocean.
And there's some stars that fell from the sky
And livin' up on the hill."

But each time the lover says no to her "ramblin' boy" and asks "Boy, would come home to me?" And that is followed by:

"There ain't no gold and
There ain't nobody like me.
'Cause I'm the number one fan
Of the man from Tennessee."

No doubt many people have wanted to hit the road and seek fame and fortune but were held back for personal reasons. And, as Loggins wrote and expressed so well in his singing, some probably feel heartbreak from their decision to leave someone. It's a difficult decision many of us have made in our careers.

"Please Come to Boston" reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1974. Loggins, who was born in Mountain City, Tenn.,  was nominated for a Grammy for Best Vocal Performance for the song.

Loggins was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1995. His cousin is singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins.

"Please Come to Boston" lyrics


10 comments:

  1. I don't understand why she didn't go with him. It's such a sad song.

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    1. I guess Mr. Loggins would have to answer that question. My guess would be that she believes happiness and contentment are found at home while the man finds fulfillment and happiness on the road. I would also think that the singer realizes that success would more likely come when he took to the road. Just my thoughts. Mr. Loggins delivery also adds to the sadness and melancholy of the song.

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  2. I never heard the song or new of Dave Loggins until it played in a 70's good oldies recently. I fell in love w/ the work and the artist.Wish I'd known of both long ago... But now , I've to play it often to enjoy Dave's delicious phrasing and wishful feelings...

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  3. When Dave Loggins wrote this song, he was not in a relationship. He was rambling from city to city as musicians do and this song reflects his wish for someone special, “somebody I can sing to”. He’s from Tennessee so he created a lover in Tennessee urging him to “come home to me”. It’s a sweet song of longing for love and it’s been a favorite of mine since it was released in 1974.

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  4. I’ve loved this song since it was first released!❤️ This one and Desperado both made a huge impact on me growing up. I was raised in an abusive home and have been depressed and lonely throughout most of my life. Having never been in a stable relationship, I’ve longed for someone to ask me to “come to Boston”. I’d have left on the next plane out. Without my 30+ years of teaching Pre-K and Kindergarten, I’m pretty sure I would not be here today. Retired and disabled now, I cling to Dave Loggins beautiful, haunting, soulful voice. Lost my brother a little over a year ago-quite suddenly; my father the following November and my fur baby in March. Between all that and the pandemic, I have nightmares, insomnia, crying spells, general anxiety.
    I hope I’m not losing my mind. 😭😭😭

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  5. You are not losing your mind, you have been through an awful lot! Please stay strong!

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