A 2007 article by Laura Barton in the UK Guardian suggested that the Modern Lovers ROADRUNNER should be the state song of Massachusetts. Such a good idea took time to fester in the minds of Bay State residents, but a local politician picked up the torch for the underground hit extolling riding on “Route 128 when it’s late at night”.
A slam dunk was prevented by two perverse state reps countering with Aerosmith’s DREAM ON.
In 1971 my friend Russ and I were working as waiters at the Hi-Hat Lounge on Commonwealth Avenue in Brighton. The low-life bar had a good jukebox, cheap drinks, and underage drinking. We sold quaaludes to BU coeds and a band living at 1325 Comm Ave.
Arrowsmith.
At least I think it was them, but we also dealt mescaline, so the accuracy of my recollection can’t be written in stone.
DREAM ON was a big hit from their 1973 debut LP, but ROADRUNNER was everyone’s favorite, because they sang about our state.
In my mind the contest isn’t even close.
To hear ROADRUNNER by the Modern Lovers, please go to the following URL