Aerosmith’s Dream On competing to be Massachusetts official state song
Aerosmith’s 1973 classic, “Dream On”, is currently competing to be the official state song of Massachusetts.
The track is going head-to-head with Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers' "Roadrunner" in a bill discussed Thursday at a hearing of the State Administration and Oversight Committee.
Sentinel & Enterpise reports “Dream On” was left without a single witness to offer live testimony on behalf of the song, despite being put forward by lead sponsor Rep. James Cantwell, D-Marshfield.
Cantwell missed the hearing due to other commitments and an unusually short notice of the meeting, but sent an aide to personally deliver his written testimony to the committee.
"(Aerosmith) are definitely from Massachusetts. They are a prime example of the rags to riches story that 'Dream On' encapsulates," Cantwell wrote, adding that designating the song "will honor hard work and dreaming on regardless of life's hardships. Like Aerosmith the band, the song celebrates grit and remaining steadfastly committed to your dreams."
Meanwhile, supporters of the “Roadrunner” bill sang the song's praises, including Senator Robert Hedlund, the Senate sponsor, who told the panel how the song impressed him when he first heard it while working at a gas station when he was 15. The song's lyrics concern the adolescent urge to ride around the suburbs listening to music and name-checks many Massachusetts institutions such as Stop & Shop and Route 128.
"It really is a love song penned to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts," said Hedlund.
Aerosmith recently completed a month-long tour of South America in support of their latest album, “Music From Another Dimension.”
The Boston rockers return to the road next May for a 6-week European tour that will include a headlining slot at UK’s Download Festival.
