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Supertramp Breakfast in America Backstory.

By on March 31, 2023

In the late 1970s, the British rock band Supertramp was at a turning point. They had achieved some success with their previous albums, but they were still unknown outside of the UK. Frontman, Roger Hodgson, came up with an idea that would change their future forever.

Hodgson had been living in Los Angeles for several years and was enamored with American culture. He felt that there was something quintessentially American about the music of Supertramp, and he wanted to explore that further. He proposed the idea of recording an album that would be a love letter to America, celebrating its people, its cities, and its way of life.

The result was Breakfast in America, one of the biggest-selling albums of all time. From the opening notes of the title track to the wistful melodies of “The Logical Song” and “Goodbye Stranger,” the album was a celebration of songwriting, musicianship, and production that captured the zeitgeist of late ’70s America.

At the heart of the album is its standout track, “The Logical Song.” With its catchy melody, playful lyrics, and intricate arrangement, “The Logical Song” is a quintessential Supertramp song. But it’s also much more than that. It’s a biting commentary on the dehumanizing effects of modern society, and a plea for individuality and self-expression.

The song opens with a haunting synth riff that sets the mood for what’s to come. Then the drums kick in, and the melody begins to take shape. Lead vocalist and keyboardist Roger Hodgson sings the opening lines with a plaintive, yearning voice:

“When I was young, it seemed that life was so wonderful

A miracle, oh it was beautiful, magical”

These lines capture the innocent optimism of childhood, when everything seems possible and the world is full of wonder. But the mood soon shifts as Hodgson sings:

“And all the birds in the trees, well they’d be singing so happily

Oh joyfully, oh playfully watching me”

The contrast between the joyous birds and the singer’s own sense of disillusionment is stark. Hodgson’s lyrics are a lament for the loss of that childlike wonder, and a critique of a society that values conformity over individuality.

The chorus of the song is perhaps its most memorable part. Hodgson sings:

“Please, please tell me now, is there something I should know?

Is there something I should say, that would make you come my way?

Do you feel the same ’cause you don’t let it show?”

These lines are a direct plea to the listener to break out of the societal norms that hold them back. Hodgson is asking if there’s something we can do to reconnect with our true selves, to find that sense of wonder and magic that we’ve lost.

Roger Hodgson said in a 2012 Songfacts interview: “I think it was very relevant when I wrote it, and actually I think it’s even more relevant today. It’s very basically saying that what they teach us in schools is all very fine, but what about what they don’t teach us in schools that creates so much confusion in our being. I mean, they don’t really prepare us for life in terms of teaching us who we are on the inside. They teach us how to function on the outside and to be very intellectual, but they don’t tell us how to act with our intuition or our heart or really give us a real plausible explanation of what life’s about. There’s a huge hole in the education. I remember leaving school at 19, I was totally confused. That song really came out of my confusion, which came down to a basic question: please tell me who I am. I felt very lost. I had to educate myself in that way, and that’s why California was very good for me to kind of re-educate myself if you like.

Musically, “The Logical Song” is a tour de force. The intricate arrangement features multiple key changes and tempo shifts, as well as a stunning saxophone solo by John Helliwell. The song’s soaring chorus is a testament to Supertramp’s ability to craft memorable melodies that stick with you long after the song is over.

“The Logical Song” is a timeless anthem for anyone who has ever felt out of step with the world around them. It’s a reminder that there is magic and wonders to be found if we’re willing to look for it. And it’s a testament to Supertramp’s enduring legacy as one of the greatest bands of the ’70s and beyond.

Supertramp’s music has been covered by countless artists, and its influence can be heard in the music of bands like Coldplay and Vampire Weekend. Although Supertramp would go on to release several more albums, it’s Breakfast in America that remains their most connected and enduring work.

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