"Breakfast in America" is the title track from English rock band

Supertramp Supertramp were an English rock band that formed in London in 1969. Marked by the individual songwriting of founders Roger Hodgson (vocals, keyboards, and guitars) and Rick Davies (vocals and keyboards), they are distinguished for blending pro ...

's 1979 album of the same name. Credited to

Rick Davies Richard Davies (born 22 July 1944) is an English musician, singer and songwriter best known as founder, vocalist and keyboardist of the rock band Supertramp. Davies was its only constant member, and composed some of the band's best known songs ...

and

Roger Hodgson Charles Roger Pomfret Hodgson (born 21 March 1950) is an English musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the former co-frontman and founding member of progressive rock band Supertramp. Hodgson composed and sang the majority of the band’ ...

, it was a top-ten hit in the UKSupertramp UK chart history
The Official Charts. Retrieved 11 December 2011. and a live version of the song reached No. 62 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 in January 1981. The lyrics tell about a person, presumably British, who dreams of visiting the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

Composition

The inner sleeve of the 1979 ''Breakfast in America'' album lists one musician –

– as composer for each song. For the "Breakfast in America" title track, Davies alone is listed as composer and lyricist.''Breakfast in America'' (1979). Inner sleeve credits. A&M Records. However, the center label of the 12-inch vinyl disc credits all songs to both Hodgson and Davies.''Breakfast in America'' (1979). Center label credits. A&M Records. Similarly, on the vinyl single, it was credited to Hodgson and Davies. Supertramp started performing the song during a reunion tour without Hodgson, the latter took credit for writing the song, telling reporters that Davies initially "hated" the song, and that he believed Davies did not play on the recording at all. However, in other interviews Hodgson has credited Davies with creating the vocalized retort line, "What's she got? Not a lot." According to ''Ultimate Classic Rock'' critic Nick DeRiso, Hodgson started writing the song as a teenager, and Davies later "helped sharpen the lyrics." ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

'' critic Gary Graff agrees with this assessment, including Davies contributing the "What's she got? Not a lot" lyric. DeRiso describes the lyrics as being about a child dreaming about visiting the

some day. Hodgson included the song in his 2010 world tour, produced as a live album titled '' Classics Live''. In 2005, rap rock band

Gym Class Heroes Gym Class Heroes was an American rap rock band from Geneva, New York. The group formed in 1997 when Travie McCoy met drummer Matt McGinley during their high school gym class. The band's music displays a wide variety of influences, including hip h ...

released the hit song "

Cupid's Chokehold "Cupid's Chokehold" is a song by American rap rock band Gym Class Heroes, featuring the vocals of Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy. The song relies heavily on the music and chorus from Supertramp's hit song "Breakfast in America" written by Roger ...

", which features the chorus from "Breakfast in America".

Reception

'' writer David Farrell praised

John Helliwell John Anthony Helliwell (born 15 February 1945) is an English musician, best known as the saxophonist, secondary keyboardist, backing vocalist, and occasional songwriter for the rock band Supertramp. He also served as an MC during the band's ...

's "Benny Goodman-flavoured

clarinet The clarinet is a musical instrument in the woodwind family. The instrument has a nearly cylindrical bore and a flared bell, and uses a single reed to produce sound. Clarinets comprise a family of instruments of differing sizes and pitches ...

solo." DeRiso rated it as Supertramp's 9th greatest song. Graff rated "Breakfast in America" as Supertramp's 5th best song.

Personnel

: lead vocals, piano, pump organ, electric guitar *

: harpsichord, synthesizers, vocals *

: clarinet *

Dougie Thomson Douglas 'Doogie' Campbell Thomson (born 24 March 1951) is a Scottish musician, born in Glasgow and raised in the Rutherglen area of the city. He was the bass guitarist of progressive rock band Supertramp during much of the seventies and eight ...

: bass * Bob Siebenberg: drums and percussion * Slyde Hyde: trombone, tuba

Charts

Certifications

References

Sources

External links

Supertramp website
{{authority control Supertramp songs 1979 singles 1979 songs Music videos directed by Bruce Gowers Songs written by Rick Davies A&M Records singles Songs about the United States