"Breakfast in America" is the title track from English rock band Supertramp's 1979 album of the same name. Credited to Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson, 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 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., federal district, five ma ...

Composition

The inner sleeve of the 1979 ''Breakfast in America'' album lists one musician – Roger Hodgson or Rick Davies – 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'' 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", which features the chorus from "Breakfast in America".

Reception

'' Billboard'' writer David Farrell praised John Helliwell's "Benny Goodman-flavoured clarinet solo." DeRiso rated it as Supertramp's 9th greatest song. Graff rated "Breakfast in America" as Supertramp's 5th best song.

Personnel

* Roger Hodgson: lead vocals, piano, pump organ, electric guitar * Rick Davies: harpsichord, synthesizers, vocals * John Helliwell: 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 ...

: bass *

Bob Siebenberg Robert Layne Siebenberg (born October 31, 1949) also known as Bob C. Benberg, is an American musician, best known as a member of British progressive rock band Supertramp, playing drums and percussion. He was the sole American in Supertramp's ...

: drums and percussion *

Slyde Hyde Richard John Hyde (July 4, 1936 – July 15, 2019), sometimes credited as Slyde Hyde, was an American trombonist who played several brass and woodwind instruments. He was a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) Hall ...

: 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