1979 single by Supertramp

"Breakfast in America"

A 26-second clip of "Breakfast in America" as performed by Roger Hodgson.

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"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 UK[3] 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.

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 incorrectly listed as composer and lyricist.[4] However, the center label of the 12-inch vinyl disc credits all songs to both Hodgson and Davies.[5] Similarly, on the vinyl single, it was credited to Hodgson and Davies.[6]

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.[7] According to Hodgson, he wrote the song when he was 19 years old.[8] Hodgson said that "I was dreaming and having fun one day and this song just flowed out. I think the lyric was written in about an hour, it just came out of me."[8] Hodgson has credited Davies with creating the vocalized retort line, "What`s she got? Not a lot."[9] According to Ultimate Classic Rock critic Nick DeRiso, Hodgson started writing the song as a teenager, and Davies later "helped sharpen the lyrics".[10] Billboard critic Gary Graff agrees with this assessment, including Davies contributing the "What`s she got? Not a lot" lyric.[11] Roger Hodgson uploaded an .mp3 version of his original 2-track demo of the track from ca. 1969 to his website in the early 2000`s.[12]

DeRiso describes the lyrics as being about a child dreaming about visiting the United States some day.[10]

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 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".[13] DeRiso rated it as Supertramp`s 9th greatest song.[10] Graff rated "Breakfast in America" as Supertramp`s 5th best song.[11]

Record World predicted that "AOR-pop radio will make sure that [the live version would become] a morning staple", noting Hodgson`s "light and lively" vocal performance.[14]

Hodgson rated it as one of the top 10 songs he ever wrote.[8]

Personnel

• Roger Hodgson: lead vocals, piano, pump organ, electric guitar
• Rick Davies: harpsichord, synthesizers, vocals
• John Helliwell: clarinet
• Dougie Thomson: bass[15]
• Bob Siebenberg: drums and percussion
• Slyde Hyde: trombone, tuba

Charts

Certifications