1997 studio album by Supertramp

Some Things Never Change is the tenth album by the English rock band Supertramp, released in March 1997.

Overview

Some Things Never Change represented a deliberate return to the band`s earlier sound (before Free as a Bird), using more organic recording techniques than on their previous studio album.[3] John Helliwell recounted that "we recorded the album in a way that Supertramp never had and that was by all going into the studio together and doing it as a much more live thing."[4]

The album features the single "You Win, I Lose", which was a minor hit in Germany and also received considerable airplay in Canada.[5] Two more singles were released commercially: "Listen To Me Please"[6] and "Sooner or Later".[7]

The song "Live to Love You" (which was also released as a promo single[8]) features both the `tackled` sound from the Coleco Electronic Quarterback handheld electronic game, as well as the Trouble "Pop-o-matic bubble" sounds from their 1979 hit "The Logical Song".

Cover art

Rick Davies explained the concept behind the album cover: "It`s something to tie in with the title. In England people have tea at four o`clock and it doesn`t matter where they are or what sort of social plane they`re on, they will have that tea."[3]

Reception

AllMusic commented that the album retains the same style and strong instrumental interplay from the band`s glory years, but lacks the "ingratiatingly catchy melodies" of that era, making it of strong interest to the band`s fans but much less to casual listeners.[9]

Track listing

All songs written and sung by Rick Davies except where noted.

"Give Me a Chance" was not included on all editions of the album.[12]

[13]

[14]

Personnel

Supertramp

• Rick Davies – keyboards, vocals
• Mark Hart – guitars, keyboards, vocals
• John Helliwell – saxophones, woodwinds
• Cliff Hugo – bass
• Bob Siebenberg – drums (except on "And The Light")
• Lee Thornburg – trombones, trumpets, background vocals
• Carl Verheyen – guitars
• Tom Walsh – percussion (all tracks); drums on "And The Light"

Additional personnel

• Bob Danziger – Kalimbas
• Karen Lawrence – background vocals
• Kim Nail – background vocals
• Fred Mandel – guitars on "And The Light" (uncredited as a musician on the cover)[15]

Production

• Producers: Jack Douglas, Fred Mandel
• Executive producer: Rick Davies
• Engineers: Ian Gardiner, Jay Messina
• Assistant engineers: Ian Gardiner, Mike Scotella
• Mixing assistant: Roy Clark, Brian Hargrove
• Mastering: Bob Ludwig
• Creative director: Richard Frankel
• Cover art: Dimo Safari
• Portraits: Dennis Keeley

Charts

Certifications and sales