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Breakfast in America (song)

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Wikipedia article




{{Infobox song

| name = Breakfast in America

| cover = Supertramp Breakfast In America Single Cover.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Supertramp

| album = Breakfast in America

| B-side = Gone Hollywood

| released = June 1979

| format =

| recorded = 1978

| studio = The Village Recorder/Studio B, Los Angeles, California

| genre = Progressive rock

| length = 2:39

| label = A&M

| writer = Rick Davies, Roger Hodgson

| producer = Supertramp, Peter Henderson

| prev_title = The Logical Song

| prev_year = 1979

| next_title = Goodbye Stranger

| next_year = 1979

|misc=}}

"'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[http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/supertramp/ Supertramp 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.

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, Hodgson 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."Breakfast in America" (1979). Vinyl disc in-lay credits. A&M Records.

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 United States 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 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: bass

*Bob Siebenberg: drums and percussion

*Slyde Hyde: trombone, tuba

Charts



Certifications



References



Sources



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