Classical Composer Reacts to SUPERTRAMP: Goodbye Stranger | The Daily Doug (Episode 588)

[@rg807]

This is an ALBUM. It really needs to be listened to from beginning to end. What a great work of art.

[@darrellminx5459]

You got that right!

[@stevo43068]

All the albums are like that, yeah? Rick and Rodger, playing off each other. Better than John and Paul (for this one). 😁

[@Ibanez82]

Personally the first 3 albums are perfect the rest are meh like they're ok

[@darrellminx5459]

I agree.

[@chris4973]

@Skunk…. I don’t agree. Their self titled 1st lp and Indelibly Stamped we’re, imo sorta meh. Their 3rd, 4th and 5th however (Crime of the Century, Crisis, What Crisis? , and Even in the Quietest Moments) saw them at the height of their careers. I saw them live in ‘76, ‘77 and ‘79. Breakfast saw their turn toward pop commercialism

[@chief_mourner]

Take the long way home, breakfast in america, the logical song, goodbye stranger this whole album is so so good

[@Kosgrim]

My dear mamma played "take the long way home" to me when i was 12, have been a fan since then

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

For me, this is Supertramp's masterwork: cinematic, metamorphic, with clever lyrics, and superb performance and production. Prog rock in an ear-candy shell--multiple changes. Glorious. 💥

[@broadsword6650]

The guitar solo is so great and so unexpected, and the structure of the song is unusual in where that solo is placed - many bands would have put it in the middle of the song and then returned with the keyboards, ending with the whistle as the "drifter" drifts of down the road.

[@AdamKane-dw8hh]

Exactly.

[@chopperdeath]

This song is closing credits to a great movie.

[@Essin62]

"...get the shaker for this one" LOL!

[@fixxxt]

It fit perfectly!

[@jeslookn5470]

Rick Davies is lead singer throughout the song. At the point when you say Roger is singing, Rick is the one that's singing. Roger and John are backing vocals throughout the song. Watch and listen to the live performance of this song from Live in Paris and you will see and hear what I mean.

[@johnwebster5983]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3mwaWujj5mea5I

[@ZachariahConnor]

Rick's falsetto sounds a lot like Roger's, I suspect there's a blend of the two a bit here, but I agree that Rick is mixed higher and is singing the main melody.

[@jeslookn5470]

@@ZachariahConnor Hi, I go by what they do on the stage, not studio recordings because so much can be done to make them sound as well as possible. They are not real. I've been listening to Supertramp since 1974 and am a die hard fan. Saw them on stage in 75, 77 and 79. I guess that's what got me going. It seems to me that someone with a significant musical background should not be reacting to a studio recording if they are going to comment on who is or is not singing.

[@ameliabarrett8805]

I was about to comment the same thing lol! Rick's got that good falsetto too just like Rog!

[@Alberto_1965_BR]

Love Supertramp Great songs and amazing albums! Brilliant musicians

[@gregbecker8446]

My all time favorite song by Supertramp. That Wurlitzer electric piano is gorgeous.

[@petersmithm9]

I'm just glad that for most of my life I have been able to listen to and even see Supertramp and I'm 65. As it says on the cover to Crime, "Thanks Sam". Without your vision we would not have them after all these years.

[@Pru1PC]

Phenomenal keyboards on “Child of Vision”. You’ve got to put it on your list!

[@g54b95]

Best track on the album!

[@MrKersey]

Yes, Child of vision is a must!

[@macsnafu]

I agree. My favorite song on the album.

[@sourisvoleur4854]

My favorite Supertramp song. Rick's piano solo is just mind-bending.

[@caroleann_2142]

Rick is amazing on the keys, just Superperb 🎉🎉

[@richardsims3847]

As a Brit who landed in LA in 1981 and stayed for eight yers this track resonates .Then my accent was a bit exotic and met some fine Marys and Janes.Simple story not to be over analysed;band playing in different cities whilst "laying pipe".Enjoy your expert reactions to great music that was made by artists for audiences with attention spans.

[@hackenbush23]

You playing the shaker deserves a thumbs up, well done.

[@carlossaraiva8213]

While i dont count myself as a fan of Supertramp, this album is magnificent, a masterpiece of music like few others.

[@jm12green31]

Yeah same here hard to not be impressed

[@tonymusolino2369]

It amazes me how some music can take you back in time…and does it with ease and oh so eloquently too.

[@j.jennings1722]

This song always makes me mad (kinda), but not because I dislike the song. NO! I love the song. What I don't love is the guitar solo at the end ...I ALWAYS want it to last at least a minute or two longer, it's such a frickin' great solo! 😉

[@johnwebster5983]

This is my favourite guitar solo of all time.

[@mikeowens9227]

Radio DJs back then often would cut out the solo or talk over it. I wanted to punch them in the throat

[@doplinger1]

You're really missing out if all you do is the hits. "Child of Vision" is the best track on the album, and it is EPIC.

[@estefaniasucre6966]

I agree with this! Totally underrated, is one of the best Supertramp songs!

[@jerrycuppari290]

Agreed as a deep cut off this. But long way home is still my fave of the album.

[@geoffos42]

Definitely do Child Of Vision. One of the most amazing songs ever written; the arrangements are stunning. Definitely in my personal top 3 of all time.

[@DavidJacobsvo]

Totally agree! The deep cuts are where the magic lies.

[@stevo43068]

Yes, that is the one.

[@lisathurston8265]

God I love this song. I am happy to have parents that enjoyed rock. I was spoiled with the Supertramp songs when in the car.

[@UKcanuck55]

Supertramp was an outstanding live band. Outrageously good.

[@funkster007]

One of my older brothers brought this album home when it was released. I would listen along with him on his new Technics stereo system. I was probably around 11 or 12. Supertramp's sound just reeled me in. To this day it remains one of my fave rock albums.

[@yes_head]

This and "The Logical Song" were in constant rotation in '79. This one was a bit more FM radio friendly, but both became classic rock format staples. And yeah, I think Doug's take on the lyrics are spot on.

[@iamded.]

Oh man, this whole album has some deep nostalgia for me, my dad would play it on weekends when I was a little kid! I also love the album Even In The Quietest Moments (the titular track is my personal favourite), but this whole album is great as well and this track is a highlight.

[@German___]

The main voice in the chorus is Rick! Roger has a higher voice but Rick does this crazy falsetto.

[@Eleventhearlofmars]

Yep, was looking for a comment to confirm this, it saved me posting one. 😂

[@pdcrmr]

Ah! I thought it was John Helliwell who did the super high parts

[@German___]

@@pdcrmr John and Roger join in the high parts and keep singing that when Rick goes back to his lower voice. Can be seen when they play this live. My Aha! moment was when I first watched the video clip for the song My Kind of Lady. Then I learned to recognize Rick's falsetto.

[@Buckfast2003]

@@German___ Only when they played the song live, not sure on the studio version John or Roger singing, Rick is doing all the vocals parts, I think ! I don't hear John or Roger on it !

[@German___]

@@Buckfast2003 you might be right! There are multiple voices though (he may have double tracked himself)

[@sourisvoleur4854]

H.S. class of 1979 here. This album was HUGE. I was already a ST fan from Crime of the Century. I had my daughter when I was 25, and when she was in high school, ST was HER favorite band as well! They're intergenerational good. I do envy her signed copy of Breakfast - signed by all 5 of the classic line-up.

[@keithlommatsch1233]

A perfect album! Perfect production, songwriting and sequence. There's no skip over material here.

[@YesYouCANPlayGuitar]

I remember hearing this when I was a kid in the late 70's.... Always loved this song! Hope all is well Doug!

[@jimtatro6550]

I was 12 years old when this album came out and you could not turn on the radio without hearing a song from it, great album.

[@stevo43068]

I remember that time, it was even on the PA at some stores...

[@PodCaspar]

First album I bought. Still playing it. Still enjoying it to the max. What a awesome piece of music legacy.

[@akaluke1]

I love your reactions. The technical analysis, the air drums and your joy!

[@jamesdignanmusic2765]

Ab, Bb7/Ab, Db/Ab, Ab in the verse IIRC, and then an unexpected augmented chord on the way into the chorus. You really need to hear the whole album - "Take the Long Way Home" was also a single (IMO the best on the album), and the serene "Lord is it Mine" is also a must-hear. As to the lyrics, a love'em and leave'em type. He doesn't want to be tied down, so he just moves on. Could easily be about a musician and his one-night stands. Another lovely Supertramp song that features both vocalists is the earlier "Just a normal day".

[@hnnymn]

Love the augmented chord!

[@hnnymn]

“Just A Normal Day” is also a favorite of mine!

[@JL-1123]

Hearing this song on the radio as a kid, I don't believe the guitar solo outtro was ever included. I never really connected with the song as a kid, but the first time I heard the actual studio version as an adult... Wow. An all-time favorite of mine now.

[@chopperdeath]

I remember my crazy metal music fan friend playing this for me after we cleaned up a HS keg party in 1986. Breakfast in America crossed musical boundaries and just made people fans of great music. We drove across the fields picking up trash and kegs after AFTER 4:30 AM IN the big party in Kansas!

[@makelikeatree1696]

Supertramp was the soundtrack to my first year of college, 1978/79. University of Illinois, Sherwood Lodge. Thanks for the intro to Supertramp, Bob.

[@jarichards99utube]

Supertramp = 70's SUPER BAND...!!!! 😊 👍 -70SomethingGuy

[@TheSlandis]

Crime of the Century is my favorite Supertramp album. Live in Paris is my favorite Supertramp concert. All worth a listen.

[@carlpeterson8182]

This is such a great album. One of my favorites that I do not hear often is Lord is it mine. Such a spiritual song about pain and suffering without being pretentious.

[@rdhudon7469]

I saw them tour this in the summer of '79 . It was an outdoor concert and I was right beside a huge bass bin . I damaged my hearing that day it was so loud.......worth it.

[@kleberveridianogoncalvesde6293]

Supertramp - Fantastic band, wonderful musicians !!!

[@mikeb3365]

Doug- You nailed it. I always interpreted the lyrics as describing someone on the road, in a band?, basically having one night stands. He isn't ashamed of it, just his lifestyle, the way it is.

[@acfiv1421]

Right. It's a song about banging groupies one night after the other, and being rather nice about it, LOL.

[@raublekick]

Same, I always thought of it as touring life. It could be autobiographical or maybe sort of poking fun at the way other bands did the party life.

[@JeffJefferyUK]

1:15 "Roger Hodgson...provides the lead vocals in the chorus" I'm not sure about that. I think those first high vocals were recorded by Rick Davies using his falsetto then Roger comes in with the harmony line. Have a look at the Live In Paris 1979 performance to see what I mean.

[@estefaniasucre6966]

That's exactly how it is. It's Davies singing in falsetto :)

[@enchantedcroissant3212]

yeah and he does the exact same thing in oh darling and gone hollywood

[@DocRock71]

Actually, that wasnt Roger's vocals on that falsetto chorus (Goodbye Mary, Goodbye Jane..) That was still Rick Davies singing in his impeccable falsetto.

[@curtisrodriguez938]

The guitar solo at the end is usually cut when they play it on the radio and that always irritated me. It is a great solo.

[@Watchman70]

I was glad to see you pick up that shaker! ❤

[@gerardbeekman]

Great Music. One of the best songs of Supertramp. It was an early morning yesterday I was up before the dawn And I really have enjoyed my stay But I must be moving on… Released 1979 Artist: Supertramp Album: Breakfast in America

[@grahamhowes6904]

Brilliantly arranged and built and layered - they understand how to build excitement.

[@minty_Joe]

The entire "Breakfast In America" album is a masterpiece! I love the dynamics throughout! Very little audio compression! 1979's finest!

[@mjm5081]

One of my favorite outros!(the rest of the song is pretty good too 😉)

[@robertcussins2807]

Used to piss me off so much when radio stations cut off the guitar solo at the end. I'd call them and ask them what the fuck...that was a huge part of the song. Love me some Supertramp. I used to play drums to this. My stereo...this is 1979 and my wife and I had bought a two story house. I got this album, and used wire to go outside the first floor window where my stereo (Marantz) was, then I sent wires outside the house up to the second floor where my drums lived. Yup, I'd put the needle on the record, and sprint upstairs to catch the beginning. Did that with so many albums. Great memories. I was nineteen and owned house at the time. I love this album. Gads, such great memories. Thanks Doug.

[@Harriet-Jesamine]

ive always wondered exactly what is going on with the BEAUTIFUL sounding Bum note at exactly 7:13 seconds...I heard this from the very first time I fell in love with this recording...it adds a spice to this track at least for me.

[@Parula06]

I love this song. Tell me this isn't a train song. The propulsive drumming, the background vocals that sound like a far off train whistle. It even fades out like a train disappearing into the distance. I think it's about being endlessly restless. It ALWAYS gives me a rush, and I've heard it hundreds of times.

[@michaelschey1084]

when they played this live they had a video of a train running down the tracks at the end

[@johnwebster5983]

Train song: see Indelibly Stamped - Coming Home to See You - from about 2:27, but listen to the whole song anyway. Another train song by The Who - Tommy - Underture. This is an instrumental song. Listen to the drums about 2/3 of the way through.

[@josefkurtz2223]

Great revue buddy. Always dig your observations

[@whitneyjacobs7874]

The shifting wah on the guitar outro is very cool.

[@johnstone7092]

Check out Savatage - When the crowds are gone

[@skeet4725]

Love the show. May I suggest Max Webster from Canada. Song in "Context with the Moon" Friends of Rush.

[@skeet4725]

Good afternoon Doug, how are you today?

[@johnbelcher7955]

A Tramp is a person that moves from place to place working or looking for work, the analogy fits nicely!

[@Eric777-r1h]

Slangily, I did not know that is a word, good job Doug, I really love your work, and you guys are a very good couple and I admire you for working in the church. Thanks again 👍

[@GamerToday]

Hey shaker was legit on point 👉

[@ofrabjousday1]

Doug, he's singing his biography. You're so very close with what you'd gotten from the lyrics. He's singing about being on tour and sleeping with groupies, city to city.

[@adladl4276]

Good bye Mary, good bye Jane Listened to this since 1979, and realized only this year (2023) what it means !

[@caroleann_2142]

Doug you are an amazing humsn & Teacher, Thank you❤😊🎉

[@RCROX]

Excellent song!

[@Montang2007]

"goodbye Mary, goodbye Jane". Is the form to say goodbye to the marihuana.

[@helenavandewater3846]

I lost all my old records to my kids, who bought recordplayers in the recent years. Supertramp is still a band we all love to listen to. 😊

[@PodCaspar]

A lover in every town. Gotta go. Goodbye Stranger

[@GuilhermeSilva-rp2it]

Gone Hollywood is even better

[@bonitoludi]

On chorus is also Rick singing with falsetto along with Roger, of course

[@caroleann_2142]

What a FABULOUS Album, Listen in its entirety Doug❤🎉❤🎉❤ CHILD OF VISION, Is a MUST!

[@bobkessler937]

It's about groupies. This one was always blasting out of my cassette player in the car when it came out. Still one of my favorite albums.

[@bubbabubberson2702]

I'm always surprised more people don't get this

[@derekmeade6350]

Love the album but you’ll really love the earlier stuff like Crime of the Century and Crisis What Crisis?

[@Arrow2theACL]

Doug reacted to the entire Crime of the Century album on his Pateron

[@mikeortega6072]

that songs a great jam! that whole album rocks!

[@dtchinacat3973]

One of my favorite Supertramp songs! Check out Even In the Quietest Moments from the album of the same name,; also From Now On from that same album?

[@New-tu3mn]

The addition of the Shaker sounded great!

[@PoppyVanWinkle1]

Got this my senior year. Yeah, it was on 8-track.

[@jonpevehouse]

Child of Vision... last song on the album is phenomenal.

[@vilcopalo2942]

Listen from the album "Even in the Quietest Moments" the song " FROM NOW ON " their masterpiece. Thanx

[@cibonthesaint8903]

I remember this song when it first came out. I can tell you exactly what it’s about. It’s about a guy who gets with girls, possibly sleeping with them and taking off the next day. Mary and Jane are just names and an accumulation of all the women he’s had. he wants to stay young and he doesn’t want to be anchored down. He’s a free spirit and he’s on his own that’s all.

[@glenrotchin5523]

Yes, Doug you are correct. It’s a quasi concept album about the vagabond life of touring musicians marked by the band breaking through in North America, hence name Breakfast in America. Take The Long Way Home is another song that talks about the difficult life of the touring musician.

[@lazuardialmuzaki4489]

I remember how The Office brought me to this song, hence the album. What an album

[@guitarchannel5676]

Love Supertramp's electric piano tones. Both Roger and Richard get that unique phase-tone piano. Live version has an extended guitar solo, if I recall.

[@xavierberdaguer6670]

Supertramp hasn't received even a 10% of the recognition they deserve. They should be at the same level of Pink Floyd or the Rolking Stones in the rock hall of fame.

[@joelliebler5690]

My favorite album by them . Of course 2 of their earlier album were great too like Even in The Quietest Moments, and Crine of The Century!

[@Ontariosound]

Great song. This album was an absolute smash hit here in Toronto.

[@1962Sparkie]

Another excellent reaction, Doug!! If you get chance, can you do a reaction for "Child Of Vision"??

[@realcoyotekings]

It's about affairs while (musical) touring.

[@sx64man]

There are more hidden gems in there :-) the end "CODA" transition chord hits are worth analysis harmonically, and especially the note choice that makes that brilliant "un"common tone guitar solo opening so effective and a surprise. Enjoyed it.

[@patriciahansen6032]

Another song that seems to fit your interpretation here is Cool Change by the Little River Band. It's an entirely different song, but also seems to talk about what life is like on the road.

[@rayrecordings]

One of the best( if not The Best) sounding albums of the 70s. Peter Henderson’s production and mixing masterpiece. And a collection of outstanding, eternal songs. Should have been on the Voyager 2 on the way to ultraspace.

[@acronus]

lol, this song is about the encounters the band has with groupies during their tours. Goodbye Georgia ;-)

[@rubbersole79]

Hall of Fame 70's rock masterpiece, along with RUSH, Styx, Boston, Heart, Bad Company, Foreigner, Edgar Winter, and many others.

[@TheKrensada]

Nobody has ever reacted to this song that I can find. But it's a song by Roger Hodgson specifically. It's called Had a dream. You gotta hear that thing.

[@HectorJulio-xo5bd]

The guy is a musician living musician life. You are right.

[@Sunnywarm12]

Great music!

[@MultiPedroAndrade]

my first album, back in 1979

[@GamerToday]

This guy is awesome 😆 😅 so dorky but made me happy so it works. Thanks man so ailly

[@macsnafu]

Supertramp followed the time-honored tradition of the 70s prog bands, went pop, and went big. I don't blame them for it. Breakfast in America is a great pop/rock album.

[@carlfogelin1388]

Good reaction. I hope you try some of the songs from earlier albums too. While I really enjoy "Breakfast in America", I'm kind of partial to the songs from "Crime of the Century" and "Even in the Quietest Moments". Any song by Supertramp is pretty dang good.

[@Arrow2theACL]

Doug reacted to the entire Crime of the Century album on his Patreon.

[@grahamkemble3917]

Crisis What Crisis is very underrated!

[@Eleventhearlofmars]

@@grahamkemble3917 underrated lol.

[@Ailsworth]

Oh come on, you normally aren't a leg puller, but it's difficult believing this is only vaguely familiar to you. What gets me every time is the opening of the guitar solo, his picking that single note over and over for six measures!

[@johnwebster5983]

Yes, it's amazing how good repeating one note can sound.

[@Ailsworth]

@@johnwebster5983 I wouldn't go so far as to generalize it. Was this what lay behind the success of El Sonidito? Context is everything. Skrillex's "Kyoto" is a great example, and the repeating notes in the trumpet Solo in Penny Lane...

[@flyer3849]

My favourite song on this album

[@jeffhoyt5661]

According to Rodger it’s a song about hooking up with groupies.

[@Sherry-d1m]

And thats my favorite part of song😂

[@dennisdickson8058]

Such a great band.