Breakfast in America (1979) – Album by Supertramp
Introduction
Released in March 1979, Breakfast in America is the sixth studio album by British rock band Supertramp and the most successful album of their career. Blending pop rock, progressive rock, and art rock, the album achieved massive worldwide popularity and produced several hit singles.
The record topped charts in multiple countries and sold over 30 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time. It features some of the band’s most famous songs, including The Logical Song, Take the Long Way Home, Breakfast in America, and Goodbye Stranger.
The album represents the creative peak of the classic Supertramp lineup.
Album Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Artist | Supertramp |
| Album | Breakfast in America |
| Release Date | March 1979 |
| Genre | Pop Rock, Progressive Rock |
| Label | A&M Records |
| Producers | Supertramp, Peter Henderson |
| Length | 46:06 |
Tracklist
Side A
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Gone Hollywood
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The Logical Song
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Goodbye Stranger
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Breakfast in America
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Oh Darling
Side B
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Take the Long Way Home
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Lord Is It Mine
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Just Another Nervous Wreck
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Casual Conversations
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Child of Vision
Album Credits
Band Members
Rick Davies
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Keyboards
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Vocals
Roger Hodgson
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Guitar
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Keyboards
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Vocals
John Helliwell
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Saxophone
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Clarinet
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Backing vocals
Dougie Thomson
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Bass guitar
Bob Siebenberg
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Drums
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Percussion
Production
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Producers: Supertramp, Peter Henderson
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Recording Studios: The Village Recorder and Studio B, Los Angeles
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Label: A&M Records
The album was recorded in Los Angeles, reflecting the band’s growing popularity in the United States.
Cover Art
The cover of Breakfast in America is one of the most famous album covers in rock history.
It features a waitress dressed like the Statue of Liberty, holding a glass of orange juice and a breakfast menu instead of the traditional torch and tablet. The New York City skyline behind her is cleverly recreated using breakfast items such as cereal boxes, cups, and utensils.
The waitress was played by actress Kate Murtagh. The artwork was designed by Mike Doud, who later won a Grammy Award for Best Album Package for the design.
The image humorously reflects the album’s theme of European views of American culture and lifestyle.
Musical Style
Breakfast in America combines the band’s progressive rock roots with radio-friendly pop melodies.
Key musical elements include:
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the signature Wurlitzer electric piano sound
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melodic saxophone lines by John Helliwell
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strong vocal contrasts between Roger Hodgson and Rick Davies
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polished studio production
Songs like “The Logical Song” and “Take the Long Way Home” balance introspective lyrics with catchy hooks, helping the album appeal to both progressive rock fans and mainstream audiences.
Fun Facts
🎹 Massive Global Success
The album sold over 30 million copies worldwide, making it the band’s biggest commercial success.
🎹 Chart-Topping Album
It reached No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 chart.
🎹 Multiple Hit Singles
Four songs from the album became major international hits.
🎹 A Perfect Blend of Styles
Many critics consider this album the perfect balance between progressive rock complexity and pop accessibility.
Trivia
• The album won two Grammy Awards in 1980.
• “The Logical Song” won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song.
• The album remained on the Billboard charts for more than two years.
• The band embarked on a massive world tour following the album’s release.
Did You Know?
💡 The song “The Logical Song” was inspired by Roger Hodgson’s experiences in boarding school.
💡 The saxophone solo in “Take the Long Way Home” became one of the most recognizable saxophone parts in classic rock.
💡 The album cover photo was shot from the perspective of a passenger airplane approaching New York City.
💡 After the enormous success of this album, tensions between Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson began to increase, eventually leading to Hodgson leaving the band in 1983.
Download Supertramp Albums from Amazon Music
More Albums:
Supertramp - Supertramp (1970)
Supertramp - Indelibly Stamped (1971)
Supertramp - Crime of the Century (1974)
Supertramp - Crisis? What Crisis? (1975)
Supertramp - Even in the Quietest Moments (1977)
Supertramp - Some Things Never Change (1997)
