The Logical Song
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| "The Logical Song" | ||||
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| Single by Supertramp | ||||
| from the album Breakfast in America | ||||
| B-side | "Just Another Nervous Wreck" | |||
| Released | 1979 | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 3:45 (Single version) 4:11 (Album version) |
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| Label | A&M | |||
| Writer(s) | Rick Davies/Roger Hodgson | |||
| Producer | Supertramp, Peter Henderson | |||
| Supertramp singles chronology | ||||
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"The Logical Song" is a hit single on Supertramp's 1979 album Breakfast in America and written and sung by band member Roger Hodgson. It is one of the band's most recognised songs.
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[edit] Composition and Lyrics
This simple song makes use of keyboards, castanets, and an instrumental section with a strong Beatles influence. [1] The song includes a section of Hodgson "reeling off three- and four-syllable assonances" with a "schoolboy's tongue in cheek".[2] Among the contemporary sound effects in this song are the 'tackled' sound from a Mattel digital football game[3], as well as the Trouble "Pop-o-matic" bubble - both popular at the time this song was released.
[edit] Theme
The lyrics are a "story of innocence and idealism lost"[1] with Hodgson condemning an education system not focused on knowledge and sensitivity.[2]
The song tells the story of a man who:
- is taken away from the unspoilt immediacy of childhood (When I was young, it seemed that life was so wonderful, a miracle, oh it was beautiful, magical),
- undergoes education (but then they sent me away to teach me how to be sensible, logical, responsible, practical),
- sees a future prepared for him lacking any spontaneity of reaction (And they showed me a world where I could be so dependable, clinical, intellectual, cynical),
- feels constricted in his freedom of speech (Now watch what you say or they'll be calling you a radical, liberal, fanatical, criminal),
- is put under pressure to conform (Won't you sign up your name, we'd like to feel you're acceptable, respectable, presentable, a vegetable)
- and ends up confused, without a coherent self-image (please tell me who I am).
[edit] Reception
"The Logical Song" was a hit on its original release, reaching number 7 in the United Kingdom, number 6 in the United States and spent two weeks at number 1 on the Canadian RPM Singles Chart for two weeks.[1][4] [5]It stayed for three months on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1979.[1] Critical response was favorable with Allmusic calling it a "timeless and touching tale about the human condition".[1] Rolling Stone called it a "small masterpiece" praising the "hot sax" and Hodgson' "wry humor".[2] The magazine also make comparisons between Hodgson and Ray Davies from The Kinks.[2]
[edit] Personnel
- Roger Hodgson- Lead and backing vocals, Wurlitzer electric piano, electric and 12-string acoustic guitars
- Rick Davies- Elka and Oberheim synthesizers, Hammond organ, Hohner Clavinet with wah-wah, counter vocal
- John Helliwell- Alto saxophone, siren whistle, bass vocal ("A vegetable"), intro breathing
- Bob Siebenberg- Drums, castanets, timbales, cowbell
- Dougie Thomson- Bass
[edit] Charts
| Chart (1979) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | 5[5] |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 6[4] |
[edit] Legacy
"The Logical Song" has been covered by Brad Mehldau and At Vance. The Hee Bee Gee Bees made a parody of this song for "The Scatological Song" and The Barron Knights made a parody entitled "The Topical Song". It was sampled in 2001 by German techno band Scooter on the single "Ramp! (The Logical Song)". There was also a second remake by the German "Hands Up" band Rave Allstars in 2007. It has also appeared in TV shows such as The Simpsons (I Married Marge) and History Rocks and in the soundtrack of the film Magnolia.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e "Logical Song Review". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:3cfoxqukldte. Retrieved April 26, 2009.
- ^ a b c d "Breakfast in America Review". Rolling Stone magazine. http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/supertramp/albums/album/230648/review/6067854/breakfast_in_america. Retrieved April 26, 2009.
- ^ CLASSIC TRACKS: Supertramp‘s 'Logical Song'
- ^ a b "All music chart". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:fifyxqr5ldae~T51. Retrieved April 26, 2009.
- ^ a b "UK Chart History". http://www.everyhit.com/searchsec.php. Retrieved May 22, 2009.
| Preceded by "Love You Inside and Out" by Bee Gees |
RPM Canadian Singles Chart number-one single 30 June - 7 July |
Succeeded by "We Are Family" by Sister Sledge |
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