The Logical Song

"The Logical Song"
"The Logical Song"
Song
B-side	"Siberia"

"The Logical Song"
"The Logical Song"
Song
B-side	"Just Another Nervous Wreck"

"The Logical Song," is Supertramp's biggest chart hit in both the United States and their native United Kingdom. The song was released as the lead single from their sixth studio album, Breakfast in America (1979), in March 1979 by A&M Records.

"The Logical Song" rose to number 7 in the UK and number 6 in the US Billboard chart.^[2] Paul McCartney named ‘The Logical Song’ as his favorite song of the year in 1979.^[3] "The Logical Song" also appeared on Supertramp co-founder Roger Hodgson's album, Classics Live, a collection of his live performances from acoustic, band and orchestra shows recorded on his Breakfast in America World Tour.

Composition and lyrics

"The Logical Song" was written primarily by Roger Hodgson, the lyric based on his experience of being sent away to boarding school for ten years.^[4] It was a very personal song for Hodgson; he had worked on the song during soundchecks, and completed the lyrics and arrangement six months before proposing it to the band for the album.^[5] In 1980, Hodgson was honored with the Ivor Novello Award from The British Academy of Composers and Songwriters for "The Logical Song" being named the best song both musically and lyrically. To this day, "The Logical Song" also has the distinction of being one of the most quoted lyrics in schools.^[6]^[5]

Hodgson has said of the song’s meaning: “The Logical Song” was born from my questions about what really matters in life. Throughout childhood we are taught all these ways to be and yet we are rarely told anything about our true self. We are taught how to function outwardly, but not guided to who we are inwardly. We go from the innocence and wonder of childhood to the confusion of adolescence that often ends in the cynicism and disillusionment of adulthood. In The Logical Song, the burning question that came down to its rawest place was 'please tell me who I am,' and that's basically what the song is about. I think this eternal question continues to hit such a deep chord in people around the world and why it stays so meaningful."^[7]^[8]^[9]^: 3

The lyrics are a condemnation of an education system focused on categorical jargon as opposed to knowledge and sensitivity.^[10] The lyrics are notable for their use of consonance, with a repetition of the '-ical/ -able' endings of multiple adjectives.

Supertramp co-founder Rick Davies wrote the vocal harmony on the second chorus.^[11] The song makes use of keyboards, castanets, and an instrumental section.^[2] Among the contemporary sound effects in this song are the 'tackled' sound from a Mattel electronic football game^[11] and the Trouble "Pop-o-matic" bubble – both popular at the time this song was released.

Critical reception

Rolling Stone called the song a "small masterpiece" praising the "hot sax" and Hodgson's "wry humor".^[10] The magazine also made comparisons between Hodgson and Ray Davies from the Kinks.^[10]

Commercial performance

The song was a hit on its original release, reaching number 7 in the United Kingdom and number 6 in the United States.^[2]^[12]^[13] The song also spent two weeks at number 1 on the Canadian RPM Singles Chart, was the top song of the year, and was certified Platinum in Canada.^[14]^[15] It stayed for three months on the Billboard Hot 100 in the middle of 1979.^[2]

Personnel

Roger Hodgson – lead and backing vocals, Wurlitzer electric piano, electric and 12-string acoustic guitars
Rick Davies – Elka and Oberheim synthesisers, Hammond organ, Hohner Clavinet with wah-wah, backing vocal
John Helliwell – alto saxophone, siren whistle, backing vocal, intro breathing
Bob Siebenberg – drums, castanets, timbales, cowbell
Dougie Thomson – bass

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (1979)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[16]	16
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[17]	14
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[18]	19
Belgium^[19]	9
Canada (RPM)^[15]	1
France (SNEP)^[20]	2
Invalid chart entered Germany2	12
Ireland (IRMA)^[21]	6
Italy (AFI)^[22]	14
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[23]	13
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[24]	13
Portugal (Música & Som)^[25]	8
Spain (AFE)^[26]^{[unreliable source?]}	12
UK Singles (OCC)^[27]	7
US Billboard Hot 100^[28]	6
US Cash Box Top 100^[29]	4

Year-end charts

Chart (1979)	Rank
Australia^[30]	106
Canada^[31]	1
UK	63
US Billboard^[32]	27
US Cash Box^[33]	37

Sales and certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)^[34]	Platinum	150,000^{^}
France (SNEP)^[36]	Gold	677,000^[35]
^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Scooter version

"Ramp! (The Logical Song)", or just "The Logical Song" in certain territories, is a 2001 single by the German techno band Scooter, featured on their second singles compilation album Push the Beat for This Jam (The Singles 98–02). This version heavily samples Supertramp's recording, and makes lyrical references to British stadium house band The KLF.

The single reached number 1 in several European countries, including Norway and Ireland, as well as number 1 in Australia in 2002. It reached number 2 in the United Kingdom, their highest ever charting single beating the number 18 peak of "Back in the U.K." in 1996; it has been certified gold by the BPI, selling over 400,000 copies and was the 15th best-selling single of 2002.^[37]

The Scooter version became an anthem in Glasgow's ned culture throughout the 2000s.^[38]

Charts

Chart (2001–2002)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[39]	1
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[40]	4
Denmark (Tracklisten)^[41]	10
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)^[42]	11
France (SNEP)^[43]	53
songid field is MANDATORY FOR GERMAN CHARTS	7
Ireland (IRMA)^[44]	1
Norway (VG-lista)^[45]	1
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[46]	32
Romania (Romanian Top 100)^[47]	8
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[48]	8
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[49]	14
UK Singles (OCC)^[50]	2

Certifications

Country	Certification	Date	Sales certified
Australia^[51]	Platinum	2002	70,000 +
Norway^[52]	Platinum	2003	30,000 +
UK^[53]	Gold	2002	400,000 +

Legacy and other versions

"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". 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"), History Rocks and the closing scene of The United States of Tara's series finale, as well as in the soundtrack of the film Magnolia.

The song was covered in 2013 with a change to the primary drum rhythm by synthpunk band Mindless Self Indulgence.^[54]

The song has also been reworded and used as a chant by supporters of Australian football club Western Sydney Wanderers, as well as by fans of Scottish Premiership side Celtic in tribute to midfielder Scott Sinclair.

References

^ Breithaupt, Don; Breithaupt, Jeff (2000), Night Moves: Pop Music in the Late '70s, St. Martin's Press, p. 68, ISBN 978-0-312-19821-3
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Logical Song Review". Allmusic. Retrieved 26 April 2009.
^ Elliott, Paul (31 December 2015). "The Story Behind the Song: The Logical Song by Supertramp". TeamRock. Future Publishing. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
^ "The Eye of the Acoustic Storm: Supertramp/Roger Hodgson". Retrieved 21 July 2015.
^ ^a ^b "The Logical Song". Retrieved 21 November 2017.
^ "Grand Illusions & Breakfasts in America: Conversations with Styx's James "J.Y." Young and Supertramp's Roger Hodgson". Retrieved 26 January 2016.
^ "Supertramp Founder Roger Hodgson". Retrieved 16 November 2017.
^ "Breakfast in Detroit: Tales from a Dreamer!". Retrieved 16 November 2017.
^ Lee, Newton (Ed.) (2016). Google It: Total Information Awareness. New York, New York: Springer. ISBN 978-1-4939-6415-4.
^ ^a ^b ^c Holden, Stephen (14 June 1979). "Supertramp: Breakfast in America". Rolling Stone. New York. Archived from the original on 22 June 2008. Retrieved 26 April 2009. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ ^a ^b Buskin, Richard (July 2005). CLASSIC TRACKS: Supertramp's 'Logical Song', Sound on Sound.
^ "All music chart". Allmusic. Retrieved 26 April 2009.
^ "UK Chart History". Archived from the original on 12 October 2008. Retrieved 22 May 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ "Gold Platinum Database: Supertramp – The Logical Song". Canadian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
^ ^a ^b "Top Singles - Volume 31, No. 14, June 30, 1979". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 30 June 1979. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
^ "Billboard Vol. 91, No. 25: Hits Of The World". Kent Music Report. Billboard: 58. 23 June 1979. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
^ "Supertramp – The Logical Song" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 2013-05-01.
^ "Supertramp – The Logical Song" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 2013-05-01.
^ "Billboard Vol. 91, No. 31: Hits Of The World". Billboard. 4 August 1979: 54. Retrieved 1 May 2013. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
^ "Tout les Titres par Artiste: S" (in French). Infodsic.fr. 1 May 2013. Click on the search bar, type "Supert", select "SUPERTRAMP" and click "OK". Archived from the original on 26 October 2013. Retrieved 2013-05-01. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ "The Irish Charts – Search charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. 2008. To use, type "The Logical Song" in the "Search by Song Title" search bar and click search. Archived from the original on 5 January 2010. Retrieved 2013-05-01. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ "Billboard Vol. 91, No. 48: Hits Of The World". Billboard. 1 December 1979: 47. Retrieved 1 May 2013. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
^ "Supertramp – The Logical Song" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 2013-05-01.
^ "Supertramp – The Logical Song". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 2013-05-01.
^ "Billboard Vol. 91: Hits Of The World". Kent Music Report. Billboard: 68. 6 October 1979. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
^ Davidalic (12 February 2010). "Listas de superventas: 1979". AFE. Listas De Superventas. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2013-05-01.
^ "Supertramp Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2013-05-01.
^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2015-03-20. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ "Australian Chart Book". Austchartbook.com.au. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 2016-10-15. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
^ "Top 100 Hits of 1979/Top 100 Songs of 1979". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2016-04-12. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ "Canadian single certifications – Supertramp – Logical Song". Music Canada.
^ "Les Singles en Or :". Infodisc.fr (in French). Retrieved 1 May 2013.
^ "French single certifications – Supertramp – The Logical Song" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 October 2008. Retrieved 2011-02-16. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ MacFarlane, Colin. The Real Gorbals Story: True Tales from Glasgow's Meanest Streets. p.224. Mainstream Publishing. 2007.
^ "Scooter – The Logical Song". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
^ "Scooter – Ramp! (The Logical Song)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
^ "Scooter – Ramp! (The Logical Song)". Tracklisten. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
^ "Scooter: Ramp! (The Logical Song)" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
^ "Scooter – The Logical Song" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
^ "Chart Track: Week 29, 2002". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
^ "Scooter – Ramp! (The Logical Song)". VG-lista. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
^ "Scooter – The Logical Song". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
^ "Romanian Top 100 - arhiva". Web.archive.org. 17 December 2004. Archived from the original on 17 December 2004. Retrieved 2016-10-15. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ "Scooter – Ramp! (The Logical Song)". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
^ "Scooter – Ramp! (The Logical Song)". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2002 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
^ "Norwegian certifications – Ramp! The Logical Song" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.
^ "British certifications – Ramp! The Logical Song". British Phonographic Industry. Type Ramp! The Logical Song in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
^ "Mindless Self Indulgence returns to Metropolis Records! – Metropolis Records". Metropolis-records.com. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 15 October 2016.

External links

Template:MetroLyrics song

Preceded by "Love You Inside and Out" by Bee Gees	RPM Canadian Singles Chart number-one single 30 June – 7 July 1979	Succeeded by "We Are Family" by Sister Sledge
Preceded by "Complicated" by Avril Lavigne	ARIA (Australia) number one single (Scooter version) 29 September 2002 – 6 October 2002	Succeeded by "The Ketchup Song" by Las Ketchup
Preceded by "Let Me Be the One" by Six	Irish Singles Chart number one single (Scooter version) 18 July 2002 – 25 July 2002	Succeeded by "Underneath Your Clothes" by Shakira

[1] Breithaupt, Don; Breithaupt, Jeff (2000), Night Moves: Pop Music in the Late '70s, St. Martin's Press, p. 68, ISBN 978-0-312-19821-3

[allmusic-2] "Logical Song Review". Allmusic. Retrieved 26 April 2009.

[CRMagazine-3] Elliott, Paul (31 December 2015). "The Story Behind the Song: The Logical Song by Supertramp". TeamRock. Future Publishing. Retrieved 19 November 2017.

[AcousticLogical-4] "The Eye of the Acoustic Storm: Supertramp/Roger Hodgson". Retrieved 21 July 2015.

[SongfactsLogical-5] "The Logical Song". Retrieved 21 November 2017.

[HuffPostBreakfast-6] "Grand Illusions & Breakfasts in America: Conversations with Styx's James "J.Y." Young and Supertramp's Roger Hodgson". Retrieved 26 January 2016.

[SongfactsRHIntv-7] "Supertramp Founder Roger Hodgson". Retrieved 16 November 2017.

[BreakfastInDetroit-8] "Breakfast in Detroit: Tales from a Dreamer!". Retrieved 16 November 2017.

[NewtonLee-9] Lee, Newton (Ed.) (2016). Google It: Total Information Awareness. New York, New York: Springer. ISBN 978-1-4939-6415-4.

[rollingstone-10] Holden, Stephen (14 June 1979). "Supertramp: Breakfast in America". Rolling Stone. New York. Archived from the original on 22 June 2008. Retrieved 26 April 2009. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[SOS-11] Buskin, Richard (July 2005). CLASSIC TRACKS: Supertramp's 'Logical Song', Sound on Sound.

[allmusicchart-12] "All music chart". Allmusic. Retrieved 26 April 2009.

[UKCharthistory-13] "UK Chart History". Archived from the original on 12 October 2008. Retrieved 22 May 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[CRIA-14] "Gold Platinum Database: Supertramp – The Logical Song". Canadian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 19 February 2012.

[RPM-15] "Top Singles - Volume 31, No. 14, June 30, 1979". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 30 June 1979. Retrieved 5 February 2012.

[16] "Billboard Vol. 91, No. 25: Hits Of The World". Kent Music Report. Billboard: 58. 23 June 1979. Retrieved 1 May 2013.

[sc_Austria_Supertramp-17] "Supertramp – The Logical Song" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 2013-05-01.

[sc_Belgium_(Flanders)_Supertramp-18] "Supertramp – The Logical Song" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 2013-05-01.

[19] "Billboard Vol. 91, No. 31: Hits Of The World". Billboard. 4 August 1979: 54. Retrieved 1 May 2013. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

[20] "Tout les Titres par Artiste: S" (in French). Infodsic.fr. 1 May 2013. Click on the search bar, type "Supert", select "SUPERTRAMP" and click "OK". Archived from the original on 26 October 2013. Retrieved 2013-05-01. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[21] "The Irish Charts – Search charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. 2008. To use, type "The Logical Song" in the "Search by Song Title" search bar and click search. Archived from the original on 5 January 2010. Retrieved 2013-05-01. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[22] "Billboard Vol. 91, No. 48: Hits Of The World". Billboard. 1 December 1979: 47. Retrieved 1 May 2013. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

[sc_Dutch100_Supertramp-23] "Supertramp – The Logical Song" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 2013-05-01.

[sc_New_Zealand_Supertramp-24] "Supertramp – The Logical Song". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 2013-05-01.

[25] "Billboard Vol. 91: Hits Of The World". Kent Music Report. Billboard: 68. 6 October 1979. Retrieved 1 May 2013.

[26] Davidalic (12 February 2010). "Listas de superventas: 1979". AFE. Listas De Superventas. Retrieved 1 May 2013.

[sc_UK_Supertramp-27] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2013-05-01.

[sc_Billboardhot100_Supertramp-28] "Supertramp Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2013-05-01.

[29] "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2015-03-20. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

[30] "Australian Chart Book". Austchartbook.com.au. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 2016-10-15. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[31] "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. Retrieved 15 October 2016.

[32] "Top 100 Hits of 1979/Top 100 Songs of 1979". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 15 October 2016.

[33] "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2016-04-12. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

[CanadaSupertrampLogical_SongsingleCertRef-34] "Canadian single certifications – Supertramp – Logical Song". Music Canada.

[35] "Les Singles en Or :". Infodisc.fr (in French). Retrieved 1 May 2013.

[FranceSupertrampThe_Logical_SongsingleCertRef-36] "French single certifications – Supertramp – The Logical Song" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.

[37] "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 October 2008. Retrieved 2011-02-16. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

[38] MacFarlane, Colin. The Real Gorbals Story: True Tales from Glasgow's Meanest Streets. p.224. Mainstream Publishing. 2007.

[sc_Australia_Scooter-39] "Scooter – The Logical Song". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 21 November 2011.

[sc_Austria_Scooter-40] "Scooter – Ramp! (The Logical Song)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 21 November 2011.

[sc_Denmark_Scooter-41] "Scooter – Ramp! (The Logical Song)". Tracklisten. Retrieved 21 November 2011.

[sc_Finland_Scooter-42] "Scooter: Ramp! (The Logical Song)" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 21 November 2011.

[sc_French_Scooter-43] "Scooter – The Logical Song" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 21 November 2011.

[sc_Ireland_Scooter-44] "Chart Track: Week 29, 2002". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved March 3, 2013.

[sc_Norway_Scooter-45] "Scooter – Ramp! (The Logical Song)". VG-lista. Retrieved 21 November 2011.

[sc_New_Zealand_Scooter-46] "Scooter – The Logical Song". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 21 November 2011.

[47] "Romanian Top 100 - arhiva". Web.archive.org. 17 December 2004. Archived from the original on 17 December 2004. Retrieved 2016-10-15. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[sc_Sweden_Scooter-48] "Scooter – Ramp! (The Logical Song)". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 21 November 2011.

[sc_Switzerland_Scooter-49] "Scooter – Ramp! (The Logical Song)". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 November 2011.

[sc_UK_-50] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.

[51] "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2002 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.

[52] "Norwegian certifications – Ramp! The Logical Song" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.

[53] "British certifications – Ramp! The Logical Song". British Phonographic Industry. Type Ramp! The Logical Song in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.

[54] "Mindless Self Indulgence returns to Metropolis Records! – Metropolis Records". Metropolis-records.com. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 15 October 2016.

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