I Own That Album - Supertramp - Breakfast in America

Released in 1979, Breakfast in America, the sixth studio album by Supertramp stands as their most commercially successful work. The album is a departure from their more prog rock style, characterized more by its upbeat, pop-rock sound. It's considered, by the members and others, as an album full of “fun” songs. Its polished production, catchy melodies, and thoughtful lyrics helped the album resonate with a wide audience, earning Supertramp significant international recognition as well as topping the U.S. Billboard Top 200 for six weeks.

Breakfast in America spawned several hit singles, most notably "The Logical Song," "Goodbye Stranger," and the title track, "Breakfast in America." "The Logical Song," in particular, became a massive hit, praised for its lyrics born from Roger Hodgson’s questions about what really matters in life. The album's sound, driven by Rick Davies and Hodgson’s interplay between keyboards, saxophone, and distinctive vocals, really sets it apart from other rock records of the time.

It was an important album, significant for its timing, coming at the tail end of the 1970s when rock music was evolving with the rise of punk, disco, and new wave. Supertramp managed to carve out their own niche with a sound that blended pop sensibilities with rock instrumentation and introspective lyrics. The recording process took place in Los Angeles, and the album was heavily influenced by Hodgson's fascination with America, despite neither Davies nor Hodgson living there at the time.

Let’s not forget the iconic album cover featuring a playful depiction of New York City as a breakfast table, with the Statue of Liberty transformed into a waitress holding a glass of orange juice, symbolizing a quirky, satirical take on American consumerism. In terms of legacy, Breakfast in America remains a hallmark of 1970s rock, with its songs still receiving airplay today as well as many spins on my turntable. You can borrow my copy if you’d like.