The Logical Song

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"The Logical Song"

Single by Supertramp

from the album Breakfast in America

B-side "Just Another Nervous Wreck"

Released March 1979

Recorded 1978

 The Village Recorder (Los Angeles)

Studio

Genre  Progressive pop[1]

 pop rock[2]

Length 4:11

Label A&M

Songwriter(s)  Roger Hodgson

Producer(s)  Supertramp

 Peter Henderson

Supertramp singles chronology

"Babaji" "The Logical "Breakfast in

(1977) Song" America"
 (1979) (1979)

"The Logical Song" is a song by English rock group Supertramp that was released

as the lead single from their album Breakfast in America in March 1979. It was
written primarily by the band's Roger Hodgson, who based the lyrics on his
experiences being sent away to boarding school for ten years. The song became
Supertramp's biggest hit, rising to No. 7 in the United Kingdom and No. 6 on the
US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In 2001, a cover version by the band Scooter returned
the song to the top 10 in several European countries.

Contents

 1Background
 2Composition
 3Reception
 4Personnel
 5Charts and certifications
o 5.1Weekly charts
o 5.2Year-end charts
o 5.3Sales and certifications
 6Scooter version
o 6.1Charts
 6.1.1Weekly charts
 6.1.2Year-end charts
o 6.2Certifications
o 6.3Release history
 7Legacy and other versions
 8References
 9External links

Background[edit]
"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.[3] 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.[4] In 1980, Hodgson was honoured 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. "The Logical Song" also has the distinction
of being one of the most quoted lyrics in schools.[5][4]
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." [6][7][8]: 
3 

The lyrics have been said to be a condemnation of an education system focused on

categorical jargon as opposed to knowledge and sensitivity. [9] Billboard
Magazine writer David Farrell described the song's theme as a "man lost in the
world."[10]
Supertramp co-founder Rick Davies wrote the vocal harmony on the second chorus,
[11]
 though Hodgson alone is credited with songwriting, according to the 1979 album
liner notes.

Composition[edit]
"The Logical Song" (0:21)

MENU

0:00
A 21-second sample of
Supertramp's "The Logical
Song" song where
the instrumental break is
played.

Problems playing this file? See media

help.

According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Alfred Publishing, the

song is written in the key of C minor and is set in time signature of common time
(although the verses follow a 10-beat pattern of 4/4 - 2/4 - 4/4) with a tempo of
120 beats per minute.[12] Roger Hodgson's vocal range spans two octaves, from G3 to
E♭5.[12] The song makes use of keyboards, castanets, and an instrumental section.
[13]
 Among the contemporary sound effects in this song are the 'tackled' sound from
a Mattel electronic football game – popular at the time this song was released. [11]

Reception[edit]
Rolling Stone called the song a "small masterpiece" praising the "hot sax" and
Hodgson's "wry humor".[9] The magazine also made comparisons between Hodgson
and Ray Davies from the Kinks.[9] Paul McCartney named "The Logical Song" as his
favourite song of the year.[14] Billboard considered it to be possibly Supertramp's best
song to date with "solid and incisive lyrics" and a catchy hook.[15] Cash Box said that
"a skillful and probing lyric and a raucous sax line are joined by a familiar circling
guitar lick and excellent singing" and also praised the "emphatic" beat. [16]
The song was a hit on its original release, reaching No. 7 in the United Kingdom [17]
[18]
 and No. 6 in the United States.[19] The song also spent two weeks at No. 1 on the
Canadian RPM Singles Chart,[20] was the top song of the year, and was certified
Platinum in Canada.[21] It stayed for three months on the Billboard Hot 100 in the
middle of 1979.[13]
Personnel[edit]
 Roger Hodgson – lead and backing vocals, Wurlitzer electronic piano,
electric and 12-string acoustic guitars
 Rick Davies – Elka and Oberheim synthesisers, acoustic piano, 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, woodblocks
 Dougie Thomson – bass