Take Five: Peak-era Classics from Supertramp

Supertramp was one of the highest-profile rock/pop bands of the late 1970s and early ‘80s. Three of the group’s best-loved albums – Even in the Quietest Moments…, Breakfast in America and …Famous Last Words… – are being reissued this year on half-speed mastered vinyl. In in celebration of that, here’s a look at five hit singles from the pinnacle of band’s most commercially-successful period.

“Give a Little Bit” from Even in the Quietest Moments… (1977)
After an unsteady start, Supertramp had found its creative footing with its third album, 1974’s Crime of the Century. Establishing themselves on the tuneful end of the progressive rock spectrum, the group earned both critical plaudits and a U.S. hit single (“Bloody Well Right,” No. 35). Subsequent releases built upon that prog foundation, yet it would be with a delightfully pop-leaning single, “Give a Little Bit” that Supertramp earned an international hit, reaching No. 15 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart. The song ushered in Supertramp’s most high-profile era.

“Fool’s Overture” from Even in the Quietest Moments… (1977)
The band’s fifth album Even in the Quietest Moments… spawned not one but two singles. Released as a second single outside the U.S. in November 1977, “Babaji” failed to chart. But listeners who explored the entire album often landed with favor on another tune. The 10-minute-plus “Fool’s Overture” that closes the record is a reminder of Supertramp’s progressive inclinations, and today it’s the second-most-streamed track from the album.

“The Logical Song” from Breakfast in America (1979)
Supertramp truly broke through with the juggernaut Breakfast in America album. Released in March 1969, the record would give rise to no less than four hit singles. The first of those, “The Logical Song” was released concurrently with the album; it placed on the Top 40 singles charts in 14 countries, making it to the No. 1 spot in Canada and No. 6 in the United States.

“Breakfast in America” from Breakfast in America (1979)
The title track from Breakfast in America would be its second single. Earning a Gold record in the UK, the tune charted respectably in America at No. 62. That modest chart action doesn’t reflect the popularity of “Breakfast in America” on album-oriented FM radio, where it was a much bigger hit. Nonetheless, the single did reach the Top 40 in five countries outside the U.S. Two more singles from the album – “Goodbye Stranger” and “Take the Long Way Home” – were also more popular on FM radio than their singles’ sales performance would suggest.

“It’s Raining Again” from …Famous Last Words… (1982)
In the wake of Breakfast in America, Supertramp released a well-received live album, 1980’s Paris. That release spawned a hit single (U.S. No. 15) in “Dreamer,” a song first heard four years before on Crime of the Century. When the band returned with another studio album, Supertramp would again release four singles. Two of those charted: “My Kind of Lady” was a modest hit at No. 31, and it also charted in Canada and France. But the lilting “It’s Raining Again” performed even better worldwide. Reaching No. 11 in the U.S. “It’s Raining Again” climbed to the Top 10 in five countries (No. 1 in Canada and France) and the Top 40 in three others. Though scattered releases to come would chart, Supertramp’s 1982 single effectively capped the band’s successful run as a hit singles act.