Supertramp’s “The Logical Song” Lyrics Meaning

Supertramp in “The Logical Song” discusses all that is wrong with education, specifically the fact that it leads to a loss of identity.

As the song begins, the writer recalls his early childhood and how happy he was about life and saw so much beauty in the world. Then he pinpoints the time he was taken to school as the beginning of his woes in life.

Throughout the song, the writer lays emphasis on the fact that schooling tends to teach children to conform to society’s expectation while anyone who strays off that course is regarded as an outcast. In the process however, he explains that people lose their sense of uniqueness. And the end result is that they get confused about who they really are because they’ve been taught throughout the years to be passive and acceptable.

Facts about “The Logical Song”

Supertramp is a rock group from London whose main years of togetherness was throughout the 1970s and 80s. And this track, which was released as part of their sixth album “Breakfast in America”, was their biggest hit. For instance, it reached number 7 on the UK Singles Chart, number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on Canada Top Singles. It has also been certified platinum Up North and was the country’s year-end number 1 for 1979. Moreover Paul McCartney himself even called this his favorite song of 1979.

The track also took home an Ivor Novello Award in 1980, in the category of Best Song Musically and Lyrically.

This tune was written by the two founders of Supertramp, Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson, with the lyrics being biographical in nature as far as the latter is concerned. And the entire band is credited with producing the song alongside Peter Henderson.

Supertramp has had a number of members throughout the years. And the one who played on this particular track are as follows:

• Roger Hodgson (lead vocals)
• Rick Davies (synthesizers)
• John Helliwell (saxophone)
• Bob Siebenberg (drums)
• Dougie Thomson (bass)

A German band called Scooter covered this song in 2001. Their version was also a massive hit. It reached number one in Australia and also on a few European listings, including the UK Indie Chart. And it also peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart.

Summary

As penned by Hodgson and Davies, The Logical Song is basically a criticism of education, particularly the British schooling system at the time.

Did Supertramp release “The Logical Song” as a single?

Yes. It was its album’s first single. Said album also produced 3 other hit singles, including “Breakfast in America” (which is named after the album).