The Logical Song

"The Logical Song"
Single by Supertramp
from the album Breakfast in America
B-side	"Just Another Nervous Wreck"
Released	April 1979
Recorded	1978 The Village Recorder (Los Angeles, California)
Genre	Progressive pop[1]
Length	4:11
Label	A&M
Songwriter(s)	Rick Davies Roger Hodgson
Producer(s)	Supertramp, Peter Henderson
Supertramp singles chronology
"From Now On" (1977) "The Logical Song" (1979) "Breakfast in America" (1979)
"From Now On" (1977) "The Logical Song" (1979) "Breakfast in America" (1979)
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"The Logical Song" is a song by the English rock band Supertramp. 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" is Supertramp's biggest chart hit in both the United States, South Africa, and their native United Kingdom and is amongst their most widely recognised radio hits.^[2] Roger Hodgson composed the song from an autobiographical point of view, from his experience of being sent away to boarding school for ten years.^[3] It won the 1979 Ivor Novello Award for "Best Song Musically and Lyrically".^[4]

Composition and lyrics

"The Logical Song" was mostly penned by Roger Hodgson; Rick Davies wrote the vocal harmony on the second chorus.^[5] 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^[5] and the Trouble "Pop-o-matic" bubble – both popular at the time this song was released.

The lyrics are a condemnation of an education system focused on categorical jargon as opposed to knowledge and sensitivity.^[6] The lyrics are notable for their use of consonance, with a repetition of the '-ical/ -able' endings of multiple adjectives.

Critical reception

Rolling Stone called the song a "small masterpiece" praising the "hot sax" and Hodgson's "wry humor".^[6] The magazine also made comparisons between Hodgson and Ray Davies from The Kinks.^[6]

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][7][8] 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.^[9][10] 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)[11] 16 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[12] 14 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[13] 19 Belgium[14] 9 Canada (RPM)[10] 1 France (SNEP)[15] 2 Germany (Official German Charts)[16] 12 Ireland (IRMA)[17] 6 Italy (AFI)[18] 14 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[19] 13 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[20] 13 Portugal (Música & Som)[21] 8 Spain (AFE)[22] 12 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[23] 7 US Billboard Hot 100[24] 6 US Cash Box Top 100[25] 4 Year-end charts Chart (1979) Rank Australia[26] 106 Canada[27] 1 UK 63 US Billboard[28] 27 US Cash Box[29] 37 Sales and certifications Region Certification Certified units/Sales Canada (Music Canada)[30] Platinum 150,000^ France (SNEP)[31] Gold 677,000[32] ^shipments figures based on certification alone Scooter version "The Logical Song" Single by Scooter from the album Push the Beat for this Jam (The Singles 98-02) B-side "Siberia" Released 10 December 2001 (Germany) 10 June 2002 (UK) Genre Eurodance, hardcore techno, trance Length 3:53 Songwriter(s) Rick Davies, Roger Hodgson Producer(s) Roger Hodgson Scooter singles chronology "Aiii Shot the DJ" (2001) "The Logical Song" (2001) "Nessaja" (2002) "Aiii Shot the DJ" (2001) "The Logical Song" (2001) "Nessaja" (2002) "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.[33] The Scooter version became an anthem in Glasgow's ned culture throughout the 2000s.[34] Charts Chart (2001–2002) Peak position scope="row" Australia (ARIA)[35] 1 scope="row" Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[36] 4 scope="row" Denmark (Tracklisten)[37] 10 scope="row" Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[38] 11 scope="row" France (SNEP)[39] 53 scope="row" Germany (Official German Charts)[40] 7 scope="row" Ireland (IRMA)[41] 1 scope="row" Norway (VG-lista)[42] 1 scope="row" New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[43] 32 Romania (Romanian Top 100)[44] 8 scope="row" Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[45] 8 scope="row" Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[46] 14 scope="row" UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[47] 2 Certifications Country Certification Date Sales certified Australia[48] Platinum 2002 70,000 + Norway[49] Platinum 2003 30,000 + UK[50] 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.[51] 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  1 2 3 4 "Logical Song Review". Allmusic. Retrieved 26 April 2009.  ↑ "The Eye of the Acoustic Storm: Supertramp/Roger Hodgson". Retrieved 21 July 2015.  ↑ Lister, David. "Pop ballads bite back in lyrical fashion". The Independent. 28 May 1994. Retrieved 21 March 2012. 1 2 Buskin, Richard (July 2005). CLASSIC TRACKS: Supertramp's 'Logical Song', Sound on Sound. 1 2 3 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.  ↑ "All music chart". Allmusic. Retrieved 26 April 2009.  ↑ "UK Chart History". Archived from the original on 12 October 2008. Retrieved 22 May 2009.  ↑ "Gold Platinum Database: Supertramp – The Logical Song". Canadian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2012-02-19.  1 2 "Top Singles - Volume 31, No. 14, June 30, 1979". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 1979-06-30. Retrieved 2012-02-05.  ↑ "Billboard Vol. 91, No. 25: Hits Of The World". Kent Music Report. Billboard: 58. 1979-06-23. Retrieved 2013-05-01.  ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Supertramp – The Logical Song" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 2013-05-01. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Supertramp – The Logical Song" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 2013-05-01. ↑ "Billboard Vol. 91, No. 31: Hits Of The World". Billboard. 1979-08-04: 54. Retrieved 2013-05-01.  ↑ "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.  ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Supertramp – The Logical Song". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 2013-05-01. ↑ "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.  ↑ "Billboard Vol. 91, No. 48: Hits Of The World". Billboard. 1979-12-01: 47. Retrieved 2013-05-01.  ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Supertramp – The Logical Song" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 2013-05-01. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Supertramp – The Logical Song". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 2013-05-01. ↑ "Billboard Vol. 91: Hits Of The World". Kent Music Report. Billboard: 68. 1979-10-06. Retrieved 2013-05-01.  ↑ Davidalic (February 12, 2010). "Listas de superventas: 1979". AFE. Listas De Superventas. Retrieved 2013-05-01.  ↑ "Archive Chart: 1979-04-28" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved 2013-05-01. ↑ "Supertramp – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Supertramp. Retrieved 2013-05-01. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2015-03-20.  ↑ "Australian Chart Book". Austchartbook.com.au. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 2016-10-15.  ↑ "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. Retrieved 2016-10-15.  ↑ "Top 100 Hits of 1979/Top 100 Songs of 1979". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 2016-10-15.  ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2016-04-12.  ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Supertramp – Logical Song". Music Canada.  ↑ "French single certifications – Supertramp – The Logical Song" (in French). InfoDisc.  Select SUPERTRAMP and click OK ↑ "Les Singles en Or :". Infodisc.fr (in French). Retrieved 2013-05-01.  ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 October 2008. Retrieved 2011-02-16.  ↑ MacFarlane, Colin. The Real Gorbals Story: True Tales from Glasgow's Meanest Streets. p.224. Mainstream Publishing. 2007. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Scooter – The Logical Song". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 21 November 2011. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Scooter – Ramp! (The Logical Song)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 21 November 2011. ↑ "Danishcharts.com – Scooter – Ramp! (The Logical Song)". Tracklisten. Retrieved 21 November 2011. ↑ "Scooter: Ramp! (The Logical Song)" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 21 November 2011. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Scooter – The Logical Song" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 21 November 2011. ↑ "Musicline.de – Scooter Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH. Retrieved 21 November 2011. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 29, 2002". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved March 3, 2013. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Scooter – Ramp! (The Logical Song)". VG-lista. Retrieved 21 November 2011. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – 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. CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link) ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Scooter – Ramp! (The Logical Song)". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 21 November 2011. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Scooter – Ramp! (The Logical Song)". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 November 2011. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2002-07-06" UK Singles Chart. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2002 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.  ↑ "Norwegian certifications – Ramp! The Logical Song" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.  ↑ "British certifications – Ramp! The Logical Song". British Phonographic Industry.  Enter Ramp! The Logical Song in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Click Search ↑ "Mindless Self Indulgence returns to Metropolis Records! – Metropolis Records". Metropolis-records.com. 2013-03-18. Retrieved 2016-10-15.  External links Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics 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