Composition
The inner sleeve of the 1979 Breakfast in America album lists one musician – Roger Hodgson or Rick Davies – as composer for each song. For the "Breakfast in America" title track, Davies alone is incorrectly listed as composer and lyricist. [4] However, the center label of the 12-inch vinyl disc credits all songs to both Hodgson and Davies. [5] Similarly, on the vinyl single, it was credited to Hodgson and Davies. [6]
Supertramp started performing the song during a reunion tour without Hodgson; the latter took credit for writing the song, telling reporters that Davies initially "hated" the song, and that he believed Davies did not play on the recording at all. [7] According to Hodgson, he wrote the song when he was 19 years old. [8] Hodgson said that "I was dreaming and having fun one day and this song just flowed out. I think the lyric was written in about an hour, it just came out of me." [8] Hodgson has credited Davies with creating the vocalized retort line, "What's she got? Not a lot." [9] According to Ultimate Classic Rock critic Nick DeRiso, Hodgson started writing the song as a teenager, and Davies later "helped sharpen the lyrics". [10] Billboard critic Gary Graff agrees with this assessment, including Davies contributing the "What's she got? Not a lot" lyric. [11] Roger Hodgson uploaded an .mp3 version of his original 2-track demo of the track from ca. 1969 to his website in the early 2000's. [12]
DeRiso describes the lyrics as being about a child dreaming about visiting the United States some day. [10]
Hodgson included the song in his 2010 world tour, produced as a live album titled Classics Live .
In 2005, rap rock band Gym Class Heroes released the hit song "Cupid's Chokehold", which features the chorus from "Breakfast in America".
Reception
Billboard writer David Farrell praised John Helliwell's "Benny Goodman-flavoured clarinet solo". [13] DeRiso rated it as Supertramp's 9th greatest song. [10] Graff rated "Breakfast in America" as Supertramp's 5th best song. [11]
Record World predicted that "AOR-pop radio will make sure that [the live version would become] a morning staple", noting Hodgson's "light and lively" vocal performance. [14]
Hodgson rated it as one of the top 10 songs he ever wrote. [8]
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