Free as a Bird (Supertramp song)

Last updated
"Free as a Bird"
Free as a Bird (Supertramp song).jpg
Single by Supertramp
from the album Free as a Bird
B-side "Thing For You"
Released22 December 1987 (US) [1]
26 February 1988 (UK) [2]
Genre Pop rock [3]
Length4:20
Label A&M
Songwriter(s) Rick Davies
Producer(s) Rick Davies, Supertramp [4]
Supertramp singles chronology
"I'm Beggin' You"
(1987)
"Free as a Bird"
(1987)
"You Win, I Lose"
(1997)
Music video
"Free as a Bird" on YouTube

"Free as a Bird" is the title track from Supertramp's 1987 album of the same name. Released as a single at the end of that year, [1] the song achieved only marginal commercial success.

Contents

Overview

The music video for "Free as a Bird" was produced by Sue Pemberton and directed by Michael Patterson and Candace Reckenger. [5]

Cash Box said that "Rick Davies sets an easy groove with his patented, bluesy keyboard style, and takes you to a gospel out-chorus." [6]

In 1988 "Free as a Bird" was performed on the Dutch pop music television series, TopPop . [7]

It is the only song from the album of the same name that survived the accompanying tour. Live recordings were released on Live '88 and It Was the Best of Times .

"Free as a Bird" also appears on Supertramp's 1992 best-of album The Very Best of Supertramp 2 and the later compilation Retrospectacle – The Supertramp Anthology .

Track listing

7" vinyl, Cassette

  1. "Free as a Bird" – 4:20
  2. "Thing For You" – 3:59

Personnel

According the Free as a Bird and The Very Best of Supertramp 2 liner notes. [8] [9]

Other personnel

Charts

Chart (1988)Peak
position
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [1] 95
UK Singles (OCC) [10] 95

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supertramp</span> British rock band

Supertramp were a British rock band that formed in London in 1970. They experienced their greatest global success in 1979 with their sixth album Breakfast in America. Marked by the individual songwriting of founders Roger Hodgson and Rick Davies, the group were distinguished for blending progressive rock and pop styles as well as for a sound that relied heavily on Wurlitzer electric piano. The group's lineup changed numerous times throughout their career, with Davies being the only constant member throughout its history. The classic lineup, which lasted ten years from 1973 to 1983, comprised Davies, Hodgson, Dougie Thomson (bass), Bob Siebenberg (drums) and John Helliwell (saxophone).

<i>Crime of the Century</i> (album) 1974 studio album by Supertramp

Crime of the Century is the third studio album by the English rock band Supertramp, released in October 1974 on A&M Records. Crime of the Century was Supertramp's commercial breakthrough in many countries, most notably in the UK, Canada and Germany where it peaked in the Top 5 while also making the Top 20 in Australia and France. It was an improvement over their previous sales in the US, but still only peaked at No. 38, with the US hit being "Bloody Well Right". "School" was another popular track, particularly on album rock-oriented radio stations. The album was eventually certified Gold in the US in 1977 after the release of Even in the Quietest Moments.... In Canada, it was eventually certified Diamond. The album was Supertramp's first to feature drummer Bob Siebenberg, saxophone and clarinet player and vocalist John Helliwell, bassist Dougie Thomson, and co-producer Ken Scott. The album has received critical acclaim, including its inclusion in Rolling Stone's "50 Greatest Prog Rock Albums of All Time".

<i>Free as a Bird</i> (album) 1987 studio album by Supertramp

Free as a Bird is the ninth studio album by the English rock band Supertramp, released in October 1987, and their last album of new music for A&M Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When I Fall in Love</span> Song from One Minute to Zero

"When I Fall in Love" is a popular song, written by Victor Young (music) and Edward Heyman (lyrics). It was introduced in Howard Hughes' last film One Minute to Zero as the instrumental titled "Theme from One Minute to Zero". Jeri Southern sang on the first vocal recording released in April 1952 with the song's composer, Victor Young, handling the arranging and conducting duties. The song has become a standard, with many artists recording it; the first hit version was sung by Doris Day released in July 1952.

"Mama Told Me Not to Come", also written as "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)", is a song by American singer-songwriter Randy Newman written for Eric Burdon's first solo album in 1966. Three Dog Night's 1970 cover topped the US pop singles chart. Tom Jones and Stereophonics' version also reached No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Logical Song</span> 1979 single by Supertramp

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Circle in the Sand</span> 1988 single by Belinda Carlisle

"Circle in the Sand" is a song recorded by American singer Belinda Carlisle for her second studio album, Heaven on Earth (1987). It was written by Rick Nowels, who also produced it, and Ellen Shipley. "Circle in the Sand" was the third single released from Heaven on Earth in May 1988. It reached number seven, becoming Carlisle's fourth and last top-10 hit in the United States. It also charted at number five in Canada, ending the year as the country's 69th-most-successful single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Life Is a Rollercoaster</span> 2000 single by Ronan Keating

"Life Is a Rollercoaster" is a song by Irish singer-songwriter Ronan Keating from his debut solo album, Ronan (2000). The song was written and produced by New Radicals frontman Gregg Alexander, and Rick Nowels, having originally been intended for the second New Radicals album which never came to fruition due to Alexander's decision to break up the band. The opening refrain of the song is similar to that of a leaked Alexander song, "A Love Like That", suggesting that parts of the song were incorporated in Keating's song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreamer (Supertramp song)</span> 1974 single from Supertramp

"Dreamer" is a hit single from British band Supertramp's 1974 album Crime of the Century. It peaked at number 13 on the UK Singles Chart in February 1975. In 1980, it appeared on the band's live album Paris. This live version was also released as a single and hit number 15 on the US charts, number 36 in the Dutch Top 40, and number one on the Canadian Singles Chart. When "Dreamer" had been released in 1974, its B-side "Bloody Well Right" was more popular in North America leading it to chart instead, at No. 35 in the US and No. 49 in Canada, with "Dreamer" only charting in Canada, that being at No. 75. "Dreamer" also appeared on Roger Hodgson's album, Classics Live, recorded on tour in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goodbye Stranger</span> 1979 single by Supertramp

"Goodbye Stranger" is a song by the English rock band Supertramp; it was written by Rick Davies. The song first appeared on their sixth studio album, Breakfast in America (1979). The lyrics present an "optimistic view from a drifter."

<i>Heaven on Earth</i> (Belinda Carlisle album) 1987 studio album by Belinda Carlisle

Heaven on Earth is the second solo studio album by American singer Belinda Carlisle. It was released on October 5, 1987, by MCA Records. Three singles reached the top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100, including the number-one single and Carlisle's signature song "Heaven Is a Place on Earth". The album has been certified triple Platinum in the United Kingdom and Platinum in many countries, including the United States.

<i>It Was the Best of Times</i> 1999 live album by Supertramp

It Was the Best of Times is the third live album by the English rock band Supertramp, released in April 1999. The album title makes use of the opening line from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.

<i>The Very Best of Supertramp 2</i> 1992 greatest hits album by Supertramp

The Very Best of Supertramp 2 is a best of album by the English rock band Supertramp originally released by A&M Records in November 1992.

<i>Live 88</i> (Supertramp album) 1988 live album by Supertramp

Live '88 is the second live album by the English rock band Supertramp released in October 1988 on A&M Records. It was their last album to feature bassist Dougie Thomson in any capacity.

<i>The Very Best of Supertramp</i> 1990 greatest hits album by Supertramp

The Very Best of Supertramp is a greatest hits album by the English rock band Supertramp, originally released by A&M Records in June 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">As Long as You Follow</span> 1988 single by Fleetwood Mac

"As Long as You Follow" is a song by British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac. Performed by Christine McVie and written alongside her then-husband, Eddy Quintela, the song was one of two new tracks on the band's 1988 greatest hits album, along with "No Questions Asked". Lead guitarist Rick Vito singled out the guitar solo on "As Long as You Follow" as his best work with Fleetwood Mac.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Georgy Porgy (song)</span> 1979 single by Toto

"Georgy Porgy" is a song by American rock band Toto. It was written by band member David Paich and included on their self-titled debut album in 1978. Released as the album's third single in 1979, the song reached number 11 on the New Zealand Singles Chart and number 48 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It also peaked at number 18 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Save Me (Fleetwood Mac song)</span> 1990 single by Fleetwood Mac

"Save Me" is a song by British-American band Fleetwood Mac from their 15th studio album, Behind the Mask, released as a single in 1990. Written and sung by Christine McVie, it was the group's last top-40 hit in the United States, where it reached No. 33. "Save Me" achieved modest success in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at No. 53. It also reached the top 10 in Canada, Finland, and the Netherlands. The song was, as the slightly shorter single edit, included in the group's 2018 compilation 50 Years – Don't Stop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Obsession (Icehouse song)</span> 1987 song by Icehouse

"My Obsession" is a song by Australian rock band Icehouse, which was released in 1987 as the third single from their sixth studio album Man of Colours. The song was written by Iva Davies and Robert Kretschmer, and produced by David Lord. "My Obsession" peaked at No. 12 on Australia's Kent Music Report chart and No. 88 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Supertramp – Free as a Bird" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  2. "Music Week" (PDF). p. 37.
  3. "Free as a Bird" at AllMusic
  4. "Free as a Bird" (back cover). Supertramp. A&M. 1988. Retrieved 30 January 2021.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. "Video Track" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 100 #13. United States. 3 March 1988. p. 52. Retrieved 13 February 2021 via worldradiohistory.com.
  6. "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. January 30, 1988. p. 10. Retrieved 2022-11-06.
  7. Supertramp - Free As A Bird • TopPop. TopPop (Television production). Netherlands: AVRO. 9 April 1988. Retrieved 13 February 2021 via YouTube.
  8. Free as a Bird (liner notes). Supertramp. A&M. 2003. Retrieved 5 February 2021.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. Haverty, Doug (1992). The Very Best of Supertramp 2 (liner notes). Supertramp. A&M. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  10. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 January 2021.