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The Logical Song

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"The Logical Song"
Single by Supertramp
from the album Breakfast in America
B-side"Just Another Nervous Wreck"
ReleasedMarch 1979
Recorded1978
StudioThe Village Recorder, Los Angeles
Genre
Length4:11
LabelA&M
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Supertramp, Peter Henderson
Supertramp singles chronology
"Babaji"
(1977) 		"The Logical Song"
(1979) 		"Breakfast in America"
(1979)
Audio sample
"The Logical Song"

"The Logical Song" is a 1979 song performed by the English rock group 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 hit in the United States and the United Kingdom. "The Logical Song" rose to No. 7 in the UK and No. 6 in the US Billboard chart.[3] Paul McCartney named "The Logical Song" as his favourite song of the year.[4] "The Logical Song" also appeared on Supertramp co-founder Roger Hodgson's live album Classics Live.

Composition and lyrics

"The Logical Song" was written primarily by Roger Hodgson, the lyric based on his experience of being sent away to boarding school for ten years.[5] It was a very personal song for Hodgson; he had worked on the song during soundchecks, and completed the lyrics and arrangement six months before proposing it to the band for the album.[6] In 1980, Hodgson was honoured with the Ivor Novello Award from The British Academy of Composers and Songwriters for "The Logical Song" being named the best song both musically and lyrically. "The Logical Song" also has the distinction of being one of the most quoted lyrics in schools.[7][6]

Hodgson has said of the song's meaning: "'The Logical Song' was born from my questions about what really matters in life. Throughout childhood we are taught all these ways to be and yet we are rarely told anything about our true self. We are taught how to function outwardly, but not guided to who we are inwardly. We go from the innocence and wonder of childhood to the confusion of adolescence that often ends in the cynicism and disillusionment of adulthood. In 'The Logical Song,' the burning question that came down to its rawest place was 'please tell me who I am,' and that's basically what the song is about. I think this eternal question continues to hit such a deep chord in people around the world and why it stays so meaningful."[8][9][10]: 3 

The lyrics have been said to be a condemnation of an education system focused on categorical jargon as opposed to knowledge and sensitivity.[11]

Supertramp co-founder Rick Davies wrote the vocal harmony on the second chorus.[12] The song makes use of keyboards, castanets, and an instrumental section.[3] Among the contemporary sound effects in this song are the 'tackled' sound from a Mattel electronic football game[12] and the Trouble "Pop-o-matic" bubble[citation needed] – both popular at the time this song was released.

Critical reception

Rolling Stone called the song a "small masterpiece" praising the "hot sax" and Hodgson's "wry humor".[11] The magazine also made comparisons between Hodgson and Ray Davies from the Kinks.[11]

Commercial performance

The song was a hit on its original release, reaching No. 7 in the United Kingdom and No. 6 in the United States.[3][13][14] The song also spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Canadian RPM Singles Chart, was the top song of the year, and was certified Platinum in Canada.[15][16] It stayed for three months on the Billboard Hot 100 in the middle of 1979.[3]

Personnel

Charts and certifications

Scooter version

"The Logical Song"
Single by Scooter
from the album Push the Beat for This Jam (The Second Chapter)
B-side"Siberia"
Released10 December 2001 (Germany)
10 June 2002 (UK)
GenreEurodance, hardcore techno, trance
Length3:53
Songwriter(s)Rick Davies, Roger Hodgson
Producer(s)Roger Hodgson
Scooter singles chronology
"Aiii Shot the DJ"
(2001) 		"The Logical Song"
(2001) 		"Nessaja"
(2002)

"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 one in several European countries, including Norway and Ireland, as well as in Australia in 2002. It reached number two 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.[38]

The Scooter version was an anthem in Glasgow's ned culture throughout the 2000s.[39]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2001–2002) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[40] 1
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[41] 4
Denmark (Tracklisten)[42] 10
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[43] 11
France (SNEP)[44] 53
Invalid chart entered Germany2 7
Ireland (IRMA)[45] 1
Ireland Dance (IRMA)[46] 1
Norway (VG-lista)[47] 1
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[48] 32
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[49] 8
Scotland (OCC)[50] 2
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[51] 8
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[52] 14
UK Singles (OCC)[53] 2
UK Dance (OCC)[54] 8
UK Indie (OCC)[55] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (2002) Position
Australia (ARIA)[56] 18
Australia Dance (ARIA)[57] 4
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[58] 16
Germany (Official German Charts)[59] 45
Ireland (IRMA)[60] 6
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[61] 52
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[62] 15

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[63] Platinum 70,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway)[64] Platinum 0*
United Kingdom (BPI)[65] Platinum 600,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

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.[66]

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

  1. ^ http://www.rogerhodgson.com/documents/classicrockmagFeb2016.html
  2. ^ 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
  3. ^ a b c d "Logical Song Review". Allmusic. Retrieved 26 April 2009.
  4. ^ Elliott, Paul (31 December 2015). "The Story Behind the Song: The Logical Song by Supertramp". TeamRock. Future Publishing. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  5. ^ "The Eye of the Acoustic Storm: Supertramp/Roger Hodgson". Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  6. ^ a b "The Logical Song". Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  7. ^ "Grand Illusions & Breakfasts in America: Conversations with Styx's James "J.Y." Young and Supertramp's Roger Hodgson". Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  8. ^ "Supertramp Founder Roger Hodgson". Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  9. ^ "Breakfast in Detroit: Tales from a Dreamer!". Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  10. ^ Lee, Newton (Ed.) (2016). Google It: Total Information Awareness. New York, New York: Springer. ISBN 978-1-4939-6415-4.
  11. ^ a b c 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.
  12. ^ a b Buskin, Richard (July 2005). CLASSIC TRACKS: Supertramp's 'Logical Song', Sound on Sound.
  13. ^ "All music chart". Allmusic. Retrieved 26 April 2009.
  14. ^ "UK Chart History". Archived from the original on 12 October 2008. Retrieved 22 May 2009.
  15. ^ "Gold Platinum Database: Supertramp – The Logical Song". Canadian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 19 February 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  16. ^ a b "Top Singles - Volume 31, No. 14, June 30, 1979". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 30 June 1979. Archived from the original on 24 January 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
  17. ^ "Billboard Vol. 91, No. 25: Hits Of The World". Kent Music Report. Billboard: 58. 23 June 1979. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  18. ^ "Supertramp – The Logical Song" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 2013-05-01.
  19. ^ "Supertramp – The Logical Song" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 2013-05-01.
  20. ^ "Billboard Vol. 91, No. 31: Hits Of The World". Billboard. 4 August 1979: 54. Retrieved 1 May 2013. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  21. ^ "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.
  22. ^ "Billboard Vol. 91, No. 48: Hits Of The World". Billboard. 1 December 1979: 47. Retrieved 1 May 2013. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  23. ^ "Supertramp – The Logical Song" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 2013-05-01.
  24. ^ "Supertramp – The Logical Song". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 2013-05-01.
  25. ^ "Billboard Vol. 91: Hits Of The World". Kent Music Report. Billboard: 68. 6 October 1979. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  26. ^ "SA Charts 1965–March 1989". Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  27. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  28. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2013-05-01.
  29. ^ "Supertramp Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2013-05-01.
  30. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2015-03-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  31. ^ "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  32. ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1979/Top 100 Songs of 1979". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  33. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2016-04-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  34. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Supertramp – Logical Song". Music Canada.
  35. ^ "Les Singles en Or". Infodisc.fr (in French). Archived from the original on 18 March 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  36. ^ "French single certifications – Supertramp – The Logical Song" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
  37. ^ id MUST BE PROVIDED for UK CERTIFICATION.
  38. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 October 2008. Retrieved 2011-02-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  39. ^ MacFarlane, Colin. The Real Gorbals Story: True Tales from Glasgow's Meanest Streets. p.224. Mainstream Publishing. 2007.
  40. ^ "Scooter – The Logical Song". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  41. ^ "Scooter – Ramp! (The Logical Song)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  42. ^ "Scooter – Ramp! (The Logical Song)". Tracklisten. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  43. ^ "Scooter: Ramp! (The Logical Song)" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  44. ^ "Scooter – The Logical Song" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  45. ^ "Chart Track: Week 29, 2002". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  46. ^ "Top 10 Dance Singles, Week Ending 20 June 2002". GfK Chart-Track. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  47. ^ "Scooter – Ramp! (The Logical Song)". VG-lista. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  48. ^ "Scooter – The Logical Song". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  49. ^ "Romanian Top 100 - arhiva". 17 December 2004. Archived from the original on 17 December 2004. Retrieved 2016-10-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  50. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  51. ^ "Scooter – Ramp! (The Logical Song)". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  52. ^ "Scooter – Ramp! (The Logical Song)". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  53. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  54. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
  55. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
  56. ^ "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2002". ARIA. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  57. ^ "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Dance Singles 2002". ARIA. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  58. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2002" (in German). Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  59. ^ "Top 100 Singles - Jahrescharts 2002" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  60. ^ "Best of singles 2002". IRMA. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  61. ^ "Årslista Singlar - År 2002" (in Swedish). Hitlistan. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  62. ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2002" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  63. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2002 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  64. ^ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  65. ^ id MUST BE PROVIDED for UK CERTIFICATION.
  66. ^ "Mindless Self Indulgence returns to Metropolis Records! – Metropolis Records". Metropolis-records.com. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
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