Song#: 1234
Date: 10/30/1982
Debut: 31
Peak: 11
Weeks: 13
Genre: Pop
Pop Bits: It had been a little over three years since Supertramp released their most successful LP, the #1 "Breakfast in America." They were due for a follow-up and it came out in the form of "...Famous Last Words." The band's main songwriters, Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson, were a bit at odds as to the concept of this album. Davies wanted to return to the band's more prog-rock days while Hodgson wanted to continue the commercial zone of "Breakfast in America." What came out was a mixed bag that would end up being the last Supertramp album to feature the classic line-up of the band. Hodgson would leave following the supporting tour. This first single got off to a great start, but fizzled at the dreaded #11 spot. It signaled that the late 70s sound of the band was perhaps not as viable in the 80s. The LP peaked at #5, but only mustered gold status; a steep drop from the multi-platinum success of "Breakfast."
ReduxReview: I thought this song was just okay when it came out, but something about the album's cover image attracted me and it was getting a lot of press, so I made the purchase. I soon found out that it wasn't my cup of tea. I remember being highly disappointed by the songs and didn't revisit the album for years. I still don't think it is a good album, but this song is fun in a goofy, Supertramp-y way and the best track of the bunch.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: Initially, it seemed that the return of Supertramp was more than welcome as this single began its run on the chart at a very high #31. As a result, this ended up being the highest debuting single on the chart for 1982. Unfortunately, the welcome seemed to be short-lived as the song got shut out of the Top 10.
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