Take a look at my girlfriend/
She’s the only one I got.
Not much of a girlfriend…

I always smile when I hear the above introductory lyrics to “Breakfast in America” by Supertramp. Roger Hodgson is in England with his plain girlfriend (just take a look at her!) and dreams of what it would be like in America. If only he could take a trip to see the girls in California or hang out with all the millionaires in Texas.

As he begins to vocalize his wish he realizes that perhaps he is further away from fulfilling his dream than he thinks and then starts to get possessive of his girlfriend: “She’s the only one I got.” She’s still “not much of a girlfriend” though.

I like these unique songs where the story is very particular to the song, even though the message is  universal.

The instrumentation on this song is great and unique. I hear a clarinet play prominently and an electric piano. Also, the “bass” is played by a trumpet (I think) which gives this such a unique sound. It sounds like a carnival, but it is distinctly a rock song. The harmonies are well done, and the falsettos are tastefully used throughout.

Breakfast in America Lyrics

Take a look at my girlfriend
She’s the only one I got
Not much of a girlfriend
Never seem to get a lot

Take a jumbo across the water
Like to see America
See the girls in California
I’m hoping it’s going to come true
But there’s not a lot I can do

Could we have kippers for breakfast
Mummy dear, mummy dear
They got to have ’em in Texas
‘Cause everyone’s a millionaire

I’m a winner, I’m a sinner
Do you want my autograph
I’m a loser, what a joker
I’m playing my jokes upon you
While there’s nothing better to do

Ba-ba-ba-dow, ba-bow-dum-doo-de-dow-de-dow, de
Ba-ba-ba-dow, ba-bow-dum-de-doo-de-dow
Na na na, nana na na na na

Don’t you look at my girlfriend (girlfriend)
She’s the only one I got
Not much of a girlfriend (girlfriend)
Never seem to get a lot (what’s she got, not a lot)

Take a jumbo cross the water
Like to see America
See the girls in California
I’m hoping it’s going to come true
But there’s not a lot I can do

Ba-ba-ba-dow, ba-bow-dum-doo-de-dow-de-dow, de
Ba-ba-ba-dow, ba-bow-dum-de-doo-de-dow

Hey oh, hey oh, hey oh, hey oh,
Hey oh, hey oh, hey oh, hey oh
Na na na, nana na na na nana

Songwriters: Richard Davies / Roger Hodgson