Supertramp remains a great reminder for any new band that it’s not keeping up with the trends or having a snappy fashion sense that creates long-lasting success. It’s musical ability, artistic vision and a dogged persistence. All of these things helped make Supertramp into one of the greatest rock bands of all time.

The story of the band, just like the group’s songs, is not an ordinary one. It’s a tale best told through music, I think. These are the 10 best songs by the prog-rock band with the best singalongs, Supertramp.

The Greatest 10 Songs by Supertramp

10. “Bloody Well Right”

Even in the fashion-challenged and rather geeky world of progressive rock, Supertramp stood out. By the time of the band’s third album, “Crime of the Century,” Roger Hodgson and Rick Davies were done trying to fit in.

That’s when the truly great songs started coming through. And so did the group’s dark humour, as in the excellent “Bloody Well Right.” The weather was about to change—it’d be pouring hits from now on.

9. “Easy Does It”

Just a top 40 band? I beg your pardon. Well, technically, “Easy Does It” was a Top 40 hit. But it is certainly not one of the band’s most famous songs. And, neither was “Crisis? What Crisis?” a gigantically successful album. I am not sure many of our readers own, or know of it.

But the fact that this is a great song and that the band had found its trademark sound is evident.

Furthermore, “Crisis? What Crisis?” helped the band create a core audience. The funny, complex songs brought them to the party, and they stayed over once the radio hits started coming in.

8. “Even in the Quietest Moments”

Roger Hodgson probably drew a sigh of relief when he realized that Supertramp didn’t need to out-rock bands like Pink Floyd to get to play to similar-sized venues.

It turns out that what the band needed, for the most part, were chilled-out, quasi-spiritual songs written and sung by Hodgson.

Relaxed, sweet, but still very well crafted, “Even in the Quietest Moments” is a highlight for Supertramp and set them up for making what would be their blockbuster album two years later.

7. “School”

Can you hear the Pink Floyd influence? Of course, you and I can.

Supertramp underwent a few transformations before reaching the big leagues. By the time of the “Crime of the Century” album, the band was looking to create a cinematic prog-rock universe through its records.

“School” showed that Hodgson was not merely a Roger Waters wannabe but rather a songwriter with colossal talent. I certainly think he achieved his aim.

6. “Dreamer”

Did pop music summon Supertramp? Or did Davies and Hodgson move towards it? I’d like to think that it was a little bit of both.

“Dreamer” was the first real pop hit for Supertramp. It was sweet and a little silly in places. But it was also complex enough to keep their credit score high with the prog rock crowd while getting them played on the radio.

5. “Goodbye Stranger”

Supertramp, Hodgson especially, realized that it was easier to reach an audience’s ears before you target their brain. “Goodbye Stranger” is one of a few singles that are absolute earworms.

Consequently, the song remains a mainstay of rock radio. It’s been parodied on The Office to great effect, iny my opinion. And it helped fulfil Supertramp’s immense potential.

4. “Give a Little Bit”

Rock bands could be pretty cynical. And the progressive rock groups were downright untrusting of society. But Roger Hodgson had a bit of a hippies-heart beating in his chest.

Written in his teens and inspired by The Beatles‘ “All You Need is Love,” “Give a Little Bit” is Supertramp’s plea for a better, more peaceful world. It’s mighty believable too.

3. “Take the Long Way Home”

Supertramp deserved everything it got! In 1979, the “Breakfast in America” album was inescapable. It sold millions and produced numerous hit singles.

But, at its core, Supertramp was still a prog-rock band. The band had just found the best way to express sophisticated musical ideas in the most direct way possible.

“Take the Long Way Home” feels like the soundtrack to a children’s fairy story. It’s pretty, innocent-sounding, and demands repeated listens.

2. “Breakfast in America”

There aren’t many songs better than “Breakfast in America.” OK, there’s a list one that you’ll find by scrolling further down the list. But the fact remains that you’ll be able to recognize the majesty of the tune the first time that you hear it.

What conspired to turn Supertramp and Hodgson’s songwriting into something so universally beloved? It was the years of practice, yes. But it was also a regained innocence that dominated Hodgson’s imagination.

“Breakfast in America” is a magnificent song.

1. “The Logical Song”

On an album that had plenty of highlights and hit singles, there was nothing more beautifully startling than “The Logical Song.”

It’s a song that brings together Davies and Hodgson’s obsession with youth betrayed by greed and practicality. At its core, it’s a song about fighting to have the life to dream your life away.

“The Logical Song” is Supertramp’s greatest song and, if you ask me, one of the best in rock history. It was such a wonderful success, in fact, that spelt the doom for the original lineup of the group, which by 1982 had fractured. They have the memories. You and I have great songs.