Supertramp hit the big time in 1979 with their Breakfast in America album. Multiple hit songs came from the album, they won two Grammy Awards, and it was certified 4x platinum in the U.S. However successful the band became in the late seventies, the departure of one of the songwriters in 1980s, did create a bit of a void. The band was determined to carrying on and were successful with the album Brother Where You Bound, but at the same time, Supertramp wasn’t Supertramp without Roger Hodgson. In 1987, Supertramp released their ninth studio album Free as a Bird. Perhaps, it was the influence of the eighties. Maybe it was a desire to experiment creatively. Whatever the reason, Supertramp’s ninth studio album was not the Supertramp people came to know and love.
A highly synthesized and electronic dance beat album, Free as a Bird only released one hit from its catalog and was so unlike the Supertramp people came to know that the album only peaked at #101 on the US charts and #93 in the U.K. (billboard.com) Further, the hit song from the album titled “I’m Begging You” was on the US Dance Charts for one week at #1, but never cracked the Top 40. This album was not the demise of Supertramp, however, it can be speculated that the significant change in writing style deeply impacted the album and song’s success; success that hinged on their progressive rock style and the connection lyrics had on fans (rollingstone.com). Free as a Bird brought in a more 80s pop/dance influence to their music, and when compared to their previous work, did not bring the same progressive rock connection.
While Supertramp continued on without Roger Hodgson, their style changed enough that fans understood it wasn’t the same. Perhaps, it simply was the eighties with all its glitz, glamour, and pop influencing things. Maybe the band wanted to experiment musically. No matter what the reason, Supertramp’s Free as a Bird album was far removed from the Supertramp fans came to know and did not bring the connection previous albums did.
-Jenna Jakes, WOGB
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