Goodbye Stranger

"Goodbye Stranger" is a song by the English rock band Supertramp; it was written by Rick Davies.[3] The song first appeared on their sixth studio album, Breakfast in America (1979). The lyrics present an "optimistic view from a drifter."[4]

For the children's novel by Rebecca Stead, see Goodbye Stranger (novel).

"Goodbye Stranger"
Single by Supertramp
from the album Breakfast in America
B-side"Even in the Quietest Moments"
ReleasedJuly 1979 (US)
12 October 1979 (UK)[1]
Recorded1978
StudioThe Village Recorder, Los Angeles
GenrePop[2]
Length5:50
LabelA&M
Songwriter(s)Rick Davies
Producer(s)Peter Henderson, Supertramp
Supertramp singles chronology
"Breakfast in America"
(1979)		 "Goodbye Stranger"
(1979)		 "Take the Long Way Home"
(1979)

Reception

Billboard described "Goodbye Stranger" as "a fluid midtempo number highlighted by the band's near falsetto vocals, dominant keyboards and a strong melody line."[5] Cash Box said it has "intriguing, well-paced vocals" from Rick Davies, and the "high backup singing" from Roger Hodgson and "blithe, spirited instrumentation."[6] Record World said that the "keyboard/guitar & chorus hook provide a blithe fairytale effect."[4]

Ultimate Classic Rock critic Nick DeRiso rated it as Supertramp's fourth-best song, calling it a "snarky kiss-off from Davies" that "showcases the band's predilection for the Wurlitzer."[7] Brett Milano of UDiscover Music rated Roger Hodgson's guitar solo at the end of the song as one of the 100 all-time greatest.[8] Gary Graff of Billboard rated "Goodbye Stranger" as Supertramp's ninth best song, saying it's "one of the best executed trade-offs between Davies and Hodgson vocals" and has one of Supertramp's "hottest guitar solos."[9]

Personnel

Charts and certifications

Charts

Despite being met with only limited success in the UK, it was a major hit elsewhere, even a Top 20 hit in the United States and Canada, reaching number 15 and 6 respectively.

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[21] Gold 75,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

The song plays in many films and television programs. In the episode "Goodbye, Toby" of The Office, Michael Scott sings a parody of "Goodbye Stranger" entitled "Goodbye, Toby".[22] In the episode "Goodbye Stranger" in the eighth season of Supernatural, the song plays on the Impala's radio after the angel Castiel disappears.[23] The song plays in the trailer of the 2023 film Beau Is Afraid. It is also played in the film Magnolia.[24]

References
  1. "Supertramp singles".
  2. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Supertramp Breakfast in America Review". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  3. Breakfast in America (1979). Inner sleeve credits. A&M Records.
  4. "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. 14 July 1979. p. 1. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  5. "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. 7 July 1979. p. 62. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  6. "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. 7 July 1979. p. 18. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  7. DeRiso, Nick (22 July 2013). "Top 10 Supertramp Songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  8. Milano, Brett (11 September 2020). "The Best Guitar Solos: 100 Hair-Raising Moments". udiscovermusic.com. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  9. Graff, Gary (10 October 2017). "Supertramp's 10 Best Songs: Critic's Picks". Billboard. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  10. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6849a." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  11. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 27 October 1979. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  12. "Song artist 344 - Supertramp". Tsort.
  13. "Supertramp – Goodbye Stranger" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  14. "Supertramp – Goodbye Stranger". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  15. "Supertramp: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  16. "Supertramp Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  17. "Supertramp Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  18. Cash Box Top 100 Singles, September 15, 1979
  19. "Top 100 Singles (1979)". RPM. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  20. Whitburn, Joel (1999). Pop Annual. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. ISBN 0-89820-142-X.
  21. "Canadian single certifications – Supertramp – Goodbye Stranger". Music Canada.
  22. Giant, M. "Goodbye, Toby". Television Without Pity. NBCUniversal. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
  23. Wright, Thomas J. (20 March 2013), Goodbye Stranger, Supernatural, retrieved 12 February 2023
  24. Starkey, Adam (10 January 2023). "What song is in the 'Beau Is Afraid' trailer?". NME. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
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