Goodbye Stranger - Supertramp (1979) 12/8/22

I have never run into a "Great Song" quite like 1979's "Goodbye Stranger" by Supertramp.

Why? Because there are so many theories on what the song is about, it boggles the mind.

The song was written by Supertramp's Rick Davies, with vocals by Rick and Roger Hodgson, and was the second single release from the album, "Breakfast in America."

Critics raved about it: Billboard loved the "near falsetto vocals, dominant keyboards and strong melody line." Cash Box praised the "blithe, spirited instrumentation." Many considered Roger's guitar solo at the end to be one of the greatest of all time.

On the charts, it reached #15 on Billboard's Hot 100...but it did even better in Canada, peaking at #6 on the Top 40 and #9 on the Adult Contemporary Chart.

All that, and STILL no one could agree on what the song meant then, and even now!

Many believe it's about hookers...or at the very least one night stands. Others point out the lyric, "Goodbye Mary, Goodbye Jane," and say it's about giving up marijuana. Still others think it's about leaving the church, while some are convinced it's about tension between Rick & Roger.

Supertramp drummer Bob Siebenberg has said it's strictly about hookers, and that Mary and Jane were just a couple of names they used in the song with no hidden meanings.

But, amazingly, not everyone agrees with him!

In a strange way, the whole discussion is proof that "Goodbye Stranger" is a "Great Song of 1979." After all, it's 43 years old...and people are STILL trying to figure it out!

Give it a close listen and see what YOU think. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8pVZ5hTGJQ