Take the Long Way Home

Supertramp

About Take the Long Way Home

"Take the Long Way Home" is the fourth single and sixth track of Supertramp's 1979 album Breakfast in America. It was the last song written for the album, being penned during the nine-month recording cycle. According to its composer Roger Hodgson, the song deals with how the desire to go home can go both ways: I'm talking about not wanting to go home to the wife, take the long way home to the wife because she treats you like part of the furniture, but there's a deeper level to the song, too. I really believe we all want to find our home, find that place in us where we feel at home, and to me, home is in the heart and that is really, when we are in touch with our heart and we're living our life from our heart, then we do feel like we found our home." The single reached number 10 on the U. S. charts. 


Year:
1986
4:03
118 
#1

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So you think you're a Romeo
Playing a part in a picture-show
Take the long way home
Take the long way home

'Cause you're the joke of the neighborhood
Why should you care if you're feeling good
Take the long way home
Take the long way home

But there are times that you feel you're part of the scenery
All the greenery is comin' down, boy
And then your wife seems to think you're part of the furniture 
Oh, it's peculiar, she used to be so nice

When lonely days turn to lonely nights
You take a trip to the city lights
And take the long way home
Take the long way home

You never see what you want to see
Forever playing to the gallery
You take the long way home
Take the long way home

And when you're up on the stage, it's so unbelievable,
Oh unforgettable, how they adore you,
But then your wife seems to think you're losing your sanity,
Oh, calamity, is there no way out, oh yeah
Ooh, take it, take it out 
Take it, take it out
Oh yeah

Does it feel that your life's become a catastrophe?
Oh, it has to be for you to grow, boy
When you look through the years and see what you could have been
Oh, what you might have been,
If you'd had more time

So, when the day comes to settle down,
Who's to blame if you're not around?
You took the long way home
You took the long way home
Took the long way home
You took the long way home
You took the long way home, so long
You took the long way home
You took the long way home, uh yeah
You took the long way home

Long way home
Long way home
Long way home
Long way home
Long way home
Long way home

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Supertramp

Supertramp are a British rock band formed in 1969 under the name Daddy before renaming themselves in early 1970. Though their music was initially categorised as progressive rock, they have since incorporated a combination of traditional rock and art rock into their music. The band's work is marked by the inventive songwriting of Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson, the distinctive voice of Hodgson, and the prominent use of Wurlitzer electric piano and saxophone in their songs. more »

5 fans

Written by: RICHARD DAVIES, ROGER HODGSON

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Release Date
"Take the Long Way Home" by Supertramp was released in 1979 as part of the album "Breakfast in America."
Song Ranking
The song achieved considerable success, reaching number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States.
Song Theme
The song talks about the dissatisfaction and disillusionment that often comes with success, and it uses the metaphor of being on the road or tour.
Album Success
The album "Breakfast in America" was massively successful, becoming Supertramp's biggest selling album with over six million copies sold in the US.
Icons Associated
The song prominently features the signature Wurlitzer electric piano and a Hohner Clavinet from the band's co-founder and vocalist Roger Hodgson.
Lyrics
It's one of Supertramp's most memorable songs due to its poignant lyrics, which speak about the emptiness that can come from living a life of comfort and luxury.
Live Performances
Take the Long Way Home is a crowd favorite in live performances and has often been played as the encore.
Instrumentation
The song stands out for its unique use of harmonica and a complex solo featuring a combination of a grand piano and Wurlitzer electric piano.
Co-Writing Disagreement
There's been some controversy over the songwriting credits, with both Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson claiming primary authorship.
Song Meaning
In interviews, Hodgson explained that the 'long way home' signifies life's path and journey, with all its ups and downs.
Single Release
In the UK, "Take the Long Way Home" was released as a double A-side single with "Rudy."
End-Title Track
The song was also used as the end title for the 1980 film "The Long Way Home."

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    Take the Long Way Home

    2.5M
    20,557     519

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1979

    Billboard #10


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