Breakfast in America
Supertramp Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Take a look at my girlfriend
She's the only one I got
Not much of a girlfriend
Never seem to get a lot

Take a jumbo across the water
Like to see America
See the girls in California
I'm hoping it's going to come true
But there's not a lot I can do

Could we have kippers for breakfast
Mummy dear, mummy dear
They got to have 'em in Texas
'Cause everyone's a millionaire

I'm a winner, I'm a sinner
Do you want my autograph
I'm a loser, what a joker
I'm playing my jokes upon you
While there's nothing better to do

Ba-ba-ba-dow, ba-bow-dum-doo-de-dow-de-dow, de
Ba-ba-ba-dow, ba-bow-dum-de-doo-de-dow
Na na na, nana na na na na

Don't you look at my girlfriend (girlfriend)
She's the only one I got
Not much of a girlfriend (girlfriend)
Never seem to get a lot (what's she got, not a lot)

Take a jumbo cross the water
Like to see America
See the girls in California
I'm hoping it's going to come true
But there's not a lot I can do

Ba-ba-ba-dow, ba-bow-dum-doo-de-dow-de-dow, de
Ba-ba-ba-dow, ba-bow-dum-de-doo-de-dow

Hey oh, hey oh, hey oh, hey oh,
Hey oh, hey oh, hey oh, hey oh





Na na na, nana na na na nana

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Supertramp's song Breakfast In America seem to be about a man looking at his girlfriend and wishing for more out of their relationship. The opening lines "Take a look at my girlfriend / She's the only one I got" make it clear that this woman is important to him, but he then quickly follows up with "Not much of a girlfriend / Never seem to get a lot." This implies that there are issues in the relationship, perhaps a lack of communication or effort on her part.


The chorus then takes a turn into a dream-like sequence, as the man imagines taking a jumbo jet across the water to America and seeing the girls in California, hoping for a better future or adventure. However, he acknowledges that there's not much he can do to make this dream a reality. The second verse then brings in a playful tone, as he asks for kippers for breakfast and imagines himself as both a winner and a loser, playing jokes on others because there's "nothing better to do."


Overall, the song seems to be commenting on the dissatisfaction and boredom that can sometimes come with everyday life and relationships. The whimsical chorus about hoping for something more offers a contrast to the more mundane verses, creating a playful yet introspective tone.


Line by Line Meaning

Take a look at my girlfriend
Let me introduce you to my significant other


She's the only one I got
She's all I've got in terms of romantic partner


Not much of a girlfriend
She's not the most impressive girlfriend


Never seem to get a lot
The relationship isn't particularly fulfilling


Take a jumbo across the water
Board an airplane to America


Like to see America
Excited to visit America


See the girls in California
Interested in observing the women in California


I'm hoping it's going to come true
Desiring that the California girls will live up to expectations


But there's not a lot I can do
Realizing there isn't much control over the outcome


Could we have kippers for breakfast
Asking for a particular breakfast food


Mummy dear, mummy dear
Addressing one's mother


They got to have 'em in Texas
Indicating that kippers are a common breakfast food in Texas


'Cause everyone's a millionaire
Suggesting that people in Texas are wealthy and can afford expensive breakfasts


I'm a winner, I'm a sinner
Describing oneself as both successful and flawed


Do you want my autograph
Humorously asking if someone wants an autograph


I'm a loser, what a joker
Acknowledging one's shortcomings and humorous personality


I'm playing my jokes upon you
Humorously teasing the listener


While there's nothing better to do
In the absence of other entertainment, telling jokes is a pastime


Ba-ba-ba-dow, ba-bow-dum-doo-de-dow-de-dow, de
Instrumental break


Don't you look at my girlfriend (girlfriend)
Don't stare at my significant other


She's the only one I got
She's all I have in terms of romantic partner


Not much of a girlfriend (girlfriend)
She's not the most impressive girlfriend


Never seem to get a lot (what's she got, not a lot)
The relationship isn't particularly fulfilling


Take a jumbo cross the water
Board an airplane to America


Like to see America
Excited to visit America


See the girls in California
Interested in observing the women in California


I'm hoping it's going to come true
Desiring that the California girls will live up to expectations


But there's not a lot I can do
Realizing there isn't much control over the outcome


Ba-ba-ba-dow, ba-bow-dum-doo-de-dow-de-dow, de
Instrumental break


Hey oh, hey oh, hey oh, hey oh,
Instrumental break


Hey oh, hey oh, hey oh, hey oh
Instrumental break


Na na na, nana na na na na
Vocalization to end song




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Richard Davies, Roger Hodgson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@pedroblanch6825

[Verse 1]
Take a look at my girlfriend
She's the only one I got
Not much of a girlfriend
I never seem to get a lot
Take a jumbo across the water
Like to see America
See the girls in California
I'm hoping it's going to come true
But there's not a lot I can do

[Verse 2]
Could we have kippers for breakfast
Mummy dear, Mummy dear?
They gotta have 'em in Texas
'Cause everyone's a millionaire
I'm a winner, I'm a sinner
Do you want my autograph?
I'm a loser, what a joker
I'm playing my jokes upon you
While there's nothing better to do, hey

[Instrumental]

[Verse 3]
Don't you look at my girlfriend (Girlfriend)
She's the only one I got
Not much of a girlfriend (Girlfriend)
I never seem to get a lot (What she's got? Not a lot)
Take a jumbo across the water
Like to see America
See the girls in California
I'm hoping it's going to come true
But there's not a lot I can do, hey
Ba da da dum
Ba da da dum
Ba da da da dum
[Instrumental]



All comments from YouTube:

@retardedvaxxedliberal

Nobody is mentioning this, but that album cover is the GREATEST

@MisterGee7

I fully concur. I love album cover art.

@chrisayre8404

The album cover is AWSOME

@Mentaculus42

Pre 911, RIP

@CityyByTheBay

I just realised they are looking out of a plane window in the cover uh oh

@chobies5383

( insert something about this cover being a commentary on consumerism/capitalism)

4 More Replies...

@RobKimbro1966

Simply one of the greatest albums ever recorded. From the opening track to the last there is not a throwaway song on this entire album

@naejimba

Completely underrated. I'm glad my parents had good taste, otherwise I wouldn't know about bands like this or Electric Light Orchestra that aren't as well known for whatever reason but have some of the best music you can find.

@blueforest2927

I love this album...check out the possible connection to the 9/11 attacks...im sure it's just coincidence but makes for a good campfire story....

@vicktor8144

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