Supertramp — If Everyone Was Listening
Album: Crime of the CenturyAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 2366
Length: 3:59
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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The actors and jesters are here,
The stage is in darkness and clear
For raising the curtain
and no-one's quite certain whose play it is.
How long ago, how long?
If only we had listened then.
If we'd known just how right we were going to be.
For we dreamed a lot
And we schemed a lot
And we tried to sing of love before the stage fell apart.
If Everyone was listening, you know
There'd be a chance that we could save the show,
Who'll be the last clown
To bring the house down?
Oh no, please no, don't let the curtain fall.
Well, what is your costume today?
And who are the props in your play?
You're acting a part which you thought from the start
was an honest one.
Well how do you plead?
An actor indeed!
Go re-learn your lines,
You don't know what you've done.
The finale's begun.
If Everyone was listening, you know
There'd be a chance that we could save the show,
Who'll be the last clown
To bring the house down?
Oh no, please no, don't let the curtain fall.
The stage is in darkness and clear
For raising the curtain
and no-one's quite certain whose play it is.
How long ago, how long?
If only we had listened then.
If we'd known just how right we were going to be.
For we dreamed a lot
And we schemed a lot
And we tried to sing of love before the stage fell apart.
If Everyone was listening, you know
There'd be a chance that we could save the show,
Who'll be the last clown
To bring the house down?
Oh no, please no, don't let the curtain fall.
Well, what is your costume today?
And who are the props in your play?
You're acting a part which you thought from the start
was an honest one.
Well how do you plead?
An actor indeed!
Go re-learn your lines,
You don't know what you've done.
The finale's begun.
If Everyone was listening, you know
There'd be a chance that we could save the show,
Who'll be the last clown
To bring the house down?
Oh no, please no, don't let the curtain fall.
Comments (173)add comment
Is anyone talking about this album cover being the inspiration for the banishing of the criminals at the start of Superman 2?
If not, they should be
#seriousmusicalanalysis
If not, they should be
#seriousmusicalanalysis
Soooo nice to hear something besides "The Logical Song" and "Goodbye Stranger"
Amazing song, so complex and everchanging that it is hard to ever grow tired of it. Wasn't even a single. The 70s is my favorite decade for music.
Ahhhh...hearing songs from this album while playing pinball in an arcade. Next to a head shop.
Pinball arcade? You may have to look it up. And look up head shop, too.
Pinball arcade? You may have to look it up. And look up head shop, too.
ShockwaveRider wrote:
Their music has true staying power.
Supertramp always just faded into the you-hear-em-on-classic-rock-radio background. But I've learned that if Bill plays something, it's worth giving it a closer listen. Totally true for Supertramp and this song.
Their music has true staying power.
Supertramp always just faded into the you-hear-em-on-classic-rock-radio background. But I've learned that if Bill plays something, it's worth giving it a closer listen. Totally true for Supertramp and this song.
An amazingly musical, beautiful and deep song. This whole album is packed with unique complex orchestral layered story telling music. As is the subsequent, and IMO even better, Even in The Quietest Moments.
Just brilliant. Lyrics and music in perfect harmony. Musical story telling.
peace and love for all the
people
peopleJust a fantastic album. I was 15 years old when it came out and the track "School" just blew me away. What a memory.
lizardking wrote:
Same here in the Laurel Highlands. Don't know why it was not, but 9 -> 10.
The whole album is superb, their DSOTM, SPLHCB....
I love this song! The refrain, and how it crescendos, gives me chicken skin every time! 10 from me listening in Seattle
The whole album is superb, their DSOTM, SPLHCB....
Now they're planning the crime of the century...
timmus wrote:
Other than Rick and Roger, I can only name John Helliwell, the saxophonist (lol I wanted to type 'saxist')
I think the origin story of the band might have something to do with that, and of course having Roger leave the band cuz Rick's a dick (sorry personal opinion) - so it's an easy Roger for me (and times I've seen him is three).
LLRP!!
Who's you all's favorite Supertramp member?
It's kind of funny most of us have no idea who's in the group. I wonder if their label botched the marketing of this band.
Other than Rick and Roger, I can only name John Helliwell, the saxophonist (lol I wanted to type 'saxist')
I think the origin story of the band might have something to do with that, and of course having Roger leave the band cuz Rick's a dick (sorry personal opinion) - so it's an easy Roger for me (and times I've seen him is three).
LLRP!!
Who's you all's favorite Supertramp member?
It's kind of funny most of us have no idea who's in the group. I wonder if their label botched the marketing of this band.
1976, Freshman year of college, across the hall a mysterious individual named Dexter Fong purchased a quadrophonic system. Four large speaker cabinets in a 12x16 foot dorm room. First LP played , timeless
Edweirdo wrote:
Ha! I misread and thought you wrote "Well, that was president!"
Which is also correct.
Ha! I misread and thought you wrote "Well, that was president!"
Which is also correct.
It always feels a bit odd to hear this song apart from the album -- when it came out I only listened to the album as a whole, on cassette tape.
It's great to hear this track alone, but makes me want to dig out the album.
It's great to hear this track alone, but makes me want to dig out the album.
Stingray wrote:
Any attention is good attention? ;-)
Dislike them and all (the little bit) they did!
Any attention is good attention? ;-)
Yup! it's a keeper!
yofitofu wrote:
Ha! I misread and thought you wrote "Well, that was president!"
"Who'll be last clown to bring the house down..."?
Well, that was prescient!
Ha! I misread and thought you wrote "Well, that was president!"
"Who'll be last clown to bring the house down..."?
Well, that was prescient!
Well, that was prescient!
just timeless brilliance. Thank you
Great track, musically a relief after The Smashing Pumpkins and Warren Zevon. Pity about the grammar, but then we've long had 'If I Was a Carpenter', etc.
Saw Roger Hodgson solo in 2020 before COVID Shutdowns. Just as awesome as the first time I saw ST in concert. EXCELLENT!
See, we told you Supertramp are amazing! 
Timeless Brilliance...each & every time I hear this....
I guess every 70's band just has to do their own Dark Side/Alan Parsons song...
So much scorn in just three lines.
Well how do you plead?
An actor indeed!
Go re-learn your lines!
Fabulous song. 10/10 from the Toronto panel.
Well how do you plead?
An actor indeed!
Go re-learn your lines!
Fabulous song. 10/10 from the Toronto panel.
Growing up in the 70's I can tell you, many of these songs ring true today.
Supertramp .....the real deal and Crime of The Century is the best of many great albums. Lancaster Univ UK 1976....Reading Festival (same year), hot, no responsibility, living life to the full. Do I miss it? Is the Pope a Catholic?
The best years of audio ear candy,
when everything was recorded on tape and analog equipment and listened to on vinyl!!
when everything was recorded on tape and analog equipment and listened to on vinyl!!
The production quality on this record is amazing. For a long time, this was the go-to album for testing a sound system. Brilliant soundscapes.
What a talented group never knew this song
Saw them in Milwaukee at the Oriental Theater supporting this album. Crisis What Crisis had not been released yet. Absolutely amazing concert. A long time ago, but I remember it well, could never forget. In what was normally a movie theater, just amazing.
If Everyone was listening, you know
There'd be a chance that we could save the show,
Who'll be the last clown
To bring the house down?
Oh no, please no, don't let the curtain fall.
There'd be a chance that we could save the show,
Who'll be the last clown
To bring the house down?
Oh no, please no, don't let the curtain fall.
Hey_Porter wrote:
This.
In my 60 years of existence, I've probably had 10 Desert Island records. This was my first and it covers my college years with grace and imagination. Still holds up
This.
In my 60 years of existence, I've probably had 10 Desert Island records. This was my first and it covers my college years with grace and imagination. Still holds up
My first concert at the K-W Memorial Auditorium, summer of '77, probably the Even In The Quietest Moments tour. Seats on the floor, about the 14th row on the right. Awesome sound, great entertainment value -- definitely an experience. Sweet memory.
One of my all-time least favorite bands. Voice = 🤮
This was my first concert that I attended back in 1974 at Kleinhans Music Hall in Buffalo. After seeing hundreds of shows, I almost always go back to this one as the most impressive. The sound, performance and songs were impeccable.
I wish there were some news of Rick Davies' battle with multiple myeloma. 
I saw this tour at the perfectly acoustically built Jubilee Theatre in Edmonton in 74/75. The sound, the show, the performance was still to this day one of the best shows I have seen (the lsd probably helped tip the scales), and I have seen hundreds. Still one of my favorite albums!
Simply a timeless, amazing band.
Ahhh...their best album. Before they turned themselves into goopy, sweet, syrup.
I love this song! The refrain, and how it crescendos, gives me chicken skin every time! 10 from me listening in Seattle
Oh ya my three 8 tracks that I played over and over...this one, Dark side of the moon , and Eric Carmen greatest hits...all I could afford...Good times
7.5? Not everyone is listening.
This theme song should be the story of the Trump Administration currently.
8 -> 9. Beautiful song. Never gave it a good listen when it came out (I was in junior high), but now it is very prescient.
This IS a great album! Song #1 (School) ... yikes!
Supertramp never ceases to amaze me.
dhalevi wrote:
Supertramp never ceases to amaze me.
dhalevi wrote:
I love this record
I love this record
4merdj wrote:
Agree on all counts! Cheers!
Agree on all counts! Cheers!
Great support segue
ecojot wrote:
Agree on all counts! Cheers!
Perfect album - production, writing, lyrics. Every song a gem. I think this was their high point.
Agree on all counts! Cheers!
Perfect album - production, writing, lyrics. Every song a gem. I think this was their high point.
Sang to the whole show 2 years ago in Kelowna, still magical...
Best Wishes to Rick Davies
MusiqueMusique wrote:You're bloody well right Yofitofu ! If only Everyone was listening...
yofitofu wrote:
You're bloody well right Yofitofu ! If only Everyone was listening...
Wow, the best Supertramp was the earliest and this album held many gems, School, Bloody Well Right, Rudy and this. Well done.....
You're bloody well right Yofitofu ! If only Everyone was listening...
Wow, the best Supertramp was the earliest and this album held many gems, School, Bloody Well Right, Rudy and this. Well done.....
Beautiful when selected and taken out of the context of the album. Haven't done that or heard it in years. Made me listen. Thanks.
another excellent track from an excellent album.
bachbeet wrote:
I still think this is their best album.
Dislike them and all (the little bit) they did!
Tana wrote:
I can agree - certain snippets come through
Hmmm, this song is quite reminiscent of the Beatles' She's Leaving Home.
I can agree - certain snippets come through
Tana wrote:
I don't get it either.
Hmmm, this song is quite reminiscent of the Beatles' She's Leaving Home.
I don't get it either.
WTF? In what possible way?
Tana wrote:
Tana wrote:
Hmmm, this song is quite reminiscent of the Beatles' She's Leaving Home.
Hmmm, this song is quite reminiscent of the Beatles' She's Leaving Home.
Creates college days flashback every time!
Still one of the better songs from that year.. In the top 5-10 I think..
Unmistakeable
bachbeet wrote:
Ditto
I still think this is their best album.
Ditto
Their musical range reminds me of another super group: Supergrass.
I still think this is their best album.
NicJohn wrote:
It's not just you, but it's never been a matter of "getting" them, to me. There were some of their tunes which I liked, but I often couldn't get past that elfin singing voice, and then there was their later work, which didn't help...
I'll give this song a 6 which is good for Supertramp. I just never got this group. Their music is often a whole lot of nothing. Big productions but nothing significant. Just my opinion. It's interesting to see other comments on the group. Maybe it's just me.
It's not just you, but it's never been a matter of "getting" them, to me. There were some of their tunes which I liked, but I often couldn't get past that elfin singing voice, and then there was their later work, which didn't help...
I'll give this song a 6 which is good for Supertramp. I just never got this group. Their music is often a whole lot of nothing. Big productions but nothing significant. Just my opinion. It's interesting to see other comments on the group. Maybe it's just me.
yofitofu wrote:
Good call. It certainly should be.
Is this about the Republican debates?
Good call. It certainly should be.
I think Rudy, after a weak intro, is amazing
yofitofu wrote:
yofitofu wrote:
The best Supertramp ever. School/Bloody Well Right are brilliant as are some of more obscure ones. Nice choice!
Is this about the Republican debates?
The best Supertramp ever. School/Bloody Well Right are brilliant as are some of more obscure ones. Nice choice!
One of the best!! Group and this album!
The only song from the album, that is not on the 'Paris' live record. Makes it a beautiful undiscovered gem.
Favorite song: "Even in the Quietest Moments." Everything else is my second-favorite song. This group was SO amazing! I'm thinking of uploading "Had A Dream (Sleeping With the Enemy)" by Roger Hodgson - it's a long one, and starts slowly, but then, a lot of Pink Floyd stuff does, too...
Leaves us with the question what the crime of the century is.
HazzeSwede wrote:
HazzeSwede wrote:
OK then,PeeBee,! 10 it is !
Actually,just the cover make's it a ten.
Actually,just the cover make's it a ten.
OK then,PeeBee,! 10 it is !
Actually,just the cover make's it a ten.
Actually,just the cover make's it a ten.
Surely a 10
HazzeSwede wrote:
HazzeSwede wrote:
The whole LP is a nine. Well almost a ten..hmmm,,never mind.
You're BLOODY WELL RIGHT!
ddog wrote:
ddog wrote:
Pretty darned good Supertramp song!
Pretty darned good Supertramp song!
Rafter101 wrote:
Supertrams are cool, as is Supertramp.
It's so easy to forget that Supertram was an incredible prog group (before they became a bubblegummy rock schtick in the 80's.) Beautiful stuff!
Supertrams are cool, as is Supertramp.
It's so easy to forget that Supertram was an incredible prog group (before they became a bubblegummy rock schtick in the 80's.) Beautiful stuff!
The whole LP is a nine. Well almost a ten..hmmm,,never mind.
anabel wrote:
+1
YES!! more Supertramp please!
+1
...curiously reminiscent of procul harum's salty dog...
headache everytime
shayde wrote:
Crime is a masterpiece.
Supertramp is one of my guilty pleasures. They put out some of the greatest stuff - and Crime of the Century is one of the best of the best. They do, as others have mentioned, have an unfortunate reputaion, which I think only comes from the overplaying of Breakfast in America (one of their weaker albums, IMHO).
Yes, the overplaying of Breakfast in America made everyone sick of 'Tramp, including myself, and I liked them before that.Crime is a masterpiece.
One of about 10 songs on one of my 3 favorite albums/cds of all time. I would listen to any of those 10 songs at any time, although Bloddy Well Right which is played the most gets tiring pretty quickly. This and Asylum and Rudy are all underrated. Thanks for playing, Bill!
YES!! more Supertramp please!
I do not care about the year in this case...yes..yes...yes...not the band...Yes...
Back to 1975 - Reading rock festival. I remember waking up to Supertramp doing a soundcheck after a Friday night of Party Seven and Bells. The sound was rolling in over the tents in an otherwise quiet overcast morning before it all kicked off again for a Saturday which I think ended with Yes and Lou Reed. . . Ahhh, the days. . .
Thus started my love of music festivals which I still attend to this day. . . except I am now one of the older hippies and go in a motorhome rather than a tent.
Roll on Glastonbury. Secret Garden Party, etc, etc. . .
Thus started my love of music festivals which I still attend to this day. . . except I am now one of the older hippies and go in a motorhome rather than a tent.
Roll on Glastonbury. Secret Garden Party, etc, etc. . .
this was the first stereo record i heard apart from the train going from one speaker to the other , the bloke who lived next door to my uncle had a house full to show off his new system !
Supertramp is one of my guilty pleasures. They put out some of the greatest stuff - and Crime of the Century is one of the best of the best. They do, as others have mentioned, have an unfortunate reputaion, which I think only comes from the overplaying of Breakfast in America (one of their weaker albums, IMHO).
Break out the pantyhose and aqua net...tonight we'll tango in the street.
Nice choice, haven't heard this in ages!
Makes me want to go and dig out the CD. It happens once in a while, I get the collection of Supertramp CDs out and play them all, remembering how good a lot of their work was/is.
Thanks Bill.
Thanks Bill.
Sloggydog wrote:
You have been mislead. I saw them on the last tour before Roger Hodgson left. It was truly amazing, despite the nosebleed seats.
I don't love it but i was expecting much worse having heard of Supertramp by reputation only.
You have been mislead. I saw them on the last tour before Roger Hodgson left. It was truly amazing, despite the nosebleed seats.
Thanks for playing this...
Sloggydog wrote:
I'm not normally a fan, but I think this one is pretty good.
I don't love it but i was expecting much worse having heard of Supertramp by reputation only.
I'm not normally a fan, but I think this one is pretty good.
I don't love it but i was expecting much worse having heard of Supertramp by reputation only.
Wow...how many of us are there?
pevend wrote:
Ahh, this album and Crisis were the soundtrack to our weeknight post-studying weed-breaks in the dorm back in the day. Good memories - still like the music, just don't need the weed any more.
There's not a weak cut on this entire album. Love it.
martinc wrote:
Absolutely positively.
One of the few rock songs featuring a clarinet hook. Great band
Absolutely positively.
Can't believe I'm going to hear this. Ahhhh.
One of the few rock songs featuring a clarinet hook. Great band
Another great track today....is everyone listening? Because Bill's on fire!
Yikes. I can't remember ever hearing this song before, and I'm of that 'certain' age where I should know every song on that album by heart.
DavidS_UK wrote:
I'm wit' you, friend!
Now, what's that purile quip about being only as old as the woman you feel?
Nah, that's no help either actually.............
Gosh, years since I even thought of this song and album - and yet I played it to death when i first had it (newly released, years ago!). Suddenly makes me feel old! But a great song and album
I'm wit' you, friend!
Now, what's that purile quip about being only as old as the woman you feel?
Nah, that's no help either actually.............
robco1 wrote:
Ahh, this album and Crisis were the soundtrack to our weeknight post-studying weed-breaks in the dorm back in the day. Good memories - still like the music, just don't need the weed any more.
So, how exactly did you "get in the mood?" 
Ahh, this album and Crisis were the soundtrack to our weeknight post-studying weed-breaks in the dorm back in the day. Good memories - still like the music, just don't need the weed any more.
Am I the only one who heard "I'll be the assclown to bring the house down." ?
Don't care for his loopy, cry-baby, whiny voice.
The expression “The worse, the better” is often attributed to Vladimir Lenin, and captures a sort of messianic nihilism — the dream that escalating misery will hasten the fall of a corrupt order.