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Supertramp — If Everyone Was Listening
Album: Crime of the Century
Avg rating:
7.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2165









Released: 1974
Length: 3:59
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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.
Comments (167)add comment
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
Just 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:

I love this song!  The refrain, and how it crescendos, gives me chicken skin every time!  10 from me listening in Seattle

Same here  in the Laurel Highlands.  Don't know why it was not, but 9 -> 10. 
The whole album is superb, their DSOTM, SPLHCB....

Now they're planning the crime of the century...
 timmus wrote:
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.
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.
 Stingray wrote:

Dislike them and all (the little bit) they did!




Any attention is good attention? ;-)
Yup! it's a keeper! 
 yofitofu wrote:

"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!
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.
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!!
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.

 Hey_Porter wrote:
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.  {#Sad}
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:
I love this record
 


I love this record
 4merdj wrote:

Agree on all counts! Cheers! {#Cheers}

 
{#Hearteyes}
Great support segue
 ecojot wrote:
Perfect album - production, writing, lyrics. Every song a gem. I think this was their high point.

 
Agree on all counts! Cheers! {#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...{#Roflol}
Best Wishes to Rick Davies
 {#Wave}MusiqueMusique wrote:

You're bloody well right Yofitofu ! If only Everyone was listening...

 


 yofitofu wrote:
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.

 
{#Clap}    {#Clap}    {#Clap}
Dislike them and all (the little bit) they did!
 Tana wrote:
Hmmm, this song is quite reminiscent of the Beatles' She's Leaving Home.

 
I can agree - certain snippets come through
 Tana wrote:
Hmmm, this song is quite reminiscent of the Beatles' She's Leaving Home.

 

I don't get it either.{#Eh}
WTF? In what possible way?


 
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:
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:
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:
Is this about the Republican debates?
 

Good call. It certainly should be.
I think Rudy, after a weak intro, is amazing

 
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:
OK then,PeeBee,! 10 it is !

Actually,just the cover make's it a ten. {#Think}
 


OK then,PeeBee,! 10 it is !

Actually,just the cover make's it a ten. {#Think}
Surely a 10

 
HazzeSwede wrote:
The whole LP is a nine. Well almost a ten..hmmm,,never mind.
 


You're BLOODY WELL RIGHT!

 
ddog wrote:
Pretty darned good Supertramp song!
 


Pretty darned good Supertramp song!
 Rafter101 wrote:
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:
YES!! more Supertramp please!

+1 



...curiously reminiscent of procul harum's salty dog...
headache everytime
 shayde wrote:
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. . . 

{#Tongue-out} 


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.
 Sloggydog wrote:
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 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:
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:
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.............{#Lol}

 robco1 wrote:
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.
Awesome album art!

And a great song. I like the clarinets in the refrain. Reminds me of the orchestration that the Kinks were famous for. This song and this band made and created moods and feelings in their music that really make you think.

And that my friends, is art.
 sharkey wrote:


Enough with the grammar school already. WTFC for gramatically correct lyrics. It's music for chrissakes.This is RP radio.
 

Oops!  Damn spell check. It's "grammatically" or is it & WTFC.
 Inamorato wrote:



Grammar breaks are always welcome.
 

Enough with the grammar school already. WTFC for gramatically correct lyrics. It's music for chrissakes.This is RP radio.
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
dkwalika wrote:
I agree. I played this nearly to death back in the day.

secretsauce wrote:
BTW ... this is an absolute favorite album ... a cohesive masterpiece.



Shame you didn't kill it as this ain't no strong supertramp song

Wow, sure brings back college days and working at the student radio station. I introduced this band to my friend Denise and she in turn introduced me to LIttle Feat.

Best example of karma I've ever encountered.