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

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2367









Released: 1974
Length: 3:59
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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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.
Comments (174)add comment
 rexi wrote:

If Everyone Were Listening? Quite nice nonetheless...


Yes, subjunctive tense is called for here. 
Posted 3 days ago by TurtleMan    [ Reply ]


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.

Posted 6 days ago by laserace    [ Reply ]
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
Posted 6 days ago by salice    [ Reply ]
Soooo nice to hear something besides "The Logical Song" and "Goodbye Stranger"
Posted 1 month ago by grumpyoldman    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 2 months ago by DavidStrand    [ Reply ]
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. 
Posted 4 months ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 ShockwaveRider wrote:

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. 
Posted 5 months ago by MassivRuss    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 9 months ago by ShockwaveRider    [ Reply ]
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. 
Posted 11 months ago by geeollie    [ Reply ]
Just brilliant. Lyrics and music in perfect harmony. Musical story telling.
Posted 11 months ago by geeollie    [ Reply ]
peace and love for all the people
Posted 11 months ago by Pascaljfra    [ Reply ]
Just a fantastic album. I was 15 years old when it came out and the track "School" just blew me away. What a memory.
Posted 1 year ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
 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....

Posted 1 year ago by eyke    [ Reply ]
Now they're planning the crime of the century...
Posted 1 year ago by nutrod42    [ Reply ]
 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!!
Posted 1 year ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 1 year ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
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
Posted 1 year ago by trmurf    [ Reply ]
 Edweirdo wrote:

Ha!  I misread and thought you wrote "Well, that was president!"



Which is also correct.
Posted 1 year ago by joko63808    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 2 years ago by obispo    [ Reply ]
 Stingray wrote:

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




Any attention is good attention? ;-)
Posted 2 years ago by xrdstv    [ Reply ]
Yup! it's a keeper! 
Posted 2 years ago by xrdstv    [ Reply ]
 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!"
Posted 2 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
"Who'll be last clown to bring the house down..."?

Well, that was prescient!
Posted 2 years ago by yofitofu    [ Reply ]
just timeless brilliance. Thank you 
Posted 2 years ago by john24    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 2 years ago by BonzoWiltsUK    [ Reply ]
Saw Roger Hodgson solo in 2020 before COVID Shutdowns. Just as awesome as the first time I saw ST in concert. EXCELLENT!
Posted 2 years ago by Elaine2018    [ Reply ]
See, we told you Supertramp are amazing!  
Posted 2 years ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
Timeless Brilliance...each & every time I hear this....
Posted 2 years ago by MKoMOne    [ Reply ]
I guess every 70's band just has to do their own Dark Side/Alan Parsons song...
Posted 2 years ago by Hippostar    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 2 years ago by talexb    [ Reply ]
Growing up in the 70's I can tell you, many of these songs ring true today.
Posted 3 years ago by bmosbarg    [ Reply ]
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?
Posted 3 years ago by chrisarsenal89    [ Reply ]
The best years of audio ear candy,
when everything was recorded on tape and analog equipment and listened to on vinyl!!
Posted 3 years ago by molson    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 3 years ago by pfreet    [ Reply ]
What a talented group never knew this song
Posted 3 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 4 years ago by singletrakmind    [ Reply ]
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.

Posted 4 years ago by Sbed    [ Reply ]
 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. 
Posted 4 years ago by jimvanders    [ Reply ]
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
Posted 4 years ago by Hey_Porter    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 4 years ago by talexb    [ Reply ]
One of my all-time least favorite bands. Voice = 🤮
Posted 5 years ago by S-curvy    [ Reply ]
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. 
Posted 6 years ago by Gusdadringo    [ Reply ]
I wish there were some news of Rick Davies' battle with multiple myeloma.  {#Sad}
Posted 7 years ago by maryte    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 7 years ago by JayleenS    [ Reply ]
Simply a timeless, amazing band. 
Posted 7 years ago by BCarn    [ Reply ]
Ahhh...their best album. Before they turned themselves into goopy, sweet, syrup.  
Posted 7 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
I love this song!  The refrain, and how it crescendos, gives me chicken skin every time!  10 from me listening in Seattle
Posted 7 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
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 
Posted 7 years ago by vanillagorilla    [ Reply ]
7.5? Not everyone is listening.
Posted 7 years ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
This theme song should be the story of the Trump Administration currently.
Posted 7 years ago by yofitofu    [ Reply ]
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. 
Posted 7 years ago by Imkirok    [ Reply ]
 This IS a great album!  Song #1 (School) ...  yikes!
Supertramp never ceases to amaze me.

dhalevi wrote:
I love this record
 


Posted 7 years ago by hobbithouse    [ Reply ]
I love this record
Posted 7 years ago by dhalevi    [ Reply ]
 4merdj wrote:

Agree on all counts! Cheers! {#Cheers}

 
{#Hearteyes}
Posted 8 years ago by fitmartin    [ Reply ]
Great support segue
Posted 8 years ago by Jdingman    [ Reply ]
 ecojot wrote:
Perfect album - production, writing, lyrics. Every song a gem. I think this was their high point.

 
Agree on all counts! Cheers! {#Cheers}
Posted 8 years ago by 4merdj    [ Reply ]
Perfect album - production, writing, lyrics. Every song a gem. I think this was their high point.
Posted 8 years ago by ecojot    [ Reply ]
Sang to the whole show 2 years ago in Kelowna, still magical...{#Roflol}
Posted 8 years ago by Bert7    [ Reply ]
Best Wishes to Rick Davies
Posted 9 years ago by moodfood    [ Reply ]
 {#Wave}MusiqueMusique wrote:

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

 


Posted 9 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
 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...
Posted 9 years ago by MusiqueMusique    [ Reply ]
Wow, the best Supertramp was the earliest and this album held many gems, School, Bloody Well Right, Rudy and this. Well done.....
Posted 10 years ago by yofitofu    [ Reply ]
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.  
Posted 10 years ago by ngunnell    [ Reply ]
another excellent track from an excellent album.  
Posted 10 years ago by timmywilson    [ Reply ]
 bachbeet wrote:
I still think this is their best album.

 
{#Clap}    {#Clap}    {#Clap}
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
Dislike them and all (the little bit) they did!
Posted 10 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
 Tana wrote:
Hmmm, this song is quite reminiscent of the Beatles' She's Leaving Home.

 
I can agree - certain snippets come through
Posted 10 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
 Tana wrote:
Hmmm, this song is quite reminiscent of the Beatles' She's Leaving Home.

 

I don't get it either.{#Eh}
Posted 11 years ago by DeemerDave    [ Reply ]
WTF? In what possible way?


 Tana wrote:
Hmmm, this song is quite reminiscent of the Beatles' She's Leaving Home.

 


Posted 11 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Hmmm, this song is quite reminiscent of the Beatles' She's Leaving Home.
Posted 11 years ago by Tana    [ Reply ]
Creates college days flashback every time!
Posted 11 years ago by Lewis_Cooper    [ Reply ]
Still one of the better songs from that year.. In the top 5-10 I think..
Posted 11 years ago by ski19570    [ Reply ]
Unmistakeable
Posted 11 years ago by DD gypsyman    [ Reply ]
 bachbeet wrote:
I still think this is their best album.
 
Ditto
Posted 11 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
Their musical range reminds me of another super group: Supergrass. 
Posted 12 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
I still think this is their best album.
Posted 12 years ago by bachbeet    [ Reply ]
 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...
Posted 12 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 12 years ago by NicJohn    [ Reply ]
 yofitofu wrote:
Is this about the Republican debates?
 

Good call. It certainly should be.
Posted 12 years ago by Lrobby99    [ Reply ]
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!
 


Posted 12 years ago by cyesp    [ Reply ]
Is this about the Republican debates?
Posted 13 years ago by yofitofu    [ Reply ]
The best Supertramp ever. School/Bloody Well Right are brilliant as are some of more obscure ones. Nice choice!
Posted 13 years ago by yofitofu    [ Reply ]
One of the best!! Group and this album!
Posted 13 years ago by pdjpirate    [ Reply ]
The only song from the album, that is not on the 'Paris' live record. Makes it a beautiful undiscovered gem.

Posted 13 years ago by Jörg_Asmussen    [ Reply ]
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... 
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
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}
 


Posted 13 years ago by PeeBee    [ Reply ]
OK then,PeeBee,! 10 it is !

Actually,just the cover make's it a ten. {#Think}
Posted 13 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
Surely a 10

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


Posted 13 years ago by PeeBee    [ Reply ]
You're BLOODY WELL RIGHT!

 ddog wrote:
Pretty darned good Supertramp song!
 


Posted 13 years ago by PeeBee    [ Reply ]
Pretty darned good Supertramp song!
Posted 13 years ago by ddog    [ Reply ]
 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.

Posted 13 years ago by drife    [ Reply ]
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! 
Posted 13 years ago by Rafter101    [ Reply ]
The whole LP is a nine. Well almost a ten..hmmm,,never mind.
Posted 13 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
 anabel wrote:
YES!! more Supertramp please!

+1 


Posted 13 years ago by dorbach    [ Reply ]
...curiously reminiscent of procul harum's salty dog...
Posted 13 years ago by mandolin    [ Reply ]
headache everytime
Posted 14 years ago by duchamp    [ Reply ]
 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.


Posted 14 years ago by RedGuitar    [ Reply ]
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!

Posted 14 years ago by bmccaul    [ Reply ]
YES!! more Supertramp please!
Posted 14 years ago by anabel    [ Reply ]
I do not care about the year in this case...yes..yes...yes...not the band...Yes...
Posted 14 years ago by ddbz    [ Reply ]
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} 


Posted 14 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
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 !
Posted 14 years ago by MannAudioltd    [ Reply ]
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).

 
Posted 14 years ago by shayde    [ Reply ]
Break out the pantyhose and aqua net...tonight we'll tango in the street.
Posted 14 years ago by floydoftherocks    [ Reply ]
Nice choice, haven't heard this in ages!
Posted 14 years ago by jbunniii    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 14 years ago by terryd    [ Reply ]
 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.


Posted 14 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
Thanks for playing this...
Posted 14 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
 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.

Posted 15 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
I don't love it but i was expecting much worse having heard of Supertramp by reputation only.
Posted 15 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]

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.
 


Posted 15 years ago by amoreena    [ Reply ]
There's not a weak cut on this entire album. Love it.
Posted 15 years ago by LastChance    [ Reply ]
 martinc wrote:
One of the few rock songs featuring a clarinet hook. Great band

Absolutely positively.

Posted 15 years ago by veegez    [ Reply ]
Can't believe I'm going to hear this.  Ahhhh.
Posted 15 years ago by sfListener    [ Reply ]
One of the few rock songs featuring a clarinet hook. Great band
Posted 15 years ago by martinc    [ Reply ]
Another great track today....is everyone listening? Because Bill's on fire!
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 15 years ago by blackdogsailing    [ Reply ]
 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}

Posted 15 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 15 years ago by pevend    [ Reply ]
Am I the only one who heard "I'll be the assclown to bring the house down." ?

Posted 15 years ago by cayenne    [ Reply ]