A Soapbox Opera

Album: Crisis? What Crisis? (1975)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Supertramp had a songwriting arrangement much like the Beatles' Lennon and McCartney. Roger Hodgson and Rick Davies were always credited as the writers, but they did most of their writing separately, with only one of them contributing the majority of each song, and whoever did the bulk of the writing usually sang it. Hodgson wrote most of their big hits ("Give A Little Bit," "The Logical Song") and on this one, "A Soapbox Opera."

    Hodgson's songs were about searching for meaning, especially for religion and God. "A Soapbox Opera" appears to question the Catholic view of the deity from Hodgson's perspective. Rather than a truth, their reasons create questions that come in his mind suggesting both the Fathers and the Sisters are wrong.
  • The 2002 remastered release of Crisis What Crisis? includes lyrics, which where unavailable in the original 1975 release. However, for this song they are wrong. The correct lyrics can be found in the Crisis, What Crisis? songbook, (Almo publications VF4028, 1976), which are the ones used here. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Escondido, CA, for above 2

Comments: 1

  • Steve from Harbor City, CaThis song has an instrumental interlude which is followed by an uncredited female vocalist singing the old English hymn, "All Things Bright and Beautiful".
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.