Jackson Reed
Could we have them for breakfast, mommy dear, daddy dear? is a line from the song Breakfast in America by the British rock band Supertramp. The song, written and sung by Roger Hodgson, is about the possibility of achieving success in America. The lyrics are playful and daydreamy, with the narrator expressing a desire to take a jumbo across the water and see the girls in California. The request for kippers for breakfast is part of this fantasy, with the narrator assuming that kippers must be a common breakfast food in Texas, cause everyone's a millionaire.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Band | Supertramp |
| Genre | Rock |
| Sub-genre | Progressive rock, traditional rock, art rock |
| Song | Breakfast in America |
| Year | 1970 |
| Lyrics | Could we have kippers for breakfast, mummy dear, mummy dear? |
| Lyrics | They gotta have 'em in Texas, 'cause everyone's a millionaire |
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What You'll Learn
Kippers for breakfast
Today, kippers on toast is a cherished symbol of Scotland's coastal heritage. While it may not be as common in contemporary breakfasts as cereals or pastries, it remains a comfort food for many and a delicacy for those seeking authentic Scottish flavours. Scottish kippers on toast offer a smoky, savoury breakfast delight—a rich, traditional flavour paired with crunchy, golden toast.
Kippers are also enjoyed with other accompaniments. For instance, they can be served with scrambled eggs and lashings of hot buttered toast and mugs of steaming tea. Kippers can be cooked in a skillet on low heat with butter and paired with eggs whisked with curry powder, milk, butter, salt, and pepper. They can also be grilled or pan-fried and served with buttered bread or toast and lemon wedges for squeezing.
Kippers are also used in kedgeree, a breakfast dish originating from India. While this dish may be impractical for most people to make, it is a healthy and tasty breakfast option.
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Texas' preference for bacon and sausage
The Supertramp song "Breakfast in America" includes the lyrics "Could we have kippers for breakfast / Mummy dear, Mummy dear? / They gotta have 'em in Texas / 'Cause everyone's a millionaire." While the song refers to kippers, Texans do enjoy a meaty breakfast, and sausage and bacon are both popular breakfast meats in Texas.
Sausage is one of the most popular foods in Texas. The Texas trinity of barbecue includes brisket, ribs, and sausage, reflecting the diverse influences of smoked meats in the state. German, Czech, and Polish immigrants have all influenced Texas barbecue, and the typical commercial sausage served is technically kielbasa (Polish) or klobasa (Czech). These sausages are thick, horseshoe-shaped loops of coarse-ground meat and spices, also popular in backyard grilling. German-style all-beef sausages, known as "hot guts," are popular in Central Texas, especially in the city of Elgin. Regional varieties of sausage can be found in specific parts of Texas, such as the "juicy links" of Beaumont, influenced by the region's Creole and Cajun cuisine.
Bacon is also a beloved breakfast meat in Texas. Migas, the ultimate Tex-Mex breakfast, includes scrambled eggs, crispy tortilla strips, tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, and plenty of melted cheese. Bacon is a popular addition to migas, along with chorizo or sausage. Texans also enjoy breakfast tacos and breakfast burritos, which often include bacon.
So, while the song "Breakfast in America" specifically mentions kippers, Texans do indeed have a preference for bacon and sausage, which are popular breakfast meats in the state.
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The narrator is a winner and a sinner
The lyrics of Supertramp's "Breakfast in America" paint a picture of aspiration and irony. The narrator, having taken "a jumbo across the water," expresses a desire to visit America and see the girls in California, a dream that they hope will come true. This desire for success and recognition is underscored by the narrator's request for kippers for breakfast, a dish they assume is enjoyed by the wealthy Texans. The narrator's declaration, "I'm a winner, I'm a sinner," reflects their perception of success and a hint of rebelliousness or rule-breaking.
The narrator's identity as a winner is tied to their ambition and pursuit of success, symbolized by the desired trip to America and the aspiration to attain millionaire status, akin to the perceived affluence of Texans. This desire for success is also reflected in the chorus, where the narrator hopes their dreams "are going to come true." The narrator's winner mentality is about taking risks, chasing dreams, and embracing a sense of adventure, as evidenced by their journey to a new land.
However, the narrator's identity as a sinner introduces a contrasting theme of rebellion, imperfection, and perhaps a hint of self-deprecating humor. The line "I'm a loser, what a joker" suggests a playful acknowledgment of their own shortcomings and a willingness to make light of their situation. The narrator's sinfulness could be interpreted as a playful rejection of societal norms or a tongue-in-cheek acceptance of their own flaws.
This duality of winner and sinner reflects a complex personality. On one hand, there is a driven and ambitious individual striving for success and embracing the challenges of exploration. On the other hand, there is a playful rebel who embraces their imperfections and approaches life with a sense of humor. This duality adds depth to the narrator's character and suggests a multifaceted and intriguing persona.
The song's context, provided by sources, reveals that Supertramp was a British rock band formed in 1969. The band's music evolved from progressive rock to a blend of traditional rock and art rock, featuring inventive songwriting and the distinctive voice of Roger Hodgson. "Breakfast in America" is one of their most famous songs, and its lyrics, a playful daydream, capture the band's unique style and tone.
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The narrator is famous
The narrator of Supertramp's "Breakfast in America" is famous. The song is filled with playful daydreams of success and fame, and the narrator's journey to America to see the girls in California and become famous.
The narrator's fame is evident in the lyrics "I'm a winner, I'm a sinner/Do you want my autograph?". They are a celebrity, desired by many, and their autograph is sought after. The narrator's fame is such that they are recognized as a winner, a successful figure, and their sinful nature is overlooked or even celebrated.
The song also hints at the narrator's desire to maintain their fame and success. They sing about hoping their dreams "are going to come true," but also acknowledge their limited agency in the matter: "there's not a lot I can do." This could be interpreted as the narrator's recognition of the fickle nature of fame and their powerlessness to control public opinion and the trajectory of their celebrity.
Additionally, the line "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" could be interpreted as a reference to the narrator's fame impacting their personal relationships. The girlfriend is described as "not much of a girlfriend," which could indicate that she is more of a public figure or a symbol of the narrator's success rather than a source of emotional support or a meaningful relationship.
The narrator's fame is also reflected in the song's playful and imaginative tone. The lyrics "Could we have kippers for breakfast/Mummy dear, Mummy dear?" suggest a lighthearted and whimsical attitude towards success and celebrity. Kippers, being smoked herrings, are considered a delicacy and a treat, often associated with luxury and indulgence. The request for kippers for breakfast could symbolize the narrator's desire to enjoy the finer things in life and to celebrate their success.
Overall, the narrator's fame is presented as a central theme in "Breakfast in America," influencing their dreams, relationships, and outlook on life.
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The narrator's girlfriend
The narrator of Supertramp's "Breakfast in America" addresses his girlfriend in the song's lyrics. He acknowledges that she is the "only one [he's] got," but also expresses dissatisfaction, suggesting that she is "not much of a girlfriend" because he "never seem [s] to get a lot." This sentiment is repeated throughout the song, indicating a sense of longing or unfulfillment in the relationship.
The narrator also expresses a desire to travel ("Take a jumbo across the water") and meet other women, specifically "the girls in California." This suggests that he is considering exploring new romantic possibilities, which could further strain his relationship with his girlfriend.
In the song, the narrator also fantasizes about achieving success and becoming famous, perhaps as a way to escape his current situation. He imagines being recognized as a winner and even being asked for his autograph. However, he also acknowledges his flaws, referring to himself as a loser and a joker.
The request for "kippers for breakfast" in the line "Could we have kippers for breakfast, Mummy dear, Mummy dear?" has been interpreted by some listeners as a playful reference to sexual intimacy. Kippers, being smoked herrings, are considered a luxurious and indulgent dish. This interpretation adds a layer of complexity to the narrator's relationship with his girlfriend, suggesting that there may be a physical or emotional disconnect between them.
Overall, the narrator's girlfriend in "Breakfast in America" is portrayed as someone who may not be meeting the narrator's needs or expectations. The song's lyrics invite listeners to reflect on the complexities of relationships, the pursuit of dreams, and the challenges of maintaining satisfaction and intimacy.
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Frequently asked questions
Breakfast in America.
Supertramp.
They are a British rock band, originally categorised as progressive rock, but they have since incorporated traditional rock and art rock into their music.
The song is about the possibility of achieving success in America.
"Them" refers to kippers, which are smoked herrings.
