Goodbye Stranger

For the children's novel by Rebecca Stead, see Goodbye Stranger (novel).

"Goodbye Stranger" is a song by the English rock band Supertramp; it was written by Rick Davies.^[3] The song first appeared on their sixth studio album, Breakfast in America (1979). The lyrics present an "optimistic view from a drifter".^[4]

"Goodbye Stranger"
Single by Supertramp
from the album Breakfast in America
B-side	"Even in the Quietest Moments"
Released	July 1979 (US) 12 October 1979 (UK)[1]
Recorded	1978
Studio	The Village Recorder, Los Angeles
Genre	Progressive pop[2]
Length	5:50
Label	A&M
Songwriter(s)	Rick Davies
Producer(s)	Peter Henderson, Supertramp
Supertramp singles chronology
"Breakfast in America" (1979) "Goodbye Stranger" (1979) "Take the Long Way Home" (1979)

Reception

Billboard described "Goodbye Stranger" as "a fluid midtempo number highlighted by the band's near falsetto vocals, dominant keyboards and a strong melody line".^[5] Cash Box said it has "intriguing, well-paced vocals" from Rick Davies, and the "high backup singing" from Roger Hodgson and "blithe, spirited instrumentation".^[6] Record World said that the "keyboard/guitar & chorus hook provide a blithe fairytale effect".^[4]

Ultimate Classic Rock critic Nick DeRiso rated it as Supertramp's fourth-best song, calling it a "snarky kiss-off from Davies" that "showcases the band's predilection for the Wurlitzer".^[7] Brett Milano of UDiscover Music rated Roger Hodgson's guitar solo at the end of the song as one of the 100 all-time greatest.^[8] Gary Graff of Billboard rated "Goodbye Stranger" as Supertramp's ninth best song, saying it's "one of the best executed trade-offs between Davies and Hodgson vocals" and has one of Supertramp's "hottest guitar solos".^[9]

Personnel

• Rick Davies – Wurlitzer electronic piano, Hammond organ, lead vocals
• Roger Hodgson – electric guitar, harmony vocals
• John Helliwell – harmony vocals, whistling
• Dougie Thomson – bass guitar
• Bob Siebenberg – drums

Charts and certifications

Charts

Despite being met with only limited success in the UK, it was a major hit elsewhere, even a Top 20 hit in the United States and Canada, reaching number 15 and 6 respectively.

Weekly charts Chart (1979) Peak position Canada Top Singles (RPM)[10] 6 Canada RPM Adult Contemporary[11] 9 French Singles Chart[12] 9 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[13] 41 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[14] 40 UK Singles (OCC)[15] 57 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[16] 32 US Billboard Hot 100[17] 15 US Cash Box Top 100[18] 16

Year-end charts Chart (1979) Rank Canada Top Singles (RPM)[19] 58 US (Joel Whitburn's Pop Annual)[20] 108

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[21]	Gold	75,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

In popular culture

The song plays in many films and television programs. In the episode "Goodbye, Toby" of The Office, Michael Scott sings a parody of "Goodbye Stranger" entitled "Goodbye, Toby".^[22] In the episode "Goodbye Stranger" in the eighth season of Supernatural, the song plays on the Impala's radio after the angel Castiel disappears.^[23] The song plays in the trailer of the 2023 film Beau Is Afraid.^[24] It is also played in the 1999 film Magnolia, and the 2017 film I, Tonya. It is featured in the second season finale of Hacks. The song is played in the first episode of the second season of the television show Reacher.