Ignored             Obscured              Restored

Back in the 70s, plenty of companies catered to (mostly) men who wanted to own high-fidelity stereo systems to enjoy their music.  The goal was simple: BIG amps, BIG speakers, and BIG sound — played loud.

In Boston, we had Tech Hi-fi and Tweeter, Etc.  These stores had listening rooms where you could sink into a comfortable chair, put on a record, and use a switch to toggle between different speakers for A/B comparisons.  It was all about discovering your personal preference.

The sales staff would usually ask what genre of music you like, then choose an album known for its superior sound quality.  For rock fans, Steely Dan albums were a go-to.  Another that was often showcased for demos was Supertramp’s third disc, Crime of the Century (1974).  It is widely recognized as one of Ken Scott’s finest recordings. The instrument separation, and the enhanced clarity and depth of the vocals made it a perfect showcase for a high-end system.

So today, in honor of Supertramp keyboardist and vocalist Rick Davies — who passed away last Saturday — the SotW is “Bloody Well Right.”

Written by Davies, “Bloody Well Right” was originally released as the B-side to the single, “Dreamer.” But in the U.S., it was the B-side that broke through, climbing to #35 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Lyrically, the song can be seen as a response to the band’s previous track, “School,” which called out the emptiness of the education system.  With its mischievous, cynical delivery, the chorus — “You’re bloody well right” — acknowledges the truth of complaints about money and family privilege but shrugs them off with an air of indifference.

So you think your schooling’s phony
I guess it’s hard not to agree
You say it all depends on money
And who is in your family tree

Right (right), you’re bloody well right
You got a bloody right to say

So drag out those old Advent speakers and crank it up!

Enjoy… until next week.