The co-founding member of Supertramp and one of the most celebrated songwriters in the rock genre, Rick Davies, has passed away at the age of 81. The band shared a statement on Facebook, talking about their fellow bandmate, revealing the cause of his death to be myeloma, a type of blood cancer.
As per the statement, he “passed away on Saturday, September 6th at the age of 81 after battling Multiple Myeloma for over 10 years.” The band shared their tribute to Davies, praising him for his “soulful vocals and unmistakable touch on the Wurlitzer“, which became the “heartbeat” of the band’s music.
After his cancer diagnosis, Supertramp canceled their European concert tour in 2015 and stated that Davies would be undergoing “aggressive treatment to combat the disease” (via The Guardian). They asked for privacy during the difficult period and decided not to make any other statements at the time.
Davies founded Supertramp along with Roger Hodgson and was the only constant member through the band’s history. Let’s take a look at some of the most iconic songs penned by Davies.
Rick Davies’ Bloody Well Right
On Supertramp’s 1974 album, Crime of the Century, there lies a song which served as many fans’ introduction to the band: Bloody Well Right. Davies co-wrote the song with Hodgson, and it became the band’s breakthrough hit in the country, coming in at number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100. The keyboard solo still remains legendary to this date.
Memorable Lyrics: “Write your problems down in detail, And take ’em to a higher place. You’ve had your cry, no, I shouldn’t say wail, in the meantime, hush your face.”
Goodbye Stranger Still Makes Us Emotional
Goodbye Stranger is the third track on Supertramp’s sixth studio album, Breakfast in America, and is always a top choice when it comes to the band’s fan-favorites.
Goodbye stranger, it's been nice.
Hope you find your paradise.
Tried to see your point of view.
Hope your dreams will all come true.
(Rick Davies, 1944-2025) pic.twitter.com/EW1g97E0Pi— eu³ (@eueueublablabla) September 8, 2025
Some believe that the song is about the communication problem between Hodgson and Davies, as the former once said of the album,
“A few of the songs really lent themselves to two people talking to each other and at each other. I could be putting down Rick’s way of thinking, and he could be challenging my way of seeing life. We were thinking of making that the theme. … We weren’t communicating very well through this album” (via UCR)
Either way, the lyrics hit hard after Davies’ passing.
Memorable Lyrics: “Like a king without a castle, like a queen without a throne. I’m an early morning lover, and I must be moving on…Goodbye stranger, it’s been nice, hope you find your paradise. Tried to see your point of view, hope your dreams will all come true.”
Supertramp’s Tender Ballad: My Kind of Lady
My Kind of Lady belongs to the band’s 1982 album, Famous Last Words, and is a 1950s-style mid-tempo ballad. It was listed on the US Billboard’s Pop Singles chart at number 31 and the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart at 16.
As one of the most heartfelt ballads by Davies, the song holds a special place in the fans’ hearts thanks to its sincerity, soul, and tenderness. It shows a softer side of his songwriting.
Memorable Lyrics: “We’re making plans and holding hands just like before, we’ll try again, we’ll make amends along the road. It’s feelin’ good just like it should, this time we know. We’ll share each other’s happiness for now and evermore!”
The Emotionally-Charged Another Man’s Woman
Another Man’s Woman might be an underrated track from Supertramp’s history, but it is extremely beautiful nonetheless. The song tells the story of a man who has been cheated on but can’t let go and move on. There is a lot of anger in his voice, which is pretty evident in any of the band’s live performances of the track.
Anger, denial, confusion, the song has it all. And if this performance doesn’t take your breath away, we don’t know what will:
Chills.
Memorable Lyrics: “About the mess you made me, Oh don’t you give a damn, You’re gonna drive me crazy, It’s more than I can stand, ‘Round and ’round we always go First it’s yes and then it’s no, Oh whatever keeps me sane? I’m so helpless, can’t you see? Did you cast a spell on me? Say you love me please, I’m praying.”
Iconic Yet Divisive: Breakfast in America
Well, we had to end the list on the best note. Breakfast in America remains the most loved album by Supertramp, and its title song has received praise just the same. The song is about a person, who is assumed to be British, wanting to visit the United States of America.
The live version of the song got itself the 62nd spot on the Billboard Hot 100 list in 1981, but songs like Goodbye Stranger and Take the Long Way Home saw more success in general.
While both Davies and Hodgson are credited for all songs on the album, the latter took credit for writing the song. As per Louder Sound, he wrote Breakfast in America in an hour when he was 19 years old.
Memorable Lyrics: “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. Take a jumbo across the water, like to see America, see the girls in California.”
These are just a few of the many songs written/co-written by Davies that make Supertramp an unforgettable part of rock’s legacy. There are many more, including Ain’t Nobody But Me, From Now On, and Brother Where You Bound, that are all musical treasures.
Davies’ passing marks the end of an era, but his music will continue to resonate across generations. From the wit of Bloody Well Right to the enderness that My Kind of Lady holds, his songs will remain timeless pieces of rock history.
Though Supertramp’s lineup shifted over the years, Davies’ voice, piano, words, and vision remained constant, kind of like the band’s heartbeat. As we revisit his work, one thing is clear: the man will always live on through his legacy.
Well, there you go. Those are five Supertramp songs that will always stand out for the fans. Did we leave out your favorite from the list? Let us know in the comments section below!
Davies is survived by his wife, Sue. They got married in 1977, and she had been Supertramp’s manager since 1984.
