Babaji

Album: Even In The Quietest Moments (1977)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Written by Roger Hodgson and Rick Davies, this song tells of Hodgson's spiritual path that he began during recording of the Even In The Quietest Moments album. A "Babaji" is a Hindu holy man. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Daryl - Stoke, Midlands, England
  • Hodgson wrote this song after reading the book Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda. The book was written in 1946 and told the story of Yogananda's spiritual journey.
  • In the '60s, the Beatles followed Maharishi Mahesh Yogi on a spiritual quest, even traveling to India to study with him. Hodgson was one of many young musicians who idolized The Beatles and saw their excursion into Eastern philosophy. Speaking of the influence, he said: "I was a teenager throughout the whole Beatles era, their whole history, so that's what influenced me the most to tell you the truth, because not only did they change my life but I obviously saw the way they changed our whole culture and changed the world.

    When I got together with Rick and formed Supertramp, I really wanted to see what we could do to have the same impact in a way or leave as powerful a legacy. I mean, I was really driven by the excellence and the bravery and the breaking new boundaries that the Beatles taught me with Supertramp." (Thanks to Lisa Doxrude at Roger's management company for her help.)

Comments: 4

  • Lorraine Haataia, Phd from Casa Grande, ArizonaI've been a Supertramp fan since high school, singing along to Babaji for years without understanding its meaning—until this week. After reading the awesome Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda, I finally made the connection. It’s a powerful reminder that God, through our angels, our gurus, our light beings, and many protectors, has been calling out to us our entire lives. We simply need to be aware of their presence, trust in their guidance, and remain open to tuning in.

    Oh Babaji, oh how you comfort me
    Babaji, oh won't you come to me
    Won't you help me to face the music
    Is it time, is it time, is it time
    Is it time to know...

    Instinctively, I felt connected to many of Supertramp’s melodies, and now, as I understand more about their deeper meaning, I’m even more aware of the love and protection that has always been present. With deep appreciation, I feel ever closer to eternal enlightenment.
  • Randy Irvine from Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia I have been a Supertramp fan for many years, seeing them live at Festival Hall, Brisbane in the 70s. I only just discovered what Babaji means. How some things resonate within us and then 50 years later it becomes clear, why.
  • Peter Auwerda from ArubaWhen I asked Roger Hodgson during his meet&greet on February 26, 2020 in The Villages FL, he confirmed to me that Autobiography of A Yogi was the inspiration for his song Babaji, thereby answering my 29 year old question when I as a Supertramp fan had read this book and was one day listening to Even In The Quietest Moments. I wish that Roger had read The Holy Science by Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri, who together with Paramahansa Yogananda, Lahiri Mahasaya and Mahavatar Babaji are all on the famous Beatles' album cover Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Imagine, why would the Beatles put 4 guru's of the same linneage on their cover, and not the guru's of 4 different traditions?
  • Jeffrey from Rosemead, CaThis unassuming song is as super as one can experience! I treasure it along with "Jesus" by Cat Stevens and "Jeruselem" by ELP.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Yacht Rock!

Yacht Rock!Song Writing

A scholarly analysis of yacht rock favorites ("Steal Away," "Baker Street"...) with a member of the leading YR cover band.

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New York

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New YorkSong Writing

Can you be married in one country but not another? Only if you're part of a gay couple. One of the first famous singers to come out as a lesbian, Janis wrote a song about it.

Song Cities

Song CitiesMusic Quiz

Nirvana, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen are among those who wrote songs with cities that show up in this quiz.

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in Songs

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in SongsSong Writing

Elvis, Little Richard and Cheryl Cole have all sung about Teddy Bears, but there is also a terrifying Teddy song from 1932 and a touching trucker Teddy tune from 1976.

Gavin Rossdale of Bush

Gavin Rossdale of BushSongwriter Interviews

On the "schizoid element" of his lyrics, and a famous line from "Everything Zen."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.