When you’re as iconic as Superman, eventually you start spilling over into other mediums like TV, movies, books, and even popular music. I don’t know if any other superhero has had as many songs written about them as Superman has. I’m not just talking about mentions of Superman in a song, I mean the song is actually about Superman in some way. I have compiled a list of songs, not a long list, just 6 songs that are about the Man of Steel. These are 6 of my favorites. Some were big hits or were really well-known, others not so much. They all have Superman in common though, and that’s pretty cool.
Even Superman- Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band
This twangy band is one of my favorite “Mormon Pop” bands. If you are not familiar with Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band, you should totally check out their stuff. From catchy little numbers like this one, to their big hit “Dream Big,” to their classic “Corn Dog Song,” they are just a lot of fun. This is obviously not an official music video for this song. It is a fan made video. I would ask you to ignore the video part, and just listen to the song. You’ll notice the video is a compilation of Anakin Skywalker scenes from the Star Wars prequels. Because, you know, if you’re compiling footage from different movies to match up to a song all about Superman, why not use Star Wars footage? It’s not like there are any Superman movies to use footage from. Uhhh…
In any case, the song is great, and I think it demonstrates some of the difficulties and struggles and challenges of being Superman. I mean sure, it sounds great, super strength, flying, near invincibility, X-Ray vision, but hey-even Superman has Kryptonite.
I am Superman- R.E.M.
This is actually a remake of the The Clicque’s 1969 song. I like R.E.M.’s version a little more. The song is all about Superman competing with another guy for a girl. Good luck other guy! I mean really, Supes has the look, the moves, the super powers- forget about it. I mean ignore the creepiness of Superman going almost stalker on the girl with the line “If you go a million miles, I will find you.” Just a little creepy. Just a word of advice, Superman, if a girl goes to all the trouble to get a million miles away from you, she’s probably not interested. This is another fan made video, but they did something strange, they found video clips of Superman to make a music video for a song about Superman. They also only used like a quarter of the screen. It’s kind of weird, but it was made in 2007, the early days of YouTubing.
Jimmy Olsen’s Blues-The Spin Doctors
You think Superman has it rough? Try being his best friend, Jimmy Olsen. You would constantly be in his shadow. How could you not be jealous? Especially when you have the hots for Lois Lane, and of course she doesn’t even know you exist when Supes is around. That’s tough. How do you deal with it? You’re there when she needs you, while he’s off saving the world. This is the premise for this classic from the Spin Doctors. What would it be like to be Jimmy Olsen in that situation? The reality is, who of us has never been in that situation. You have that secret crush, and you’re just stuck in the friend zone with them, probably because there is some “Superman” you have to compete with. There’s no way Jimmy could compete with Superman, unless he has a pocket full of kryptonite…
Superman’s Song- The Crash Test Dummies
You know these guys- they gave us that “Mmm…Mmm…Mmm” song that was huge in the early 90’s. You know what else was huge in the 90’s? Killing off Superman. It seemed like there was this obsession with imagining what the world would be like without Superman. Of course, DC did kill Superman off for a couple of weeks (not really, it was more like a year, almost), but he got better and came back. This song actually predates Superman’s meeting with Doomsday, but it is a Eulogy of sorts for the Man of Steel. I mean, the music video is literally taking place at his funeral, complete with heroes in bad 90’s style superhero costumes. The song is maybe over the top, laying on the sentimental cheese, but I like it. I think it shows why Superman is so special. Plus, that voice, you just can’t go wrong.
Kryptonite- 3 Doors Down
I loved this song when it came out. I don’t know why. I think I thought it was pretty hardcore rock (it’s not) and it was about Superman. Now, I listen to it for nostalgic reasons mostly. I used to put it on repeat on my CD player, and then, in my bedroom, with the door closed, I would rock out to it and pretend I was performing it in my own big rock concert. Let’s see, it was released in 2000, so I was 18, so that seems pretty normal for an 18-year-old, right? I mean I still do that now. Overall, it’s a catchy song. I still enjoy listening to it, and I couldn’t put a list like this together without it. Especially with lyrics like “You stumbled in, bumped your head, if not for me then you’d be dead.” Wha?! Please ignore the weird video. It was the year 2000, before superheroes were really cool, and when every band thought they needed to be gritty and artsy.
Superman (It’s Not Easy)- Five For Fighting
We all need a reminder about how hard Superman must have it. The truth is, I think what this song really reminds us is that everybody has issues of some sort. We might look at other people and think I wish I was this or that and then I’d be happy. According to this song, Superman is a pretty depressed guy with plenty of issues. Bryan Singer would later base the movie Superman Returns on this concept. I had never seen a Superman as depressed as Brandon Routh’s. Or as depressing. In any case, I like this effort from Five for Fighting (it’s hockey penalty). I think it was one of the better songs. maybe it was just the subject matter.
Well, there you have it. A list of 6 Superman themed songs to start your weekend off right. What did you think? Was it a good list, or did I totally blow it? What songs did I miss that you would have included? Let us know in the comments. We would love to hear from you.
