Ten Favorite Superman Songs Jan 18 '05    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet Popular Products in Music The Dirtchamber Sessions, Vol. 1 by The Prodigy From $11 Jersey Boys [Original Broadway Cast Recording] by Original Broadway Cast From $8 The Bottom Line These are all pretty fun songs, some might be considered sell outs. Time periods vary as do styles...you'll have to listen to these with your super hearing. These are just my Super-Favorites So there have been a lot of Superman songs in the history of music. Ranging from a slight mention in the lyrics, to a whole tune. What makes a great Superman song? Is it the presentation of the angst of Supes, the continuous mention of his endless responsibilities, and his sexual frustration with Lois? Mostly I think it is this: who has not felt like old Clark, always knowing that she will never quite see you in your best light, that your best solo, your best hit or best day was sometimes just between you and the air. The Superman purists (oh yes my friends, they are minion) are extraordinarily picky about their Superman songs. Any sense of exploitive nature, or what they might deem as a Superman Sell Out, is classified as Songosa Non Gratta. These are just good songs, some musically excellent, some lyrically interesting, some just bring back good memories from good times – but most of all they caught my interest over the years. So be careful to avoid someone with a pocket full of Kryptonite, and to make sure that you am don’t end up out of Bizarro World, or that Lex has a trap laid bare for you. Just enjoy the grooves and try not to think too much. The Tunes Themselves 10 – Allanis Morrisette – Superman Allanis is the queen of the female wave of the late nineties. And this tune is typical of her early work, a combination of folk-rock with her unique vocal twists. “You gotta be tough to make it today who And never be scared of finding your way to Superman” 9 – Good Charlotte – Superman Can’t Walk The rockin’ and poppy punk sounding quartet gives a little nod here to Chris Reeves in classic punk fashion: “I saw your Superman in a wheel chair Yeah, I've heard the talk Superman can't walk And who is gonna save you when your Superman can't walk?” 8 – Sugarhill Gang – Rapper’s Delight A classic rap tune from the early, early days, rich with human beat box, and a lot of good times and smiles. “He's a fairy, I do suppose, flyin' through the air in pantyhose. He may be very sexy or even cute, but he looks like a sucker in a blue and red suit." I said, "You need a man who's got finesse And his whole name across his chest...… He can't satisfy you with his little worm, but I can bust you out with my super sperm!" 7 – Crash Test Dummies – Superman’s Song In typical Dummies fashion, a moody piano song – rich with irony and sadness. The baritone voice of lead singer Brad Roberts carries a certain loneliness and sadness that is the prefect run for a Superman song. “For saving the world from Solomon Grundy And sometimes I despair the world will never see another man Like him.” 6 – Jim Croce – Don’t Mess Around With Jim The always funny and ironic Jim Croce had this one in front of us all in the seventies. I think tugging on Superman’s cape and the advice not to do so may be some of the sounder advice given out during the singer songwriter period. “You don’t tug on Superman’s Cape You don’t spit into the wind You don’t pull the mask off the old lone ranger And you don’t mess around with Jim “ 5 – Stone Temple Pilots – Sour Girl Crashing hard rock with acoustic guitar harmonics twinkling in the background, this is one of my favorite songs of STP. The harmonies across the bridge and chorus are stunning. “Don't turn away, what are you looking at? He was so happy on the day that he met her Say, what are you looking at? I was a superman, but looks are deceiving” 4 – Dave Matthews – Where Are You Going? Here we have Dave, the anti-hero of the late nineties and early 2000s. The South African lead musician with black backing musicians, and the great integrator of world grooves into his rock, making light of himself is a subtle charm. I think half of the world thought that maybe Dave did have some answers. Hey guys, he is a former bartender, I think he gave out lots of nice 16-ounce answers. “I am no Superman not at all. I have no answers for you. I am no hero, oh thats for sure.” 3 – Five For Fighting – Superman (It’s Not Easy) It seems like a lot of mainstream, adult contemporary stuff passed into the Superman testing ground. This was out on or about the same time as the Dave Matthews tune. It really is just another of their tender love songs, but it sure is sweet and simple. “I'm only a man in a silly red sheet, Digging for kryptonite on this one way street.” 2 – Spin Doctors – Jimmy Olson’s Blues These guys were really the groove doctors, with their drummer establishing his own funky back beat thing. Listen to the drums on Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong or Two Princes and you will find a never-ending stream of fine drum licks and time shuffles. Olson’s Blues is no different, this song cooks. “I think I'm going out of my brain. I got it so bad for little miss Lois Lane. Oh Lois Lane, please put me in your plan. No, you don't need no Superman. Come on down town and stay with me tonight. I, I got a pocket full of Kryptonite.” 1 – Donovan – Sunshine Superman And topping the list from the sixties and the psychedelic troubadour is the Gap commercial gone mad. From the bendy notes of the electric guitar to the general gentleness of the track this one captures the emotion of 1967, and frankly of the trip you sometimes have to take to wrap your head around Superman. “Superman or green lantern ain't got a-nothin' on me. I can make like a turtle and dive for your pearls in the sea, yeah!” And In The End And so there you have a natty little list of Superman songs, Enjoyable as much as searching for the Superman in the early Seinfeld episodes. There certainly was a run of them in the late nineties, and there probably should be some honorable mention list. So if you like Donovan, then get puzzled, if you like Matthews get wasted, and if you like Croce or the Crash Test Dummies, just get sad.

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