elvisdo's Full Review: Superman's Song [Single] by Crash Test Dummies
When Brad Roberts wrote "Superman's Song" for the Crash Test Dummies 1991 debut album The Ghosts That Haunt Me, I wonder if he was tapping into his own soothsayer's super power. When I first hear this air over the Canadian radio stations, it was definitely a song that piqued my curiosity for both the tune and subject matter. This Canadian folk-rock band hailing from Winnipeg, Manitoba delivered a eulogy to Superman. But why? Superman didn't die. Only a couple of years after the fact would the Man of Steel meet his demise in his own comic book, courtesy of an alien monster named Doomsday and, of course, DC Comics (yes, he does get better... after all, he is Superman).
Listening to lyrics, Roberts points out the dual nature of Superman and something that people don't really stop to think about: the man has a full-time job, not as a superhero (though that in itself is really a full-time job on its own), but as Clark Kent, a professional newspaper reporter. This is where he makes his living as one of us, not in his cape and tights. And it's here where we, as normal everyday folks, seem to forget—Superman didn't need to work as a newspaper reporter to make a living; he could have easily exploited his power to make a fortune. However, he chooses to live among us and does so without complaint. The question Roberts ask is if we, too, would have made such a rare sacrifice as well.
This is where the comparison between Superman and Tarzan comes into play (though I do have to say that it's an unfair comparison). I do, however, understand what is being said. He's not saying that Tarzan is a crude, Neanderthal-of-man that is uncivilized while Clark Kent is a refined gentlemen. No, what Roberts points out is how easy it is for Superman to turn his back on civilization and do whatever he wants, even if it means disappearing in the middle of a jungle and enjoying his freedom without having to worry about anyone else.
The way Brad Roberts delivers the song makes us stop and think about it especially when he treats it as a requiem, slowly and mournfully telling the story of Clark Kent as if he just recently died. Roberts' vocals definitely suit the mood with his low, baritone voice. It's a unique flavor, a low rumbling that somehow soothes without being annoying. More than anything, the clean and simple acoustic accompaniment feels like it is performed in its purest form without any distorted production work. It works very well as Roberts tells us a story like a balladeer. Sometimes, and this is a weird comparison to make but one that always pops up in my mind, it reminds me of Waylon Jennings as he sings the theme song for the television show The Dukes of Hazzard. I said it was a weird comparison but that's how it feels.
So while Superman never made any money for saving the world from Solomon Grundy (or Doomsday) and paying the price with his life (but he does get better), he is definitely one of a kind for there will never be another man like him again. As "Superman's Song" clearly states, it's a shame we have to have lose something before we realize that we truly miss and appreciate it.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
![Superman's Song [Single] by Crash Test Dummies](http://img.shopping.com/cctool/PrdImg/images/pr/177X150/00/77/54/10/96/2001997974.JPG)
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.