Comments on: Superman Songs

Question: Superman Songs

ronofthedead — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 21:57:15 -0800

Help me fill out my geeky "Superman Music" playlist.

For a few years now, I've been tinkering around with something I call "Metropolis Radio," a playlist of songs with a Superman theme. It started out as a drunken, late night goof at a party with a few of us gathered 'round the computer, laughing and listening to cool songs about Superman. I had such a good time I decided to try to make a playlist.

That original playlist was lost somewhere along the way, and I've been futzing around with making a new one for a while now. I'm turning to the hive mind to give me great new songs to add!

Here's what I have so far:

Theme From Superman by John Williams
Resignation Superman by Big Head Todd and The Monsters
Superman by Five for Fighting
Superman's Song by Crash Test Dummies
No Soy un Superman by Bustamante
Jimmy Olsen's Blues by Spin Doctors
Superman by R.E.M.
Waitin' For A Superman by Flaming Lips
The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts by Sufjan Stevens

As you can see, genre doesn't much matter. "Quality" is subjective. Ideally, I'm kind of hoping to have songs that are either literally about Superman, or use the Superman icon/myth as some kind of metaphor. Ultimately, I just want it to be fun to listen to!

By: Nomyte

Nomyte — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 22:08:09 -0800

XTC — That's Really Super, Supergirl

By: jade east

jade east — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 22:11:44 -0800

There are two classic disco tracks involving Superman: One, is the glorious Celi Bee and the Buzzy Bunch "Superman," the other, is a Disco/Jazz version of the exact same song by Herbie Mann. The always super cool Johny Guitar Watson is pretty smooth with his track "Superman Lover."

By: kbar1

kbar1 — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 22:19:42 -0800

I know he's a little young for me, but I love Joe Brooks and Superman.

By: mce

mce — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 22:19:46 -0800

perhaps Our Lady Peace - Superman's Dead ?

By: MonkeyToes

MonkeyToes — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 22:25:59 -0800

It's a bird, it's a plane, Lord, he's lost his mind: It's Aaron Tippin, "Honky-Tonk Superman."

By: jade east

jade east — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 22:29:32 -0800

Laurie Anderson "O Superman"!

By: LionIndex

LionIndex — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 22:34:41 -0800

Sunshine Superman, by Donovan. Actual quote: "Superman or Green Lantern ain't got/ nothing on me

By: raihan_

raihan_ — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 22:39:46 -0800

3 doors down - "kryptonite

probably not fun to listen to though. ;x

By: Squee

Squee — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 01:00:32 -0800

It's the theme from Scrubs, but still a good song in its own right...

I'm No Superman - Lazlo Bane

By: mookieproof

mookieproof — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 01:53:51 -0800

Santogold - My Superman
Anthony Hamilton - Superman
Cinerama - Superman
The Clique - Superman (this is the one R.E.M. covered)
13 & God - Superman on Ice
Von Südenfed - Jbak Lois Lane
Love - The Daily Planet

By: ChristopherS

ChristopherS — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 01:53:57 -0800

Great idea!

How about No one likes Superman any more by I Fight Dragons or Counting On You by Kirby Krackle?

By: likeso

likeso — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 02:53:25 -0800

Laurie Anderson's O Superman. Minimalist electronic classic!

By: likeso

likeso — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 02:54:33 -0800

Aw, shoot. Missed jade east's mention by so late, that's a rum and coke.

By: Rob Rockets

Rob Rockets — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 03:31:31 -0800

The Kinks - (Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman

By: needled

needled — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 05:34:11 -0800

From Korea, Norazo's "Superman": with English subtitles, a shorter version

By: Kriesa

Kriesa — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 05:49:44 -0800

Jim Croce's You Don't Mess Around With Jim has the "don't tug on Superman's cape" line in the chorus. Does that count?

By: dtp

dtp — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 05:50:00 -0800

The Sugarhill Gang - Rapper's Delight (~1:20)

By: maryrussell

maryrussell — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 06:29:49 -0800

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (Brudda Iz)- Maui Hawaiian Sup'pa Man

By: JJtheJetPlane

JJtheJetPlane — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 06:29:57 -0800

Wikipedia has you covered.

By: Quonab

Quonab — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 06:45:59 -0800

Do you only want one version of each song? Iron and Wine did a cover of the Flaming Lips' song.

By: 23skidoo

23skidoo — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 07:21:56 -0800

Alice Donut covering Donovan's "Sunshine Superman"

Tullycraft's "Superboy, Supergirl"

By: gladly

gladly — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 07:26:46 -0800

Ani DiFranco's "Superhero nods at the myth but doesn't mention the man:

i used to be a superhero
i would swoop down and save me
from myself
but you are like a phone booth
that i somehow stumbled into
and now look at me
i am just like everybody else

By: fuse theorem

fuse theorem — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 07:37:36 -0800

Crank That - Soulja Boy)

By: tracer

tracer — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 07:53:02 -0800

There sure are a lot of these.

Jam On It (1984), by Newcleus, is about a rap battle against Superman.

By: GJSchaller

GJSchaller — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 07:54:34 -0800

Two Steps from Hell is a bunch of soundtrack-themed instrumentals, that are loosely based off popular movie tropes. One of them is "Super Strength" that is not quite the Superman theme, but certainly derives from that genre.

By: cosmicbandito

cosmicbandito — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 08:02:06 -0800

So Long, Superman by Firewater.

By: ronofthedead

ronofthedead — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 11:22:39 -0800

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone! I'm only halfway through the answers and I've already added several songs.

By: MonkeyToes

MonkeyToes — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 11:51:11 -0800

There's also this list of Superman in song.