It’s a Song, It’s a Paean, It’s… Superman!
Superman has been a popular topic for pop, rock, R&B, blues and hip-hop artists. Here’s my list of top ten Superman songs:
10. You Don’t Mess Around With Jim – Jim Croce (1971) – Sample the lyrics “You don’t tug on Superman’s cape. You don’t spit into the wind.”
9. Kryptonite – 3 Doors Down (2000) – The Mississippi rockers focus on Superman’s fatal flaws.
8. Superman Lover – Johnny Watson (1976) – The R&B-funk-rap set often fantasises about super powers in the boudoir.
7. So Long, Superman – Firewater (1998) – A pop-punk ditty about a world with no need for the last son of Krypton.
6. Superman (It’s Not Easy) – Five For Fighting (2001) – The emo crowd just can’t get the notion of invincibility, can it?
5. Superman – The Game (2008) – The rapper’s new track is a hilarious send-up of hip-hop breeast beating: It’s a bird, it’s a plane / Naw… it’s the… Game.”
4. O Superman (For Massenet) – Laurie Anderson (1981) – Anderson turned to the caped one for her hypnotic meditation on modern life.
3. Sunshine Superman – Donovan (1966) – The Scottish Bob Dylan paid his respects to Superman at a time when substance experiments made anyone feel like he could fly.
2. Suerman – R.E.M. (1986) – Originally by The Clique, Mike Mills (taking lead vocal duties from Michael Stipe) sounds a bit braggart, a bit of a stalker and a lot like Clark Kent.
1. (Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman – The Kinks (1979) – Ray Davies takes the Everyman’s viewpoint in this disco-rocker sung by a scawny wimp yearning to be more like the Man of Steel.
