# Superman songs of the 1990's **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 11, 2005, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superman-songs-of-the-1990s/289590 "2005-02-11T15:38:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superman-songs-of-the-1990s/289590/1 "2005-02-11T15:38:31Z")
The thread on Five for Fighting’s “100 Years” was linked to a lyrics site which then linked to their “Superman” lyrics. I then recalled “Jimmy Olson Blues/Pocketful of Kryptonite” by the Spin Doctors and “Kryptonite” by 3 Doors Down. All of these were pretty decent hits within a few years of each other. Is “Superman” the Christ-figure of choice for 1990s Pop-Rock artists? Why not Batman? ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superman-songs-of-the-1990s/289590/2 "2005-02-11T15:47:06Z")
Don’t forget “Superman’s Song” by the Crash Test Dummies. Why Superman and not Batman? Because Batman is scary and dark and doesn’t represent in any way an ideal of humanity. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superman-songs-of-the-1990s/289590/3 "2005-02-11T16:06:38Z")
The Spin Doctors did both “Pocket Full of Kryptonite” and “Jimmy Olsen’s Blues.” The Flaming Lips did “Waiting for Superman.” REM did “I Am Superman.” I forget who sings “I’m No Superman.” Also, the Kinks’ “Wish I Could Fly like Superman.” It’s kind of interesting that–except for the Spin Doctors’ offerings–songs about Superman tend to be very sad, like he’s a religious figure who ultimately lets you down when you really need him, or he’s someone you ultimately can’t match. I wish there were a body of Batman and Spider-Man songs to compare him with. The Kinks “Captain America Calling” is pretty comparable. ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superman-songs-of-the-1990s/289590/4 "2005-02-11T16:15:43Z")
Yeah, if you’re gonna write a song about Batman, it works even better if it’s about Hannibal Lecter. –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superman-songs-of-the-1990s/289590/5 "2005-02-11T17:12:40Z")
> [@Krokodil](#): > > The Spin Doctors did both “Pocket Full of Kryptonite” and “Jimmy Olsen’s Blues.” Isn’t this just one song? I thought the song was called “Jimmy Olsen’s Blues” (or something close) and the chorus had the line “I’ve got a pocket full of kryptonite”. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superman-songs-of-the-1990s/289590/6 "2005-02-11T17:47:24Z")
**Revtim** is right – “Pocketful of Kryptonite” is a line from “Jimmy Olsen’s Blues.” The album took it’s name from the line in the song (much like Elvis Costello’s album “My Aim Is True” took it’s name from a lyric in “Alison”). ---
**Author:** ![Wearia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Wearia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wearia)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superman-songs-of-the-1990s/289590/7 "2005-02-11T18:31:32Z")
Superman’s Dead, by Our Lady Peace ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superman-songs-of-the-1990s/289590/8 "2005-02-11T18:32:50Z")
Weren’t there enough Batman songs just from the Soundtrack albums? Prince’s Batdance was a pretty big hit. And what about these, which I don’t believe to be on the albums? Twizted, “I Wanna Be Batman” Snoop Dogg, “Batman And Robin” Bowling for Soup, “Assman” > [@](#): > > Why don’t you be my one and only friend > Why don’t you be my sidekick > You be Robin and i’ll try to be Batman ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superman-songs-of-the-1990s/289590/9 "2005-02-11T19:05:43Z")
Don’t forget Laurie Anderson’s “O Superman,” which reached #2 in the UK. Granted, that was in 1981, but maybe this posits her as the seminal founder of the artist movement we now know as “People Writing Stupid Songs about Superman.” (Stupid except for “I Am Superman” by REM. That song still kicks ass.) ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superman-songs-of-the-1990s/289590/10 "2005-02-11T19:08:47Z")
The already mentioned “(I Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman” by the Kinks was released as a single in January of 1979. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superman-songs-of-the-1990s/289590/11 "2005-02-11T19:10:44Z")
A year early for the '90s, but there’s also Robyn Hitchcock’s [“Superman.”](http://www.jh3.com/robyn/base/song.asp?squid=594) ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superman-songs-of-the-1990s/289590/12 "2005-02-11T19:22:06Z")
> [@jackelope](#): > > Don’t forget Laurie Anderson’s “O Superman,” which reached #2 in the UK. Granted, that was in 1981, but maybe this posits her as the seminal founder of the artist movement we now know as “People Writing Stupid Songs about Superman.” > > (Stupid except for “I Am Superman” by REM. That song still kicks ass.) REM’s “I Am Superman” is a cover of the 1960s original by **The Clique**. Which may make The Clique the seminal Superman artists. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superman-songs-of-the-1990s/289590/13 "2005-02-11T19:29:20Z")
So, you want to play rough, do you? The Clique’s b-side was released in 1969. I give you the 1966 [It’s A Bird … It’s A Plane … It’s Superman](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000027WB/qid%3D1108150784/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/002-4104308-2559258) original cast soundtrack recording. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superman-songs-of-the-1990s/289590/14 "2005-02-11T19:48:09Z")
> [@Exapno Mapcase](#): > > I give you the 1966 [It’s A Bird … It’s A Plane … It’s Superman](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000027WB/qid%3D1108150784/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/002-4104308-2559258) original cast soundtrack recording. What _month_ in 1966? 'Cause I’m _certain_ you _realize_ that **Donovan** ’s “Sunshine Superman” was [released in the summer of '66](http://www.classicbands.com/donovan.html). 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superman-songs-of-the-1990s/289590/15 "2005-02-11T19:53:51Z")
> [@spoke-](#): > > **Donovan** ’s “Sunshine Superman” was [released in the summer of '66](http://www.classicbands.com/donovan.html). …and [_recorded_ in 196_5_](http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/1085323/a/Sunshine+Superman.htm). ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superman-songs-of-the-1990s/289590/16 "2005-02-11T20:01:34Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > The thread on Five for Fighting’s “100 Years” was linked to a lyrics site which then linked to their “Superman” lyrics. I then recalled “Jimmy Olson Blues/Pocketful of Kryptonite” by the Spin Doctors and “Kryptonite” by 3 Doors Down. All of these were pretty decent hits within a few years of each other. Is “Superman” the Christ-figure of choice for 1990s Pop-Rock artists? > > Why not Batman? I strongly suspect Five-for-Fighting’s Superman tune was written in an effort to submit something for the main title theme for the Smallville TV series; and when it wasn’t chosen, they just went ahead and released it. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superman-songs-of-the-1990s/289590/17 "2005-02-11T20:12:27Z")
Hmmm. Looks like even **Donovan** doesn’t get the title of seminal Superman artist, as folk group [The Brothers Four](http://web.telia.com/~u87125994/brothers4/a28694.htm) released their own “Superman” in 1960. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superman-songs-of-the-1990s/289590/18 "2005-02-11T20:12:46Z")
Well if you’re going to be that way about it, the theme for [The Adventures of Superman](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044231/) was recorded in 1952 (and of course the theme for the radio show debuted with the show in 1940). ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superman-songs-of-the-1990s/289590/19 "2005-02-11T20:14:40Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > Well if you’re going to be that way about it, the theme for [The Adventures of Superman](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044231/) was recorded in 1952 (and of course the theme for the radio show debuted with the show in 1940). Theme songs are cheating, as everyone knows. ---
**Author:** ![Grither](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grither/32/425_2.png) [@Grither](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grither)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superman-songs-of-the-1990s/289590/20 "2005-02-11T20:55:35Z")
> [@Krokodil](#): > > I forget who sings “I’m No Superman.”. [Lazlo Bane](http://www.lookoutsound.com/lazlobane/) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superman-songs-of-the-1990s/289590.md?page=2)