3 Door Down’s “Kyrptonite”, Five For Fighting’s “Superman” and the Spin Doctors’ “Jimmy Olsen’s Blues” all mention Superman. I’m betting he is probably the most common superhero too, since he is probably the only one that is a true cultural icon. (Batman being the next closest, in my opinion.)
But what other songs are there? I don’t think Black Sabbath’s “Iron man” counts, since they are taliing of a Frankenstein’s Monster-type beast in that song, and not the MarvelComics superhero.
Superman and Green Lantern are both mentioned in Sunshine Superman by Donovan.
Kitty Pryde and Nightcrawler in Weezer’s In the Garage.
Jim Croce’s You Don’t Mess Around With Jim:
“You don’t tug on Superman’s cape…”
“You don’t pull the mask off the ol’ Lone Ranger…”
Zev Steinhardt
Likewise, Neil Hefti’s 60’s song Batman (yes, the theme from the 1966 show) was #1 on the charts, so it might qualify as well.
Zev Steinhardt
The Kinks sang “Wish I Could Fly Like Superman.”
REM sang “Superman”
(I am I am I am Superman and I know what’s happening.
I am I am I am Superman and I can do anything.)
Crash Test Dummies had a song called “Superman’s Song”
“Iron Man”- Black Sabbath"
OK, that one is a little iffy.
“Absurd” by Fluke is chock full of superhero references.
Spiderman
Judge Dredd
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
X Men
Enter Sandman?
Superman, by Barbara Streisand
Yuleman vs. the Anti-Claus, by The Bobs
“His powers came from an accident
at the lighting of the city’s tree
He was changing a bulb when they threw the switch
zapping him with electricity”
Then again, there’s also the “superheros” mentioned in Triangle Man by They Might Be Giants:
Triangle Man
Particle Man
Universe Man
Zev Steinhardt
By the way, here are some more…
Zev Steinhardt
Sorry, I should have read the OP more carefully before submitting Iron Man.
Anthrax’s “I am the Law” is about Judge Dredd, who I think was in Marvel comics.
Paul McCartney & Wings’ “Magneto and Titanium Man”
I have not reviewed the thread linked to above, but these sprang to mind: “That’s Really Super, Supergirl” by XTC and (though it’s cheating a lot) “Batdance” by Prince.
Our Lady Peace “Superman’s Dead”
Rollins Band “Ghostrider”
Way back when he was in a duo called Attila, Billy Joel co-wrote a song titled “Wonder Woman.”
Wonder woman with your skin so fair
Wonder woman with your long red hair
Aquaman is mentioned in Barenaked Ladies’ “One Week.”
Green Lantern by the Mutton Birds
Wow. He actually anticipated the Artemis/Wonder Woman series. Spooky.
I’ve wondered about this,and I think Superman is the most often mentioned superhero in songs, because, as was said above, he’s the most iconic in our culture.
Another thing I’ve noticed; kryptonite has become virtually synonymous with any person’s specific weakness (for example: “Liverwurst. That’s my kryptonite.” Not a quote, I just made it up as an example), maybe even more so now than “Achilles’ Heel,” and certainly more so than “albatross.”
Genesis’ Land of Confusion:
“Superman, where are you now/when everything’s gone wrong somehow?”