| "Superman's Song" | ||||||||
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Canadian promo single |
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| Single by Crash Test Dummies | ||||||||
| from the album The Ghosts That Haunt Me | ||||||||
| Released | March 1991 | |||||||
| Format | CD single | |||||||
| Genre | Pop/Rock | |||||||
| Label | BMG/Arista | |||||||
| Writer(s) | Brad Roberts | |||||||
| Producer | Steve Berlin | |||||||
| Crash Test Dummies singles chronology | ||||||||
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"Superman's Song" was the first single of the Canadian folk-rock group Crash Test Dummies and came from their 1991 debut album The Ghosts That Haunt Me. The single was the group's first hit, charting in both Canada and the United States. It was also featured in the pilot of the Canadian TV series Due South.
The song was covered by Lucy Wainwright Roche, daughter of Loudon Wainwright III and Suzzy Roche of The Roches, on her second EP "8 More."
Contents |
The song is a slow funeral dirge, mournfully telling the story of Clark Kent/Superman, as if he had recently died. The central theme is the death of the selfless hero. The song notes that Superman had the power to commit great evil and bring himself unfathomable riches, but instead chose to use his powers for good, while expecting no payment for his deeds.
The chorus emphasizes this theme:
Throughout the song, Brad Roberts contrasts Superman and Tarzan, whom he considers a crude, rogue, and uncivilized antihero.
This touching tribute to the Man of Steel eerily predates his eventual death and his replacement by four new heroes claiming to be the "new" Superman.
The music video for the song was directed by Dale Heslip and features the band singing at a funeral for Superman attended by various aging superheroes. Some depicted are a middle aged Wonder Woman-like character, and possibly Green Lantern (Alan Scott). It won the MuchMusic Video Award for Best Video in 1991.
| Chart (1991) | Peak position |
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| Canadian Singles Chart | 4 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 56 |
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