Songs About Superman

He's the original bullet-racing, locomotive-overpowering, tight-wearing superhero, and for a fictional character, he's made more impact on western culture than you might realize. Not only have there been multiple television shows, movies, and of course enough comic books about him to wallpaper the great pyramid of Giza (I'm assuming that, I haven't actually done the required math), there have also been lots of songs either about him or featuring him. On the off chance you didn't see the title, this is a rating of songs about Superman.

"Kryptonite" by Three Doors Down: You know how some songs are really good, but not quite right? Most of the song is good, but there's just one part that doesn't sound like it should, and you think "I would have done it differently, and it would be better." Well, that's what I think about this song. Maybe I don't entirely get the point of the song, but I would have made a few lyric changes and come up with another title, because, well, I don't feel like explaining it. Also the fact that this song was played absolutely to death by every top 40 radio station on the continent is really Bad.

"Superman's Song" by the Crash Test Dummies: This slow, melancholic ballad proved to be the Dummies' big breakout hit, and probably is to this day the song most people will immediately associate with them. Not that there's anything wrong with that, mind you, because it's a great song. Sure, it's a little bit silly, but that's par for the course with the Crash Test Dummies (check out "Swimming In Your Ocean" for another silly CTD hit if you don't believe me). In any case, this song is really, really Good.

"Superman (It's Not Easy)" by Five for Fighting: I am so sick of this song that words fall far short of describing now sick I am of this song. I don't see why people think it's such a good song. It's musically completely uninteresting, and lyrically it's not especially interesting either. Throw in that I don't particularly like John Ondrasik's voice, and this overplayed tune is scoring an Ugly.

"Superman's Dead" by Our Lady Peace: I don't think I really get this song, but that's not surprising, since I don't really get Our Lady Peace in general. Maybe it would help if I listened to them more. I'd probably listen to them more if I liked them. If I understood them, I'd probably like them. It's a vicious circle, and those are almost always Bad.

"You Don't Mess Around With Jim" by Jim Croce: Okay, this one isn't so much about Superman, but it does contain the line "You don't tug on Superman's cape" along with other bad ideas, like spitting into the wind, pulling the mask off the Lone Ranger, and messing around with Jim. While none of these are particularly good ideas, in the song a guy named Slim shows up and breaks Jim like a cinder block breaks a stained glass window (not that I recommend anyone try that). So messing around with Jim isn't such a bad idea after all. I still think that tugging on Superman's cape could get Ugly.

"Land of Confusion" by Genesis: Again, not a song really about Superman, more about the deterioration of western civilization, but there's a line about Superman in the song ("Superman where are you now, everything's gone wrong somehow") so it qualifies. The video, though, features Spitting Image puppets, including ones of the band members, and most amusingly, Ronald Reagan dreaming of being Superman and running around in tights and a cape. That alone puts this one down as Good.

"(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman" by the Kinks: I've saved the best for last, and when I say best, I mean my personal favourite. This song is great. It's upbeat, fun, musically very catchy, and lyrically it's very clever. How can you not love lines like "I'd like to fly but I can't even swim." If you aren't familiar with this song, I feel bad for you. The song is just that Good.