When it comes to songwriting, superheroes have always been a great source of inspiration. Whether you’re inspired by their great feats of heroism or finding something humanizing in the most godlike of people, superheroes make for wonderful stories, and there’s a story behind almost every good song.
For this week’s edition of Friday Five, I’d like to present to you five of my favorite songs about superheroes. Did we forget your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
5. The Metasciences: Four Color Love Story
This is a simple song, but it’s sweet and heartwarming enough to bring me to tears on almost every listen. Unlike the other songs on this list, it’s not a song about any one specific superhero, but a love letter to superheroes and comic books in general. Comics have had no problem delving into grimdark territory for as long as I’ve been alive, but this song reassures readers of their innocence, and that everything is going to be okay at the end of the day. “Gwen Stacy isn’t dead, she’s only sleeping. And Elektra isn’t evil or insane. Those bastards at the Pentagon can’t really kill Sue Dibny, no more than they could kill of Lois Lane”, promises the song in a particularly touching moment, and it’s easy to believe it. This is the only song by The Metasciences I’ve ever heard, but every time I listen, I want to hear more.
4. Mark Aaron James: Aquaman’s Lament
Aquaman has recently gone through a bit of an image rehab, but this song embraces all of the character’s flaws and shows how they might not be as bad as you think. The song manages to sell listeners on the awesomeness of Aquaman while getting in some pretty potent Batman disses. “If you see it with objective, he is just Bruce Wayne in tights, but you could be a bit selective and have free seafood every night”, the song proclaims, and it’s easy to see Mark Aaron James‘ point. We haven’t had many chances to see Batman and Aquaman as rivals in the comic book world, but I have to say, it’s not a bad idea.
3. Sufjan Stevens: The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts
Superman’s Dead. I’m No Superman. Waitin’ on a Superman. There are few characters who have inspired quite as many songs as the man of steel. While many Superman related tunes have a regular spot on my playlist, it’s the Sufjan Stevens ditty “The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts” that earns a spot on this list. The song is about both Metropolis – both the fictional city and the actual one in Illinois – and our spandex-clad hero, and I appreciate that it recognizes the impact a hero can have on his city. There’s plenty of Christian subtext, sure, but Superman himself has been used as a Christ allegory on many occasions, so I think the shoe fits. It’s hard to go wrong when it comes to songs about Superman, but I hope this one will someday be a classic.
2. Jim’s Big Ego: The Ballad of Barry Allen
People think of superhero comics as wish fulfillment stories, but “The Ballad of Barry Allen” tackles the darker side of having superpowers. Most people can’t relate to being able to run faster than the speed of light, but they can relate to extreme loneliness and isolation, things this Jim’s Big Ego tune captures beautifully. I love the entire Flash family, but every time I play this song, I gain a deeper appreciation of them. The song is written and sung by Jim Infantino, who is the nephew of Carmine Infantino, co-creator of Barry Allen himself. I like to think their family has had some pretty great conversations about the implications of super speed.
1. The Ramones: Spider-Man
This is one of those songs that I randomly catch myself singing for no reason forever. It’s quite possibly the catchiest superhero song of all time, which is no small feat. There are many versions of this song, from the original theme song rendition to Michael Bublé‘s unusual jazz cover, but The Ramones version is hands down the best one, and the reason this song is among my very favorites. It’s right up there with “nananananananana” when it comes to what a superhero’s theme song should be, and is a wonderful explanation of the character’s ability. It would be a better would if every superhero had a song as half as good as “Spider-Man”.