Introduction

supermanLesson Four - Heroes
Duration - 3 blocks (3 x 80 min + homework)

"ā€¦As opposed to Batman, who runs around, you know, thinking the world is as bad as the Gotham that killed his parents, well, Superman runs around thinking the world could be as nice as Smallville."Ā - Michael Green, formerĀ SmallvilleĀ andĀ Superman/BatmanĀ writer

"Superman's Song" was the first single of theĀ CanadianĀ folk-rockĀ groupĀ Crash Test DummiesĀ and came from their 1991 debut albumĀ The Ghosts That Haunt Me. The single was the group's first hit, charting in both Canada (#4) and the United States (#56).

The song is a slow funeral dirge, mournfully telling the story ofĀ 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:
    Superman never made any money
    For saving the world fromĀ Solomon Grundy
    And sometimes I despair the world will never see
    Another man like him