Superman's Dead
Encyclopedia
"Superman's Dead" is a song by Our Lady Peace
, released as the first single from their second album Clumsy. This has become one of Our Lady Peace
's most popular songs in both Canada and the U.S., as well as many other parts of the world.
The song has become the definitive example of Our Lady Peace's staple sound, highlighted by vocalist Raine Maida
's unusual yet powerful falsetto. This song, in contrast to many others on the album, is very heavy, especially in comparison to tracks like "Automatic Flowers" and "Clumsy".
"From the bathroom I heard Raine playing something on an acoustic guitar. When I came out I asked him what it was. He told me that it was just something he was toying around with. I really liked what he was doing so for the next day or so the band and I worked on developing what became "Superman's Dead." ~Arnold Lanni
Raine Maida stated, "I grew up with the old Superman, the black-and-white one
. There was something so honest about it, and it's evolved into Beavis and Butthead". He also says of youthful TV pleasures, "Their images are defined by television: How they should think or what they should wear. It's kind of sad that way"
) trapped in the box, which was co-directed by George Vale and the band, the U.S. version which featured an unusual array of characters including clowns and goblins, and another U.S. version which simply showed the band playing the song. The original video was filmed over the first couple of days of January 1997 in an abandoned warehouse in Toronto
. That version premiered on MuchMusic
on January 20, 1997. This version also won the award for "Favourite Video
" at the 1997 MuchMusic Video Awards. It is interesting to note that in the U.S. music videos, Raine Maida is shown playing the guitar in some parts, while in the original Canadian version he is not.
in Saint John, New Brunswick
, the first date of the Clumsy tour. Since then it has seldom been excluded from the band's live set. "Superman's Dead" was played live on the Conan O'Brien Show
on October 1, 1997.
During concerts, when the song always pauses abruptly for the "Doesn't anybody ever know..." section, the band takes a slight pause, and the audience sings the outro. This can be heard in their live album Live (2003), and many other live concerts.
Acoustic Single
Austrian Single
US/GER Promo CD
French Single
United Kingdom Single
Our Lady Peace
Our Lady Peace is a Canadian alternative rock band that formed in Toronto, Ontario in 1992. Headed by lead vocalist Raine Maida since its formation, the band additionally consists of Jeremy Taggart on percussion, Duncan Coutts on bass, and Steve Mazur as lead guitarist...
, released as the first single from their second album Clumsy. This has become one of Our Lady Peace
Our Lady Peace
Our Lady Peace is a Canadian alternative rock band that formed in Toronto, Ontario in 1992. Headed by lead vocalist Raine Maida since its formation, the band additionally consists of Jeremy Taggart on percussion, Duncan Coutts on bass, and Steve Mazur as lead guitarist...
's most popular songs in both Canada and the U.S., as well as many other parts of the world.
The song has become the definitive example of Our Lady Peace's staple sound, highlighted by vocalist Raine Maida
Raine Maida
Raine Maida , is a Canadian musician best known as being the lead vocalist and primary songwriter of the alternative rock band Our Lady Peace. He has come to be known for his unique countertenor nasal falsetto singing voice, as well as his cryptic and poetry-influenced song lyrics...
's unusual yet powerful falsetto. This song, in contrast to many others on the album, is very heavy, especially in comparison to tracks like "Automatic Flowers" and "Clumsy".
Origins
Our Lady Peace producer Arnold Lanni recalls that late in the recording of Clumsy, he and the band were working on tracking a song called "Hello Oskar", when they decided to take a break for a few minutes."From the bathroom I heard Raine playing something on an acoustic guitar. When I came out I asked him what it was. He told me that it was just something he was toying around with. I really liked what he was doing so for the next day or so the band and I worked on developing what became "Superman's Dead." ~Arnold Lanni
Arnold Lanni
Arnold David Lanni is a Canadian record producer, and former member of both Frozen Ghost and Sheriff. He wrote Sheriff's most successful song, "When I'm With You."-History:...
Meaning
"Superman's Dead" was seen by the band as a dark statement on how much television kids watch and the content of it. It looks at the dark expectations that are garnered from media images:- An ordinary girl an ordinary waist
- But ordinary's just not good enough today
Raine Maida stated, "I grew up with the old Superman, the black-and-white one
Adventures of Superman (TV series)
Adventures of Superman is an American television series based on comic book characters and concepts created in 1938 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The show is the first television series to feature Superman and began filming in 1951 in California...
. There was something so honest about it, and it's evolved into Beavis and Butthead". He also says of youthful TV pleasures, "Their images are defined by television: How they should think or what they should wear. It's kind of sad that way"
Music videos
Three music videos have been made for this song - the Canadian version of a child (played by Ryan DennisRyan Dennis
Ryan Thomas Dennis is a Canadian musician and current frontman of independent hard rock band High Kapitol. Dennis is the former lead singer of the Canadian punk band Serial Joe...
) trapped in the box, which was co-directed by George Vale and the band, the U.S. version which featured an unusual array of characters including clowns and goblins, and another U.S. version which simply showed the band playing the song. The original video was filmed over the first couple of days of January 1997 in an abandoned warehouse in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. That version premiered on MuchMusic
MuchMusic
MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
on January 20, 1997. This version also won the award for "Favourite Video
MuchMusic Video Award for Peoples Choice: Favourite Canadian Video
The Award for Peoples Choice: Favorite Canadian Video is an award presented at the MuchMusic Video Awards. The award was not presented after the 2000 MuchMusic Video Awards until the 2009. During that period, the award show presented the awards for Peoples Choice: Favourite Canadian Group and...
" at the 1997 MuchMusic Video Awards. It is interesting to note that in the U.S. music videos, Raine Maida is shown playing the guitar in some parts, while in the original Canadian version he is not.
Live performances
The first performance of "Superman's Dead" took place on January 13, 1997 at Harbour StationHarbour Station
Harbour Station is an arena located in the uptown area of Saint John, New Brunswick.It was the home of the American Hockey League's Saint John Flames from 1993 until their demise in 2003....
in Saint John, New Brunswick
Saint John, New Brunswick
City of Saint John , or commonly Saint John, is the largest city in the province of New Brunswick, and the first incorporated city in Canada. The city is situated along the north shore of the Bay of Fundy at the mouth of the Saint John River. In 2006 the city proper had a population of 74,043...
, the first date of the Clumsy tour. Since then it has seldom been excluded from the band's live set. "Superman's Dead" was played live on the Conan O'Brien Show
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Late Night with Conan O'Brien is an American late-night talk show hosted by Conan O'Brien that aired 2,725 episodes on NBC between 1993 and 2009. The show featured varied comedic material, celebrity interviews, and musical and comedy performances. Late Night aired weeknights at 12:37 am...
on October 1, 1997.
During concerts, when the song always pauses abruptly for the "Doesn't anybody ever know..." section, the band takes a slight pause, and the audience sings the outro. This can be heard in their live album Live (2003), and many other live concerts.
Single releases
Canadian CD Single- "Superman's Dead" (Maida/Turner) 4:16
- "Let You Down" (Maida) - 3:15
- "StarseedStarseed (song)"Starseed" is the second single off Our Lady Peace's first album Naveed, released in 1994. It was remixed and released on the soundtrack to Armageddon. Also, a live version from the 2003 Live album was released as a single. The song was also planned to be included on the soundtrack for Drew...
" [Live] - 4:50
Acoustic Single
- "Superman's Dead" [Acoustic] (Maida/Turner) - 5:12
- "Innocent" [Acoustic] - 4:18
Austrian Single
- "Superman's Dead" (Maida/Turner) - 4:16
- "Let You Down" (Maida) - 3:15
US/GER Promo CD
- "Superman's Dead" (Maida/Turner) - 4:16
- "Car Crash" (Maida/Turner) - 5:07
French Single
- "Superman's Dead" - 4:19
- "Let You Down" - 3:52
United Kingdom Single
- "Superman's Dead" - 4:19
- "Let You Down" - 3:55
- "Starseed" - 4:04