Superman
Poetry Analysis Through Music
Five for Fighting
John Ondrasik aka Five for Fighting is an American singer-songwriter. His best-known songs are "100 years," "Superman," and "The Riddle." During his youth he wrote thousands of songs for fun. Thus, when his song, "Superman" became such a big hit in 2000 his mother was very surprised- John would be able to make money writing and playing music! Being a rocket scientist his father was proud of John for all the hours he put into his craft.
Allusion to Superheroes
"I can't stand to fly"
"I'm more than a bird, I'm more than a plane"
"Up, up and away, away from me"
Rhyme
"I'm more than a plane,
I'm more than some pretty face beside a train"
"Even heroes have the right to bleed
I may be disturbed but won’t you concede"
Repitition
"I'm only a man" (repeated 5 times)
"It's not easy to be me" (repeated 4 times)
LIteral or Figurative Lyrics
The lyrics in this song are meant to be taken literally. It's about a man who always has to stay strong, and how at times he wishes he could just brake down and cry. This song is about a man looking for something special inside of him. A man who wishes he didn't always have to be strong.
Meaning of Song Revealed through Literal Text
It may sound absurd, but don't be naïve
Even Heroes have the right to bleed
I may be disturbed but won't you concede
Even Heroes have the right to dream
It's not easy to be me.