Superman (It's Not Easy)

## Single by Five for Fighting

"**Superman (It's Not Easy)**" is a song by Five for Fighting, released on April 16, 2001, as the second single and third track from his second studio album, *America Town*. It tells the burden of expectations Superman faces, reluctantly accepting his role as a superhero and wondering if anyone considers how he feels. The accompanying music video was directed by Ramaa Mosley and premiered in June 2001. The single was nominated in 2002 for a Grammy in the Best Pop Performance By a Duo or Group with Vocal category but lost to U2's "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of".

## Background

Ondrasik shared that he wrote the song in "less than an hour," with the exception of the second pre-hook, and almost considered not recording it since it was a ballad, rather than a rock track. However, it was included on the album upon the insistence of the producer. Due to the lead single "Easy Tonight" not selling enough records, the record company agreed for Ondrasik to have one more shot, resulting in him selecting "Superman". The radio was wary of the single, since the sound was not typically heard on radio stations at the time, though it eventually stood out because of this. In the aftermath of 9/11, the song paved the way as a tribute to the victims, survivors, and front-line workers. Ondrasik remarked about this, "I have mixed emotions. It was humbling that the song seemed to matter on a level no one could have imagined. Though like everyone, I was horrified and angered by the event that caused a circumstance where songs like 'Superman' were needed. Still, in playing the Concert for New York City, I saw how music can transcend and make a difference in people's lives. It was an honor to be a small part of that."<ref""What Kind of World Do You Want?" Spotlight on Five for Fighting's John Ondrasik". *New Jersey Stage*. June 6, 2020.</ref>

In terms of listeners, he shared, "I've kind of found out over the last 20 years doing keynotes or concerts or meet-and-greets, so many adults really related to "Superman" because people that are basically responsible for families understand that it's hard to be the rock all the time. You can't be everything for everybody. You can't be superman for everyone. I think it had a unique resonance with adults—and kids liked it too—that maybe other pop songs didn't. I think that's one reason why it had a certain place and probably why it's still relevant in a certain way today."

## Music video

The Ramaa Mosley-directed video depicts Ondrasik's pregnant wife, Carla, holding their child. At the end of the video, they appear once more on the bed with Ondrasik joining them. Mosley revealed in an interview, "When I wrote the idea for the video I knew that John was married and his next baby was on the way. I knew that while on the road he really missed his family, so I came up with the idea of the video ending with him reunited with them. It just felt like 'Superman' was a metaphor for John going out into the world to accomplish big things but always carrying his family in his heart."

## Credits and personnel

* Dorian Crozier – percussion, drums
* Five for Fighting – writer, vocals
* Gregg Wattenberg – producer, guitars
* Ralph Ferris – viola
* Shane Keister – piano
* Sheldon Gomberg – bass
* Victor Lawrence – cello

## Lyrics

**Lyrics**
[Verse 1]

I can't stand to fly

I'm not that naïve

I'm just out to find

The better part of me

[Chorus]

I'm more than a bird, I'm more than a plane

I'm more than some pretty face beside a train

And it's not easy to be me

[Verse 2]

I wish that I could cry

Fall upon my knees

Find a way to lie

'Bout a home I'll never see

[Chorus]

It may sound absurd, but don't be naive

Even heroes have the right to bleed

I may be disturbed, but won't you concede

Even heroes have the right to dream

And it's not easy to be me

[Bridge]

Up, up, and away, away from me

Well, it's alright

You can all sleep sound tonight

I'm not crazy or anything

[Verse 3]

I can't stand to fly

I'm not that naïve

Men weren't meant to ride

With clouds between their knees

[Chorus]

I'm only a man in a silly red sheet

Diggin' for kryptonite on this one way street

Only a man in a funny red sheet

Lookin' for special things inside of me

[Outro]

Inside of me

Inside of me

Yeah, inside of me

Inside of me

I'm only a man in a funny red sheet

I'm only a man lookin' for a dream

I'm only a man in a funny red sheet

And it's not easy, hoo, hoo, hoo

It's not easy to be me

## References

1. ↑ Jacobs, Jay S. (March 26, 2004). "Lead singer John Ondrasik talks to Jay S. Jacobs of PopEntertainment.com about his band and the hits 'Superman (It's Not Easy)' and '100 Years.'". *Pop Entertainment*.
2. ↑ Uitti, Jacob (2020). "John Ondrasik Goes Behind the Song on Five for Fighting Smash, "Superman"". *American Songwriter*.