Waiting for Superman

## Single by Daughtry

"**Waiting for Superman**" is a song by Daughtry, released on September 17, 2013, as the lead single from their fourth studio album, *Baptized*. It appeared on *Billboard*'s Hot 100 and US Adult Contemporary, the category latter of which peaked at number 15. Lead vocalist Chris Daughtry told *Entertainment Tonight*, "'Waiting for Superman,' for me, I think it means waiting for that person to step and be what you need them to be. Whatever that may be, in that particular moment."

## Background and composition

Teaming up with Hyperactivate, the band released the cover artwork, where fans logged onto their official website and completed the image. Chris Daughtry tweeted that the lyrics were "inspired by real life experiences of incredible women."

Co-written with Sam Hollander and Martin Johnson, they had the beginnings of a chorus that developed into the hook. He added that after seeing the premiere of *Man of Steel*, it helped with the concept. He commented, "it got to show a little humor in a pretty serious tune. I thought stuff like being stuck in the laundromat washing his cape was something that the fans had never really seen from me before, being a jokester. They say, 'He takes himself too seriously,' so I just started saying 'Screw it' and putting a little more true personality in the songs."

Daughtry recalled in the track-by-track review to *The Hollywood Reporter*, "It was really fun to write that because it was coming from the third person, as opposed to me writing about myself or something where I'm in the story and it's all about what's happening between me and whoever's in it."

## Reception

Jana Angeles of online magazine *Renowned for Sound* wrote a positive review, stating, "The track itself is a masterpiece. With an edgy pop-rock sound and an enticing story to tell about whether or not this mysterious woman ends up with her superman, it's no wonder Daughtry have a way of keeping their listeners interested."

## Music video

The accompanying lyric video was uploaded to YouTube on September 25, 2013, produced by Nick Pirovano. With a comic-themed visual, the lyrics appear in text boxes, while the background shows animations of women, city landscapes, and backdrops. A month later, the official music video was released to YouTube on October 24, 2013, directed by Shane Drake. Along with scenes of Daughtry singing in a room interspersed throughout, it depicts an ordinary man (Thomas Dekker) who attempts to save others. Despite his heroic efforts, people mistake them as misdeeds or for the worst, which causes him to be crestfallen. He pushes a woman so she would not get run over by a cyclist and saves a man from committing suicide (Patrick Muldoon), though both are angry at him. Although he pursues after a purse snatcher, the police assume he's working in an alliance. Once he helps a girl who gets bullied by fellow peers (Kayla Carlson), a passerby (Josh Paul) mistakes him for display of aggression towards the teenagers, and contacts the police. After he returns the girl home to safety and the police arrive, the girl and her mother (Eli Jane) explain the incident. At the end the girl hugs him, recognizing his good nature, and he walks away, happy.

## Personnel

* Brandon Paddock – background vocals, bass, engineer, miscellaneous producer
* Chris Bernard – editor
* Chris Daughtry – vocals, lyricist, composer
* Claude Kelly – lyricist, composer
* John Hanes – engineer
* John Largieri – lyricist
* John Keefe – drums
* John Schmidt – background vocals
* Kyle Moorman – engineer, miscellaneous producer
* Martin Johnson – background vocals, lyricist, composer, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, engineer, percussion, piano, producer, programmer
* Sam Hollander – background vocals, songwriter
* Serban Gheanea – mixing engineer

## Trivia and cultural references

* Superman is a fictional superhero who lives in the city of Metropolis. He is often thought of as selfless, who helps and protects others. His significant other is Lois Lane.

## Lyrics

**Lyrics**
[Verse 1]

She's watching the taxi driver, he pulls away

She's been locked up inside her apartment 100 days

She says "Yeah, he's still coming, just a little bit late

He got stuck at the laundromat washing his cape"

She's just watching the clouds roll by and they spell her name

Like Lois Lane

And she smiles, oh, the way she smiles

[Chorus]

She's talking to angels, counting the stars

Making a wish on a passing car

She's dancing with strangers, falling apart

Waiting for Superman to pick her up

In his arms, yeah, in his arms, yeah

Waiting for Superman

[Verse 2]

She's out on the corner trying to catch a glimpse

Nothing's making sense

She's been chasing an answer

A sign lost in the abyss, this Metropolis

She says, "Yeah, he's still coming, just a little bit late

He got stuck at the Five and Dime saving the day

She says, "If life was a movie, then it wouldn't end like this

Left without a kiss"

Still, she smiles, oh, the way she smiles, yeah

[Chorus]

She's talking to angels, she's counting the stars

Making a wish on a passing car

She's dancing with strangers, she's falling apart

Waiting for Superman to pick her up

In his arms, yeah, in his arms, yeah

She's waiting for Superman

[Bridge]

To lift her up and take her anywhere

Show her love

Flying through the air

Save her now before it's too late tonight

Oh, at the speed of light

And she smiles

[Chorus]

She's talking to angels, she's counting the stars

Making a wish on a passing car

She's dancing with strangers, she's falling apart

Waiting for Superman to pick her up

In his arms, yeah, oh, in his arms, yeah

She's waiting for Superman

[Outro]

To lift her up and take her anywhere

Show her love

Flying through the air

Save her now before it's too late tonight

She's waiting for Superman

## References

1. ↑ Bronson, Fred (September 25, 2013). "'American Idol' on the Charts: Daughtry Returns with 'Super'-Sized Debut". *The Hollywood Reporter*.
2. ↑ Seemayer, Zach (November 21, 2013). "Daughtry Reveals Meaning Behind 'Baptized' Songs". *ET*.
3. ↑ "Chris Daughtry (@CHRIS\_Daughtry)". *Twitter*. September 16, 2013.
4. ↑ Brown, Eric Renner (February 16, 2016). "Daughtry shares the stories behind his greatest songs". *EW*.
5. ↑ Angermiller, Michelle Amabile (November 19, 2013). "Daughtry's 'Baptized': Track by Track". *The Hollywood Reporter*.
6. ↑ Angeles, Jana (2013). "Single Review: Daughtry – 'Waiting For Superman'". *Renowned for Sound*.
7. ↑ "Daughtry - Waiting For Superman (Lyric)". *YouTube*. September 25, 2013.
8. ↑ "Daughtry - Waiting for Superman". *YouTube*. October 24, 2013.