The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Superboy, Supergirl:
Oh, I’ve got a question for Superworld
What gets you through?
Who gets you past?
And how do you, fly so fast?
Oh, is it the fame?
Cause everybody knows, who you are?
Well, it can’t be the same
Cause I hear you’re from outer space, pretty far
Superboy’s got his problems,
And Girl’s got her hang-ups
And I know that it can’t be easy to be
Superboy in a messed up world, these days
Or a Supergirl in a thankless world, these days
(x2)
Bu-bu-bup, bu-bu-bup (etc)
I said, “Please don’t let them get you down,
Because you’re the only superheroes in our town.”
(x6)
Oh, I’ve got a question for Superworld
What gets you through?
Who gets you past?
And how do you, fly so fast?
Oh, is it the fame?
Cause everybody knows, who you are?
Well, it can’t be the same
Cause I hear you’re from outer space, pretty far
Superboy’s got his problems,
And Girl’s got her hang-ups
And I know that it can’t be easy to be
Superboy in a messed up world, these days
Or a Supergirl in a thankless world, these days
(x2)
Bu-bu-bup, bu-bu-bup (etc)
I said, “Please don’t let them get you down,
Because you’re the only superheroes in our town.”
(x6)
Lyrics submitted by mmkg_28
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
I think the "superpeople" is just people that are not absorbed by the mediocrity, vulgarity or negativity of everyone around. Sometimes when you say something intelligent or you have greats ideas is difficult to fit in. Or maybe when you are nice or try to help everyone is like the world is not gonna reward you for that. But he talks about fame too... maybe its about being a good example or something like this. But im pretty sure he is not talking about Kim Kardashian or Ironman.