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.
Crucified
For eternal sins
Re-invent myself
Shape my alter skin
Try to break the mold
Severed hold
First you find your threshold bevels
Breathing out your toxic levels
Long slow rope is hangin'
Now we know what's comin'
Oh superman
Where have you gone
With a little more time
And a six leaf clover
Just a little more head
To make you bolder
Just a little more sound
Been playing tricks you know
She got sucked so dry
We destroy ourselves
To rise again
Open up yourself
Like a Jesus son
Only way out is through
Way past you
First you get to human levels
Run right through your bullshit pedals
Long slow rope is hanging
Now we know what's coming
Oh superman
Where have you gone
With a little more time
And a six leaf clover
Just a little more head
To make you bolder
Just a little more sound
Just a little more sound
Just a little more sound
Been playing tricks you know
He got sucked so dry and you oughta know how to lose
Long slow rope is hanging
Long slow rope is hanging
Long slow rope is hanging
Long slow rope is hanging
Oh superman
What have you done
With a little more time
And a six leaf clover
Just a little more head
To make you bolder
Just a little more sound
A little more sound
Just a little more sound
Just a little more sound
Just a little more sound
Just a little more sound
A little more sound
A little more sound
For eternal sins
Re-invent myself
Shape my alter skin
Try to break the mold
Severed hold
First you find your threshold bevels
Breathing out your toxic levels
Long slow rope is hangin'
Now we know what's comin'
Oh superman
Where have you gone
With a little more time
And a six leaf clover
Just a little more head
To make you bolder
Just a little more sound
Been playing tricks you know
She got sucked so dry
We destroy ourselves
To rise again
Open up yourself
Like a Jesus son
Only way out is through
Way past you
First you get to human levels
Run right through your bullshit pedals
Long slow rope is hanging
Now we know what's coming
Oh superman
Where have you gone
With a little more time
And a six leaf clover
Just a little more head
To make you bolder
Just a little more sound
Just a little more sound
Just a little more sound
Been playing tricks you know
He got sucked so dry and you oughta know how to lose
Long slow rope is hanging
Long slow rope is hanging
Long slow rope is hanging
Long slow rope is hanging
Oh superman
What have you done
With a little more time
And a six leaf clover
Just a little more head
To make you bolder
Just a little more sound
A little more sound
Just a little more sound
Just a little more sound
Just a little more sound
Just a little more sound
A little more sound
A little more sound
Lyrics submitted by joeytucciarone
Superman Lyrics as written by Gavin Rossdale
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
this song is okay. It ia about our crazy, fucked up world, and how we need a superman to save us.
SUPERMAN, HELP!
Nightcrawler is better, he would help us...... :)
Pertty muchwhat ashley said, althoughthisis be far my favorite work from bush
no no no no no. you guys are dumb and unimaginative.
he's saying nothing can save us, not even Superman. "with a little more time and a six-leaf clover." you've been here for so long and you need something that doesn't exist to save you. you're kidding yourself thinking time will make it better. "just a little more head to make you bolder." a lot of people remedy their miserable lives with sexual pleasure. 'getting head will make you able to go on' or something like that. "you only know how to lose" self explanitory. "only way out is through, way past you." either he means only you can help yourself get through life, or that Superman can do it. but he's obviously not real. "oh superman, where have you gone?" I believed in you when I was younger but now my spirit is dead. aaahhh, enlightening.
shame on everyone who's heard this song for not commenting on it. it's fantastic.
Seems like a parody about losers, those kind of losers who do stupid stuff to be accepted, and act or try to act like Supermen so other people notice them; "Crucified for atonal sins re-invent myself Shed my alter-skin Tried to break the mould" In this part seems that the guy was "crucified" for something he did, and he is trying to change to please other people. (right now I just read a sentence that I didn't remember, which supports my theory: "And you only know how to lose") Also, it seems the guy seeks approval from society for everything he does - with the aim to be a superman! Dificult to put it in writing... Great, great song, anyway!!!
Schumie, I really like your approach. However, I thought these two lines were a little intense. Sounds like they're about to hang the guy:
"Long slow rope is hanging Now we know what's coming"
I love the description though. Bush writes beautiful things. This is my favorite song on the album.
Great song...kinda reminds me of the Superman movie that just came out. The lyrics coincide with the movie...amazing coincidence. "Superman, where have you gone?" perfect.
A little more head to make you bolder indeed
Your approach to the song is great, killab. To be honest, the first time i tried to really understand this song, the theme Jesus came to my mind. But after a while, it became too bovious, and I tried a diferent approach: a sarcastic song about losers.
Even if it may be too obvious for a Bush song, i believe your understanding on the song is probably the most correct one.
Also, your ideas are very well explained.
BTW, don't you want to write what you think about "Synapse"? It's probably my favorite song of all times.
Thanks.
I dont know why, but for some reason I feel like he is mad at a girl in this song for not giving him what he needs.
Also, I believe:
With a little more time and a six-leaf clover Just a little more head to make you bolder Just a little more sound a little more sound
is referring to his guitar (six leaf clover aka string tighteners) and "alittle more head" isnt sexual, its him talking about his guitar, (the guitar head to be exact) like he needs to play it more for things to be better.
Thats just my 2 cents